It’s important to know how to balance the water in your hot tub. Learning how to lower alkalinity in a hot tub is easier than you might think. Once you learn how to achieve the desired level, it’s also easier to maintain it.
Alkalinity is the measurement of the water in your hot tub to determine how it is able to neutralize acids. A proper pH balance is critical so that you have the comfortable soaking environment that you have come to expect.
The alkalinity is sometimes referred to as the “buffer.” The reason for this is to ensure that your water is capable of resisting drastic changes in pH levels.
Test strips can be used to tell you what the alkalinity of the water is. Your goal should be to maintain it between 80-120 ppm.
Why is Lower Alkalinity Important?
If you have high alkalinity, you’ll notice problems with the cleanliness of your tub and the water itself. You might see scale forming along the sides, calcium buildup around the jets, and even cloudiness within the water.
In some instances, there may be so much calcium that you see yellowish flakes swimming around in the hot tub water.
A deep cleanse can help you to reverse any damage. However, if you’re not careful about pH levels, you can create a significant amount of damage that will affect overall functionality.
It’s important to note that you don’t want to lower your alkalinity too much, either. If it’s too low, the sanitizing solution you add to the water won’t be effective. The water may look a little green and it can even result in mold or mildew growth.
What Causes High Alkalinity?
Now that you know why high alkalinity is bad, you need to know what causes the PPM to go higher than desired.
Lotion, sweat, and other products you put on your body get dissolved into the water
Your water source may have a high alkaline rating
If you find that your alkalinity is constantly running on the higher side, it may also be a good idea to have a technician come out. We can run some diagnostic tests and help you with your weekly alkaline testing.
Tips on How to Lower Alkalinity in a Hot Tub
There are plenty of ways to test the alkalinity so that you know if it has to be lowered.
First, plan on testing the water in your hot tub when the water is hot. Test it one to two times a week based on usage. It doesn’t take long for the alkalinity of the water to change.
If you’re above 120 ppm, you’ll want to work on getting the alkalinity lowered. Otherwise, your pH levels could quickly become unstable.
Here are a few things that you can do to lower alkalinity:
Add sodium bisulfate to the water
Add muriatic acid to the water
Schedule a service appointment
The trick is to test, test, test. Additionally, you’ll want to know the basic details of your hot tub (total gallons, etc.) so that you can make the necessary calculations. You cannot simply drop in a pinch of sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid and hope that you’ve lowered the alkalinity sufficiently. Careful measurement will make all the difference – and deliver the best possible results.
Get Help with pH Levels and More
When you are struggling to maintain the desired pH levels or feel overwhelmed by the various chemicals that can go into your hot tub, call us. At Ajax Pool & Spa, we have technicians who can provide maintenance and offer guidance. Once we get your alkalinity lowered, you can enjoy your hot tub more.
There’s no reason to fight with your hot tub. We’ll set you up on a schedule so that we can come out to work with you on not only chemical levels but also overall hot tub maintenance.
Have you ever wondered how hot is a hot tub? It’s not so hot that you feel as though you’re being cooked from the outside in. The reality is that the hot tub temperature will vary based on what you’re comfortable with as well as what your health conditions may be.
Establish a Good Temperature
The hot tub temp that is right for you can be anywhere from 90 degrees all the way up to 104 degrees. 104 is considered the “maximum” temperature, so you’ll want to keep this in mind as you adjust the settings on your hot tub.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that the water is best when it’s between 100 and 102 degrees.
Will that extra one or two degrees make a difference? Absolutely. While it might not seem like a lot, think about how you adjust the thermostat in your home. One degree can be the difference between comfortable and uncomfortable.
Start with a lower temperature. Sit inside of the hot tub and get acclimated to the hot tub temp for a few minutes. If it’s not warm enough, raise it by one degree. Continue to do this until you’ve reached a desirable temperature – but never above 104.
If you’re sharing the hot tub with everyone, find a temperature that works for everyone. It’s better to go with a lower number so that no one feels as though they’re getting too hot.
