A spa pool is a great way to spend more time with your friends and family. But for a spa pool to be enjoyed the water needs to be clean and clear. Unfortunately, the warm water in a spa is the perfect environment for algae and bacteria to grow. But keeping your spa pool water sparkling does not need to be a chore. It can be done easily with the tips discussed below. A combination of water chemistry testing and cleaning helps your spa stay ready to use throughout the year. Although if unsure about the best way to maintain your spa pool it is also good to contact the spa pool supplier such as Trueform Spa Pools who manufacturer spa pools in Auckland. As they will be able to advise you as to the best methods to keep your spa pol clean while not causing damage to the spas surface.
Use Test Strips
One of the most important things when it comes to spa pool maintenance is maintaining good water quality. This can be monitored through the use of test strips, that are easy to use through dipping in the spas water. And give you indications on what changes need to be made to the chemistry of the water. Your spa pools water should be tested 1-2 times a week. The important chemistry elements to monitor are, pH, total hardness, alkalinity, calcium harness and chlorine level. These test strips give you information on what needs to be adjusted to make your water sparkling clear and sanitised.
The first element you should test is the total alkalinity, you can adjust as needed with sodium bicarbonate to raise alkalinity or sodium bisulphate to lower it. As a guide, it should read between 80-120PPM. You should also maintain correct chlorine levels as chlorine helps keep your spas water sanitised and safe. It is recommended to add 1-2 tablespoons every second day, to maintain the chlorine level at 1.5-3PPM. You also need to check the waters calcium harness, this is important as if the water is too hard it can cause scales to form in your spa. You should aim to maintain hardness around 100-250PPM for an acrylic spa pool. Lastly it is important to check your pH levels of your water, and try to maintain them around 7.2-7.8 this can be easily adjusted with store bought spa up and spa down chemicals.
Cleaning Your Filter
It is important to clean your spas filter every two weeks, you can do this by spraying it with a hose to clean out any dirt. Then soaking it in bucket of hot water and bleach and rinsing it well and letting it dry completely before reinstalling it. Another simple but effective method for cleaning your spa pool filter cartridge is to put it through the dishwasher. Although both these methods can be hard on filters and may mean you need to replace the inserts more regularly, but as a guide they usually last 1-2 years. It is important to keep these cartridges clean as it can get clogged by soap residue, chemicals, sweat, body fats, oils and dust and dirt.
Shower Before Using Your Spa
A simple way to keep your spa pool water clean for longer, is to always have a quick shower without soap before entering your spa pool. This works as the oils from your skin, as sweet as sweat both clog the spas filter. So, through cleaning yourself before using the spa the water will stay clean for much longer.
Change the Water
Operate filter at least 3 hours daily
Empty Your Spa
It is important to completed drain the spa every 2-4 months, this gives you a good chance to thoroughly clean the inside surfaces of the spa. A full cleaning of the waterline and surfaces can be done when the spa is drained. Just be sure not to use any old household cleaner or soap. If you are going to use any chemical on your spa surfaces, use something like a specialist spa pool cleaner, as to not damage the surface or cause a build-up of soap scum.
Also, it is important to replace the spa with fresh water as overtime the water can get very cloudy, smelly and dirty even with the best maintenance.
Skimmer Net & Vacuum
Two important tools to keep your spa pool clean and enjoyable to use are a skimmer net and a vacuum. The skimmer net is great for removing any leaves or floating debris that may land in your spa like bugs and insects. Meanwhile the spa vacuum can be used to collect grit, dirt and sand that builds up on the floor of the spa poo. This is great to use in-between spa emptying to keep your spa clean.
Refill Evaporated Water
One thing that seems obvious but is very important to remember is to always refill your spa. As over tie due to the heat of your water, water will evaporate causing the water level in the spa to drop. But it is very important to keep raising the water level as to not damage the filters pump system. The spa can be easily refilled using a garden hose.