Wilma Gilbert – Eureka Maid Service

Caring for your hot tub is easier than you might think. While there are many different aspects to a complete maintenance routine, the basics are easy enough for even new hot tub owners to work into a daily schedule.

Start by testing and treating your water chemistry three times a week to keep it balanced. Then, wipe down the cover and shell to keep it clean and debris-free. Contact Hot Tub Maintenance Mesa for professional help.

As you use your hot tub, a small portion of the water will evaporate. It’s recommended that your levels are kept within a range specified by the manufacturer. If your levels are too low, the skimmer and jets might not be able to get enough water flow through them to work effectively; too high and you risk algae and other problems that require extensive and costly repairs. You’ll need to check the levels frequently, depending on how much you use your hot tub and the corresponding water usage.

To check your water, simply use a bottle of test strips (make sure they’re in date!) and follow the visual color level guide on the label to determine if your pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels are in acceptable ranges. This is especially important during colder months when the water will evaporate more quickly.

It’s a good idea to test the water at least once per week, preferably more often. This will give you a clearer picture of the overall condition of your spa’s water and help prevent issues like cloudy water, green water, and foamy water, as well as ensure your hot tub’s water chemistry is balanced.

It’s also a good idea to have your water professionally tested at least once a month. A local hot tub specialty store will be able to do a more in-depth and accurate water analysisthan a home kit can, as they’ll be able to measure things like metals and phosphates. This can save you time, money, and headaches down the road! Lastly, be sure to chemically clean your filters on a weekly basis. If you don’t, they’ll become clogged with debris and cause your water to look murky.

Wipe Down the Cover and Shell

A clean hot tub cover protects the surface of your water from harmful debris and toxins. It also helps the hot tub keep its insulating properties. It’s important to wipe down the inside & outside of the cover at least once every 1-3 months. Use a non-abrasive cleaner to get rid of mildew, grime, dirt & dust that can build up on the cover and transfer to the hot tub. Then, spray the vinyl with a conditioner or protectant to keep the cover supple & looking good.

It is recommended to avoid using snow shovels on your hot tub cover. The sharp corners of the shovel can rip or tear the outer fabric of the cover, exposing the insulating foam and causing it to lose its effectiveness.

To wash the cover or shell of your hot tub, a simple vinegar-water solution is usually enough to do the trick. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that will dissolve messes without the risks of harsh chemicals.

You should also regularly wash any visible areas of the shell and wipe down the surrounding landscape to remove leaves, bugs, pollen and other items that can get into your hot tub. This helps to reduce the amount of toxins that reach the water and detracts from the aesthetics of your outdoor hot tub area.

If you notice moss or mildew growing on your hot tub, you can use a mixture of Clean & Perfect all-purpose cleaner and the rough side of a sponge to scrub it away. Once it’s gone, you can treat the area with 303 Aerospace Protectant to coat it and prevent unsightly fungi from regrowing. These simple tasks are easy to incorporate into a daily or weekly schedule and will help you maintain your beautiful hot tub for years to come!

Check the Water Chemistry

When it comes to hot tub maintenance, water chemistry is often the one step that puts first-time owners on edge. The process can seem intimidating when you’re staring down a sea of chemicals and test kits, but the fact is, it’s actually much simpler than you may think.

Testing your water chemistry is the best way to ensure your hot tub is clean and safe for use. It helps you to keep the water balanced and prevents problems like eye and skin irritation, clogged filters, and scale buildup.

You should check your pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels every week. These are all easily checked at home with inexpensive test strips or a digital kit that allows you to read your results in seconds. You can also use a defoamer to quickly rid your hot tub of foamy water that inhibits sanitizers from doing their job.

For optimal water chemistry, your pH level should be between 7.4 and 7.6. Anything below this range will be too acidic and can eat away at your hot tub equipment. Values above this range will be too basic, reducing sanitizer effectiveness and leading to cloudy water.

Sanitizers, like chlorine or bromine, keep your hot tub clean by removing bacteria and other organic matter. You’ll need to adjust your sanitizer levels based on usage, but always ensure they are at the recommended levels for your specific hot tub. Aim for sanitizer levels of 1 to 3 ppm.

Change the Filters

When it comes to maintaining a pristine hot tub, your filters play a critical role. They act as guardians, trapping dust, dirt, and certain microorganisms that could mar your relaxing spa experience. However, if they are overly dirty or clogged, they may not be able to perform their duties adequately. In order to avoid this, it’s important to adhere to a consistent maintenance schedule. This includes bi-weekly to tri-weekly cleaning and monthly chemical rinsing.

Each week, it’s a good idea to remove your filters and give them a quick rinse with a hose. This will help dislodge larger particles and keep them from clogging. It is also helpful to have a spray tool available to make rinsing even easier. In addition, you’ll want to soak your filters once a month in a specialized filter cleaner. This gives them a deeper clean, allowing them to operate optimally in your spa.

