Swim Spa Maintenance: 7 Important Tasks to Keep In Mind

Swim spa usage requires swim spa maintenance. Follow the seven tasks listed below to keep your swim spa in tip-top shape.

Key takeaways: 

• Regularly check the water’s pH
• Rinse the filters once a week
• Wipe the spa cover and the cabinet regularly
• Don’t ignore the headrests while cleaning 
• Consult an expert to set up yearly inspections

Swim spa maintenance can seem a bit daunting for first-time owners but it’s really not that bad. Proper upkeep is necessary, so developing a simple plan will ensure your unit stays in good shape. 

To help you out, Barefoot Spas, the largest manufacturer of hot tubs and swim spas on the East coast, is giving you a list of seven swim spa maintenance tasks to follow to keep your spa in excellent shape. Let’s dive in!

1. Regularly check your water’s pH level: Water that is visibly moldy, smelly, or cloudy needs sanitization. However, there may not be visible signs that the water’s chemistry is off. You should check your water’s pH with a test strip every day (or every few days if you don’t use your unit often). 
   
   A healthy pH is between 7.2-7.6. If it’s too high, add pH down to lower the levels or add pH up to raise them. The alkalinity should be between 80-120 ppm. Ideal chlorine levels should be between two-five mg/L and bromine between three-six mg/L. Before starting any sanitization, you can use Spa Shock to break down the waste contaminants.  
   
   At about eight months to a year, you need to replace the water. Over time, chemicals, dissolved solids, and other toxins can degrade the quality of your spa water to the point where sanitizers can no longer work their magic, and the water becomes unsafe. At this point, your only option is a complete drain.
   
   
2. Clean the filter: Your swim spa’s filters regulate the water to keep it clean, but consistent usage makes them dirty. Every week or so, take out the filters and give them a good rinse. A filter that is free of grime, dirt, and other solids will perform much better, keeping the water hygienic and disinfected. 
   
   Every month, give the filters a chemical rinse. A deeper chemical clean will clear out more muck than water alone. Also, check the filter for any damage; trapped residue can often create indents within a filter, reducing its lifespan and decreasing its ability to filter water. 
   
   
3. Clean your spa’s cover: Treat the spa cover right to extend its life. Wipe it down daily and check for cracks that can leak the filth from the top and infect the water in your spa. If left unattended, fallen debris, snow, rainwater, and other environmental pollutants sitting on the spa’s cover can rot it and even make their way inside.
   
   Rinse the cover with cool water using a garden hose. For dirt that sticks to the surface, use a moist sponge. Give the inside and outside of the spa cover a good wipe with a damp cloth. Don’t ever use harsh household cleaners to wipe it. 
   
   
4. Clean the exterior: The acrylic material on the outside of a spa accumulates dirt and mold and, if left uncared for, can start to stain and possibly damage the cabinet. Make it a point to look for scratches and other dents than can ruin its appearance. 
   
   Give the exterior a good wipe every month with a sponge or a damp cloth and a non-abrasive cleaner. This will keep the premium finish longer, preserve its appearance, and maintain your spa as the focal point of your backyard.
   
   
5. Winterize your spa if necessary: If you live in a climate that gets frosty in the winter, you must take extra care of your unit during this season. When using the swim spa during a cold winter, make sure you drain all the water out with a vacuum after you are done, as leftover water can freeze the internal components and damage the unit. 
   
   Leave all the valves open to keep the heater pumping hot water through the pipes. You can also use a freeze-protect system that automatically detects any extreme drop in water temperature and runs the heater.
   
   If there is a power outage, drain the spa immediately. 
   
   
6. Keep headrests hygienic: Your swim spa’s headrests can provide excellent comfort after an exhausting and stressful day, but after a while, they can develop mold, stains, or become a breeding ground for microbes. 
   
   Fortunately, all they need is a bit of routine care to keep them clean. All you have to do is give your headrests a good wipe with a damp cloth or sponge, and they’ll be back to new in no time. Don’t use a cleaning brush or anything coarse, as that can damage them. 
   
   
7. Expert intervention: To really keep your spa in good working order, we recommend having a professional do an inspection once a year. He or she can do a checkup of the whole unit, identify issues that can become bigger concerns later on, and fix them immediately. 

Live life Barefoot

Swim spa maintenance can seem tedious and painstaking but it isn’t nearly as challenging as you might think. All you need is a bit of preparation and consistency. Distribute the tasks onto a schedule that you perform daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually. You’ll quickly get into a routine and many of these chores will happen seamlessly. 

If you need any advice on swim spa maintenance or buying a new unit, then get in touch with our experts. We are available to assist you with any of your questions related to swim spas, fitness spas, or hot tubs. You deserve one NOW!