The summer is coming to an end and it’s about time for some seasonal backyard maintenance. The cooler weather is perfect to get outside and have a look at your hot tub to make sure it’s ready for the coming cold months.
Think about if you want to winterize. Fall is the season to enjoy the cooling weather and prepare for winter. If you’re not planning on using your hot tub throughout the winter season, start giving some thought to when you want to winterize your spa. Make sure any maintenance is completed and the hot tub is completed drained by the time the frost hits to avoid any issues in the future, as even droplets of water can cause serious issues down the line within the plumbing and internal components of your spa. Read more info on how to winterize your hot tub here.
Have a good look at your spa cover. With the cold weather comes the snow and the most likely season for your cover to be damaged. Look for: any signs of tears in the vinyl, if the cover is losing it’s shape or sagging, or if it feels very heavy. When a cover shows these signs that it needs replacing, the spa will begin losing heat through the cover and thus increase energy usage drastically as your heater tries to cope with the heat loss, especially in the winter cold. Since snow will be piling up and around your cover (although try not to let it, if you can!), have a thorough look at it now before it’s put to the test.
☆ Also make sure the cover locks and straps are holding the cover securely in place so it can’t be moved or blown off the spa in heavy wind or storm conditions.
And with the seasonal items out of the way, it’s time for your quarterly maintenance! The change of weather is a great time to get your maintenance completed and enjoy the new season. About every 3-4 months (depending on how often you’re using the spa) it’s time to:
-Fully drain and fill your hot tub with fresh water
-Give your hot tub shell a good scrub with a spa cleaner while it’s empty, cleaning away any scum lines and residue
-Rinse and thoroughly clean your filters using a filter soak; replace filters if necessary.
-Inspect the spa internals and exterior for damage or leaks
☆ You’ll know it’s time to replace your filters when they start to become discoloured, look swollen or frayed, or you begin having issues with water flow, colour or odour.
Further reading…