Blog Posts - CALGARY HOT TUB SERVICE

How Often Should You Change The Water in the Hot Tub?

2/6/2021

Alright, so this is one of those topics that a lot of people don’t really want to think about. Why? Because it requires effort and scheduling. Sure, your hot tub is your spot of relaxation and forgetting about the world, but that doesn’t mean that you get to simply forget about how to take care of it! Both your financial investment and your health are depending on that, too. So, let’s tackle it head-on and get back to relaxing, okay?

How often should you change the hot tub water?
The standard, fast answer is that you should change your hot water (as in, completely drain and refill fresh) approximately every 3 months of use. However, this number is going to be a little different for each hot tub, because there are a few factors that go into how that approximate number is calculated!

Factors that impact the timing
The first two items of the list below are going to be used to help you figure out the actual timing. The third item is more about your own comfort and sanitation practices!

Size of your tub: While a smaller hot tub takes less water, it will have to changed more often than a larger one because there is also less water being recycled over and over again.

Number of people in your tub: If there is only one person using it regularly, this means you change it less frequently than if you regularly have 8 people in your tub (even though it’s bigger). Don’t worry about the exact number, here, just do an average.

How often you use it: The amount of people and the amount of times that you (and they) use it should also factor in socially. Simply put: the more you use it, and the more people you have in it, the faster the water goes stale.

The math
   What a lot of people do is turn this into a simple math equation to take the guesswork out of it. This math equation would be: the hot tub volume divided by 3 and then divided by the amount of people in your tub. This will give you a number of days. So, every time that number of days goes by, change your water.

The importance of changing your hot tub water
   Let’s say you get the math done and the final answer is 20. But, you don’t feel like changing your tub water every 20 days. Well, technically you don’t have to. But, you’ll soon get filmy, smelly and foamy water. Not only is it uninviting, it’s also asking for trouble when it comes to bacteria and germs.
   It also puts a lot more work on your system and can create buildup in your pipes and filter. This means more repairs and leaks.

   Sure, it takes time and effort to drain and refill your hot tub, but it will be worthwhile when you can enjoy fresh, healthy water that is going to truly bubble away your troubles and concerns.

How Do You Get Water Out of the Bottom of a Hot Tub?

2/6/2021

Realistically, hot tubs can take a lot of effort to care for properly, even if they are worth it. One of those questions that often comes up with recent buyers of hot tubs is how to get the water out of the bottom of the hot tub itself. There’s always that little bit left over and you’re looking at how to get it out since you can’t exactly just tip it over and manually drain it, right? Here are some tips!

Real tips for getting the water out of the bottom of your hot tub
These are some of the “tried and tested” approaches for getting the bottom of your hot tub emptied without getting stressed or frustrated in the process:

Get a manual spa vacuum: You can get electric and battery operated ones, too, but a manual option gives you great control over it. By essentially creating a siphon, you’ll be able to manually suck the water up out of the spa bottom, even from those tiny little crevices that are otherwise impossible to reach.

Try a turkey baster: We know, it sounds ridiculous, but it really does work! Since it’s intended for those tiny spaces that are hard to reach, make that work for you by enjoying a smaller tool with dedicating suction. It’ll be really helpful and you can even repurpose it for the kitchen if you want to!

Dedicate a specific absorbent towel for the bottom of your spa: Okay, so we know you don’t like this thought, but it’s worth it. For those last little parts that you just can’t get out, take an extremely absorbent towel and put it on a mop or broom handle (perhaps over a flat head attachment) and wipe it around. You’ll want to make sure the towel is celan, of course, otherwise you'll literally smear dirt around. It’s great for those last little details.

Let nature take its course: If you still have a few spots that you can’t or don’t want to reach, let nature do it for you through evaporation. It’ll be great when you’re looking at the idea of airing it out, too. Whie this won’t work if you have a lot of water left in the bottom, it can help keep your tub water-free when you’ve exhausted all other options.

One of the cool features about all of these is that they’re pretty much all low-tech. No gadgets or gizmos needed here, just simple, straight-forward tools to do all of the heavy lifting! You have to admit that sticking a towel to the end of a stick is kind of funny, right?

Sure, it’d be nice if hot tubs were designed to pour out every single last drop from every little crevice of your tub, but that’s not likely. When you need manual help for the dregs at the bottom, any and all of these options are going to keep the manual labour to the minimum while still giving you effective draining tips for your hot tub, even if it’s irregularly shaped.

Does Flex Seal Work on Hot Tubs?

