JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.
Customer Service: [email protected]
How to Care for Your Hot Tub When Not in Use
Maintenance is an essential part of owning and enjoying your hot tub. Properly caring for your spa with hot tub chemicals will not only help to ensure the bather’s safety and optimise their experience, but it will also save you unnecessary costs and repairs later down the line.
Sadly, it's not always possible to enjoy your spa. When your hot tub is not in use, you must be sure to keep on top of its maintenance routine. This way, when it's time to jump back in, your tub will be ready to go, and you won't be faced with any surprises.
There are a few things you can do if you're heading off for a holiday or are simply away from your spa for a longer duration of time:
One of the most popular questions spa owners ask is whether they should switch off their hot tub during periods of inactivity. It's a logical question considering our natural go-to is to turn off all electricals when setting sail for a few days.
We recommend that you don't switch your tub off completely; it is more cost and time effective to bring the temperature back up from a small drop than reheating a whole new batch of cold water.
If you do need to turn your hot tub off completely and don’t want to drain it, you can generally leave the water for around two to four weeks. Any longer and you risk the water becoming stagnant and bacteria-ridden, which’ll take a lot of chemicals to tackle.
A hot tub is designed for year-round use, but you'll need to prepare it for the winter season and be diligent about maintenance to ensure no damage occurs.
If you aren't around during the winter or won't be using your tub, it may be better to close it down completely as you won't have to heat the water back up for quite some time. Properly winterising your hot tub is a good idea as it'll help ensure all your equipment remains in good condition until your ready to open again in spring.
See our guide on how to close a hot tub for winter to see all the essentials steps involved here.
So, if we don't recommend turning off your hot tub when leaving it unattended or disused for a whole, what do you do with it? There are a couple of key areas you'll need to keep an eye on:
Adhering to your hot tub’s cleaning schedule will help maintain its cleanliness, but this isn't always possible if you're away or unable to use the tub for some time.
A basic sanitation routine will ensure your hot tub keeps ticking over when not in use; this should include:
Even when the hot tub is not in use, it is vital to maintain a water treatment schedule. If the water is left unsanitised, you may return to a spa filled with dirty water. To avoid draining and refilling your tub, keep on top of your usual sanitising chemicals.
To continue your maintenance schedule while you're away, you can invest in a floating dispenser. This way, you can rest assured that your hot tub chlorine or others sanitisers are being fed into the water.
Whether you own a hot tub or a swimming pool, covers are always an essential piece of kit that you should consider. Whenever bathers aren't using your tub, you should cover the spa. Covers protect the spa’s water from contamination, serve crucial functions that reduce excess energy costs and protect the spa's system.
When using a hot tub cover, it's essential to ensure that your cover is secured, protecting any openings where things could get in or out.
Most hot tubs will come with a cover when purchased. If the quality of your cover doesn't inspire you with confidence, it may be worth investing in a higher-quality cover.
Pumping the water through your tub's system will ensure that the pumps and filters remain clean and operational. Doing this every day for around 20 minutes can help keep your hot tub running smoothly, making it easier to return to regular usage when you’re ready.
When not in use, it's a good idea that you reduce the spa's water temperature. The temperature you choose will depend on how long you expect the tub to be in disuse. Even just lowering it by a few degrees will help reduce energy consumption and your bills. Keeping the water at a lower temperauture rather than turning the tub off can also protect the system from freezing, preventing the pipes from busting or developing further complications.
If you’re going away for several weeks, the general recommendation is to lower your hot tub temperature by at least five degrees. Turning off the water’s heat source means it’ll take far more energy to get back up to the desired heat when you return. So, merely lowering the temperature can be more cost effective.
Although it might initially make sense to drain your tub and leave it empty, this can cause more potential damage. Dry, unused plumping systems can become prone to cracking, causing problems when reintroduced to water.
Trace amounts of untreated water left in the pipes will turn stagnant and is likely to become a breeding ground for bacteria and algae, which will become problematic when you want to add fresh water.
Maintaining the hot tub’s water levels also means that when you want to use it, your tub is ready for action without refilling.
For further guidance on balancing water chemicals or using hot tub cleaning chemicals, please don't hesitate to contact a member of our expert team here at 1st Direct Pools or explore our blog, which is full of helpful guides!
