As a hot tub owner in Utah, you know there’s nothing quite like unwinding after a long day of skiing, hiking, or just enjoying our beautiful scenery. To ensure your personal oasis is always sparkling clean, safe, and ready for relaxation, a consistent maintenance routine is key. At Spa Depot of Utah, we empower our customers with the knowledge to care for their investment.

This guide provides a straightforward, DIY hot tub maintenance checklist tailored for Utah owners, helping you protect your hot tub and maximize your enjoyment. While you can handle many tasks yourself, remember that our team is always here for the bigger jobs or if you simply prefer professional assistance!

Your Essential Utah Hot Tub Maintenance Checklist

Consistency is your best friend when it comes to hot tub care. Here’s a detailed schedule to keep your spa in top shape, considering Utah’s unique climate:

Weekly Hot Tub Checklist

Perform these tasks at least once a week, and more frequently with heavy use (e.g., daily during peak summer or if hosting parties).

• Test Your Water: This is the most crucial step! Use reliable test strips or a liquid test kit to check:
  • pH (7.4-7.6): Too high can cause scaling, too low can cause corrosion.
  • Alkalinity (80-120 ppm): Helps stabilize pH.
  • Calcium Hardness (150-250 ppm): Prevents scaling or corrosion of equipment.
  • Sanitizer Levels:
    • Chlorine (1-3 ppm): Kills bacteria and algae.
    • Bromine (3-5 ppm): Alternative sanitizer, effective at higher temperatures.
• Adjust Chemicals as Needed: Based on your test results, add appropriate balancers or sanitizers to bring your water into the ideal ranges. Always add chemicals slowly, one at a time, and allow water to circulate before retesting.
• Shock Your Water: Apply a non-chlorine shock (oxidizer) weekly to break down organic contaminants like body oils, lotions, and sweat. This helps your sanitizer work more efficiently and keeps water clear.
• Rinse Filter Cartridges: Remove your filter(s) and rinse thoroughly with a strong stream of water from a garden hose. This removes trapped debris and ensures efficient filtration.
• Wipe Down Waterline: Use a spa-specific cleaner to wipe away any scum or residue that builds up at the waterline. This prevents a “bathtub ring” from forming.
• Inspect Hot Tub Cover: Briefly check your cover for any standing water, debris, or signs of wear. In Utah’s dry climate, especially summer, this is crucial for preventing cracking.
• Check Water Level: Ensure your water level is above the skimmer opening. In Utah’s dry, high-altitude climate, evaporation can be higher, so check this more frequently.

Monthly Hot Tub Checklist

These tasks support your weekly routine and contribute to long-term hot tub health.

• Deep Clean Filter Cartridges: Every 3-4 weeks (or more often with heavy use), remove your filters and soak them in a specialized filter cleaning solution overnight. This dissolves oils and minerals that hose rinsing can’t remove, significantly extending filter life and improving water clarity.
• Clean Hot Tub Cover (Top & Underside): Clean the top of your cover with a non-abrasive cleaner and condition it with a UV protectant. This protects it from Utah’s intense sun and snow. Clean the underside of the cover to remove any mildew or grime.
• Inspect Jets & Diverters: Ensure all jets are functioning properly and that diverter valves (if applicable) move freely.
• Check Equipment Compartment: Briefly inspect for any visible leaks or unusual sounds.

Quarterly / Every 3-4 Months: The “Refresh”

• Drain and Refill Your Hot Tub: This is vital for maintaining water quality and is often recommended every 3-4 months, or sooner with heavy use.
  1. Before Draining: Add a “line flush” product to circulate and clean internal plumbing.
  2. Drain: Completely drain the water.
  3. Clean Shell: Use a spa-specific cleaner to wipe down the entire hot tub shell.
  4. Refill: Refill with fresh water, following manufacturer guidelines for initial start-up and chemical balancing.
• Replace Filter Cartridges (Annually/Bi-Annually): Even with regular cleaning, filters eventually wear out. Plan to replace your filter cartridges every 1-2 years, depending on use and maintenance. A new filter dramatically improves filtration efficiency.

Specific Advice for Utah Hot Tub Owners

• Evaporation & Water Levels: Utah’s dry climate, especially during summer, means higher evaporation rates. Check your hot tub’s water level frequently (daily or every other day) to ensure it stays above the minimum operating level to prevent pump damage.
• Winter Care: Even though you’ll be using your hot tub a lot in winter, pay extra attention to your cover. Keep it free of heavy snow to prevent damage, and ensure it’s sealing tightly to minimize heat loss and save energy.
• Hard Water: Many areas of Utah have hard water (high calcium levels). Consistent monitoring of calcium hardness is critical to prevent scaling on your hot tub’s heater and components. Consider a pre-filter when filling your tub.

Tips for Extending the Life of Your Hot Tub Components

• Always Use Spa-Specific Chemicals: Never use household cleaners or chemicals not designed for hot tubs.
• Keep Your Cover On: When not in use, keep your hot tub cover on and latched. This dramatically reduces heat loss, prevents evaporation, and keeps debris out.
• Regular Draining & Refilling: This prevents the buildup of dissolved solids which can corrode components.
• Proper Chemical Balance: Consistently balanced water prevents damage to your hot tub’s shell, plumbing, and heater.
• Clean Filters: Clogged filters make your pumps work harder, potentially shortening their lifespan.

DIY vs. Professional Service: When to Call the Experts at Spa Depot

While this checklist covers most routine tasks, there are times when professional help is the smart choice:

• Persistent Water Issues: If your water remains cloudy, green, or unbalanced despite your best efforts.
• Equipment Malfunctions: Unusual noises, leaks, heater problems, or jets not working.
• Error Codes: If your hot tub displays an error code you can’t resolve.
• Annual Tune-Up: Just like your car, your hot tub benefits from an annual professional inspection and tune-up to catch potential issues early.
• Time-Saving Convenience: If you prefer to leave the detailed care to the pros!

Keep Your Utah Hot Tub Running Flawlessly!

Regular, consistent maintenance ensures your hot tub remains a safe, enjoyable, and energy-efficient part of your Utah home. Don’t let maintenance become a chore – a little effort goes a long way!

• Stock Up on Supplies: Visit Spa Depot of Utah for all your water care products, filters, and accessories – everything you need for easy DIY maintenance.
• Schedule Your Annual Service: Prevent costly repairs and ensure peak performance. Contact us today to book your hot tub’s annual professional service with our certified technicians. We service all major hot tub brands, including Hot Spring and Endless Pools!

Let Spa Depot of Utah help you maximize your hot tub enjoyment with minimal fuss!