2/6/2021

Okay, so you’ve recently noticed a leak in your hot tub and you’re trying to make sure that you handle it the proper way -- congratulations! Making sure that you treat your hot tub with proper products is a great first step. Consider the potential magic of Flex Seal? Here’s everything that you’ll need to know about its usability in your hot tub.

What is Flex Seal?
As likely already know, Flex Seal is a concentrated liquid that is going to plug a leak or a hole that you find. It goes on liquid, or pastey, and then dries/cures to a hard and effective solid that basically erases the crack or hole. It’s widely used in home renovation projects, but it’s not as magic as people think and it may not be effective on all surfaces and for all leaks.

How does Flex Seal work for hot tubs?
Technically, Flex Seal does work with hot tubs. You’ll be able to use it to fill a hole or a crack, but there are a few things to factor in about its usability:

It should only be seen as a temporary fix: As strong and effective as Flex Seal is, it’s not magic. Your hot tub has a lot of physical pressure on it, from the movement to the heat to the sheer water weight and then the occupants of the tub. So, Flex Seal can be used in a pinch but you should still call in a technician to have a look at your leak.

It may not work on all leak locations: While cracks and small leaks should be okay, generally speaking, it may not be good for all locations. For instance, that awkward angle that you can’t reach, or perhaps right next to the light fixture or tap. This is best understood by reading the instructions on Flex Seal to make sure that you don’t use it somewhere that you shouldn’t!

It’s effectiveness depends on how strong the leak is: If your leak is a large and powerful one, Flex Seal may not hold up for very long. Even if you let it cure properly, there’s only so much that it can do when it comes to staying strong against your leak. The more pressure, the faster it’ll break down.

You must let it cure properly: Okay, so you’re obviously in a hurry to use your hot tub again and we totally get it. But, if you don’t let the sealant cure properly as directed, it won’t work! Make sure you follow the instructions to the letter and don’t try to rush the process.

There are so many potential perks to Flex Seal, especially when it comes to the idea of getting back into that hot tub. But, you need to make sure that you protect your investment and your home by doing it the right way. When in doubt, reach out to a professional hot tub repair specialist and ask. They’ll always be happy to lead you to the right information to the best care of your hot tub.

How Much Water Loss is Normal in a Hot Tub?

2/6/2021

As high maintenance as it may seem, there’s so much to love about soaking in your hot tub. Relaxing and soothing, it’s the thing you look forward to the most after a hard and tough day, right? One of the things you may notice one day is that the water seems low. As far as you know, everything’s okay, but perhaps the water line is lower than you think it should be. What’s going on? Is water loss normal in a hot tub? Take a look below and find out!

Is needing to add more water normal?
   Just like a pool, there is a need to add water from time to time to your hot tub. Since your hot tub is exposed, water will evaporate and this water will need to be replaced from time to time. The water that you put in your hot tub doesn’t just stay there forever, and you will have to add more in no matter what.

Is water loss normal?
   Yup, water loss is considered normal when it comes to evaporation. The standard rate for water loss is about 1 inch a week. This means that, hypothetically, you should add 1 inch a week to keep it at the same level constantly. Of course, you don’t need to be that specific or attentive to it. But, the rate of 1 inch a week is considered normal. If you want to make sure that your water loss is normal, and that there’s no problem, you can measure it and see if that lines up!

What could excessive water loss mean?
   If you find that you’re losing, say, 2+ inches per week for water loss in your hot tub, it could be an indicator that something else is going on. The most likely scenario is that you have some sort of undetected leak, since it’s not exactly logical that someone is grabbing your hot tub water with a pitcher (yuck!).
   That’s part of why understanding “normal” water loss and “abnormal” water loss is so important! When you notice that is faster than normal, you can call in the pros and get a feel for what’s going on with your hot tub and get a repair done before it gets too expensive (in terms of water pricing and the repair and other damage itself).

How to minimize water loss
   Since water does have a price tag, you can look at minimizing your water loss as much as possible. Some of the best tips include:

Invest in a good, well-fitting cover: Most hot tubs have covers, but you’ll want to take a bit of time to get a feel for the fit. The tighter the fit, the better the protection from evaporation.

Consider turning the temperature down a little bit: You can also help minimize evaporation by turning the temperature down a degree or two or even three. You won’t notice it as far as the temperature in how it feels, but it will help minimize water evaporation.

Minimize splashing: Obvious, perhaps, but worth a thought! If the kids love to splash, put them in the hot tub instead of the hot tub!

