Hot Tub Maintenance Guide

Spas

When you're stressed out, there are few things more relaxing than soaking in a spa and letting the warm water and bubbles take away all of that tension. A portable spa is a great addition to your backyard for a number of reasons. For one, a spa offers health benefits such as increased circulation, stress relief, and decreased muscle pain. It is also an incentive for family and friends to gather together for some quality time. And a portable spa is an easy way to add value to your home before you put it on the market – or you can take it with you if you're planning a move.

Inyo Pools carries DreamMaker spas which offer good value for the dollar and an easy installation. We also have free shipping and a free start-up kit which includes a spa care guide, chlorine or bromine test strips, spa shock, clarifier, pH increaser and decreaser , Metal Gone, No Foam, and chlorine or bromine. The average delivery time frame for a DreamMaker spa is 7 – 10 days. For replacement parts for an existing DreamMaker spa, you can contact the manufacturer directly.

Location of Your Spa

The location of your spa is very important as it must provide a solid foundation with a minimum load bearing capacity of 75 pounds per square foot. Concrete slabs and decks must be designed to support this weight. Individual unsupported bricks, blocks or other materials can shift unevenly and cause damage to your spa's internal frame. The site you choose must also be level to ensure proper performance of your spa. A level site provides the surface necessary to properly dispense weight between the footwell which bears most of the spa's weight and the structural frame which primarily provides stabilization and secondary support.

Do not locate your spa under overhead power lines or in near proximity to existing buried or exposed electrical circuits. You should also plan to limit access to the spa by children. Consider precautions such as a locking cover, self-closing and locking gates or access doors, fencing or other child barriers.

Installation

A DreamMaker spa requires a 15 amp outlet dedicated to the spa (please note that the use of an extension cord will void warranty). These spas come with a power cord with G.F.C.I. We strongly recommend hiring a licensed professional electrician to install the spa to be sure it is in compliance with all codes.

Before filling the spa with water, make sure that the electrical cord has been routed properly but do not supply electrical power at this point. Check to be sure that the drain valve is closed and that the drain safety cap is securely in place. Then fill the spa with cold (never warm or hot) water 6 - 8 inches below the top edge of the spa. Since the spa's water level will rise as each person enters the spa, make sure you do not overfill. Always keep the spa water level above the jet openings.

Spa Start-up and Maintenance

Spa water chemistry (or water balance) affects the safety of your equipment as well as the appearance of your spa water. Water balance has five factors: pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, temperature and total dissolved solids. pH is the most critical but total alkalinity and calcium hardness must also be watched closely. Low calcium hardness can lead to corrosion of equipment, while high calcium hardness can lead to scaling, cloudy water and staining. Water temperature should never exceed 104°F, and total dissolved solids should be kept below 1500 PPM. Algaecidal and sanitizing chemicals are either alkaline or acid while sodium and calcium hypochlorites are alkaline. Chlorine gas and practically all other dry chlorine spa products are acid. Bromine is usually the preferred sanitizer for spas since it doesn't emit a strong odor like chlorine.

A spa should be drained regularly depending on its size, location and the frequency of use. Clean the filter and cartridge periodically according to manufacturer's instructions. Covering your spa when not in use will not only reduce the loss of heat but also keep out leaves, dirt, and other debris. Keep in mind that the volume of water in a spa is far less than that of a swimming pool and therefore, the chemical reaction caused by the presence of even one or person in a spa is more rapid and pronounced. Due to this, it's important to frequently check the bromine and pH levels and total alkalinity of the water and add chemicals as necessary to maintain the proper balance. Chemicals should be stored in a cool dry place and out of the reach of children and pets. When adding chemicals, make sure the spa pump is in operation and add the chemicals to the center of the spa. Never add chemicals to unheated water as this will affect their performance.

Step 1 
Have your water tested for pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness and stain producing metals. Use one of ourwater test kits which will give you an idea of the adjustments you need to make to your spa upon filling. (Complete step 2 before making any adjustments.) 

pH 7.2 - 7.6 
Alkalinity 80 - 120 ppm 
Calcium Hardness 175 - 250 ppm 
Chlorine / Bromine 1 - 3 ppm 

Step 2 
Add a good sequestering agent like Metal Gone as the spa is being filled. Once full, start the pump and filtration system and allow it to circulate for 24 hours, if practical. 