It’s also a great idea to have an additional set of filters on hand, so you can swap them out between cleanings. This ensures you always have a fresh, functioning filter in place while you’re cleaning the other.

If you’re not sure how often to replace your filters, you can always consult with one of our knowledgeable hot tub experts at a Watson’s store near you. They will be able to use water testing equipment to give you a comprehensive report on your water quality. They will also be able to help you find the right replacement filter for your specific spa model. Keeping up with the maintenance on your hot tub can be time consuming, but it’s essential to keep it operating properly and comfortably. By following these simple steps, you can get the most out of your spa for years to come.

Schedule a Tune-Up

A hot tub is a big investment, and proper care will help it last for years to come. You’ll enjoy the best results from your hot tub if you follow a simple, regular maintenance schedule. It may take a little time to set up this routine, but it’s well worth the effort. A few simple tasks a day or week will keep your water clean and smelling fresh.

The first daily task is to test the water balance with a test strip, and make any necessary adjustments. You should also wipe down the cover and shell. Lastly, you’ll want to check for mildew or mold. This will not only look unsightly, but it can also lead to unwanted smells. Performing these tasks every day will greatly reduce the chance of these problems occurring.

In addition to the daily tasks, you’ll need to drain and refill your hot tub once or twice a year, clean the filters and empty and disinfect the hot tub shell. Adding these tasks to your weekly checklist will help you remember when it’s time to do them. It’s also a good idea to have a professional technician perform an annual inspection of your hot tub. This will help catch any small issues before they can escalate, saving you money in the long run.

With the right routine, your hot tub will provide you and your family with many hours of relaxation and entertainment. You’ll find that keeping up with these basic tasks is much easier than you might think, and it can be done in just a few minutes each day or week. You can even work these tasks into your current routine to make them as convenient as possible.

Clogged drains can cause real neck pain. They also cause unpleasant odors and can lead to serious plumbing problems over time.

Regular drain cleaning can help prevent clogs, extend the life of your pipes, and ensure a safe and sanitary living environment for your family. Contact Drain Cleaning Perth now!

Clogged drains are one of the most common and frustrating problems homeowners face. They can be caused by a wide range of materials, from hair and food scraps to grease and soap scum. While reaching for a chemical drain cleaner may be tempting, these products can do more harm than good.

Chemical drain cleaners work by creating a chemical reaction with the substance that is causing the clog. Caustic drain cleaners, such as lye or caustic potash, are bases that give electrons to the clogging material and release hydroxide ions to dissolve it. Oxidizing drain cleaners, on the other hand, use substances such as household bleaches or peroxides to liquefy organic material and release heat. Both cleaners are typically heavier than water and can move through standing water to reach the clog.

However, these chemical reactions can also damage your pipes. Most chemical drain cleaners generate significant heat, which can melt or warp plastic pipes. This can lead to leaks and serious structural issues in your home. They can also cause corrosion in metal pipes, especially if they come into contact with water.

Moreover, these chemicals are not good for the environment. They can contaminate groundwater and potentially poison local wildlife. Lastly, they can also pose a health risk to your family. Chemical drain cleaners often release toxic fumes that can irritate your nose, eyes and throat. They can also affect your indoor air quality (IAQ) and trigger asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Fortunately, there are safe and effective alternatives to chemical drain cleaners. You can try natural DIY solutions such as hot water and baking soda or vinegar, which are more environmentally friendly and don’t pose a risk to your health or the environment.

Hydro-Jetting

While snakes puncture clogs and augers can chip away at soft blockages, hydro jetting uses pressurized water to blast through even the most stubborn sewer lines. It’s a great option for commercial and municipal pipes with larger diameters that snakes and augers can’t handle, as well as homes with heavy use of grease.

The process involves connecting a hose to the drain and then using a powerful stream of water to remove debris, including tree roots, from the pipe. It’s important to note that this is a highly specialized and dangerous procedure and should only be performed by trained professionals who have the right equipment and know how to take proper safety precautions.

During the process, the plumber might also utilize a rooter to break up thick roots that have invaded the sewage line before attacking them with the water jets. They’ll also choose a nozzle with varying degrees of power and force, depending on the type of debris being removed. Some nozzles are designed to get around corners while others have wider back sprays for breaking up and dissolving sludge.

Hydro jetting also does a better job of eliminating odors caused by food residue or rotting garbage that’s lodged inside the pipes. This is because it scoures the sides of the pipes, eliminating any lingering bacteria. Additionally, a video inspection can help the plumber to identify any issues with the pipes and their waterproof coating before hydro jetting, preventing future problems.