While water evaporation is important to understand for the thoughtful hot tub owner, minimizing it is easier than you’d think!

Where Do Hot Tubs Usually Leak?

2/6/2021

The first step to making sure that your hot tub is fixed is going to be determining where the leak is coming from. Whether you’re dealing with a leak now or you’re just looking to be a prepared hot tub owner and familiarize yourself with the most common locations for a hot tub leak, you’re in the right spot -- see what we did there?

The pump: Realistically speaking, your hot tub pump is the most likely scenario for your leak. There are so many spots that it can be leaking, really, including the seal shaft, the union fitting and even the volute. These all wear with use and time, no matter how good your tub is.

The water heater: The heater is also another common place mostly because the increase in temperature shifts the pressure, too, and over time, this can lead to weaknesses with the pressure switch, amongst other things. This often requires total replacement, but sometimes it can be repaired if you hire the right person!

Connection points: Whether it’s the jets, the lights, the pipes, or even just the actual connections, hot tub leaks also come from those connections. WHy? Because they’re all considered weak points. Most of these weakened spots can be caught with proper maintenance.

Some points to remember with a leak
If you do find yourself dealing with a leak and you’re trying to figure out which of these spots is the culprit, here are some tips to help you sort it out before you call in the professionals for a repair.

Water travels: Water doesn’t leak straight down and stop. It can permeate, roll and bead, meaning that you’ll have to trace the leak back to its key point. Just because the water pools under one jet doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s that particular jet that is leaking.

Find the level of your leak: The level of your leak is important. Water pooled on the floor could be a low level leak, or it could be a higher up leak from the rim of your tub. Again, water travels and it’s actually pretty mischievous about it!

Use dye: If you are struggling and working hard to find the source, make it easier by using some sort of dye. This will help you learn where the water is flowing from, and to, and can be one of the best tools to help you and your specialist know what needs to be addressed.

Your hot tub deserves care and attention, especially when it comes to understanding where a leak comes from and how you can find it. While a specialist is still needed to come in and repair it, knowing what to expect and how to source it is going to be very helpful to keeping the process as simple and straight-forward as possible. While there is a bit of work that goes into it, leak detection can be one of the key points to getting your tub back up and running with as minimal a delay as possible.

How Do I Know if My Heating Element is Bad in My Hot Tub?

2/6/2021

There are so many parts and pieces to a hot tub that it can be a serious pain to understand how it all works. This is partially why you are going to need a special technician to come in and help you out. However, you can also take some time to familiarize yourself with one of the crucial parts of your tub so that you know what you’re dealing with: the heating element for your hot tub.

Your hot tub won’t heat up: As you likely already know, a heating element is responsible for heating up the water! Just like the heating element in an oven, it will heat the water from the “outside”. If you are struggling to heat up the hot tub, it’s possible it may not be acting properly. For instance, it may partially heat up but it just doesn’t have the addictive warmth overall that is so loved about tubs.

Your hot tub keeps tripping its breaker: When a breaker is tripped on both the tub tub and your electrical panel, it’s because there is something wrong with the source. In most cases, it’s because there’s too much draw for electrical current (for instance trying to turn on the kettle and the toaster oven when they're on the same breaker), but with hot tubs it’s also doen as a safety feature when there is too much draw being requested from your heating element. When it reaches that amount, it’s automatically turned off your safety.

The hot tub is inconsistent in its temperature: Another pointer is when you notice that the hot water seems to be either losing its temperature after a few minutes , or its temperature is totally inconsistent. This is often considered a warning sign before you have a full blown issue with your heating element. If you do notice this, you should take note of how often it happens and then call someone in and explain the problem.

The good news about having a bad heating element is that it’s a pretty run of the mill repair. Not only is a technician going to be able to understand what needs to be done and how to do it, access to heating elements is easy both in terms of the physical location on the hot tub, but also the heating element in a warehouse, etc.

If you want to have a DIY flair for your beloved hot tub, learning how to spot an issue with your heating element is going to be a fantastic detail, as it will help you understand what to expect when having a professional come in to repair it! However, keep in mind that you should never try to repair a heating element yourself. Water and electricity don’t mix and unless you are both a properly certified electrician and a hot tub repair specialist, you will not have the proper experience to keep you and your hot tub safe. Since safety is the most important thing, you’ll definitely want to keep this in mind!

Does “Fix-a-Leak for Hot Tubs” Work?

