7 Steps to the Perfect Spa

Drain, Clean and Refill

November is a Great Month to Drain, Clean & Refill Your Hot Tub – 7 steps to a Perfect Spa

Bonfires, family gatherings, and grateful hearts are just a few of the things that make November special.  If you own a hot tub, you’d probably added soaking in warm water on a cool night to this list, too.  November is also a great month to get your hot tub ready for the cold, winter months ahead.  Follow these steps to ensure a hot tub that will be ready for soaking all winter long.

  1. Drain your hot tub.  You can easily do this by unscrewing the drain plug generally located at the base of the hot tub.  If the plug is not convenient to reach because of decking or the location of the spa, you can also use a sump pump to get the job done.
  2. Once the spa is thoroughly drained, you’ll want to clean the interior and exterior of the spa with a non-abrasive product such as BioGuard’s Off the Wall surface cleaner.  Use a soft cloth and be sure to rinse off any remaining residue.
  3. Remove the filters and clean the filter cavity.  Soak the filters in bucket with a 3-1 concentration of Spa Filter Cleaner/Degreaser for at least 30 minutes.  You may also spray the filters with a hose (not a high pressure washer) and then spray the degreaser directly on the filters.  Be sure to rinse them thoroughly to avoid soapy, foamy water when you put them back in.  If you need to replace any cartridge filters, take advantage of the November monthly special of 25% off all spa cartridge filters.
  4. This is also the best time to replace the Silver Ion Cartridge (an Arvidson weekly special on November 16).  “A Silver Ion Cartridge helps kill bacteria in your spa and allows you to use less chlorine, said Arvidson Retail Division Manager, Nadine Nuzzo.
  5. Check your spa cover’s condition.  Are there any rips in the vinyl?  Is it extremely heavy and water-logged?  Is the cover dry and brittle?  “We normally recommend replacing your cover every 3-5 years based on the factors above.  Keep in mind that it can take 4-6 weeks for covers to arrive from the manufacturer,” said Dan Arvidson, VP of Operations.
  6. Use a vinyl conditioner on the cover like Cover Shield.  This will help it survive the frigid, winter temperatures.
  7. Bring a water sample into any of our three locations for an accurate analysis of your fill water and we’ll provide a printed summary of the spa chemicals you’ll need to get your water balanced and ready for soaking.

If you are short on time or just prefer to have someone else take care of this, Arvidson Pools & Spas can do it for you!

You are now ready to enjoy beautiful nights soaking in the swirling, warm water of your hot tub all winter long!  You’ll appreciate the starry nights ahead while relaxing with friends and family members.