(Or: How to know when maintenance is overdue)
You try to stay organized with your hot tub maintenance, but sometimes you forget to put things on the calendar. Maybe life got busy and suddenly you realized that it’s been awhile since you’ve taken care of the hot tub.
Don’t worry. If things have gone too long, your hot tub will show definite signs that it’s in need of maintenance. We have put together a quick guide to help you know when your hot tub is overdue for a little TLC.
Start with a visual check. If you see cloudy, foamy or green water, you know that your tub is ready for some maintenance.
Cloudy Water
Cloudy water? Check your filter. It could just be loose, but it’s possible that it needs to be cleaned or replaced. Either way it needs to be checked. If your filter is good, but your water is still looking cloudy, your water could have too many chemicals in it. If that’s the case, add some clarifier to help return your tub to that clear, inviting water you should see.
Foamy Water
Foamy water in your hot tub means that the water has taken on too much residue from soap, lotion, and body oils. This can usually be corrected by adjusting your pH. If the foam continues to appear after you have adjusted the pH, you’ll probably need to fully drain and clean your tub.
Green Water
Obviously, green water is an indicator that you have a problem. That lovely green color is an indicator that algae is present. High pH supports algae growth, so you’ll want to lower the pH to eliminate the problem.
If your water looks fine but you’re noticing an unusual smell when you take the cover off, that can also be an indicator that something is wrong.
Musty Smell
Sometimes there might be a slight musty smell to your hot tub. That musty smell definitely doesn’t say “come and soak here.” It usually means that your tub is low on sanitizer. Add a bit, and that musty smell should be taken care of.
Chemical Smell
On the other hand, if your tub has a strong chemical odor, you’ve got too much chlorine in your water. Adding sanitizer can correct this problem as well. The bottom line is, if your tub smells off, sanitizer is probably the solution.
Simply put, your hot tub will definitely let you know when it’s overdue for maintenance. It’s most ideal to keep up with routine maintenance so you don’t have to miss out on any time in your hot tub. But if you do get off of your routine, watch for these signs make the appropriate adjustments, then get back on schedule. If you have any problems or questions, let us know. We’re happy to help!