You’ve decided it’s time to make a wise investment in both your physical and mental health with a hot tub, and you already know it’s definitely one of the best decisions you’ve ever made. Just like with anything else that’s important to you, you’ll need to give it a little TLC to keep it in proper working order. As you learn more about hot tub maintenance, it’s vital to understand why things like the pH level are so important to the health of your spa.
What is total alkalinity?
Total Alkalinity, also called TA, is the buffer for your pH. It’s what allows you to control how basic or acidic your levels are on the pH scale. Keep in mind that when you adjust your pH to help balance your spa’s water, it can also affect your TA. Aim for a Total Alkalinity of 80 to 120 ppm for the best outcome when adjusting your pH levels.
What is a pH level?
As you begin your hot tub’s water care, one of the things you’ll check on a regular basis is the pH level, or how acidic your water is. The scale goes from 0 to 14, with lower numbers being increasingly acidic and higher numbers more basic. A perfect balance is 7, but for spa water, anything between 7.2 and 7.8 is fine. If your water becomes too acidic, it can cause damage to your hot tub or irritate your skin. Even your sanitizer will become less effective at keeping your spa clean when your numbers are too high or too low.
How to Balance Your Spa
So, what’s a hot tub owner to do when the chemical levels are off? If your TA and pH are both too high, a simple dose of pH decreaser should do the trick. Remember that your TA affects your pH, so one product should take care of your high levels. If your pH is low, add a pH increaser! Again, your TA should adjust accordingly. Now, what if it’s your TA that’s low, but your pH is fine? Simply add some Alkalinity Increaser, which shouldn’t bother your already balanced pH. Always go back and double check your water after adding chemical-altering products.
Are you still trying to find the hot tub of your dreams? Texas Hot Tub Company has the Hot Spring® Spa you’ve been searching for! Contact us today and get started on the life-changing journey that premium hydrotherapy offers.