Water Chemistry 101 -- It's easier than you think!

Maintaining spa water quality is not as difficult as you might think, thanks to Test Strips. In the past, spa test strips were considered by some to be less accurate than the complicated liquid test kits. In recent years though great strides have been made making test strips the preferred water testing method. Test strips are easier to use, and more cost effective than cumbersome liquid test kits

There's no equipment to clean. You never have to keep track of various liquid chemical reagents... a drop of that, two drops of this. The purpose of owning a hot tub is for fun and relaxation, so shouldn’t water testing be as simple and easy as possible?

Seriously, this is not rocket science!

Simple Testing Procedure

If using a conventional sanitizer such as Chlorine or Bromine, check spa water weekly.

Note: Read the instructions on the bottle. Testing procedures vary by test strip brand.

Allow spa to circulate for a minute or two, then take a sample of spa water in a clean plastic drinking glass-- a few ounces will do. Remove a spa test strip from the bottle, and recap tightly. Dip the strip in the water just deep enough to wet the test pad(s) used, and remove according to bottle directions. Remove excess water by shaking the strip once, briskly (again, check the bottle directions). Hold strip horizontal, pad side up, for 15 seconds (or per bottle instructions). Make color comparisons with bottle chart. Adjust spa water as necessary. For most accurate results, allow water to equilibrate several hours or overnight after adding balance chemicals, then retest.

Watch your Fingers

Be sure to wash your hands before performing the test. Bromine, chlorine, or other chemical residues on fingers can skew the test results. Never put a wet finger into the test strip container. This will contaminate the unused strips.

Store Strips Properly

Do not store your test strips outside. Keep them at room temperature, dry, and away from direct sunlight. Cap the bottle tightly right after removing a strip—do not wait until you are done testing.

Use Fresh Strips

Check the date on the bottle and replace expired strips. Beyond that date, you may get false readings resulting in wasted chemicals, or improper water balance.

Nothing Works!?!

Imagine, you just got home from a long days work, you’re tired, ready to relax and unwind in your own oasis…your hot tub.
As you go to remove the cover and you notice something’s missing, it's quiet..too quiet…what is it?
Then your heart hits the floor as you realize the truth….your spa is not on, at all, it hasn’t been for all day and is only barely lukewarm.

This scenario is sad, but only to true. Talk about disappointment!

Here’s some ways for you to quickly find and hopefully fix your hot tub and get things heating up quick!

STEP 1) Fuses and Proper Line Voltage
If your spa’s power is being supplied from an electrical box that houses the fuses (usually mounted on the house), then turn off the main breaker that supplies this and check them. If the fuses check ok, then with the power back on, check that you have the required line voltage in the spa control box at the terminal strip or lugs (either 110 vac or 220 vac). If doing these things left you with no results, then call a professional spa repairman or a licensed electrician.

STEP 2) Testing the GFCI
If you have the proper line voltage at the terminal strips or lugs, then you need to give the GFCI a test by pushing the button that says "test" or "T". When pushing the test button on the GFCI the button that says "re-set" or "R" should pop out. If it does not, this is a faulty GFCI and should be replaced. See "GFCI" in parts section.

Also, during this troubleshooting section you may have just stumbled across a faulty GFCI, but replacing it still has left you with "nothing working!?!”

Some other possibilities for “not working” are:
Fuses inside spa control box (Not all spas have them).
Burnt wires.
Some spas will not operate without the door’s shut; this is a safety switch called a "magnetic interlock".
Some manufacturers designed their spas to shut down when the Hi-limit switch trips.

HELP! My Hot Tub won't heat!!!

”My Hot Tub Will Not Heat!”

This is the number one complaint hot tub owners have, it accounts for almost every repair that is sent in to Spa Warehouse Online. Below you'll find a compilation of almost every possible reason for this occurrence.

STEP 1: Hi-Limit Switch Trips (Heater Reset Button)
Assuming that everything else is working properly (i.e., spa is set in the heater/filter cycle and water is flowing from the jets), the first thing you will look for is the hi-limit switch, also referred to as the heater reset button. Now finding it can sometimes be a problem, it’s as if it was purposely put it in a hard to find place, especially in some of the older spas.
(Please Call and we will help you find it over the phone)

What you are looking for is a red button; it is the only actual part of the hi-limit switch that is visible without going inside the control boxes. When you locate it, give it a push, if you feel or hear a click, or you see a heater indicator light come on that wasn't on before, then you have solved the problem.

IMPORTANT: Some spas have the thermostats located on top. These are called spa side controls, they have built in air buttons and orange indicator lights. One of the indicator lights says heater, this light comes on regardless if the spa is heating or not. Do not troubleshoot using this light, it could confuse you.