2/6/2021

Need to fix a leak fast? You’ve probably done some frantic research about just the topic. Perhaps you came upon a leak sealant such as “Fix-a-Leak”. Not entirely sure if it’s going to be what you need to get to the bottom of a leak situation? Here’s what you should know about its pros and cons, both of which should be taken into consideration for everyone’s comfort and safety.

What is a leak sealant?
   While you can find quite a few out there under varying names, “Fix-A-Leak” is a standard sealant that is intended to, as the name suggests, stop a leak. It goes on as a liquid that is very concentrated and it will help creep into a leak and then seal it so that water is no longer able to leak through and cause any more damage. It reacts with the water and will create a coating to prevent it from leaking through. This dries into a reliable leak seal
   In theory, anyway. But, does it work? Here are the things to keep in mind if you’re considering using “Fix-a-Leak” for your hot tub.

It can’t be used just anywhere
   While it is designed for various kinds of leaks, it’s not a miracle product that can be put to use just anywhere for any leak. Designed specifically for hot tubs, pools and even walls and floors, it can be applied in these kinds of locations safely. It won’t hurt your filters or other spa or pool equipment, However it’s not suitable for pets or anything that has living things in it due to the concentration of the formula. For example, an aquarium.
   The other thing to keep in mind is that it won’t be able to hold its own against a leak of over 3mm per day. For this reason, it’s thought to be only reliable for relatively minor leaks.

It’s not a permanent fix
   While the packaging and online content may tell you otherwise, you shouldn’t see “Fix-a-Leak” as a permanent solution. Once you stop the leak and it does actually stop, you’ll still want to call in a professional to give it a solid look. A leak is always serious and having someone take a look at what you’re dealing with will help you keep your expenses low. They’ll often ask what product you use, too, and even how much of it. So, make sure you’ve got the packaging handy!

   While “Fix-a-Leak” is very useful and reliable, especially if you discover the leak at 2am on a Saturday, it’s intended as more of a stop gate than a cure. A properly licensed repair specialist is your solution for this and this is sort of like your band-aid until they can get to your home and assess the situation properly.
   It’s nice knowing that you’ve got help if you need it, and any responsible hot tub owner is certainly going to feel a whole lot better having a package of “Fix-a-Leak” in their cabinet just in case!

What Do I Do If My Hot Tub is Leaking?

2/6/2021

Let’s be honest for a second here: no matter how high quality your hot tub is and no matter how well you take care of it, leaks are an unfortunate reality with hot tubs. After all. They’re giant tubs of rushing water that are especially heavy and on for long periods of time...that’s going to lead to a leak at some point or another and you’ll want to make sure that you are properly prepared for handling it.

What to do if you have a leaky hot tub
As a responsible hot tub owner, dealing with a hot tub has a few steps to help protect you, your home, your loved ones and, of course, your hot tub! Here are the general steps to help you manage.

Turn off the water and electrical access: As soon as you notice the leak, you should turn off all water access to the hot tub and also the electricity. Since you won’t be using it before you have it repaired, there is no inconvenience. This is important for safety and to prevent any far-reaching damage, so keep this in mind!

Call in help as soon as you notice it: The other thing to remember is to call in a repair order as soon as you notice the leak. Sometimes hot tub owners will just wait because they don’t think it’s a big deal, or they don’t want the expense, but the sooner you get someone in to work on it, the sooner it’ll be safely repaired.

Get familiar with the basic lingo: Sometimes the hot tub specialist will ask you questions over the phone about your hot tub, so it’s a good idea to know basic terms like the filter, the heater, gaskets, etc. You can also take a bit of time to understand how it all works even if it’s just generally. This can help evaluate the problem over the phone and give you more of an understanding of the repairs to expect, too.

Inspect to see if you can source the leak: If you’re comfortable doing it, get up close and personal with the leak. Sometimes understanding where the leak is coming from can help you inform your repair technician, or at least just give them a great starting point to work from.

Be ready for repair costs: keep in mind that repairs will cost a pretty penny. From the fee for the consultation to the problem itself to labour, it all adds up and you’ll need to make sure you don’t skimp on the amount. The cheapest repair option is not always the best recommended, so be careful here.

There’s never a good time for a leaky hot tub and it’s certainly frustrating, but it will happen. Being prepared can help keep it as stress-free and as safe as possible, not to mention that it can even help you feel involved in the process! Whatever approach you take, knowing what to do and how to do it is important when you have a leak.

Why Is My Hot Tub Leaking From the Bottom?

