All of the information you need to select, buy and care for the perfect hot tub for you and your lifestyle!

Correcting Water Problems

Water problems can often be corrected by draining and refilling your hot tub. A hot tub should always be drained every three to four months. If the hot tub is used frequently with more than one or two adults, a spa may need to be drained more often. A good rule of thumb is that a spa should be drained after 75 units of usage. A unit of usage is equal to one person using the spa for 1/2 hour. For example, four people using a spa for one hour would equal eight units of usage. Even with very limited usage, never wait longer than four months to drain and refill your spa. This is recommended because chemicals stay in the water and are not filtered away. The water will reach a point after a certain amount of time where chemicals will not benefit your spa water. This is often referred to as the level of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).

The two most common water problems are foaming and soft water. The sections below explain each problem in detail:

Foam
There are three conditions that would cause foaming in your spa water: soft water, a high count of TDS, and/or soap residue from bathing suits, shampoo, body oils, and cosmetic products. If your water is soft with low hardness levels, see the section below. If there is a high count of TDS, you need to drain and refill your spa. If the foaming occurred due to soap or other residues, it is recommended to use a product designed to rid your spa of the residue, such as Foam Away.

Soft Water
Many areas of the country, especially those that have a municipal water source, tend to have soft water. Soft water may cause instant foaming and staining. Staining occurs because water has a natural demand for minerals. It attempts to satisfy this demand by garnishing materials from other available sources such as heating elements, plumbing, etc. This corrosion is not only damaging to your equipment, but it also can stain your water and shell surface. All soft water should also be tested for hardness levels. An ideal level is between 100 - 200 PPM. Water hardness describes the total amount of calcium present in the water.

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