How To Properly Prepare Your Hot Tub For Summer

Summer is around the corner – and that means warm weather, backyard barbecues, and plenty of hot tub time. Before starting any hot tubbing, it’s important to properly prepare your hot tub for summer. Daily usage or not, proper preparation makes for better performance, less summer maintenance, and longer life for the hot tub and all of the components.

Properly draining and cleaning your hot tub

Whether you’ve been hot tubbing during winter, or just opening up for spring, it’s important to prepare your hot tub for summer with a thorough cleaning. If the tub hasn’t been drained in four months, then it’s time. When a hot tub is completely drained, the jets, valves, pumps, and filter can all be checked for damage and/or built up muck. Needless to say, parts that are damaged or deteriorating should be replaced professionally. Once dry, the tub surface should be cleaned with an all-purpose cleaner or a product that is manufacturer-approved. Some hot tubbers like to use a surface polish to provide more protection during summer time.

Springtime is a great time for an inspection

The last thing you want in spring or summer is to be enjoying your hot tub experience, only to have it break down. You can certainly do a visual inspection and check for obvious cracks in the shell and plumbing leaks. To prepare your hot tub for summer you need to identify any damage and make repairs before things get worse. While there are things you can do on your own, there’s also a time to go call an expert hot tub technician. A good hot tub inspection would include all of the relevant components - water filter; mechanical panel; water pump; and automated jets. Many manufacturers actually recommend a professional inspection once a year.

Checking and adjusting your chemical balance

As you prepare your hot tub for summer, and after a good cleaning, it’s a good idea to analyze the water’s chemical balance (with test strips). Basically, you want to make sure that chemical levels are safe for occupants. Depending on the usage of the tub, you should actually test the water every few days during the summer. The goal of testing is to make sure that alkaline and acid levels are balanced. If not, you should add chemicals. Here again, it’s a good idea to have the water tested professionally just to make sure that any chemical imbalances are routine and not problematic. Hot tub chemicals serve to keep everything sanitized and hygienic.

Maintaining the proper water temperature

Water temperature is usually recommended by the manufacturer, and can vary according to the time of day. During the heat of a summer day, water temperature can be lowered, especially if in a very warm climate. As a general rule, any water temperature that is lower than your body temperature (98.6 Celsius) will feel relaxing, even on a very hot day. For a different experience, lower the water temperature and create a “cool tub”. Keeping in mind that everyone has a different tolerance level, you may want to keep the hot tub water at an average temperature where everyone can find comfort. Most importantly, you don’t want an unsafe safe.

Start things off right with Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs

This season, as you prepare your hot tub for summer, Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs can provide some of the expertise that may be need. From water testing, to parts and equipment, Seaway is at your service. To find out more, call 905-294-8030 or visit our website at www.seawaypoolsntubs.com.