Having an inflatable spa is a pleasant source of relaxation… To make this pleasure last as long as possible, the maintenance of your spa requires a few good habits. Here’s how to maintain the spa water and structure. Not to mention a few tips for preventing clogging… and limiting maintenance. You will enjoy it for many years.
Maintain spa water quality
First point: filtration
Water filtration is essential to enjoy quality spa time. This is what eliminates the deposits that form in the water, coming from its use and from the external environment. The spa becomes clogged: sweat, sunscreen products, hair, insects, vegetation… All this promotes the development of bacteria and unwanted algae. Filtering water means eliminating deposits and promoting the permanent movement of water, which helps to clean it.
- Activate and stop filtration manually. There is no scheduler. Filtration automatically shuts off after 24 hours if you haven’t turned it off before.
- Adapt the filtration time to the temperature some water. The hotter the water, the longer you need to filter it (16 hours for water at 30°C, for example). Spa water should be filtered for at least 8 to 10 hours a day, and more once the temperature exceeds 28°C.
- The duration of filtration also depends on your utilisation. The more time you spend in your inflatable hot tub, the more the water needs to be filtered. After one hour of use, allow half a day of filtration.
- Rinse the filter cartridge 2 or 3 times a week. Always have spare cartridges. If after rinsing a cartridge remains dirty, replace it with a new one. On average, the cartridge should be changed every 3 months.
Are you away? Filtration cannot be programmed… But it is possible to program the water temperature. And since the filtration starts automatically from a certain temperature, the water will be filtered a little each day. But don’t use this system if you’re going away for more than a week. In this case, empty your inflatable spa completely before leaving.
Second point: water balance
To ensure the quality of the water, take care of its balance. Balanced water does not damage the structure of the spa or its technical equipment. To do this, get a tester (manual or electronic) with which you can analyze the water once or twice a week.
- The pH should be between 7.0 and 7.6. Higher or lower, it neutralizes the effect of maintenance products and the water damages the spa. If the pH is too low, add pH Plus. If it is too high, add pH Minus.
- The TAC should be between 80 and 120 mg per litre. Otherwise, the pH will be unstable or difficult to regulate.
- The TH should be between 150 and 250 mg per litre. By accumulating in the spa, limestone eventually causes malfunctions. To watch closely.
- Also check the concentration of disinfectant (based on bromine, active oxygen or salt). The bromine value is 3-5 mg per litre. The active oxygen value is 5-8 mg per litre.
Third point: disinfection
The water in an inflatable spa must be disinfected regularly. User safety is at stake. To know when to disinfect the water, always pay attention to these two criteria: the frequency of use and the temperature some water.
- Some spas are equipped with a ecosterilizer (or chlorinator) with salt, which partially manages the water treatment automatically. In this case, you just need to buy pool and spa salt. Plan a 2.4 kg bag if your spa accommodates 4 people (3.3 kg for a 6-person spa). After activating the jets for half an hour, which speeds up the dissolving of the salt, launch the disinfection for an 8-hour cycle.
- If your spa does not have an eco-sterilizer, use one of these sanitizers: bromine, active oxygen or chlorine. The latter (which is also used in swimming pools) is the least expensive but it is much less effective than the others as soon as the water exceeds 30° C. For a spa, the interest of chlorine is therefore limited. the brome is used in lozenges (2 or 3 every 10 or 14 days). It is a very effective product but can irritate the eyes and mucous membranes. As for theactive oxygen, it is used in the form of granules or in liquid form. This antioxidant destroys organic matter. It can be used in combination with bromine. Some allergy sufferers may turn to a water treatment l’ozone. This natural product is tolerated by everyone, including children.
Clean your spa to protect it
Drain the water
Every two months maximum, completely change the water in your inflatable spa. Without waiting for the complete emptying, it is advisable to carry out a partial emptying of approximately 25% every week. Again, if several of you use the spa frequently, do not hesitate to change the water more often. Changed regularly, the water is cleaner and healthier.
Fight against limescale
24 hours before draining, pour half a liter of white vinegar into your inflatable spa. Turn on the bubbles to promote its diffusion. Limestone has better watch out.
Clean the hydraulic circuit
Use a spa drain cleaner quarterly. This is essential to degrease the pipes and avoid blockages and other problems related to deposits.
Clean the bottom of the spa
When you drain the spa completely, it’s time to clean the bottom. Use a special spa vacuum cleaner and a dedicated product.
Protect walls against algae
As soon as you notice that the edges of the spa are a little slippery, or that the water is no longer completely transparent, alert! Algae are setting in. To stop their progression, start by brushing the walls. The deposits come off and are sucked up by the filter. Eliminate the algae using an anti-algae or clarifying product.
Watch the water line
To clean it of deposits accumulated with each use, use a specific cleaner for water lines and a magic sponge.
Use the right material
To make your life easier, buy an inflatable hot tub maintenance kit and a hot tub vacuum (or broom). You will have everything you need for the maintenance of the water and your inflatable spa.
Tips for limiting the maintenance of an inflatable spa
Before use: take a shower
But why, will you tell me? Before entering your spa, get rid of what will inevitably pollute the spa water. Remove your makeup. Cleanse your face to remove all traces of lotion or cream. Take a shower with soap to remove dead skin, sunscreen residue, etc. User hygiene avoids one of the main causes of spa fouling.
After use: cover it
Most spas come with a protective cover. If yours doesn’t have one, buy one, it’s worth it! This cover is not only used to maintain the temperature of the water, but it also protects the spa against deposits from its external environment. Leaves, pollen, insects… all of this contributes to clogging the water, the walls and the filters. Once covered, the spa is safe from these natural pollutants. This means less product to use for maintenance. And time saved!