Tak-It-EZ Pool & Spa › Guides › Spa
A spa is a small body of hot water with a lot of people in it. Here is the simple routine that keeps it clear, and when to drain.
Spa water gets used hard. A few hundred gallons at 100 degrees, with several people in it, uses up sanitizer and builds up dissolved material much faster than a pool.
Check sanitizer before each use and after a heavy soak. Chlorine or bromine both work; the key is keeping a steady level, not a big dose once a week.
Keep pH and alkalinity in range. High pH in hot water scales the heater and the jets; low pH eats metal parts and irritates skin.
Rinse the cartridge every week or two and deep-clean it monthly. Spa filters clog with body oils and lotions, and a dirty filter is the most common cause of cloudy spa water.
Every few months, depending on how much the spa is used. Foam that won't go away, water that stays cloudy with good chemistry, or sanitizer that disappears right after you add it are signs the water is worn out.
We test spa water free at the counter and stock spa chemicals and filters. If the pump, heater, or controls are acting up, our repair staff works on those too.