Step 3 
Use one of our water test kits to test water for pH and total alkalinity. The water should be balanced so that the pH and total alkalinity are within the normal ranges. The pH should be 7.2 - 7.8 and the total alkalinity 80-120 ppm. Once proper levels are obtained, you may want to use a pH lock product to prevent fluctuation of the pH and total alkalinity from refill to refill. 

Step 4 
Initially shock treat the water by using a quality non-chlorine shock like Renew Spa Shock 

Step 5 
Begin to add desired sanitizer which will either be spa chlorine granules or spa bromine tablets to the water following the manufacture's guidelines. 

Step 6 
Test and maintain pH, total alkalinity and sanitizer at proper levels 

Step 7 
Water should be drained every 3 months or as necessary to maintain proper water quality. You can follow these steps to drain a DreamMaker spa:

1. Unplug the electrical power cord. Do not supply electrical power again until spa is refilled.

2. Open access panel.

3. Pull out the drain pipe.

4. Remove safety cap.

5. Attach a standard garden hose to the threaded safety cap nipple.

6. Place the other end of the garden hose in a drain area.

7. Open the shut off valve and monitor the draining.

Keep in mind that drain waste water may contain chemical residue and unsanitary contaminants which could be a hazard to health or the environment. Be sure to drain to a specified sanitary sewer only.

Here is a basic guideline for frequency of spa maintenance:

DAILY

Test and maintain pH: Ideal range 7.2 - 7.8

Test and maintain bromine: Ideal range 3.0 - 5.0 ppm

WEEKLY

Test and maintain alkalinity 80 - 140 ppm

“Shock” with a non-chlorine shock

Add Spa Clear

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Add de-foamer as needed

Inspect filter cartridge every 2 weeks and clean when needed

Replacement Parts

Over the years, there have been many different spa and hot tub manufacturers that have come and gone, leaving a trail of parts that need to be replaced. Fortunately, many spa parts are produced by third party manufacturers who are still in business such as Waterway, Balboa, Aqua-Flo and Len Gordon. The best way to find a replacement part is to first consult your spa owners' manual if you are so fortunate and organized as to have one. There should be a parts list and diagram in the manual. If you don't have the original paperwork, the next best thing is to remove the part in question and look for a part number on it. The number will often be imprinted right into the part. Another option is to try to contact the original spa manufacturer with the model and serial numbers from the spa; with this information, they should be able to identify parts and provide you with part numbers. Most manufacturers will not sell directly to the spa owner but Inyo Pools can provide thousands of spa parts.

Spa Accessories

There is a whole host of accessories designed to maintain and accent your spa. Maintenance is less fun but more important than embellishing your spa so we'll cover various products for cleaning first.

Spa Cleaning Products

One popular tool for spas is a vacuum used to remove fine silt and debris. This is desirable because a little bit of grit in a spa or hot tub is more noticeable and annoying than in a swimming pool. You'll feel it under your feet and may even be sitting on it. There are a few different brands of spa vacuums available and they function with either a siphon action, venturi (vacuum created by attachment to a water source such as a garden hose) or a self-contained vacuum. These offer a quick and convenient way to suck up grit. If you need to drain your spa, the Quick Drain will remove water and vacuum up debris simultaneously. It will drain a 400 gallon spa in about 30 minutes.

Another issue with spas and hot tubs is that infamous “scum line”. This is the ring that eventually forms around the inside perimeter at the water line and it's a combination of body oil, lotions, make-up, dead skin cells and the bacteria that loves to feed on it all. You can inhibit the scum line with a couple of innovative products - one is the Zorbie water bobble which is placed in the skimmer and collects contaminants before they reach the filter. The bobble lasts one to three months depending on spa usage. A similar product is the Scumbug which is also a water bobble which floats freely and absorbs scum. It can be cleaned and reused which is a nice feature. The bobbles will help reduce the scum line but you will still have some scrubbing to do as part of routine maintenance. The Bugmitt cleaning glove has a lightly abrasive surface that will help you easily scrub your spa. Use it in conjunction with Spa Super MPC, our spray cleaner that removes grease, scum, dirt, and oils.

