Hot Tub Water Care Before Winnipeg’s “No Water Exchange” Season
If you own a hot tub in Winnipeg, there may be times of the year when water restrictions or seasonal conditions make it more important to avoid draining and refilling your hot tub. That means getting your water in great shape before the season begins can make a big difference.
After all, if your water starts causing problems later, you don’t want to be stuck wishing you had taken a few extra steps beforehand! Here are some simple things you can do to help your hot tub water stay cleaner, clearer, and easier to manage.
1. Start With Fresh, Clean Water
If your hot tub water is already getting older, or becoming difficult to balance, this may be the perfect time to start fresh. The longer that water stays in your hot tub, the more of these materials can build up. If you are constantly adding chemicals but still struggling with cloudy water, foam, odors, or difficulty maintaining water balance, a drain and refill before the winter season may be your best option.
Starting with fresh water gives you a clean slate and can make ongoing water care much easier.
2. Give Your Hot Tub a Good Clean Before Refilling
If you are draining your hot tub, take the opportunity to give it a proper cleaning. Wipe down the shell, remove any debris, and pay attention to areas around the waterline where oils and residue can build up.
It is also a great time to inspect your cover, pillows, and other visible components, including you filters.
3. Don’t Forget About the Plumbing
Your hot tub shell may look perfectly clean, but there can still be buildup hiding inside the plumbing. Over time, biofilm and other contaminants can collect inside the pipes. These materials may eventually find their way back into your fresh water.
Before draining, We recommend using an appropriate plumbing cleaner or line flush designed for hot tubs.
4. Start With Properly Balanced Water
Once your hot tub has been refilled, there is more to be done than just adding your sanitizer. Fresh water still needs to be properly balanced to ensure the comfort of bathers, and to protect and preserve the tub and equipment, so you can enjoy your hot tub for years to come! Once the spa is filled and circulating again, we reccommend bringing in a water sample th ethe Aqua-Tech water lab, so we can help you get things balanced.
Important things to check include:
- Total Alkalinity
- pH
- Calcium Hardness
- Sanitizer level (bromine or chlorine)
5. Make Sure Your Sanitizer Routine Is Working
Your sanitizer is one of the most important parts of keeping your hot tub water safe and clear. Whether you use chlorine, bromine, or another approved sanitizing system, make sure you understand how your system works and how often your water needs to be tested.
A common mistake is waiting until the water looks cloudy or starts smelling unusual before checking the sanitizer level. By that point, the sanitizer may have already been struggling for some time. We recommend checking your sanitizer with a test strip at home a few times a week (or ideally after each use), to ensure the water is properly sanitized. Add tablets or granules weekly as needed to maintain a proper residual.
6. Clean or Replace Your Filters
Your filters play a major role in keeping your hot tub water clear. Over time, they collect oils, lotions, hair, and other debris. A dirty filter cannot do its job as effectively and can contribute to cloudy water and poor circulation. Starting the season with clean filters gives your hot tub the best chance of keeping the water clear.
Before the season begins, give your filters a proper cleaning and inspect them for signs of damage or wear. Pleated filters can be chemically cleaned with a solution like Rapid Action Filter Cleanse, or PleatCo Filter Wash. Click HERE to shop filter cleaning products online. Filters should never be cleaned with a pressure washer or taken to a car wash, as high pressure can damage the filter and shorten its lifespan. Disposable foam insert filters can not be chemically cleaned; they can only be replaced.
If they are old, damaged, or no longer cleaning effectively, it may be time for a replacement. Shop online for spa filters HERE.
Not sure which filter you need? You can check the filter itself for a part number, refer to your manual, or reach our parts team at www.findmyparts.ca
7. Create a Simple Water Care Routine
The best way to avoid water problems is not to wait for them to happen! You don’t need to spend hours testing and adjusting your hot tub every day, but having a regular routine can make a big difference. A few minutes of regular maintenance can save you from dealing with a much bigger issue later.
A simple routine might include:
- Testing your water regularly
- Checking your sanitizer level
- Making sure the water is circulating properly
- Rinsing or cleaning your filters as needed
- Addressing small water problems before they become bigger ones
Remember that you can always visit us in store with a sample for a detailed water analysis, or send us a test strip photo by email or text!
Contact our Water Testing Team:
Phone: 204-233-8822
Email: [email protected]
Text: 204-817-8238
If you have any questions about draining and refilling your tub (or other technical questions), you can reach our to our service technicians at www.findmyanswers.ca
