A Guide to Spa and Hot Tub Chemicals For All
A hot tub is an affordable and fun way to relax in your own home. But you can’t just add water and sit back. Like a swimming pool, a hot tub’s chemical balance needs to be at the right levels at all times.
Yet, most hot tub owners don’t think much about hot tub chemicals. They’ve heard of chlorine in pools, but somehow, do not pay much attention to the chemicals required to maintain that safe and healthy water as well as the equipment in the hot tub.
Here is your hot tub chemicals guide.
The Science of the Hot Tub
Hot tubs use heaters built into the walls and floor. These heaters heat water to the temperature you desire. Jets accelerate the water, creating a massage for your back and legs.
The heaters can sometimes facilitate the spread of bacteria. Chemicals are essential to kill any bacteria in your water. Your water can grow acidic or basic, requiring a balance, so it doesn’t harm your skin.
Your hot tub pH is a measure of how acidic your water is. Seven is perfectly neutral water. You want to keep your pH at roughly 7.5.
If your pH drops or rises too much, your chemicals will not work. The water can spread harmful bacteria. You should have the proper level of hot tub alkalinity, to control the water for its acidity.
Types of Hot Tub Chemicals
Sanitizers kill harmful bacteria in your water. The two most popular sanitizers are bromine and chlorine.
Bromine is more complicated than chlorine. It takes longer to dissolve in water, and it is more expensive. But you will need fewer treatments every year, meaning you return on your investment.
Clarifiers are chemicals that remove cloudy elements from your water. They are polymers, meaning they possess a positive charge. They attach to negatively charged particles, neutralizing them to clear the water.
To decrease the pH of your water, you can add pH decreasers. Decreasers are usually combinations of muriatic acid and sodium bisulfate. To increase your pH, you can add sodium carbonate.
Managing Your Spa Chemicals
To manage your chemicals, you need to test your hot tub water. Many retailers provide test strips or test kits. Test strips are multi-purpose so that you can examine sanitizer and pH levels.
Store hot tub chemicals in cool and dry locations. Temperatures of 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit prolong the chemicals, keeping them from hardening.
Store each type of chemical in separate locations. Mixing chemicals can cause them to dilute or catch fire.
Drain your water every three months. This freshens your system and cleans out your plumbing. Take the opportunity to clean the surfaces of your hot tub.
Reapply chemicals when the hot tub has refilled. Don’t experiment with chemicals. Contact your installation company and ask them about how much you should put in.
Get the Best Hot Tub Maintenance for You
Hot tubs provide a spa treatment in the comfort of your own home. But you need to maintain it. Understand hot tub chemicals and manage them well.
You need to kill the bacteria in your water. You also need to maintain your pH levels. Purchase sanitizers to kill your bacteria, and use decreasers and increasers to control your pH.
Test your water regularly. Store your chemicals in a secure location, and drain your water every three months.
Go to the experts on hot tub maintenance and installation. Colorado Custom Spas are Denver and Castle Rock Colorado’s leading hot tub installers. Contact us today, or call us at 303-468-8827.
Feel free to stop by and visit one of our store locations and we will be happy to help you learn more about hot tub chemicals and their proper usage.