Soaking in your hot tub after a long day’s work can be an invaluable way to kick back, relax and rejuvenate. The warm water has a soothing effect that helps distance you from the regular pressures of daily life.
No more kids asking for snacks, deadlines beckoning to be met or bills waiting to be paid.
It’s done!
As you soak in the warmth of the soothing water, it’s all about you-time and the meditation of an undisturbed moment. Beyond this, spending time in hot water has many benefits including the potential to help you get a better night’s sleep, relieve your pain, enjoy increased muscle relaxation, and even lower your levels of stress.
Sharing this with friends and family makes it even better. You can socialize uninterrupted and share in each other’s presence in an intimate setting. But the fun ends if things aren’t really working as they ought to!
Such as? If your water isn’t clear, leaks pop up, something smells off, or there are problems with your jet pressure or panel control, it’s time to get out and grab your towel.
Keeping your hot tub in optimal condition is important. Not only does this help to ensure jumping in for a soak is going to be enjoyable but that it will also be something safe to do.
How do you know your hot tub is due for some maintenance or repair? Here are some top signs to look for.
Your Hot Tub Water is Murky, Cloudy or Unclear
Clear water is a must when it comes to enjoying your hot tub. Even when your jets are on, you should be able to see the bottom of your spa without a problem.
If the water looks murky, cloudy or even foamy, this is a sign that one of several things could be going on. There could be dirt or bacterial growth in your water that needs to be addressed.
First, check your filter (or filters) to ensure everything is in the proper place. Next, take a look at the filter’s condition. With regular use, it’s advised you clean your hot tub filter about once a month with a reliable filter cleaner.
A filter should last about a year with proper maintenance, and then should be replaced.
A dirty filter is problematic. It can reduce the performance of your pumps, and it could also prevent the heater from operating properly. In fact, checking your control panel can give you another hint that your filter needs cleaning or replacing, apart from dirty water.
Any message indicating the presence of low water flow, or a dry heater could be related to a dirty filter.
What can you do about it? To clean your filter, remove it and follow the directions on the filter cleaner product packaging. The process often involves rinsing the filter with a hose first and then placing it to soak in the cleanser while submerged in a large bucket, overnight.
Of note: if you have filled your hot tub up with unfiltered source water, you will need to clean your filter after a couple of days. The next time around, purchase an additional filter that can go over your hose when filling your spa in order to be able to skip this step.
Your Hot Tub is Leaking
Leaks are almost always a bad sign. It is possible to fix some types of leakage in hot tubs on your own but this problem is often best dealt with by a professional. A leaking hot tub usually indicates a problem with the plumbing.
Water pooling around the bottom of your spa is a surefire sign that something is amiss. If your hot tub sits on, or very near, grass, it can be difficult to see this, but you can also detect a leak through a significant drop in your water level.
A leak in your hot tub can potentially cause long-term damage to the spa’s system and lead to inflated water bills. You may need to replace a failing gasket, a rubber o-ring, or a seal.
Sometimes with much use over a long period of time, the rubber in a hot tub can begin to degrade, causing cracks. If this happens, a tight seal will be broken and leaking can occur.
When this happens, it’s definitely time to call for a professional repair!
Your Spa is Emitting a Foul Odour
If a foul odour is emanating from your hot tub, this is also troublesome news.
The wrong smell could be related to a few things. A foul odour could indicate the pH level of the water is out of range. It may also point to algae and bacteria growing in, around and/or within your hot tub.
Testing the chemical levels of the water can provide you with an idea on how to fix the problem. Oftentimes, the trouble lies in a low pH level. Shocking your water with a chlorine-based treatment to oxidize it could do the trick.
If you feel algae and bacteria have taken over, you may need to drain the hot tub completely, rinse it out and clean it. You also may need to clean or replace your filter, flush the entire system, and/or clean the cover.
Is something still amiss?
Calling in a technician to help you find the source of the problem is a good idea. No one likes a bad smell, and especially not emanating into your backyard fun.
The Water Temperature Won’t Regulate
Hot tubs are attractive because of their best feature: hot water!
When the water temperature is too hot or too cold, this allure certainly wanes. You want yourself and your guests to feel as comfortable as possible and to trust the functioning of your hot tub system.
Problematic water temperature can indicate your thermostat isn’t working as it should. You may need to replace it.
If the water won’t heat up, this could indicate you have a:
- Dirty filter
- Flow rate problem
- Clogged pump impeller
- Clogged pipes
- Closed valves
- Blocked spa drain covers
You can review videos online related to how to fix these problems and spend time learning how to do it yourself. For guaranteed work that frees you up to focus on other matters, contact a professional to have a look and conduct the repair for you.
Overheating in the Summer
During hot, humid summer days, you may find your hot tub overheats. This can happen if the temperature is set too high. Thankfully, a simple adjustment to a few degrees cooler can fix the problem.
Overheating can also indicate the filter cycle duration settings are locked in too high. Adjusting this down and setting the cycle to run in the early morning and late night can help as this is when outside temperatures are cooler.
If your hot tub is overheating due to sitting in the sun too long, try to drain some of the hot water and add cooler water to bring the overall temperature down. Don’t drain it lower than the filter housing, however, as this can cause problems and dry out your pump.
It’s all about balance!
How to Maintain Your Hot Tub
Keeping your hot tub in optimal condition means it will always be ready to use when you want and need it to be. Just like caring for your car, maintaining your spa can elongate its life and help you build long-lasting memories.
A hot tub with functional problems that are left unattended to persist over time, in contrast, can wear your system down and be unsafe.
To keep your hot tub clean:
- Get a quality cover
- Always shower before entering
- Test your water regularly
- Remove debris with a skimmer
- Maintain proper chemical levels
- Change your water
- Clean and replace your filters
Have you tried the DIY route and still can’t pinpoint the problem? If your hot tub isn’t running as it should, contact The Wellness Shop. Our team is skilled and can get you back up and running in little time!
Request Professional Hot Tub Maintenance in the GTHA
At The Wellness Shop, (formerly Wellness Shop), we know hot tubs inside and out. Our renowned selection of leading brands in hot tubs, pools, saunas, and gazebos has made us a go-to destination for customers looking for top-quality backyard leisure.
With roots in the local economy, we know that customers in Ontario want to make the most of their backyard fun, year-round.
Check out our online resources by joining the MyJacuzzi support community to explore our database of FAQs, how-to videos, and articles to learn more about troubleshooting problems on your own.
If the trouble looks too complex to fix with a few tweaks, reach out to us for help!
Our team of qualified specialists are fully trained in hot tub maintenance and repair in order to provide you with efficient and effective service.
Contact us today to reach one of our seven locations across Southern Ontario, including Barrie, Burlington, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Vaughan, and Whitby.
Schedule a service appointment and regain a high-performing system. Your hot tub wants you in it!
