Hot Tub Blog

I am not sure there is any set rule on this, however in our company, we have a clear explanation of what is hot tub service and what is maintenance. Hot tub service is also known as hot tub repairs. It’s the service of a hot tub that is not functioning correctly. Weather the hot tub is not heating, the pump is making an unusual noise, the lights don’t work correctly, etc.

On the flip side, hot tub maintenance, is maintaining the water clarity and sanitation. Hot tub service is focused on the functionality of the spa where as maintenance is the water. There is cross over however, water maintenance depends greatly on filtration. The filters and proper water flow will impact water clarity. When hiring a maintenance technician to service your hot tub, it’s critical that the tech understands the functionality of the spa and how all the parts go hand in hand. Water chemistry and proper maintenance is a science!

Organic and inorganic materials are introduced every time a person enters a hot tub. Signs at public pools are trying to prevent this by asking users to shower before entering. The materials add to the TDS (total dissolved solids). To learn about TDS, please read my last post, “hot tub drain and refill”.

Examples of organic materials are sweat, urine and fecal matter. The human body has a very small amount of fecal matter that will release into the water- yuck! Examples of inorganic materials are lotions, perfume, bug spray, sunscreen, hair conditioner, deodorant, etc. Have you ever experienced a rainbow chemical effect on the surface of the water? It’s most likely sunscreen or perfume. Organic and inorganic materials are not harmful to the human body. However, they can become harmful if the hot tub water is not properly treated and sanitized. For example, the ammonia from urine will combat and lessen the amount of sanitizer. If fecal matter is introduced and the water has little/no sanitizer, it can become a breading ground for bacteria.

In a nut shell, it’s a good idea to rinse off in the shower before entering your hot tub. Always use the toilet before a good hot tub soak. And test and treat your hot tub water to make certain there is a healthy level of sanitizer.

We recommend a hot tub drain/refill at least twice per year, once every six months. Heavy hot tub usage will call for more drain/refills. Believe it or not, your hot tub water will become “tired”. Tired hot tub water means that the total dissolved solids (TDS) has reached its max and in the industry known as “high TDS”.

I like to use the chocolate milk example. When you make a glass of chocolate milk, you can add and add cocoa powder. So much that the powder no longer dissolves and it drops to the bottom of the glass. The milk has reached its TDS max and will not allow anymore powder to dissolve.

The same thing happens with hot tub water. After you add inorganic materials such as sanitizers, pH/Alk decreaser/increaser, foam down, metal gone, non-chlorine shock, deodorant, lotions, sunscreen, bug repellent and organic materials such as sweat, urine, etc. the water will become tired and have high TDS. You may also notice a fizz pop effect on the surface of the water. It can be an unpleasant coughing experience.

But I don’t use my hot tub a lot, do I still need to do a drain/refill every 6 months? The answer is yes. As long as you are doing proper hot tub maintenance and adding chemicals to balance the water, it’s adding to the TDS.