Top Tips to Enjoy Your Hot Tub this Summer

After a long, cold, miserable winter we can all finally relax and enjoy a bit of sun. The best thing is being able to do it in the privacy and convenience of your own backyard, with a glass of your favourite beverage in-hand.

Hot tubs offer you a warm soak in the winter or a relaxing dip in summer after a hard day doing yard work. All you have to do is adjust the temperature and find time in your day to relax. It doesn’t matter if you used your spa in winter or not – you must get it ready for the spring and summer months. 

Regular maintenance ensures better performance. Take the time to follow these six steps and get your spa summer-ready. 

Drain and clean your tub

Empty the spa completely. Once your tub is drained, give all the different elements a thorough inspection. Check the jets, the pumps, filters and valves to ensure they’re functioning as they should be. You should also look out for build-up of dirt or muck. Any part that needs to be replaced should be attended to by a professional. 

Once the tub is completely dry, use manufacturer approved products to clean the inside. For extra protection during the warm summer months, some also like to give the tub an extra coat of surface polish. 

Check TDS levels regularly

Assessing your tub’s TDS or Total Dissolved Solids level helps you understand the purity of the water in your tub. It measures everything in the tub including debris, chemicals, and dirt. If the reading comes back high, then you won’t get an accurate pH level reading and consequently, won’t be able to balance it.

Cloudy water, smelly water, skin irritation and scale build up will soon follow. This is why it’s key to test your TDS routinely and drain the water as needed. Normally, you only need to drain the tub every few months but if you’ve been using it more often than usual that could explain the increased debris or chemical build up. 

Protect your hot tub and cover from the summer sun

Your hot tub cover is an essential component for spa maintenance as it enables energy efficiency and also protects the water from environmental dirt. Long-term exposure to sunlight can cause the cover to deteriorate and this affects its functionality. A good way to guard against this is to protect your cover and the tub with shade from parasols or a gazebo. Remember to clean your hot tub cover regularly with approved cleaning agents and equipment. 

Shade also helps control temperatures

High temperatures can lead to your hot tub overheating. If the ambient temperature is high (and the UK is known for its tropical warmth), the water could rise a few degrees above the temperature you set. As well as this, the electric motors generate heat.

To prevent this, you could reduce filtering times and schedule them to take place early in the morning when the sun isn’t as bright or in the evening after the sun has set and temperatures have dropped. This will help prevent overheating. 

Keeping the water at a cooler temperature

In summer, set the temperature of your tub lower rather than higher so you can enjoy a longer soak. Some people place a cool towel on their foreheads to cool down even further. If the bright sun makes spending time outside too uncomfortable, consider a night-time dip. Or as we’ve recommended earlier, set up a shade covering over your tub. Remember not to spend too much time outside under the hot sun to avoid overheating or exhaustion. 

Arrange a professional inspection

You probably already do a routine visual inspection to identify cracks or leaks on the shell of your tub. Even so, it’s a good idea to get a professional to give your hot tub a thorough check too. The worst thing to happen would be having it break down in the middle of your summer BB season. A professional hot tub inspection should include the water filter being checked, an analysis of the mechanical panel, the water pump and the automated jets. A professional may be able to spot problem signs early on so you can catch it before it grows into a big problem, saving time and money.

Call us at Sutton Spas if you have any questions

At Sutton Spas, we have years of experience in this field and are happy to answer any questions you may have about your spa pool. If you’re considering getting a hot tub to enjoy this summer, we can help you choose the model that will suit your needs perfectly. 

We provide excellent after-sales customer service so you never have to worry. We guide you on routine maintenance, can attend to inspections as required, and let you know how to make the most of your tub. Give us a ring on 0121 827 1868 for advice, sales, or to book a service.