When it comes to the warmer months, it’s probably safe to say that many of us like spending this time by the water. But before you can enjoy a refreshing swim, whether in a pool or spa, you need to take a few steps to ensure clean†, sparkling water. So go ahead and dive right into this blog for some helpful advice on practicing a simple maintenance routine for your spa.
Keeping a Healthy Chemical Balance
A discussion on spa maintenance wouldn’t be complete without covering the subject of the water’s chemical balance. To avoid bacterial growth, skin irritation, and a murky appearance, it’s essential to keep your water’s chemical levels in check. It’s important to regularly check the various aspects of chemical levels because several external factors can affect the chemistry and stability of your spa’s water. Rainwater, dirt, debris, and even creams or sprays that swimmers may have on their bodies are just some examples of such factors. To achieve the ideal balance for the water in your spa, it’s best to test and adjust the following levels as needed:
- pH Level and Alkalinity – A healthy pH of 7.4 to 7.6 indicates that your spa is in the ideal state of balance. This goes hand in hand with testing the alkalinity levels, as alkalinity is a pH buffer that helps keep water stable. You can use testing kits or testing strips to monitor pH and alkalinity levels.
- Sanitization – The water in your spa should be sanitary enough to ensure that there are no health risks to those who will use it. Even though it might not be visible, there could be bacteria and algae present in the water, so using a sanitizer is a must. Chlorine levels of a swim spa should be between 2 to 4 ppm. If chlorine levels are above 5ppm, or alternatively, if no chlorine is present at all, the water will not be safe to swim in. When it comes to using chlorine, there is no need to worry about the presence of a chlorine-like smell. Essentially, this smell is produced when water contaminants are being broken down. Therefore, if you have an alarmingly strong chlorine smell coming from your spa, it’s best to check your levels, as your spa might actually need more.
However, when it comes to ensuring the cleanliness and health of your spa’s water, it is a much easier task than that of a pool. Since there is less water you’re working with, if you find that the levels are continuously off and you’re having a hard time balancing them, simply change your water and start with a fresh canvas. Rather than going back and forth with chemical levels, especially if you’re experiencing a drastic change in smell or appearance, then it’s probably best to empty your swim spa and refill it with fresh water and chemicals. That being said, regardless of the state of your water, it is recommended to change it out every six months or so.
Furthermore, if you’re looking at buying a Hydropool spa, you will also need to worry about cleaning† less often, as their hot tubs and swim spas come equipped with self-cleaning† technology. Filtering 100% of the water every fifteen minutes, this advanced technology allows you to worry less about cleaning† your spa, so you can spend more time enjoying it.
Consistency is Key When it Comes to Spa Maintenance
Keeping your spa sparkling clean† entails regularly checking your water levels throughout the week. If you see any dirt or debris, a quick skim can also help maintain cleaner water. Some other proactive steps you and your fellow swimmers can take to ensure the cleanliness of your swim spa is to avoid wearing any creams or sprays in your spa. Although we might not necessarily think about how these products can affect the state of our spa water, they can have quite the impact on the balance needed for healthy pH levels.
An additional step you should take to properly care for your swim spa is to cover it whenever it’s not in use. By doing so, you’ll be able to prevent external factors like rainwater, leaves, dirt, and direct sunlight from interfering with the water’s healthy balance. Furthermore, you can reduce the usage of your heater by keeping your cover on regularly. It’s also good to contact a hot tub and spa dealer near you for additional information on spa maintenance practices.
Similar to any other investment, properly maintaining your swim spa now will save you time and money down the road. By properly caring for your spa, you can extend its lifespan and enjoy everything it has to offer for a very long time.
To learn more about what’s involved in owning a swim spa and finding the right one for your home, download our free buyer’s guide.