Remember, too, that as the temperatures get colder outside, you may find that you’ll want to increase the temperature by a degree or two.
Know the Rules
As you begin to set the temperature, it’s important to pay attention to a couple of the “rules” regarding temperatures.
If you’re pregnant, consult with a doctor before you get into the tub
Those under age 5 should not be in tubs above 95 degrees (and only remain in for 5 to 10 minutes)
Don’t stay in for more than 30 minutes
Additionally, to be sure you have the temperature in place that you think you have, be sure that you have a reliable thermometer. Many hot tubs will have a built-in thermometer. However, it’s a good idea to have a secondary one so that you have a check and balance in place.
When to Adjust the Temperature
So that you can enjoy the temperature of your hot tub throughout the year, and for all occasions, there are some things to consider.
If you’re using your hot tub for hydrotherapy, 100 degrees is a great starting temperature. It can help to improve blood flow, improve joint flexibility, and offer relief from arthritis pain.
If you’re looking to cool down on a hot summer day, drop the temperature to 98 degrees so that it’s less than your body temperature.
Additionally, consider lowering the temp a bit if you’re going to be stretching or doing yoga while in the tub or if you’re already overheated from a particular activity (or even an illness).
If you or anyone sharing the hot tub with you is heat-sensitive, drop the temperature. Then, work your way up until it’s comfortable for everyone.
Even on the hottest days of summer, you can still enjoy your hot tub. Just plan on setting the temperature to 95 degrees or lower.
Learn How to Maintain the Temperature
Maintaining the temperature is critical because you want to be able to get in whenever you want. If you have to wait to get the temperature to your desired setting, it can be problematic.
Most of today’s hot tubs have energy-efficient settings that allow you to maintain the temperature that you set. This allows you to have a “set it and forget it” mentality.
In order to be more energy-efficient, however, you want to do what you can to help the temperature be maintained.
Use a cover when the hot tub isn’t in use
Have your hot tub regularly serviced
Adjust settings based on the ambient temperature outside
When you need more help with determining the ideal temperature – or maintaining it, call us. We have technicians at Ajax Pool & Spa who can perform routine maintenance and talk to you about the ways that you can enjoy your hot tub all year long.
Throughout 2021, there’s been a chlorine shortage. This has hit hot tub owners, pool owners, and even pool supply stores. It can be quite problematic when you’re trying to maintain your hot tub or pool only to find out that you can’t get your hands on any chlorine.
There’s some good news, though. There are ways to reduce the amount of chlorine that you need. Further, it’s important to know what is causing the chlorine shortage.
Reasons Why There’s a Chlorine Shortage
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a significant demand for pools…and with that, comes the need for pool chemicals. As theatres, theme parks, and more closed, people began using their pools with greater frequency. And those who didn’t have pools were having them built.
With greater usage and more pools that need chlorine, a shortage was inevitable.
Usage wasn’t the only reason for the shortage, however.
A fire occurred at a chemical plant (BioLab) in Lake Charles, Louisiana in August of 2020. This facility was one of the largest producers of chlorine tablets in the nation. This was due to Hurricane Laura bringing in high winds and falling power lines that led to the fire. Approximately 835 tons of product were consumed in the fire. It also led authorities to tell residents to stay indoors and close their windows so that they didn’t inhale the toxic fumes that were being emitted from the burning plant.
With the inability to produce more chlorine, it led to many pool suppliers suffering a shortage. Many exhausted all of their supplies and found that there was no more to be had regardless of what company they called.
In a U.S News & World Report article, the president of Dover Pools, Chris Anderson explained that there were so many new requests for pools that they have orders scheduled all the way through 2022. “People rediscovered their backyard and got creative, and (pool companies) became No. 1 on their conscience.”
With the amount of chlorine still in high demand, it’s also resulting in a price surge – and the cost has jumped approximately 58% in 2021 over 2020 prices.
