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Troubleshooting Your Hot Tub

Posted on November 15, 2011 by jessica

luxury white hot tub

Now that you know the importance of keeping your hot tub clean, what can you do if things go wrong, and your hot tub starts to look a little less than sparkling clean?

We’ve looked around the web for some troubleshooting advice to help you deal with problems that may arise with your hot tub. Of course, if you have a problem with your hot tub you should consult your hot tub dealer, or chemical or filter company, for advice, but these tips can help you get started.

Remember to always follow the directions included with chemical products to avoid nasty side effects of improper pH levels and chemical mixtures.

And now for the main event, let’s learn how to fix some common hot tub problems so you can get back to relaxing!

Algae floating in the water, or visible as a line of scum around the water level: You can purchase algaecides that will kill existing algae and prevent algae growth.

Cloudy, murky water: Purchase a clarifying agent. Add it to the hot tub, and then shock the water to get rid of the particulate that is causing murky water.

Staining on the hot tub body: The best way to deal with this is to prevent stains in the first place by keeping your water pH balanced. You may want to discuss this with your hot tub manufacturer to determine what types of chemical they recommend, as some chemicals may result in a build-up of hard metals which can cause staining. For existing stains, some internet sources say that using Polident to scrub off build-up is effective. We haven’t tried it ourselves, but it might be worth giving it a whirl!

Scaling and crusty build-upon the waterline: Vinegar can be used to scrub the scaling off of the hot tub body. However, getting vinegar into the hot tub water can alter the pH, resulting in further problems. Many sites recommend that you partially drain the hot tub, and scrub the sides using a sponge to avoid vinegar running down into the water.

To avoid further problems, it is also important to avoid debris such as leaves, dirt and sticks falling into the hot tub, where they can cause the filter to lose efficiency. A hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/) can be particularly helpful in this regard, as it ensures that nothing can fall or blow into the hot tub when you are not using it. If debris does enter the hot tub, you may want to take the filter out and hose it off. Consult your hot tub owner’s manual or your manufacturer for how to do this. A hot tub vacuum can also be handy for easily and quickly removing debris that has ended up in the hot tub.

pleatco replacement filter cartridges (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/accessories/replacement-filters NULL.html)The quality of your hot tub filter is also crucial to ensuring your water stays nice and clean. We recommend Pleatco filter products (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/accessories/replacement-filters NULL.html), as they offer high quality and innovative products. Antimicrobial filters are available, giving you an extra advantage in staying one step ahead in the war against bacteria.

Now that you know how to deal with some common problems that can occur with your hot tub, you can get back to the important things: relaxing in your sparkling clean hot tub! Enjoy!

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The Ultimate Reason to Maintain Your Hot Tub

Posted on November 14, 2011 by jessica

large pool and hot tub

Do you sometimes slack off in keeping your hot tub clean? Are you a little bit lazy when it comes to sanitizing procedures? Well, this article by the Edmonton Journal should provide you with the ultimate motivation to keep things spick and span!

http://tinyurl.com/7jv9dyg (http://tinyurl NULL.com/7jv9dyg)

The article deals with the trial of an Austrian hotel manager, who is on trial for manslaughter after a women died, allegedly as a result of using the hotel’s unsanitary hot tub. It is alleged that the woman acquired a deadly bacteria while relaxing in the hot tub, and died 10 days later of multiple organ failure. The defence argues that the woman was seriously ill prior to using the hot tub, and although they acknowledge that the hot tub was unclean, argue that it was not responsible for her death.

It remains to be seen whether the hotel manager is criminally responsible for the woman’s death, but one thing both sides agree on is that the hot tub in question was not clean. And not only can a dirty hot tub be dangerous, but it sure won’t win you any favours from your guests.

We don’t want to scare you here, just give you a little extra motivation to keep your hot tub spic and span! Dirty hot tubs can harbour dangerous bacteria that can make you and your guests seriously ill. In addition, trying to impress someone by showing them your hot tub isn’t all that effective when there is nasty foam and sludge floating in it! So invest the time on a regular basis to keep your hot tub clean and sanitary, and you can relax without having to worry!

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Can you use salt in your hot tub?

Posted on September 30, 2011 by jessica

colorchlor-pink

You may have heard of the benefits of salt-water pools, and wondered if you can use the same technology in your hot tub. The good news is yes, you can! Salt-water systems can safely be used in hot tubs, and have the same benefits that they do in pools.

Fans of salt water systems report that they are cheaper in the long run, result in softer skin, make it easier to balance the pH of the water and are easier to maintain! However, the initial costs tend to be more expensive than conventional systems, so you might want to do some research before you go rushing off to the store.

The name “salt-water” system gives the impression that these systems don’t use chlorine, but this isn’t actually true! During the filtration process, electricity is used to split the salt molecules into sodium and chlorine. The chlorine then kills the nasty bacteria in the water, and is transformed back into salt. This means that you shouldn’t need to add more salt very often, as it is only lost through splashing etc. (Is anyone else having flashbacks to high school chemistry class!?)

So if you’re fed up with messing around with smelly chemicals and complicated sanitation systems, you might want to look into a salt-water system! Do your research first, and make your old chemistry teacher proud!

UPDATE: New arrival in Canada! The TechniChlor 110 Chlorine Generator is now available in Canada for a great introductory price. We use it ourselves and absolutely love the results!

This portable and simple to use chlorine generator automatically sanitizes hot tub water by converting skin softening saltwater into sanitizing chlorine. It is self-cleaning and includes salt level indicator light- automatically adjusting for fluctuations in spa temperature and usage.

No modifications, accessories or complicated installation are necessary, simply plug it in and rest assured that your hot tub is being safely sanitized 24/7.

Find out more about this exciting saltwater system (https://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/accessories/other-accessories/technichlor-chlorine-generator NULL.html) on the Hot Tub Covers Canada (https://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/accessories/other-accessories NULL.html) website.

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Hot Tub Winterizing

Posted on September 21, 2011 by jessica

Winterizing Cover Cap

The air is getting colder, and in a few months, winter will be here again (but don’t worry, you’ll have your hot tub to keep you warm!). While hot tubbing in the winter is wonderful, it’s important to keep a few tips in mind, so Mother Nature doesn’t interfere with your fun.

Firstly, if you prefer to retreat inside for the winter, and plan to drain your hot tub, it’s important to ensure that this process is done properly. Residual water left in the hot tub and pipes can freeze and cause severe damage to your hot tub, which will be expensive to repair come spring.

If you plan on keeping your hot tub in use to keep the chill away throughout the winter, then you don’t have to worry about this problem. However, you should check your owner’s manual and ensure that the settings are properly chosen to avoid possible freezing or unnecessary energy costs.

Using your hot tub jets in the winter will greatly increase energy costs, because they pull cold air into the water. Consider not using them in the winter, or at least ensure that they are off when the hot tub is not in use.
Ensure you have a high-quality and well maintained hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/). An old or poor-quality cover can lose you a great deal of money in energy costs, or could even collapse when covered with snow! Consider purchasing a “cover cap (https://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/accessories/other-accessories/cover-caps NULL.html)” to protect your cover from the elements, and extend its life-span.

It is also important to think about hazards that snow and ice can cause in terms of entering and exiting your hot tub. This is especially important if children or seniors are using the hot tub. Ensure the area around your hot tub is regularly shovelled, and remove any dangerous ice build-up on paths or decks. If you have steps leading up to your hot tub, installing a hand rail is a sensible decision. A slip or fall could ruin your winter!

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