The holidays are almost upon us, and with them the imminent arrival of family, friends, loved ones, and potentially unexpected guests. High traffic in your spa means that you will need to pay close attention to cleanliness, maintenance, pH and water levels. We’ve created this handy checklist for you to keep close to your spa and check every week, to ensure that you are able to keep it in top shape and get the most out of it this holiday season.

1. During cold weather the water temperature in your spa will lower naturally, and the best way to counteract this is by using a good, insulated cover. If your hot tub is outside you want to make sure you are keeping it clear from ice and debris, and the cover will need to be cleared of accumulated snow regularly.  A good cover will not only keep the temperature stable, but will help reduce evaporation, too.

Click here to check out our amazing online hot-tub custom cover design tool. You don’t want to spend the winter without one!

2. If you are going to be using your hot tub regularly throughout the holidays it is a great idea to invest in a solar cover. This sits on top of the water, directly under the cover, and further assists in keeping the temperature up which ultimately reduces your electricity bill. Maintaining the temperature of your spa between 36-40°C during the winter months will ensure that you can enjoy it at any time. As mentioned above, your hot tub is likely to cool down drastically if you don’t have a cover or thermal blanket, so keep this in mind if you are planning to enjoy it with your guests on a regular basis (which, we obviously recommend you do!)

3. Clean filters and balanced water are key ingredients to sparkling clear water.  If you find you aren't using your tub for extended periods of time, make sure to fully open the cover for 30 mins every other week to allow it to off-gas or breathe.  Keeping your water balanced will ensure the longevity of both your equipment and your cover!  - click here for more information.

4. One of the trickier parts of pool and spa care is maintaining the pH level – but no need to worry, our expert staff can walk you through everything you need to know! The most important elements to water chemistry is pH and sanitizer (chlorine/bromine/salt levels).  A pH of between 7.2 and 7.6 is ideal for both your equipment and bather comfort.  Our range of SpaGuard products includes balancers which allow you to easily maintain and adjust the pH level.

5. Check that your hot tub’s pipe freezing protection system is activated - as with all household pipes in a winter climate, freezing is a very common concern, and the pipes in your spa are just as susceptible to freezing and cracking as any other. If your brand of spa does not have this option built in, make sure you are setting the timer to switch on automatically for 10-15 minutes every hour to ensure regular warm water circulation. If you’re going to be out of town, be sure have a neighbour stop by regularly or ask us about servicing options.  Alternatively, we are happy to help by adding on an auxiliary freeze sensor.

6. Pay attention to the level of water in your hot tub - it is important to check that the water level is not too low, because this can affect components like the pump and the water heater, and potentially cause permanent damage to your tub. Yikes! Even if you are not planning on using it, the water level should be maintained (water should always sit above the highest jet in the tub) to avoid unnecessary expenses when you decide to get back in.

7. Incorrect ‘winterizing’ of your spa can be the cause of various concerns, including having plumbing lines freeze and crack and, damage to the pump and water heater. Before the temperature drops too drastically, make sure you have done a complete water change as this can be much more difficult (not to mention less pleasant) to complete during freezing temperatures. Clean your hot tub thoroughly prior to refilling, (when the tub is being cleaned, a line cleaner should be used. Swirl Away, BioOuster or Ah-Some are our got to products!) and during the winter while your tub is unused, don’t forget to do partial water changes.

A hot tub is a great asset to your home and can be especially enjoyable during the winter when warmth is so scarce. Whether you already have a spa, or wish to install one, our team of experts is here to help! Click here to access all of our information on spa installation, maintenance, cleaning and more, so you can enjoy your winter as much as possible.