Monthly Hot Tub Maintenance Checklist

The difference between a spa that runs flawlessly for 10 years and one that's a money pit is maintenance. I've been saying this for 50 years, and it's never changed.

You don't have to overthink it. You just have to be consistent. Here's the checklist that keeps spas in top shape.

Weekly Tasks (10-15 minutes)

These are the non-negotiables. Skip these and everything else falls apart.

Test your water chemistry. Buy a test kit and keep it poolside. Test chlorine or bromine, pH, and alkalinity. Takes three minutes. Write down the numbers so you can see trends.

• Chlorine or bromine: 2-4 ppm
• pH: 7.2 to 7.8
• Alkalinity: 80 to 120 ppm

If anything is off, adjust it. We stock all the chemicals you need at the showroom, and I can show you exactly what to add and how much.

Add sanitizer. Whatever your preferred sanitizer is, keep the levels consistent. Most people use chlorine or bromine tablets. Some prefer mineral cartridges. Either way, keep it topped up. Cloudy water and algae start when sanitizer gets low.

Wipe the waterline. Grab a cloth or soft brush and wipe the edge where water meets the shell. Oils from your skin and minerals build up there and create a ring. Takes 30 seconds. Keeps the spa looking clean.

Do a visual filter check. Look at your filter cartridge through the pump access or filter housing. It shouldn't be dark brown or black. If it is, it needs cleaning sooner than you think.

| Task | Frequency | Time | |------|-----------|------| | Test chemistry | Weekly | 3 min | | Add sanitizer | Weekly | 2 min | | Wipe waterline | Weekly | 1 min | | Visual filter check | Weekly | 1 min |

Monthly Tasks (30-45 minutes)

Once a month, spend a little more time on deeper maintenance.

Deep clean your filter. Turn off the spa. Remove the cartridge. If it's reusable, rinse it thoroughly with a garden hose. Spray from top to bottom, getting between the pleats. If the cartridge is over a year old or heavily soiled, replace it. We stock replacement cartridges for American Whirlpool and Vita Spa, and most others too. Put the clean cartridge back in.

Shock the water. Once a month, add a shock treatment. This oxidizes accumulated dead chlorine (called chloramines) and clears out organic buildup. Follow the label instructions. Usually you add it in the evening, let it sit overnight, and test in the morning. We stock shock here and can recommend the right type for your spa.

Check the cover condition. Look at the vinyl. Is there any tearing or peeling? Check the straps. Are they intact? Look at the underside when you remove it. Any mold or mildew smell? Catch problems early before the cover fails completely.

Inspect the jets and nozzles. Look at each jet opening. Is water flowing evenly? Sometimes a piece of debris gets stuck inside a jet. Unscrew it, clear it, screw it back in. Takes five minutes.

| Task | Frequency | Time | |------|-----------|------| | Deep clean filter | Monthly | 15 min | | Shock water | Monthly | 5 min | | Check cover | Monthly | 5 min | | Inspect jets | Monthly | 10 min |

Quarterly Tasks (1-2 hours)

Every three months, do a more thorough maintenance cycle.

Drain and refill. This is the biggest item. Drain the spa completely using the drain valve. Once it's empty, refill it. This removes accumulated minerals and dissolved solids that don't come out with chemistry adjustments alone. In Kentucky with our mineral-heavy water, I recommend quarterly drains. Some spas in softer water areas can go twice a year.

While the tub is empty, clean the shell. Wipe down the interior with a soft cloth or sponge. Look for any buildup or discoloration. If you see mold or algae growth, use a mild bleach solution (one part bleach to ten parts water), spray it on, let it sit 10 minutes, and rinse thoroughly.

Inspect all visible equipment. Look at the pump housing, the heater area, and any visible plumbing. Look for rust, corrosion, or water dripping where it shouldn't. Look for cracks in plastic fittings. Note anything that looks wrong.

Check the circulating pump. Turn it on and listen. Is it the same sound as usual? Any grinding or squealing? Check for vibration. The pump should run smooth.

Test all jets and diverters. Turn on each jet, one at a time. Make sure water flows evenly and nothing is blocked. Check the diverter valve (if you have multiple zones) and make sure it switches between zones smoothly.

| Task | Frequency | Time | |------|-----------|------| | Drain and refill | Quarterly | 45 min | | Clean shell interior | Quarterly | 20 min | | Inspect equipment | Quarterly | 15 min | | Test jets/diverters | Quarterly | 10 min |

Annual Tasks (2-4 hours)

Once a year, have a professional service visit and do a full inspection.

Professional service appointment. Schedule this with us. We come out, test everything, check all components, look for wear or damage, and make sure your spa is running safely and efficiently. We're factory-authorized for service on all major brands. This is $150 to $250 depending on what we find, and it's worth every penny. It's the difference between knowing your spa is solid and hoping nothing breaks.

Full component inspection. During the professional visit, we check your heater, pump, jets, diverter, seals, and electrical connections. We look for corrosion, worn bearings, failing seals, and anything else that might be approaching the end of its life.

Cover replacement assessment. Every year when we service the spa, we assess whether the cover should be replaced soon. A bad cover is an energy drain, literally. If it's been more than three years, we'll recommend replacement.

Look for leaks. Any moisture around unions or seals? Any drips? We check for these during service. Small leaks can become big ones fast.

Replace any filters that are due. If the filter is old or heavily used, replace it as part of the annual service.

Annual professional service is the single best preventive maintenance you can do. It catches small problems before they become big, expensive ones.

| Task | Frequency | Time | |------|-----------|------| | Professional service | Annually | 1-2 hours | | Full component check | Annually | (included above) | | Cover assessment | Annually | (included above) | | Equipment inspection | Annually | (included above) |

Chemicals and Supplies We Stock

You shouldn't have to hunt around for spa chemicals. We keep everything in stock at the showroom.

• Chlorine and bromine tablets
• Shock treatments (oxidizing and non-chlorine)
• pH increaser and decreaser
• Alkalinity increaser
• Test kits (strips and drops)
• Filter cartridges for all major brands
• Replacement o-rings and gaskets
• Cover protectant
• Spare parts for American Whirlpool and Vita Spa

Stop by 1431 Leestown Rd, Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm, and grab what you need. Or call (859) 255-7639 and we'll set it aside.

Create a Simple Calendar or Checklist

Print this out or write it in your phone. Actually put the tasks on your calendar. Set reminders. It sounds like a lot, but once you get into the rhythm, it takes 20 minutes a week and an hour a month. That's it.

Most people who stick to this schedule have zero surprise problems. The ones who skip maintenance? They're the ones calling me with $500 repairs.

When You Need Professional Help

If anything doesn't look or sound right, don't guess. Call us.

• Heater not heating despite proper chemistry
• Jets not working
• Water won't clear no matter how much chemical you add
• Pump making noise
• Breaker tripping
• Leaking from anywhere
• Error codes on the display

We can often diagnose issues over the phone, and if you need a service visit, we'll schedule one. Call (859) 255-7639.

The Bottom Line

Good maintenance is cheap insurance. Fifty years of selling hot tubs has taught me that spas that are maintained run great for a decade or more. The ones that aren't? They develop problems fast.

You've invested in a spa. Spend an hour a month keeping it right. Stop by the showroom, grab your chemicals, ask us any questions, and use this checklist.

Keep your spa running like it's supposed to, and you'll never regret the investment.