Have you just purchased a house with a spa and feel overwhelmed at the thought of maintaining it? Here is some very useful information.
Whether it is located inside or outside, a spa requires regular care to maximize its useful life and to give future buyers one extra reason to fall in love with your property! RE/MAX has everything you need to know about its basic upkeep.
Foolproof Water Analysis
It is recommended that the water’s pH be between 7.2 and 7.6, the alkalinity around 120 ppm, and the hardness between 150 and 280 ppm. All these numbers may seem complicated, but no worries! All you have to remember is that these three water parameters can vary from one municipality to the other. For this reason, the quantity of the elements that we add to treat the spa’s water must be adjusted. There are water analysis tools to determine what it needs, but you can also bring a sample to a specialized store for advice.
What Products Should You Use?
There are many products on the market you can use to adequately maintain the water’s quality. Chlorine, bromine and lithium hypochlorite are the most popular. They all serve the same purpose: treat the water to maintain optimal pH, hardness and alkalinity levels. The three products provide comparable results. The smell of lithium hypochlorite, however, is weaker once dissolved, but as it is more expensive, many only used it for shock treatments. Bromine provides a greater resistance to higher temperatures and is more effective if the pH fluctuates. Chlorine is the most affordable, but has a stronger odour. If this is what you opt for, select one that is non-stabilized as it will be more effective. Conversely, if your spa is located in a sunny location, be aware that non-stabilized chlorine does not resist well to UV rays.
When Must I Check the Water?
The more a spa is used, the more often the water quality must be checked to make sure it remains balanced. In fact, did you know that this tub comes with its own set of impurities? When the body comes into contact with hot water, dead skin cells, germs, creams, makeup and dirt all mix in with the water. They modify the water’s pH, hardness and alkalinity. Even if there is no swimmer for quite some time, the water must be analyzed. The recommended schedule is three times a week for a spa that is little or almost never used, or every day there is a swimmer. You may then add products as needed to keep the water clean and clear. Here’s a tip: keep a bowl of water by the spa for people to rinse their feet with before slipping in.
Have You Considered the Filter?
Other than checking and treating the water, you should also regularly clean out the spa’s filter. It is recommended to wash away the dirt and debris once a week by hosing it down so that it continues to work effectively. Additionally, it is important to soak it a few hours once a month in a specialized cleaner (or according to the maker’s instructions). But don’t leave the spa without a filter during the soaking period: it is best to buy an extra replacement filter.
How to Get Your Spa Ready for Winter?
Most manufacturers advise that you should let the spa run all year long to avoid issues, but because of the high cost of electricity, most owners prefer to close the spa for winter. To get it ready for its long hibernation, you must first drain away all the water from the tub and pipes. You should likewise use a specialized product to clean and clear out the pipes. To make the inside and outside shine, use a rag and a specialized cleaner to wipe down the surfaces and protect them. It is also important to pour antifreeze into the valve and cavities to stop the components from freezing and braking due to temperature fluctuations. All that’s left to do is unplug everything (and cut the power) and lock the cover.
More Tips:
- Clean the spa cover on the inside and outside once a week to prevent moulding.
- It is best not to leave the spa closed more than two days in a row or unpleasant odours and mould may appear!
- Remove all floating debris as it falls into the water.
- Mould stains can generally be removed with white vinegar.