Essential Spa Maintenance Tips for First Time Owners
Adding a spa to your garden is a great way to achieve a personal retreat at home. However, like all high-end products, a spa does require maintenance to keep functioning. When you're a first-time spa owner, spa maintenance might feel a little daunting. Familiarising yourself with the basics of what to do can make your task feel more manageable.
Clean it Regularly
The cornerstone of any spa maintenance regime is to clean your tub regularly. Skim debris from the surface and scrub the spa's inside to prevent algae from building up. You also need to rinse the spa filter routinely, ideally according to the manufacturer's instructions. Depending on how often you use your spa, you should skim and scrub it at least once per week.
Balance the Water Chemistry
Balancing your spa's water chemistry keeps it working well and keeps your skin safe. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when it comes to finding the right pH for your spa, but in many cases, it needs to be slightly alkaline. You can regularly test the pH using simple kits and make adjustments accordingly. If you find that the pH isn't what you need it to be, you can use chemicals that bring it back into balance. If your efforts don't work, contact a maintenance professional so they can do the job for you.
Shock the Spa
Shocking your spa has nothing to do with electricity and everything to do with large bursts of cleaning chemicals. Shocking involves using a large dose of a substance such as chlorine to mass-banish any lurking pathogens. How much you'll need to use depends on your spa's size and how often you use it. In a lot of cases, shocking your spa every one to two weeks is sufficient. However, if you find that there's algae build-up or the pH won't balance, you may need to ask a professional about shocking it more regularly.
Changing the Water
After a while, routine cleaning and chemical use aren't sufficient for keeping your spa's water hygienic. You'll need to drain and refill the spa every three to four months to keep it in good condition. When doing so, make sure you spend time rebalancing the water chemistry before using it again. Draining your spa is also a good opportunity to change the filter.
Alongside engaging in routine maintenance, ask a professional to inspect your spa once a year. They're adept at highlighting issues that you may not spot and can address them for you before they become larger problems.
Contact a company that offers spa maintenance services for more info.