In Central Florida, fall is the prime time to enjoy your hot tub! The cooler evening air provides a perfect contrast to the warm water without being uncomfortably hot. This mild weather makes outdoor spa sessions refreshing and restorative, offering a balance that can be more enjoyable than summer’s steamy conditions.
Unlike other regions, Florida’s mild autumn doesn’t require you to worry about freezing temperatures or shutting down your hot tub for winter. However, there are some measures you need to take to prepare it for the use it will get during the season.
Drain and Clean Your Hot Tub
Actually, best practices for hot tub maintenance call for draining and cleaning it every three or four months throughout the year. As our blog post – “How to Maintain Your Hot Tub” – notes, this is necessary because while your hot tub’s sanitizers, filters and oxidizers help keep the water clean, they can’t do so indefinitely. Dirt, oils and bacteria build up over time as you use it. While filters can strip much of this out, they won’t be able to do as effective a job once they become dirty.
To drain your hot tub, buying a submersible pump is a good investment if you don’t already own one, as it can remove all water in about 15 minutes. Once the hot tub is empty, take the following steps:
- Use a high-quality shell cleaner to clean the entire surface of the shell – including seats – wiping down the waterline and jets; rinse thoroughly.
- Inspect the filters for wear-and-tear; run them under water to flush out any dirt and debris, then submerge in filter cleaner. Replace the filters if they aren’t able to get completely clean, or if they’re damaged, frayed or discolored.
- Clean the underside of the hot tub cover. Because it’s constantly exposed to steam and chemicals, mold or mildew can grow.
Once the hot tub is clean, refill it with a garden hose, test its pH and alkaline levels, and rebalance the water. Then, test the heating system for any potential issues. As Outdoor Living Pool & Spa puts it, “The last thing you want is to jump into the hot tub only to find out that the water is cold or the heating system isn’t working properly. By taking the time to test the system, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises and ensure that your hot tub experience is as enjoyable as possible.”
Perform Basic Hot Tub Maintenance
The transition to autumn is also a great reminder to perform the following basic maintenance for your hot tub:
Shock the water — Sanitizer is essential to keep your hot tub free of bacteria and other contaminants – such as lotions, body oils and dead skin cells. Test the water and ensure the pH is balanced between 7.2 and 7.6, then remove the hot tub cover and turn on the jets to circulate the water. With the jets running, carefully measure and add an appropriate amount of shock (a large dose of an oxidizer) directly to the water. Allow the jets to run for at least 15-20 minutes, keeping the cover off to allow the shock to disperse and the water to aerate.
Check the water chemistry — Don’t underestimate the importance of balancing the water chemistry! If your water is unbalanced, it can cause lasting damage to your hot tub’s shell and system from the water being too acidic or not acidic enough, which results in corrosion or scale build-up. Once a week, or immediately after a water change, test your water with pH test strips. The pH level should be between 7.2 and 7.8; the alkaline level should be from 80-120 ppm.
Check the jets — Check over and clean your hot tub jets. Make sure they aren’t blocked or clogged.
Change the filter(s) if necessary, or if recommended by the manufacturer — You may clean your hot tub’s filter on a regular basis, but it won’t last indefinitely. As mentioned earlier, replace filters if they aren’t able to get completely clean, or if damaged, frayed or discolored.
Flush the plumbing lines — This will eliminate bacteria or biofilm buildups. Do this every time you drain and refill your hot tub.
Test the heating system — To test a hot tub’s heater, first turn off the power at the breaker, then use a multimeter to check the heater element’s resistance (ohms) and for continuity to ground. If the element’s resistance is outside the expected 9-12Ω range or it shows a short to ground, it needs replacing. Next, with the power back on, test for voltage and amperage at the element to confirm it’s receiving power but not producing heat, which indicates a problem with the element or the heater’s associated components – like the high-limit switch or pressure switch.
Signs of a Leak, and How to Troubleshoot
Unfortunately, hot tubs can develop leaks just the same as swimming pools – although truth be told, anything that has water running through it can spring a leak! Signs of a hot tub leak can include the following:
Dropping water level — The most obvious sign is a consistently dropping water level that requires frequent topping off.
Visible water puddles — Look for pools of water forming around the base of the hot tub.
Damp ground — Check the area around your hot tub for soggy spots, even when it hasn’t rained.
Warped cabinet panels — Water seeping into the cabinet can cause wooden panels to swell or warp.
Soggy or discolored foam — Look for wet, discolored insulation in foam-filled hot tubs.
Mildew or algae growth — A persistent leak can create damp, humid conditions that encourage mildew and algae growth.
Higher energy bills — A leak can cause the heater to work overtime to maintain the water temperature, increasing your electricity usage.
Frequent breaker trips — A leak that allows water to reach electrical components can lead to your circuit breaker tripping.
There are two main troubleshooting tests you can perform to determine if your hot tub has a leak:
- Place a drop of dark food coloring in the water in front of a jet. Water seeks the path of least resistance, so watch to see where the food coloring goes. If it flows out a jet, you may have found your leak. Look for the colored water to leak out on the outside of the hot tub’s shell. Repeat for all the remaining jets. You can let the water level drop without running the hot tub. The place where it stops to fall is the place your leak should be.
- On the inside of the hot tub, mark the water level with a pencil. Switch on the hot tub and let it run for 24 hours. Switch off the hot tub and mark the new water level. Add enough water to fill up the tub to the original mark. Keep the hot tub off for the next 24 hours. See how much the water level falls during that time, and mark the level. If the water drops equally with the spa running and not, there is a crack in the hot tub’s shell. Rapid loss with the pump running indicates a leak after the water leaves the pump. More loss with the pump off indicates that the leak is in the water line before the pump.
Our blog post – “Does Your Hot Tub Have a Leak?” – covers this topic in detail.
The Take-Home Message
Fall brings pleasant temperatures that are conducive to relaxing in the soothing bubbles of your hot tub. Preparing it for the season will ensure that it’s ready to provide the quality time you deserve! If you suspect a leak – or just want to be sure all is well – Certified Leak Detection is experienced in leak detection for swimming pools, spas, hot tubs and fountains. Serving areas throughout Central Florida – including Orlando, Longwood, Lake Mary, Sanford, Kissimmee, Clermont and Winter Springs – our team is ready to answer your call! Contact us for quick, reliable service.