Why You Should Test Your Hot Tub Water on a Regular Basis

Why You Should Test Your Hot Tub Water on a Regular Basis

September 10, 2019

Hot tub maintenance falls on the less-relaxing side of hot tub ownership, but it’s important. One day, you’ve got sparkling-clean water and a backyard oasis, but by the next, you might have cloudy water or a foul smell. Your filter and pump seem to be working fine. What happened?

Getting your hot tub water tested regularly isn’t just good for preventing these unpleasant surprises—it also protects your health. Relaxing in hot water opens up your pores, which makes you more susceptible to skin afflictions—or worse. Make water testing a regular part of your hot tub maintenance in New Haven County, CT by calling A-1 Pools & Spas.

Understanding Hot Tub Chemistry

Your water quality depends on how minerals and chemicals interact with the water. Water dissolves and holds minerals or other substances, until it cannot anymore, which is called the saturation point. You want to get your water as close to the saturation point as possible—water above the saturation point can form scales, and if it is too far below, it becomes corrosive.

Here are the main things that can affect your water chemistry:

  • Calcium hardness: Calcium hardness is the amount of calcium and magnesium present in your water. If the calcium hardness is too low, the water can become corrosive to metals.
  • Total alkalinity: Total alkalinity is one of the most critical parts of your water makeup. It’s important to keep the total alkalinity measurement at specific levels, or risk skin and eye irritations, scale formation, rapid changes in pH levels and more.
  • pH: This measurement is how basic or acidic your water is, and needs to be kept at a certain level so as not to damage your hot tub equipment.
  • Sanitizers and spa shock: These chemicals are designed to disinfect the hot tub and keep it clean. Knowing whether you have safe levels of chlorine, bromine and more is important for your health.

Top Reasons You Need to Test Your Water

Having your water tested during hot tub maintenance in New Haven County, CT provides a number of benefits, both for your own health and safety and for the health of your hot tub:

  • Sanitation: Since hot tub water is usually kept at 102 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, bacteria and viruses can grow and spread. Knowing the chemical makeup of your water will help you keep your water safe and clean.
  • Clean, comfortable water: When the chemicals in your hot tub are imbalanced, you can suffer dry skin, irritation and rashes. Balanced water is far more comfortable to sit in!
  • Longer lifespan for your hot tub: Having properly balanced water extends the lifespan of your hot tub and its parts. When your water is balanced, it vastly reduces the chance of corrosion, scale formation and more.

A-1 Pools & Spas provides expert hot tub maintenance in New Haven County, CT. We offer a variety of maintenance packages and services, including all the routine maintenance you don’t have time for. Keep your hot tub running smoothly and care for any problems by giving us a call. We look forward to assisting you soon!

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