The winter provides an excellent time to enjoy all of the benefits a hot tub offers. To make the most out of this experience, it’s important to maintain it properly. Below, we’ll break down the top tips to keep your hot tub in the best condition during the colder months. Here’s what you need to know!
Why Do You Need to Prepare Your Hot Tub for Winter?
Depending on where you reside, winter can be rather tough on your hot tub, so it’s important to take the necessary steps to prepare for it before the cold weather hits. With cold weather, of course, comes the chance of freezing. But by properly winterizing your hot tub, you can prevent costly repairs and ensure it’s ready to use when the warmer weather returns. Below are the best tips for winterizing your hot tub.
Tip #1: Check the Water Levels Regularly
One of the most important things to do when it comes to winter hot tub maintenance is to check the water’s chemical balance regularly. This is especially important if you live in an area with a lot of snowfall, as the snow can melt and cause the water level to drop. It’s usually recommended to use a test kit or testing strips weekly to check the water’s pH levels. However, during winter, it’s best to do it daily because of the snowfall that can easily alter the water balance.
Tip #2: Have the Right Maintenance Supplies on Hand
Another important tip for winter hot tub maintenance is to ensure that you have the right supplies. This includes hot tub chemicals like chlorine, shock, and algaecide. You should also have cleaning† tools like a skimmer net, scrub brush, and filter cleaner. In addition, it’s always a good idea to have a spare filter on hand in case your current one needs to be replaced. By having all of these supplies on hand, you’ll be prepared for anything that comes up during the winter season. For more information on which chemicals you should use to keep your hot tub’s water balanced, you can contact your local spa dealer.
Tip #3: Refill the Water Before the Weather Gets Too Cold
If you want to enjoy your hot tub to the fullest during winter, you should drain and refill it with fresh water before the temperature dips too low. This will help to prevent any issues that could occur if the water were to freeze. It’s best to do this when the outside temperature is still above freezing, so you don’t have to worry about the pipes freezing while you’re draining the water. You should time your pre-winter draining and refilling while taking into account that your hot tub’s water should be changed every 4 to 6 months.
Tip #4: Protect Your Hot Tub with a Cover
Investing in a good quality cover is one of the best ways to protect your hot tub during winter. This will help to keep snow, leaves, and other debris out of the water. Additionally, it will also help to insulate the hot tub so that heat doesn’t escape as easily. A cover also provides an extra layer of protection against freezing. We recommend checking your hot tub cover before the cold weather comes around to ensure there are no cracks or rips that could make it less effective.
Tip #5: Keep Your Hot Tub Running Regularly
Even if you’re not regularly using your hot tub during winter, it’s important to keep it running often. This will help circulate the water and prevent any issues with freezing.
Winter hot tub maintenance may seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth it to keep your hot tub in good condition. These tips will help to ensure that you can enjoy your hot tub for many more years. In addition, by incorporating these best practices into your wintertime hot tubbing, you can be sure that it stays in perfect condition to use when the warmer weather arrives.
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