Spas and Hot tubs have enjoyed huge popularity of the last few years. If you're a lucky owner you know how relaxing, therapeutic and fun they can be. Better than a pool because in most areas the spa season is 9 months long! Great as they are, spas can be troublesome at times. Unlike a pool, a spa usually holds 3-500 gallons of water. This means they are not as forgiving of neglect or haphazard maintenance. Spas also carry hot water that affects sanitizers and the kind of water problems that can develop. A few simple tricks and precautions can avoid trouble.
Rough gritty spas surfaces are not uncommon. This is caused by dissolved minerals adhering to the walls and accumulating. Use of a rust and scale remover can cure this in short order. Another tip to keep the inside of your spa nice and slick is to apply a coat of a good quality liquid car wax. The wax helps prevent build up and stains and provides additional protection from chemicals, sunlight and environmental conditions.
A spa or hot tub should be shocked with the appropriate sanitizer after use. What happens to the waste products while the shock does its job? Easy, the gunk collects on the under side of the spa cover and causes unpleasant odors and will ultimately shorten the life of your cover. The solution is to leave your spa cover partially open for 15-20 minutes after shocking to let the contaminated by-products dissipate in the air. Then replace the cover until next time.
The higher temperature of spa water affects the sanitizing chemicals used. Bromine is the more popular choice because it retains it potency in hot water while chlorine's performance begins to degrade after about 85 dgs. F. Bromine tablets are about 40-50 % chlorine so the two products are completely compatible. Even though ozonators are great remember that ozone leaves no residual. Within twenty minutes after shutting off your spa all the ozone is gone! Even with an ozone generator use bromine or chlorine tablets to keep a sanitizing residual.
Now for the fun stuff. Many spa lovers use the tub during the winter. I know from personal experience how great that can be. There is always, however, getting to and from the spa in cold weather. Try this: Take the towels you plan to use for the spa and put them in the dryer on high for about 15-20 minutes. Take the towels out immediately and place them in a large soft drink/beer cooler. Take the cooler out to the spa and when you're ready to get out there are nice warm towels ready to use. Sound goofy? It works! The insulated cooler keeps the towels warm and ready to keep out the chill on that FAST trip back inside.
Hope this proves useful. Spa on!
Rob "Dr. Duck" Coxworth