- Category:
- Hot Tub Maintenance •
- Hot Tub Safety Tips •
- Spa •
One of the best times to relax in your spa is on a cool winter day. But keeping your spa protected can be a challenge with the season's unpredictable weather. Follow these winter hot tub maintenance tips to keep your hot tub in prime condition. Then enjoy the warmth of your spa on even the chilliest days.
Winter Hot Tub Maintenance Tips
1. Keep your spa cover clear
Letting snow and debris pile up on your spa cover can weigh it down and cause damage. After a blizzard, brush the snow off your cover, clear off debris and replace it if it's too damaged. This will help prevent your hot tub water from becoming contaminated or losing too much heat. A clear, well-fitting cover helps any hot tub hold its heat, even the most energy-efficient hot tub for harsh winters .
2. Maintain a safe spa water temperature
Keep your spa water at a comfortable temperature and never exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40°C). This is the maximum recommended hot tub temperature, not the ideal setting for everyone. During colder weather, maintaining a steady temperature and keeping your spa covered between uses can help conserve heat.
If you lose power during a winter storm, leave the cover securely in place to help retain warmth. Follow your hot tub manufacturer's instructions for protecting the spa and its plumbing from freezing during an extended outage.
3. Keep your pump, filter and jets working
Your pump, filter and jets are the heart of your hot tub. Keeping them in great condition helps improve circulation, keep your spa water clean and ultimately extend the life of your spa.
Use HTH spa™ Filter Cleaner to remove oils, lotions and residue that can clog filters and reduce performance. Regular filter cleaning helps restore filtration efficiency and can extend filter life.
Keep filter care on your hot tub maintenance schedule all winter long.
4. Balance spa water routinely
Test and balance your spa water using HTH spa™ Test Strips and our selection of HTH spa™ balancers, like HTH spa™ pH Up and HTH spa™ pH Down . These are the core chemicals for hot tub maintenance in every season.
Balanced water keeps your spa clean and as relaxing as possible. Make testing part of your weekly hot tub care routine. If all goes well, you may not need to drain and refill your spa water until winter is over.
5. Protect your spa equipment
Consider investing in hurricane straps and a winterizing blanket. If you live in an area with heavy winds and snowstorms, the straps can help hold your spa cover down. Just don't tighten them too much, or they could damage the foam in your cover.
A winterizing blanket may provide additional insulation around the equipment bay, but always follow your hot tub manufacturer's instructions. Use only approved insulation materials and placement methods. Never block required equipment ventilation or access.
Want more hot tub care and maintenance tips?
Having these winter spa tips on hand will help you prevent problems and keep your spa water clean and relaxing all season. For year-round hot tub maintenance, follow our spa maintenance routine and 5 water care basics for your spa .
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