The Importance of Maintaining Your Hot Tub Filters

Owning a hot tub has a variety of benefits, but it is also important to maintain the hot tub to decrease the possibility of contamination. A filter is an important aspect of keeping a spa clean and free from debris and dirt. The filter is also essential to trap any items that may cause the water to become dirty. Spa water often becomes contaminated after each use of the hot tub, the lotion soap hair products, skin cream are dispersed into the water. Even hair can impact how clear your water is and how the filter performs.

The filter should also be cleaned periodically in order to remove the dirt or clogs in the filter. Filters can easily be cleaned every few weeks with a garden hose and a spray to blast away the grime. Additional maintenance tips to ensure the cleanest water also require the water to be changed every three to four months. The filter cartridge should also be cleaned and soaked periodically to remove and additional items that maybe clogging the filter.

Understanding The Use Of Hot Tub Chemicals

Hot tubs offer a major form of relaxation. These luxuries may bring a wealth of enjoyment to home owners and guest alike. However, they must be properly maintained. Hot tub maintenance is not difficult. It only requires an understanding of proper techniques. Below are some tips on how to use hot tub chemicals to keep your tub in excellent condition.

Sanitizers

Sanitizers are what keeps your hot tub clean and secures healthy use. These chemicals kill harmful bacteria which tend to linger in warm water. It is important to test the water twice a month to determine the need for sanitizer. Testing is a simple process. It is performed using test strips. A sample of water is collected from the hot tub and placed into a clean container. The test strips are then dipped into the water. The color change will determine the level of sanitizer and the need to add more.

There are three main types of chemical sanitizers. Each one has their own unique perks to keeping the various spa parts clean. Below is a highlight of the different types.

• Chlorine: Chlorine is the most commonly used sanitizer for swimming pools. This chemical also works wonderfully in warding off harmful organisms in hot tubs. Chlorine sanitizer may be purchased in tablets or granules.

• Bromine: Bromine is often chosen for use in hot tubs because it does not dissipate in temperatures above 98 degrees. This sanitizer may come in the form of granules, nuggets, or tablets. As well it may be purchased as a sodium bromide or self activating chlorine bromine combination. Sodium bromide will need to be mixed with an oxidizer to activate.

• Biguanide: Biguanide sanitizes do not contain chlorine or bromine. This chemical attacks the cell wall of organisms destroying them from water. Many people prefer biguanide because it does not produce a powerful odor as does chlorine. It also does not gas off at temperatures above 98.

Ozone

Ozone is a productive hot tub chemical. This is an oxidizer. Oxidizers work in accordance with sanitizers.

Mineral Spa Care

Mineral Spa Care is used to assist the function of sanitizers. They help to further lower the levels of contamination. However, they do not replace sanitizers.

The above chemicals will help to keep your hot tub clean and contaminant free. However, they do not replace the need to change water. The water inside a hot tub should be changed every 60 to 90 days. Once the water is changed it should be tested and new amounts of chemicals need to be added.

Hot tubs may be tax deductible

If your primary care physician has advised that you spend time in a hot tub for a medical reason, it may be tax deductible. The Internal Revenue Service has become more leinient regarding what items can be excluded from income for qualified medical expenses.

It would be considered a wise idea to call your tax advisor and inform him or her of the situation and see if the purchase of a hot tub will be of benefit to you at tax time. You can also ask during the conversation what supporting medical documents you should keep on hand.

In addition to being a potential tax deduction a hot tub can also increase the basis of your home. You may wish to ask your tax advisor on how it can possibly affect your taxes if you should ever decide to sell your home.

What not to wear in the hot tub

If you are going to be visiting a hot tub there are some things that you most definitley do not want to wear in. One of the most important things you can do before entering the hot tub is to shower or rinse yourself off. Lotions, perfumes and deoderants can all leave a film in the hot tub. That film can flow into the jets and cause them to malfunction and in severe cases stop working all together.

Street clothes can also have residue of dirt and debris that can cause issues as well. It would be best that if you will be wearing a coverup to be sure that is clean and made of a lightweight material. Bathing suits or something designed for swimming in a regular pool would be a excellent choice of attire when using a hot tub.