Spa Covers

A spa cover is an accessory well worth considering since it is a real multi-tasker, holding in heat, keeping out leaves and other debris and, on covers with locking hardware, preventing children, pets and pests from entering. It is a worthwhile investment to protect your loved ones and your spa. Spa covers are available in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes, most commonly round, square, rectangle, octagonal, or hexagonal. They are made of high-grade vinyl with a foam core that retains heat.

Spa covers are a bit cumbersome and can be difficult for some people to lift. Fortunately, you can install some extra help with a cover lifter. We carry the Cover Valet, the Cover Caddy and the CoverMate all of which attach to the spa and have a lifting device which takes the burden off of you.

Since a spa cover comes into contact with the chemicals in the spa, it's a good idea to protect it with a Spa CoverSaver which is a sheet of closed cell insulating foam. This floats on the surface and provides a barrier between your spa cover and the water. In addition to prolonging the life of the cover, the Spa CoverSaver offers further insulation against heat loss. You can also use a spa solar cover to retain heat. Solar covers are made from a material similar to bubble wrap. You simply buy a square that most closely matches your spa size and you can cut it to size.

Spa Entry

Now that we've covered cleaning, maintenance and protection of your spa or hot tub, you might want to consider actually getting in it. You can increase bathers' comfort and safety by adding steps or a hand rail or both.

Spa Steps

There are quite a few choices in spa steps and usually it's pretty easy to find one to match the color and shape of your spa. The classic is our Redwood spa steps which are genuine redwood and lend a natural look and feel. Several manufacturers have taken their cue from the redwood steps and replicated them in polymer which has the advantage of being water-proof and easy to clean.

Some spa steps feature storage space underneath the treads. This is a great place to store spa chemicals and supplies or towels, robes and anything else you want to have at hand while you're soaking.

Spa Rails

For increased safety getting in and out of the spa, you may want to consider installing a spa hand rail. This is a must especially for the elderly or disabled. You can retrofit most spas and hot tubs with a rail which is usually made of stainless steel and includes hardware for installation.

Relaxing in Your Spa

Once you're safely in your spa, it's time to get down to the serious business of relaxing. Of course the bubbling hot water goes a long way toward soothing your cares away but you can enhance your relaxation with a few extras.

Spa Pillows

In our opinion, spa pillows are a must. Who wants to lean back against or sit on hard concrete or fiberglass? A few strategically placed cushions make all the difference in comfort. For the head and neck, spa pillows are held in place either by a weighted strap that hangs outside the spa or by suction cups. They come in a variety of colors to match the interior of the spa. Seat cushions provide a boost to shorter bathers and make everyone more comfortable. These are either weighted, filled with water or have a suction cup to prevent floating. Keep in mind - spa pillows are also great for use in bathtubs.

Spa Fragrances

You can add some aromatherapy to your spa with Spazazz fragrance crystals, elixirs or beads. Ranging from the familiar scents like apple and vanilla to the more exotic honey mango and pina colada, you can create whatever mood you want. These are spa-safe and oil-free so they will not affect pH balance or leave any oily residue behind.

Spa Tables, Trays and Games

Once comfortably soaking in the spa, who wants to get up to get a drink or answer their cell phone? You won't need to if you add a spa-side table to keep everything within reach. You can attach the AquaTray or Spa Caddy right to the side of a portable spa and have snacks and a cool drink at arm's length. We also carry a free-standing spa table that can be cut to the desired height. To add some fun, enjoy a game of checkers with the Kool Tray, made of high density foam which floats freely in your spa. Waterproof playing cards let you relax and have fun with friends simultaneously – loser gets to scrub the scum line!

Spa Umbrellas and Gazebos

To protect your spa and yourself from rain, sun and snow, consider one our attractive and durable umbrellasavailable in beige or forest green. They have a nine foot canopy that provides shade and shelter for most size spas and hot tubs. Our umbrellas can swivel 360 degrees and the canopy angle can be adjusted to block the sun.

Our spa gazebo allows you to create a true backyard retreat by defining the space around your spa and setting it apart as a special place for relaxation. This pavilion has three sides, a roof with a skylight and tinted windows in the corners to allow natural light in. Made of resin, it does not require painting or staining like wood gazebos and can be easily cleaned with a garden hose. The gazebo also protects your spa and allows you to enjoy your spa in almost any weather. 

Visit our Spas & Spa Supplies store.