2/6/2021

Discovering that you have a leak in your hot tub is never a fun time, no question. But, do you know what’s even worse? Not discovering you have a leak until 3 months later and then having extensive water damage that is going to cost you a fortune and a whole lot of heartache. From detecting a leak to understanding the problem is, here are some essential details to diagnose your hot tub issue and then get someone in to fix it as soon as possible! The more you can tell them, the better, too.

Location is important
When you discover that your hot tub is leaking from the bottom, understanding where on the bottom the leak is coming from is crucial. Don’t just take one look at the pooling and decide that’s where the leak is coming from. Water is notorious for running and spreading, so you’ll need to be careful to seek out the location of the water leak from your tub specifically. Common issues include:

Pumps: For the most part, a leaking pump is often the main reason for a bottom-based leak. You’ll know if it's leaking by inspecting the shaft seal or the unions. If those have water pooling, you can be pretty sure it’s the pump.

Light casings: LED lights in your fantastic hot tub are great, but they’re also prone to leaking. This is because they are in niches that have weaknesses in them. Over time, these will wear and loosen and water can seep out. If water is running from the edges around your light access, this is a good sign that there’s an issue.

Filter leaks: Filters are crucial for your enjoyment of your time in your hot tub, but they can be known to leak, especially because they rely a lot of gaskets (more on that in the next section). If you have an older filter, this is especially more likely, too, as they often take a lot of wear and tear!

   If you have a good quality hot tub, it’s unlikely that you have a crack in the actual hot tub itself. They are intended to be especially strong and are reinforced for this particular reason. However, if you can’t spot an obvious sign of water leakage but you know it is leaking, it might be a good idea to check as carefully as possible inside the tub for obvious signs of wear.

Plumbing can cause issues
   Sometimes it’s not a part of the hot tub itself, but the plumbing! It could be a frozen pipe, which can commonly happen. Or, it could be something simple like or rings or gaskets. Anything with these parts can leak and that’s part of why proper maintenance and check-ups are so important.

   Whatever the issue may be, it’s not a good idea to fix it yourself. Hot tubs are specialized equipment that require equally specialized repair and addressing, so you’ll always want to bring in the pros to help you out as soon as possible.

How Long Do Hot Tubs Typically Last?

2/6/2021

You’ve invested time and money into your hot tub, so you want to make sure that you are getting your absolute money’s worth, right? It makes total sense and we are here to help you do just that. The key is to start with understanding just how long you can expect your hot tub to last, generally speaking, and then make it a little more personal by focusing on those specific factors that can impact its natural lifespan.

The general age estimation
As vague as it will sound, a hot tub can last anywhere from 5-20 years. This means that the lowest quality hot tub should last you about 5 years, and top quality and high end ones can last you up to 20 years. Here are the factors that go into determining just how they are going to last.

The quality of the materials: The materials that are used for your hot tub is the starting point to keep in mind. If you are going with cheap materials, they’ll break down faster and easier than those that are made from higher quality ones. That’s why “high end” computers or appliances last longer than “low end” ones.

The amount you use it: The amount of wear and tear you put on your tub is, of course, going to factor in. Most will give you some sort of recommendation as far as proper and reasonable expectations. Of course, the amount of sessions you have in it is entirely your own decision, but it’s important to keep use of frequency in mind!

How often you maintain it: As with any high tech and substantial purchase, you will need to factor in details such as maintenance and tune ups. These are often biannual or annual. While there is a cost to it, these are crucial for keeping everything running smoothly for as long as possible and spotting problems while they are minor before they get major and, of course, more expensive. This helps extend its lifespan!

Some reminders
There are some details to keep in mind when you are looking at the scope of the lifespan and trying to sort out what the right choice is for your hot tub preferences!

Do your research before you buy: When you have your top 5 models, do your research on all of them to see which ones have the best reviews and feedback directly relating to lifespan. Those that have a short lifespan should be disregarded. While nothing is guaranteed, of course, this can help you get a feel for what to expect.

Be prepared to pay for proper upkeep: This is important for a reason. The more you keep your hot tub in top form, the better care you take of it. This means less repair and a longer lifespan. If you can’t pay for the upkeep, you may want to consider waiting until you can. It’s the top trick to making your hot tub last as long as possible no matter how high end it is!

When you are looking to get the most out of your hot tub and its substantial investment, all of these things are going to factor in. While it certainly seems appealing to go for the cheapest overall quality, you want to make sure that you are reasonable and level-minded when it comes to picking the model you choose, including those details above!

With all of this kept fresh, we wish you and your hot tub many years of happiness together so that you can look back 15 years from now and know for sure that you made the right call on your hot tub’s maintenance.