Keep It Clean: From Fall To Spring
Spas are made for enjoyment. However, part of that enjoyment usually involves having a clean spa, which unfortunately, involves a little bit of work. Cleaning doesn’t have to be a major chore though. With regular maintenance, you can spend more of your time in the water rather than cleaning it. All it takes is a little bit of understanding and planning ahead.
The basic ideas of keeping your spa clean in the fall and winter are not that much different than keeping it clean during the rest of the year. You need to constantly check the status of your water, have a regular cleaning schedule, and increase the frequency of your water checkups with heavier use. It is also important to maintain your spa itself. This includes features like the filters, the tub surface, the cover, and any mechanical issues that may need addressing.
Under normal use, it is a good idea to check the status of your water about once a week. Checking your water includes water PH and overall alkalinity control. The PH level of your water is an indication of how basic or acidic your spa water is. Too much of either one is bad.
The overall alkalinity control is an indication of your water’s ability to resist changes in PH. These properties are most commonly tested with PH strips and can be maintained at proper levels with various products. Adding agents when you change your water can sometimes reduce the amount of PH balancing that you will need to do for maintenance, but this depends on local water and spa usage.
It is also a good idea to check for heavy metals and calcium hardness depending on where you live. Heavy metals like copper can cause discoloration of both your water and spa surface. Calcium deposits cause visible formations on your spa surface, but also cause serious damage to various parts that aren’t readily visible, like pumps, filters, and seals. Both of these properties depend on deposits that naturally occur in you local water supply. They each have corresponding tests and solutions.
In addition to checking your water, it is also hugely important to keep it sanitized. There are many different types of sanitizers out there and some of them can be used in tandem. Typical sanitizers include chlorine (dichlor) and bromine. Which sanitizer is right for you depends on your preference and the unique conditions of your spa. However, sanitizing is perhaps, one of the most, if not the most important defenses in maintaining a clean spa.
Beyond maintaining your water it is also important to maintain the spa itself. Keeping your spa properly covered is especially important during fall and winter months. However, it is also important to clean you cover and the spa surface regularly. This will help protect your spa from various “invaders” that may want to live in your spa water and can reduce the amount of chemicals necessary to maintain a clean spa.
All of this may seem like a lot to remember, but once you understand the unique needs of your own spa and develop a regular schedule, it isn’t difficult to maintain. However, that doesn’t mean it is effortless. At Aquatech, we are happy to help you with whatever questions you need answered and getting you the right products for your spa. If you don’t have the time to keep up a regular maintenance schedule, we are also offer maintenance services. Give us a call to find out how we can help you this winter season!
