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April 4th, 2023 by
You've finally got your hot tub ready to go, but now it's time to get it ready for use. This is where the actual fun begins: you get to relax in the warm water while admiring your hard work (and hopefully soaking up some vitamin D). But before you take that first dip, there are some things you need to do first so that your spa is clean and safe. Here's what you should do:
Clean and Sanitise Your Hot Tub:
This one may seem obvious but can be easily overlooked especially if you are setting up a new hot tub – but before you get started you'll want to clean and sanitize the tub before use, as not only will this remove any containments that may already be on the surface but it will also help prevent bacteria growth, which can affect the life of your hot tubs more delicate parts as well as having any effect on your own health.
Clean off any debris from jets, walls, bottom and spa cover with an old toothbrush dipped in a disinfectant and water mixture; then rinse thoroughly with clean water from a hose or bucket until no suds remain on any surfaces inside or outside of your spa's shell (this includes cleaning around drains where dirt can get trapped).
Check Filters
Before filling your tub with water, it is a good idea to check your filters (this is something you should get into the habit of doing regularly anyway) check to make sure there is no damage and if you notice any then be sure to replace these as soon as possible and before carrying on with the rest of the process.
It is also worth giving your filters a clean too, whether it is brand new or if it has been in storage. To do this you will need a filter cleaner, these usually come in two different forms and are incredibly easy to use. Most filter cleaners will require you to remove any debris before then creating a mixture of cleaner and water and leaving your filter to soak overnight. It should then be rinsed and left to dry before being placed back in your hot tub.
Alternatively, for those eager to jump into their hot tub as soon as possible, you can also pick up instant filter cleaners. These will allow you to clean your filter in around 15 minutes or so.
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Checking Water Levels
Now the trickiest part about setting up your hot tub is getting your water levels correct, you will likely need the help of some chemicals for this and that is where it can become confusing. After all, there are so many available on the market.
However, we will be covering only the most important chemicals here that you need to ensure your hot tub is safe for use. Now in order to check your water levels you will need to invest in a water testing kit – these come as paper strips or a digital reader and either of these are fine. Once you have completed this test you will be given a reading of your current levels of Alkaline, pH and chlorine which will then need to be adjusted accordingly. Which we will go into more detail about below.
Adjust the alkaline level of your water.
Alkaline levels are important for hot tub water, so you'll need to test your alkaline level every week. You should have a total Alkalinity level between 80-120mg/l ppm – too much or too little will affect the quality of your water as too much will render Chlorine ineffective while too little can result in acidic water than can cause skin and eye irritation.
If your levels are too high or too low you will need to use a total alkalinity reducer or increaser, the product you use should indicate how much one dose should alter the alkalinity, so follow these guidelines to reach the correct levels. Be sure to test again after the product is fully dissolved to check the levels are correct.
Pro-Kleen TA Plus Total Alkalinity Increaser 1KG Price: £11.99
Adjust the pH level of the water.
pH levels are equally as important and should also be regularly tested. The ideal range for hot tub water is between 7.2 and 7.8. Very similar to the total alkalinity process should you need to raise or lower your hot tub's pH level, you will need to use a pH reducer or increaser depending on your needs. Follow the instructions and add the correct dosage to achieve the right levels. Incorrect pH levels can result in skin and eye irritation or water becoming cloudy or excess foam.
Pro-Kleen 1.5KG Hot Tub PH Reducer Sodium Bisulphate Price: £14.99
Add chlorine to your hot tub.
Once you've got your hot tub’s pH and Alkalinity levels adjusted, it's time to add some chlorine. Chlorine is a chemical used to kill bacteria in water, so it's important that you have enough of it in your hot tub so it will keep the water clean and keep bacteria at bay which is beneficial to both the hot tub and the user. The ideal level of chlorine should be between 3.0 and 5.0 ppm (parts per million).
Just like the alkalinity and pH levels you can measure the amount of free available chlorine by using either test strips or an electronic tester. If your reading falls outside these ranges then you will need to introduce chlorine into your water by following the dosing instructions until you reach the correct quantity.
Hot tub maintenance is important to keep hot tubs clean and safe
Once your chemicals have had enough time to dissolve – it is usually a good idea to leave it an hour or so and use another test strip to make sure all levels are within the correct range. Once you have done so you can then start to enjoy your time relaxing in the hot water!
However, it is important that you do not forget to keep up with checking your water levels frequently. This will ensure the water stays clean ad free of bacteria. This will keep your hot tub working at its best for longer, as well as ensure you do not suffer from any unpleasant skin irritations or rashes.
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new. If you have any questions about hot tub maintenance, please don't hesitate to contact us.
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