Quick Answer: How Do You Maintain a Hot Tub?
Hot tub maintenance takes about 10 to 15 minutes a week. Test and balance your water 2–3 times a week, shock it weekly, rinse the filter every 1–2 weeks, and keep the cover on when you’re not using it. Every 3–4 months, drain, clean and refill. Replace the filter every 1–2 years, and schedule a professional service check once a year.
Hot Tub Maintenance Schedule
| How often | What to do |
|---|---|
| After each use | Use a floating oil-absorbing sponge if needed, wipe the waterline, and put the cover back on |
| Daily | Make sure the water circulates and filters (most hot tubs run filter cycles automatically) |
| 2–3 times a week | Test the water and adjust sanitizer, pH and alkalinity |
| Weekly | Shock the water, skim the surface, vacuum or wipe the shell, wipe the cover |
| Every 1–2 weeks | Rinse the filter with a hose |
| Monthly | Clean the underside of the cover; check for leaks and cover fit |
| Every 3–4 months | Soak the filter in filter cleaner; drain, clean and refill the hot tub (salt water systems may go longer) |
| Every 1–2 years | Replace the filter |
| Every year | Schedule a professional service inspection |
| Every 4–5 years | Replace the cover if it’s waterlogged or no longer seals |
A general schedule; how often you soak and your water care system can change it. Always follow your owner’s manual. Swipe sideways on mobile.
Hot Tub Supplies You’ll Need
- Sanitizer for your water care system (chlorine, bromine or salt water)
- Shock treatment
- Test strips or a digital tester
- pH and alkalinity balancers
- Filter cleaner and a spare filter
- Shell and cover cleaner made for hot tubs
- A skimmer net, soft cloths and an oil-absorbing sponge
Not sure what your hot tub needs? Our team can set you up with the right products for your model, or you can order genuine Jacuzzi® and Sundance® filters, chemicals and pillows from our online store.
10-Step Hot Tub Maintenance Checklist
1. Use a good cover, and keep it on
A well-fitting cover keeps heat in, debris out and protects the water from sun and rain, which means less work for your heater and less chemical use. Wipe the top weekly, clean and air out the underside monthly, and use a protectant made for vinyl spa covers. See why a matching cover matters.
2. Circulate and filter the water daily
Water needs to pass through the filter every day, even when no one is using the hot tub. Most hot tubs run automatic filter cycles; make sure yours are set according to your owner’s manual. Poor circulation shows up as cloudy water, odors or foam.
3. Keep the filter clean
Rinse the filter every 1–2 weeks, soak it in filter cleaner every 3–4 months, and replace it every 1–2 years, or as soon as it no longer comes clean. A dirty filter makes your sanitizer and pump work harder. Find the right replacement for your model in our filter shop.
4. Skim the surface and wipe the waterline
Skim leaves and bugs, and use a floating sponge to absorb oils from lotions and hair products. Wipe the waterline weekly to prevent a ring from forming, and vacuum or wipe the shell to remove any slippery film.
5. Test the water 2–3 times a week
Testing often means small, easy adjustments instead of big corrections. Use test strips or a digital tester and compare your results to the ranges below.
| Water test | Typical target range |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.2 – 7.8 (7.4 – 7.6 is ideal) |
| Total alkalinity | 80 – 120 ppm |
| Calcium hardness | 150 – 250 ppm |
| Free chlorine (chlorine systems) | 1 – 3 ppm |
| Bromine (bromine systems) | 3 – 5 ppm |
General ranges. Your hot tub’s water care system (chlorine, bromine, salt water, ClearRay®) may have its own targets; always follow your owner’s manual.
6. Balance alkalinity first, then pH
Total alkalinity buffers pH, so adjust it first. Low pH makes water acidic and can corrode parts; high pH and hardness can cause scale. Know whether your local water is hard or soft, since it affects how much balancing you’ll do.
7. Sanitize and shock
Keep sanitizer in range at all times, and shock the water weekly (or after heavy use) to break down oils and used-up sanitizer. Leave the cover open for a while after shocking so gases can escape, and ventilate the room if your hot tub is indoors.
8. Drain, clean and refill every 3–4 months
Drain the hot tub, clean the shell with a soft cloth and a cleaner made for spa surfaces, and inspect the shell and jets for cracks or worn seals. Many owners also use a line flush product before draining to clean the plumbing. Refill with a garden hose, then balance alkalinity, pH and sanitizer.
9. Protect it from freezing (rarely needed in SoCal)
In our mild climate, most owners run their hot tubs year-round and never winterize. If you need to shut yours down during a freeze, the water must be fully drained from the tub, jets and lines; call us and we’ll help.
10. Schedule service early
If something sounds, smells or feels off, call for service before it turns into a bigger repair. An annual inspection helps catch worn parts early and is one of the best ways to make your hot tub last longer.
Rather leave it to us?
Our service technicians can drain and clean your hot tub, check the equipment and balance your water for you. Request service or ask about a regular service visit.
Troubleshooting Common Water Problems
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudy water | Low sanitizer, dirty filter or unbalanced water | Test and balance, clean the filter, then shock |
| Foam | Lotions, soaps, hair products or old water | Rinse off before soaking; use a foam remover or change the water |
| Strong chemical smell | Used-up chlorine (chloramines) | Shock the water and keep sanitizer in range |
| Slippery surfaces or green tint | Low sanitizer allowing growth | Shock, scrub the shell and balance the water |
| Scale or crusty buildup | High pH, alkalinity or calcium hardness | Lower pH and alkalinity; use a scale control product |
If the problem doesn’t clear up, call our service team. Swipe sideways on mobile.
Hot Tub Maintenance FAQs
How much maintenance does a hot tub need?
How often should I change my hot tub water?
How often should I clean my hot tub filter?
Should I adjust alkalinity or pH first?
Why is my hot tub water cloudy?
Do I need to winterize my hot tub in Southern California?
Can Aqua Paradise maintain my hot tub for me?
Hot Tub Service and Supplies in San Diego and Orange County
Visit any of our five showrooms for water testing advice, filters and supplies, or book a service visit and let our technicians take care of it.
Request service → Shop supplies online → Find your nearest showroom →
About the author: Jay Gavin
Jay Gavin is an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience, specializing in Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs and Sundance® Spas.
