Going on Vacation? Here’s How to Prepare Your Hot Tub for an Extended Absence
Regardless of having a private vacation spa right in your backyard, sometimes you just need a change of scenery. When you do, you can trust the hot tub experts at Cal Spas of Minnesota to help keep your hot tub healthy.
It can be stressful leaving your relaxing spa to sit in your absence, but we’re here to ensure that your hot tub is one less thing you need to worry about as you travel. All you need for some peace of mind is a little preparation.
Before you leave
- Check your water level. Make sure your water level is just above the highest jet in your Cal Spas hot tub or swim spa. It’s not a bad idea to add a little extra to make sure it doesn’t drop below the highest jet while you’re away.
- Balance chemical levels. Use a test strip to check levels for alkalinity, pH, sanitizer, and calcium hardness. After you’ve balanced the alkalinity and pH, add sanitizer. Taking a summer vacation? You may want to also shock the water, just to be safe.
- Rinse and clean your filters. Cal Spas recommends rinsing filters once a month and replacing the cartridge every 12-24 months. This will ensure your water stays clean and clear. It’s important to also think about any other regular maintenance you’ll be gone for, and get that done before you leave as well.
- Secure the cover. Ensure your spa cover is in place and fitting snugly. You want the straps to be tight to help keep out any unwanted guests.
- Recruit someone to check in on your spa. You can always trade access to your spa in return for water care. It’s definitely recommended to have someone check in on your spa if there has been a storm in your area while you’ve been away.
What temperature should your hot tub be when it’s not in use?
The Pool and Hot Tub Alliance recommends lowering your hot tub temperature by 10 degrees if you’re going to be gone for more than seven days. This allows you to keep the water warm, without spending any extra money to keep it hot while it’s sitting.
When you return
- Check the water level. Evaporation may have occurred while you were away. Make sure the water is still sitting above the highest jet.
- Check the water balance. Even though the spa has been sitting, the balance still may have changed while you were away so it’s good to check.
- Add sanitizer. The sanitizer you put in before you left will likely be all used up when you return. If the water is still cloudy a few hours after you added the sanitizer, you can add some chlorine-free shock treatment to clear it up.
- Leave your cover open for a while. After your spa has been closed for an extended amount of time, it’s good to let it breathe a bit.
- Check your filters. Depending on what was in your spa when you left it, the filters may be pretty dirty by the time you return. Always rinse them when you return, and replace them if necessary.
- Add Spa Shock after your first use. Once you’ve balanced and sanitized your hot tub, feel free to go back to enjoying your at-home vacation spot. Adding chlorine-free spa shock afterward will ensure it stays clean!
Cal Spas of Minnesota can help
Need help prepping your spa for an extended leave? Call 763-512-7727 EXT: 3 to schedule a service with us. We also carry all the hot tub supplies needed to care for your backyard oasis.