5 Signs It's Time to Drain Your Spa
The average home spa should be drained 2-3 times a year. This is especially true if you leave it sitting for more than 5-7 days between uses. Draining your spa isn't just about taking out the water before it gets contaminated, it's also an opportunity to inspect the components and clear any debris or hair that has found its way into your spa during use. Here are 5 signs that it may be time to drain out your spa.
5 Signs It's Time to Drain Your Spa:
1 . TDS levels are above 1200 ppm
Chlorine will become less effective as the TDS level of your spa water increases. The water may not clear up even after shocking; the only way to rid your spa of excess minerals is by draining and refilling it. Many factors can contribute to hard spa water; the fact is, you'll likely need to drain your spa out 2-3 times per year.
2 . Foaming and unclarity.
Foaming and unclarity can be caused by excessive oils, lotions and creams as well as body oils and scum. Just like your bathtub, you don't want to step into a dirty looking spa that could harbor bacteria that lead to skin infections. If you see a presence of dirty foam , it's time to drain and scrub your spa.
3 . Algae is present or growing
Most forms of algae love moisture and dark, warm conditions. Is your spa located in a shady area? Does the cover stay on all night? If so, algae could be taking root on the spa walls as well as contaminating the water's chemistry. Drain, scrub and treat the spa walls with an algaecide before refilling.
4. No chlorine smell
Chlorine dissipates as it reacts with organic matter, so if you can no longer smell chlorine in your spa water, there's a good chance that the active free available chlorine levels have reached zero. This means your bacteria count has likely increased as well as the risk of skin infections. Replace your chlorine cartridge to restore fresh smell and active free available chlorine levels.
5. Water is cloudy or murky
Even if you've just drained your spa, cloudy or murky water may indicate that it's time to empty out the water again. Cloudiness can mean there are still contaminants present in the water that prevent it from being able to filter properly. Put a hose down to drain it and clean the filter before refilling your spa with fresh water.
In addition to following these 5 signs that it's time to drain out your spa, you may also consider renting or buying a hot tub cover lifter , as they make draining much easier. Although there are many benefits of owning an inflatable spa, draining and refilling it every 2-3 months is a necessary task you should not neglect. For more questions, visit apoolandspa.com!