How to Deal with the Chlorine Shortage
First, it’s important to know that the chlorine shortage is temporary. You should only buy what you actually need to get you through the season. For the average spa or pool owner, that would be a single bucket of 3-inch chlorine tablets. Especially as the prices have skyrocketed, there simply is no reason to stockpile the chlorine.
Understand that there are solutions.
Chlorine is just one of the ways to sanitize your water. You can also explore algaecide, though it tends to be more expensive and less effective.
Some homeowners have turned to using bleach – and this is a bad idea for a number of reasons. The strength of chlorine is minimal – and there are often other dangerous additives that you don’t want to breathe or swallow as you play inside of a pool or soak inside of a hot tub.
One of the main reasons chlorine is used is to sanitize. The good news, particularly with hot tubs, is that there is a new technology that will help you to sanitize the water without any chemicals. This is known as “shocking” the water, which can be done with a UV sterilizer or an Ozonator.
Additionally, if you don’t want to mess with the chemicals and pay the extra costs for chlorine (when you can find it), there’s an alternative. Convert your pool or hot tub to a saltwater system. This reduces the need for a number of chemicals and chlorine is generated on its own within the system.
Get Help with Maintaining Your Hot Tub or Pool in Aspen
At Ajax Pool & Spa, we offer the service and maintenance support that you need. This includes providing repairs and helping you manage your chemicals. We deliver the chemicals you need right to your door – and when there’s a shortage of one chemical (such as chlorine), we can show you how to manage your pool or spa in other ways.
Call us now to schedule a member of our service team out to your home in the Aspen area.
Aspen winters can get downright frigid. When you have a hot tub, you have to consider how often you’re going to use your hot tub. If the answer is, there’s no way that you’re going to strip down to next to nothing and soak in the tub, you’ll want to learn how to winterize a hot tub.
Is Winterizing a Hot Tub Necessary?
Absolutely not. Many modern hot tubs are extremely energy efficient. They require minimal operating costs throughout the winter. Many also have a “sleep mode” that you can switch to so that energy usage is reduced.
The reality is that when you winterize, water is often left in the pipes. This can lead to mold growing over a four to six-month period. This type of mold can be difficult to get rid of – and may end up ruining the entire tub.
However, there are reasons why you may have to winterize – especially if you’re not going to be home to maintain the unit.
The Benefits of Leaving Your Hot Tub or Jacuzzi in Place for the Winter
Since you won’t have to worry about using a lot of energy, keep your jacuzzi running. The benefits are significant:
Warm up with a soak in 104-degree water
Relieve aches and pains in the water
Spend more time in the hot tub during the day when it’s warmer
Have a place where you can socialize
There are plenty of ways to stay warm on your way to and from the hot tub. You bought the unit for the benefits, so you can choose to use it year-round.
If You Must Winterize…
If you decide that you aren’t going to use your hot tub at all, you’ll want to learn how to drain a hot tub for the winter. This way, you can be sure that everything is handled properly – and so that you can easily set it up again as soon as the weather heats up a bit.
Step 1: Disconnect the Power
Be sure that you disconnect all of the power that leads to your hot tub. This can be done by unplugging the cord from the house receptacle. If you have a 230-V model, you’ll also want to trip the GFCI breakers and detach the plumbing lines.
Step 2: Remove the Filters
You’ll want to remove all of the filters and cartridges. Be sure to clean and dry them before placing them in storage. If your filters are older, toss them so that you use new filters when you open your hot tub again in the spring.
Step 3: Drain the Water
Turn off the water source for your hot tub before you begin draining.
You can choose to use the drain, a sump pump, or a hose siphon to get the water out of the unit. Often, a pump is going to be the fastest option since the pressure drops when the water levels drop.
Be sure that you drain all of the lines so that water doesn’t freeze inside of them.
Once all water is removed, use a shop vac to ensure that there is no remaining water left inside of the tub or the water lines.
Step 4: Cover Your Unit
You don’t want snow or ice to accumulate on your hot tub. As such, use the cover that the unit came with or buy a winter tarp to drape over the unit. A large board placed on the spa can also help with the weight distribution if your unit is in a place where it is subject to snowfall.
