Brady’s Guide To Preparing Your Hot Tub For Vacation

Planning a getaway? Before you hit the road don’t forget about your hot tub! In this article, we will cover everything you need to do to keep your hot tub in great shape while you’re away, so you can come home to stress-free soaking.

Balance Your Hot Tub Water

The most important step in preparing your hot tub for vacation is ensuring that your water is properly balanced. Balanced water helps:

• Keep the water looking clear
• Allow sanitizers to work more effectively
• Prevent bacteria growth
• Protect your spa from scale buildup and corrosion

Before you leave, take a water sample to your local hot tub retailer for professional testing. They can recommend any adjustments needed to ensure your water stays balanced throughout your trip.

Shock The Hot Tub

Once your water is balanced, you’ll want to “shock” the water. This will kill any bacteria or other contaminants that may still be present in the water; allowing your sanitizing chemicals to keep the water clean and clear while you’re away.

Check Your Water Level

Low water levels can lead to serious damage to your pump and heater. For that reason, it’s a good idea to double check your hot tub’s water level before heading out on vacation. Ensure the water level is roughly halfway to two-thirds up the skimmer opening (just above the highest jets), topping it up if necessary to avoid issues while you’re gone.

Clean Your Filters

Your hot tub filters play a crucial role in keeping the water clean and protecting the internal components of your spa. They trap dirt, debris, and contaminants, preventing them from entering the circulation system.

When filters become clogged, water has a harder time flowing through them. This forces the pump to work harder than necessary, increasing wear and potentially shortening its lifespan.

Before leaving on vacation, remove your filters and give them a thorough rinse with a garden hose or under a sink to remove trapped debris. Clean filters allow for proper water flow and help ensure your hot tub continues operating efficiently while you’re away.

Check For Leaks

Even a small leak can turn into a big problem if left unattended. For this reason, you’ll want to make sure that any potential leaks are dealt with before you leave on vacation; especially if you’ll be travelling in the winter. Before you head out, open up the cabinet and do a quick check for wet areas; paying special attention to the area around the pumps and heaters. If you notice any issues, contact a professional to fix things up before they become a major issue.

Turn The Temperature Down

Want to save money on your hydro bills while you’re away? Turn your hot tub’s water temperature down. Turning the temperature down even a few degrees, (5-10 degrees) can have a significant effect on the running costs of your hot tub, especially in the winter months. After all, there’s no reason to pay to heat your water if you’re not there to enjoy it!

Adjust Your Filtration Schedule

Many hot tub’s allow you to adjust their filtration cycles to customize them to your needs. Generally speaking, the more the hot tub gets used, the more the filtration system needs to run to keep the water clean and clear. Before you leave on vacation you can reprogram your filtration cycles to run between 12-24 hours per day. Some models even have a special “vacation mode” that can be used to handle this exact task in a much simpler way.

Lock The Cover

Before leaving, make sure your hot tub cover is securely closed and locked. A properly fastened cover helps keep dirt, leaves, and debris out of the water while also protecting the spa from wind, rain, and snow.

Locking the cover also improves heat retention and adds an extra layer of safety, particularly if you live in an area where severe weather may occur while you’re away.

Arrange For Someone To Check In On The Hot Tub

If you’ll be away for more than a week, ask a friend or family member to check on your hot tub once a week and open the cover half way to allow the tub to breathe for 15-20 minutes. A quick visual inspection can catch issues early and give you peace of mind.

How To Restart Your Hot Tub When You Get Back From Vacation

Returning from vacation and stepping into a warm, inviting hot tub is one of life’s simple pleasures. However, you’ll need to check a few things to ensure your spa is ready to go. Here’s how to get your hot tub back into top shape for use after an extended absence.

Test The Water Balance

Even if your hot tub has been sitting unused, water chemistry can shift over time. Test the alkalinity, pH, sanitizer levels, and calcium hardness once you return.

If any levels are out of range, make the necessary adjustments to bring the water back into balance. This ensures the water is safe, comfortable, and gentle on both your skin and your equipment.

Add Fresh Sanitizer

Your sanitizer may have been used up during your absence, so it’s important to add a fresh dose when you return. If the water is cloudy after adding sanitizer, consider using a chlorine-free shock treatment to restore clarity and cleanliness.

Let the Spa Breathe

After being closed for an extended period, it’s a good idea to open the hot tub cover and allow the spa to “breathe” for an hour or so. This helps release any trapped gases and eliminate stale or musty odours that may have developed while the cover was sealed.

Wrapping Up

Taking the time to prep your hot tub before you leave for vacation can save you time, money, and stress when you get back home. Whether you’re gone for a weekend or a few weeks, following these simple steps will ensure that your hot tub will be waiting for you; clean, safe, and ready for your next soak!