STEP 2: Why Does the Hi-Limit Switch Trip?
The #1 reason is filter related. It has become old, dirty or clogged, which has restricted the flow of the water. This fools the hi-limit switch sensor into thinking that the spa water is getting to hot. This is what a hi-limit switch does. It’s a safety switch that measures water temperature, tripping if it senses a higher than normal heat rise.

A good way to check if the filter is causing the hi-limit switch to trip, is to run the spa without the filter for a couple of days. If the hi-limit switch does not trip, then it is time to buy a new filter.
Another reason the hi-limit switch will trip is for the very reason they were designed; the spa water exceeded to an abnormal temperature.
The final thing it could be, without getting further complicated, is the hi-limit switch is faulty and needs to be replaced.

Other things to look for:
Are all the jets open to allow maximum flow? Are the shut off valves open all the way? Is there enough ventilation where the equipment is? (Can the equipment breathe?) Is there water coming out of the jets at all?

FINAL NOTE: Before you drain your spa, turn down the thermostat! By not doing this can cause the hi-limit switch to trip. If pushing or replacing the hi-limit switch has still left you without heat, then please call for further help.

1-2-3-4 Hot tub care!

Basic hot Tub Maintenance

So many people experience stress when it comes to back hot tub maintenance. Which is a bit counterproductive don't you think?

To maintain a hot tub is easy to do, and there's no reason for it to be time consuming or stressful. With a little preparation and a checklist to follow, you'll able to only ever enjoy your hot tub.

Step 1
Keep the cover of the hot tub clean with a cover cleaner (We recommend Cover Care).
This should be done once a month or so during the summer months and every couple of months during the fall and spring months.

Step 2
Once a week, take a bristle brush and brush down the inside sides of the hot tub. Any debris on the bottom should be vacuumed out with your spa and pool vac. This will help keep the water clean.

Step 3
Weekly, check the pH level and chlorine level of the hot tub. Chemicals should be added as need to keep your water balanced.

Step 4
Twice a year, if not more, drain the hot tub by placing a garden hose into the bottom of the hot tub and syphon the water out, then replace with clean water and chemicals.
This is an added protection for water contamination.

So there you have it. Basic hot tub care in just 4 easy steps.

Now Go and Relax!

How to measure for a hot tub cover

Here is a guide that will help you measure your spa or hot tub cover so that your new one will fit perfectly. Even if a cover manufacturer has your spa on file, take the time to measure and be sure.

Measuring your Spa
Regardless of the shape your spa, you should measure from lip to lip, or the outside dimension of the acrylic which is the same as lip to lip. After you have a lip to lip measurement, add 1" to both the length and the width. This will give you a 1/2" of play all around your spa cover.

Skirt Measurement
The skirt is the flap that hangs from the bottom of your cover. The skirt is really just cosmetic but if not measured correctly can cause some problems because if it is too long it will bunch and push your spa cover up. If you have a wood rail as in the picture above measure from the top of the wood rail to the top of your spa acrylic. If anything you want to be a little short rather than long so the skirt does not bunch. If you do not have a wood rail then you want to measure from the top of the spa to the bottom of the spa lip and add 1/2".

Radius
This is the one that makes everyone worried. As the diagram shows the easiest way to measure a radius is with a carpenter square. The dimension needed is from the start of the bend to the imaginary point of the square if the tub was actually square. Rule of thumb is smaller is safer than larger. The smaller the radius the more square the corner of the hot tub cover.

Square cover
The square hot tub cover is the easiest cover to measure, just measure your outside lip to lip, and add 1" to each dimension. The only other dimension you will need is the skirt length.

Rectangle cover
The same as the square spa cover, but make sure you request the fold direction you require. Most companies will by default cut the longer of the two sides in half.

Square or Rectangle with Radius Corners
Follow the square and rectangle spa cover procedure and add the radius measurement.

Round
The round spa cover is easy to measure as well. You only need the lip to lip measurement, if your old cover is measurable just measure across the seam. Remember to add 1" of play. The only other measurement needed is the skirt length.

Octagon
For the octagon spa cover measure from lip to lip add 1" of play. Also, measure one panel of the octagon from point to point. The only other measurement needed is the skirt length.

Ellipse or Special Shapes
Most of these covers will require a template provided by you to complete your cover properly. This would include spas with speaker bumps, waterfalls, or cut outs for rails or controls.

Hot Tub or Spa Cover Lifter Hinge
Make sure when ordering your spa cover that it has a hot tub or spa cover lifter hinge, not all covers are made with this and if not requested present or future spa cover lifter will not work with your cover.