If your power pack is removable, store it inside so that it doesn’t get damaged by the cold temperatures or the moisture of ice and snow.
Learn More About Caring for Your Hot Tub Now
Learning how to winterize a jacuzzi is one of the many things you should know about caring for your unit. Whether you are looking to shock the water of your hot tub to sanitize it or you are experiencing issues with your system, it’s critical to have a reliable repair company to turn to.
At Ajax Pool & Spa, we are the professional pool people to help you with the repairs and maintenance of your hot tub. Call us today to learn about winterizing a hot tub or any other issues you may have.
A hot tub only gets hot and bubbles with the help of an electrical connection. As you begin to price out the cost of a hot tub, you should be cognizant of some of the hot tub electrical requirements. Depending on what you have in place already and what you need, there can be some installation costs to factor into it all.
While there are DIY guides and installation instructions in every hot tub owner’s manual, it’s imperative that you work with a professional electrician. This ensures that all of the steps are carefully followed and that your hot tub’s electrical components are meeting local and national codes.
Most hot tubs will run on a 220v system because they can heat the water faster. As such, we’ll focus on the electrical requirements for those units.
Hot Tub Must Be on a Dedicated GFCI Breaker
Within your feeder breaker, which is located in your house’s service panel, you’ll need to make sure that the spa is on its own breaker.
Additionally, there must be an outside disconnect GFCI box. This will be on a disconnect panel – and the GFCI component is added for protection. This should be installed between 5 and 15 feet of the hot tub.
All Circuits Must Be Dedicated
All of the circuits used for the spa have to be dedicated to the spa. This means that you cannot have any other things on the circuits at any time, regardless of whether the spa is running or not. This includes appliances, lights, or anything else.
Wires Must Be Correct Gauge
Most of the hot tubs sold today will require a 4-wire electrical system. These will also correspond to the size of your feed circuit breaker that is attached to the house service panel. Your disconnect GFCI panel can have an app rating that is equal to or larger than the feed breaker.
The 4-wire system includes 2 hot wires, a ground wire, and a neutral wire. A 3-wire system would be all but the neutral wire.
In addition to the wiring being of the correct gauge, all of the conduits should be buried. For this to happen, you will need to build a trench that leads from the outside disconnect box to the spa control system box on the outside of the hot tub. While you can have an electrician dig the trench, it can be more affordable to do it yourself or hire a landscaper.
Copper conductors should be used. As you get closer to the hot tub (within 5 feet), the metal components need to be bonded together.
Wires Entering Spa Must Be in Flexible Waterproof Conduit
The wires that enter the spa must be in what’s known as seal-tite – a flexible waterproof conduit. Those wires need to extend at least 6 inches past the conduct for the final connection to the spa. The diameter of this conduit should be between ¾” to 1” depending on the size of the wire.
The spa control system or equipment bay is where the flex conduit for the power wires is installed. Copper wire should be used as you never want to use aluminum wire.
Final Installation Tips
There are quite a few steps involved with handling the electrical requirements of a hot tub. It’s why it’s imperative to work with an electrician who will follow code, obtain an electrical permit, and read the owner’s manual to ensure everything is done properly.
So that you install your hot tub correctly, there are a few tips so that you don’t spend more on the electrical setup than necessary:
Don’t install your hot tub under power lines
Don’t run wires under the spa
Don’t try to connect a 4-wire hot tub to a 3-wire circuit
Don’t use your hot tub until the electrical installation has been approved.
Ensure Your Hot Tub Has Everything
At Ajax Pool and Spa, we have everything you need to keep your hot tub running. Whether you need custom installation or you need repairs to ensure your hot tub lasts for years to come, we are here to help.
Hot tub electrical components will be an important part of the overall functionality of your unit. Knowing the requirements even before you buy your hot tub will make it easier for you to plan. We’re also here every step of the way to help you with installation and maintenance, call our experts today.
Get Help with pH Levels and More
