Hot Tub Care & Maintenance Guide

Everything you need to know to keep your hot tub clean, safe, and running smoothly

Hot Tub Maintenance Video Guide

A helpful video guide covering the basics of hot tub maintenance

Getting Started with Hot Tub Care

Looking after your hot tub doesn't have to be complicated. Regular care keeps your water clean and safe, helps your equipment last longer, and saves you money on repairs down the line.

Whether you've got a Jacuzzi, Hot Spring, Sundance, or any other make, the basics are pretty much the same. We've put together this guide to walk you through everything from quick daily checks to the bigger seasonal tasks.

Quick Reference:

  • Daily: Quick 2-minute checks (temperature, debris, water level)
  • Weekly: Test water chemistry and add shock treatment
  • Monthly: Clean filters and check cover
  • Quarterly: Full drain and deep clean

Daily Checks (Takes 2 Minutes)

  • •

    Check the Temperature

    Make sure it's at your preferred setting (usually 37-40°C). If it's not heating up, give us a call.

  • •

    Remove Any Debris

    Quick skim with a net to catch leaves, insects, and anything else floating about.

  • •

    Check the Water Level

    Water should be halfway up the skimmer opening. Top it up if needed to keep everything running smoothly.

Weekly Tasks

1 Test Your Water

Test at least twice a week with strips or a liquid kit. Here's what you're looking for:

pH Level

7.2-7.8

Too high: Add pH reducer. Too low: Add pH increaser.

Total Alkalinity

80-120 ppm

This helps keep your pH stable

Chlorine/Bromine

Chlorine: 3-5 ppm | Bromine: 4-6 ppm

Keeps bacteria at bay

Calcium Hardness

150-250 ppm

Prevents scale and corrosion

2 Clean the Waterline

Give the waterline a wipe down to remove oils and dirt buildup. Keeps things looking good and prevents staining.

3 Shock Treatment

Add shock weekly (or after lots of people have used it) to clear out contaminants. Wait 20 minutes before jumping back in.

Monthly Jobs

Filter Cleaning

Clean your filters every 2-4 weeks and replace them every 12-18 months:

  1. Turn everything off and pull out the filter
  2. Give it a good rinse with the hose
  3. Soak it in filter cleaner overnight
  4. Rinse again and let it dry completely
  5. Pro tip: Keep a spare so you can swap them out

Check Jets and Cover

Make sure all jets are working properly. Clean your cover and treat it with UV protectant to stop it from cracking in the sun.

Quarterly Deep Clean

Every 3-4 months, give your hot tub a proper deep clean:

  1. Flush the plumbing: Use a line flush product to clear out any gunk in the pipes
  2. Drain it completely: Turn off the power and empty everything out
  3. Scrub the shell: Give it a good clean with hot tub cleaner
  4. Sort the jets: Use a small brush to clean around all the jets
  5. Refill: Use a hose filter to keep minerals and metals out
  6. Balance the chemistry: Test and adjust everything before you use it again

Common Issues (And How to Fix Them)

Cloudy Water

Usually caused by: Dirty filter, low sanitizer, high pH, or lots of people using it

Try this: Test and balance water, clean filters, add shock, run pump for 24 hours

Foamy Water

Usually caused by: Body oils, lotions, soap residue, or low calcium

Try this: Use foam reducer, ask everyone to shower first, check calcium levels

Strong Chlorine Smell

Usually caused by: Actually means you need MORE chlorine (weird but true!)

Try this: Give it a shock treatment

Green Water

Usually caused by: Algae or metal buildup

Try this: Shock treatment, algaecide, clean filters. For metals, use a metal remover

Not Heating

Usually caused by: Faulty heater, thermostat, or blocked filter

Try this: Check for error codes, clean the filter. If it's still not working, give us a ring

Winter Care

Using your hot tub through winter? Just make sure it's well-maintained and the cover's in good nick to keep the heat in. If you're shutting it down for winter:

  • •Drain all the water from the shell and pipes
  • •Use a wet/dry vac to get water out of pipes and jets
  • •Remove and clean the filters, keep them somewhere warm
  • •Add RV antifreeze to any remaining water (not car antifreeze!)
  • •Secure the cover and keep snow cleared off

Need a hand with winterization? We cover Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, and Birmingham. Give us a shout and we'll make sure everything's properly protected.

When to Call for Help

Some things are worth leaving to the professionals:

  • •Electrical issues or error codes you can't figure out
  • •Pump making weird noises or leaking
  • •Heater not working after checking the basics
  • •Leaks you can't locate or fix yourself
  • •Control panel problems
  • •Water chemistry issues that won't resolve
Get in Touch

Rather Leave It to the Experts?

Our monthly service plans mean we handle all the maintenance for you. Just sit back and enjoy your hot tub.

Check Out Our Service Plans