Regardless of the severity and location of the clog, there’s usually no need to resort to DIY methods like drain snakes or chemical drain cleaners. Instead, contact a professional plumbing service to perform a thorough point-by-point inspection with hydro jetting to ensure the integrity of your pipes.

Enzyme Cleaners

Enzyme cleaners are an eco-friendly alternative to chemical drain cleaners. They work by harnessing nature’s power to speed up organic decomposition and eliminate odor. Enzymes break down the proteins, fats, and starches that make up most stains and organic buildup. This allows the contaminants to be washed away easily with water, leaving surfaces clean and odor-free.

These non-toxic cleaners are effective for removing organic soils, including pet urine and feces, spoiled food, mildew, and coffee grounds. They are also useful in tackling tough grease deposits. They can be used on any material or surface that can get wet, including fabrics, but are not recommended for use on rayon and silk.

Unlike chemical cleaners, enzyme cleaners do not have any harmful ingredients or compounds and do not produce toxic fumes. However, they require warm water to activate and must remain in contact with the stain for at least 15 minutes to be fully effective. They should be kept out of sunlight, as UV radiation can destroy the enzymes and prevent them from functioning properly.

In addition to temperature, the concentration of bacterial species in a drain cleaner is an important factor in its effectiveness. For this reason, it is important to choose a product with a minimum ufc/mL (unit-forming colony per milliliter) count for the best results.

You can make your own enzyme cleaner at home by combining chopped citrus peels, lukewarm water, brown sugar, and yeast in a plastic bottle. Then, let it ferment in a warm area for at least a month. The resulting liquid can be sprayed onto a variety of surfaces, such as upholstery, fabric, and carpet.

To test how well your homemade enzymatic cleaner works, pour it over a piece of dry cat food. If it dissolves completely, the enzymatic cleaner has successfully broken down the protein in the cat food.

Mechanical Drain Snakes

Also known as plumber’s augers or “snakes”, these long steel cable tools allow you to mechanically bore through and retrieve clogs that sink plungers and chemical cleaners can’t. Like plungers, drain snakes use a mechanical approach, but their core components and mechanism let them physically latch onto, then chew through or dislodge obstructions.

First, choose a plumbing snake suited to the type of clog you’re facing. For example, if your drain is blocked by solidified grease or soap scum, you might need a thinner pipe-sized cable with a smaller auger head. If your clog stems from a broken pipe or sewer backup, on the other hand, you might require a sturdier, longer cable with a larger head.

After that, prep the pipe or drain by either removing the p-trap (the curved piping under the sink) or by gaining access to the trap arm. Then, uncoil the snake’s cable and start feeding it into the pipe. Be sure to feed it slowly and steadily, as attempting to force the cable into an obstruction can damage the drain entrance or pipe.

As you feed the snake through your pipes, listen and feel for any changes in resistance. This sensory feedback lets you know when the clog is grabbing or snaring something, which in turn lets you decide how to proceed. Be patient – some stubborn clogs may take multiple passes with the snake before they break loose completely. If you encounter a particularly stubborn or deep blockage, don’t hesitate to call in a professional plumber for assistance. And always remember: Prevent clogs by keeping big food scraps out of your garbage disposal, installing and regularly cleaning a grease trap or drain guard in kitchens, and using strainers or screens in bathtubs and sinks to catch larger debris before it can wash down the drain.

Video Inspection

A plumbing camera is the best tool for learning about the condition of pipes and drains. Because many pipes are located behind walls, under flooring, and underground, determining the cause of a problem can be difficult without the use of a plumbing video inspection. Having a plumber do this inspection at the beginning of a drain cleaning service can take all the guesswork out of locating a blockage or determining what sort of repairs may be needed. It can also help when purchasing a new home, as it will allow you to see exactly what state the plumbing is in before having to pay for any costly repair work.

Modern video pipe inspection equipment allows plumbers to send a miniaturized digital camera attached to a flexible cable into plumbing lines, which gives them a clear view of the inside of a drain or sewer line. The cameras are connected to monitors, and the feed can be recorded to show to a customer later.

The biggest benefit of using a plumbing camera is that it can be used to locate clogs and other problems in places where they might otherwise be missed. Some clogs can be hidden in small cracks and joints, or at sharp turns in pipes that would be impossible to spot with the naked eye. Using a plumbing camera can help locate these clogs and repair them before they become major problems that require extensive digging and damage to property.

Another big benefit of using a plumbing camera is that the video inspection can be used to identify the source of a blockage or damage, and determine the best way to address it. This allows plumbers to efficiently tackle a problem and minimize any damage that might be caused by invasive methods like pulling up floorboards or tearing out drywall. In addition, the ability to identify a problem quickly and accurately can reduce the need for harsh chemicals that can cause environmental damage.

Author: Wilma Gilbert

Hot Tub Maintenance Made Easy