A hot tub is a great addition to any backyard, providing you a relaxing space to unwind and destress. However, to ensure your hot tub remains functional and enjoyable, it’s important to regularly conduct water care.

This newest installment in the Hot Tub Water Care  Academy will walk you through the steps of monthly hot tub water maintenance. If you’re interested in our other guides, check out our blog about weekly hot tub water maintenance!

Why Monthly Maintenance Is Important

Maintaining clean and balanced water in your hot tub is crucial for several reasons:

• Health and Safety: Bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms can easily thrive in warm water environments and regular maintenance helps prevent these harmful organisms from growing and causing health issues.
• Water Quality: Unbalanced water can cause skin and eye irritation and affect your hot tub’s sanitizing system. Properly balanced water ensures a comfortable and enjoyable experience for you and your guests!
• Equipment Longevity: Neglecting to maintain your hot tub’s water can lead to scaling, corrosion, and other damage to its equipment. Regular maintenance helps preserve the longevity of your hot tub and prevents costly repairs.

Monthly Hot Tub Water Maintenance Checklist

Here are the steps you should follow for monthly hot tub water maintenance:

1. Perform a visual inspection: Inspect your hot tub’s water, cover, and equipment as your first step in monthly maintenance. Looking for any visible signs of dirt, debris, or algae growth can be your first indication that there is an issue that needs fixing before it becomes a problem.
2. Clean the filter: To ensure that your hot tub filter is working effectively at removing impurities from the water you should remove it from the hot tub and rinse it with a garden hose. For a deeper clean, you can soak it in a filter cleaner solution before putting it back in the hot tub.
3. Test and balance the water chemistry: Use test strips or a testing kit to check the pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels of your hot tub’s water. Make necessary adjustments using chemicals specifically designed for hot tubs.
4. Drain and refill the hot tub: Over time, accumulated minerals and other contaminants may make your water difficult to balance. We recommend fully draining and cleaning your hot tub every 3-4 months!
5. Shock the water: Shocking your hot tub’s water helps remove any remaining impurities and restores its chlorine or bromine levels. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended amount of shock to use.
6. Clean and condition the cover: Your hot tub cover is exposed to the elements and can become dirty and worn over time, which impacts it’s ability to keep heat in and cold out. Keeping an eye on its condition and cleaning it when needed is a great way to maintain the energy efficiency of your hot tub for years to come. 

When needed, replacing your hot tub cover or upgrading to a hot tub cover lifter is a simple process that we are happy to guide you through if the time comes. 

1. Check the water level: Make sure your hot tub’s water is at the appropriate level, typically above the jets and filter intake.

Additional Tips for Hot Tub Water Maintenance

• Keep track of your maintenance tasks using a log or calendar to easily stay on top of when you did what task.
• Educate yourself on any specific maintenance requirements for your hot tub model, as they may vary.
• If you notice any unusual changes in your water or equipment, address them immediately to prevent further issues.

By regularly following this monthly maintenance guide, you can ensure that your hot tub is a clean, safe, and enjoyable space to reap the benefits of hydrotherapy for years to come. This list can seem daunting, but rest assured that with a little practice, it won’t take long to ensure that your spa is working well and comfortable!