What Can Ruin A Hot Tub?

Many people think about owning a hot tub for a long time before they actually go out and buy one. Once you get a hot tub, you most likely want to avoid the same mistakes as many other disappointed hot tub owners. So, what can ruin a hot tub?

Overfilling your hot tub can ruin it, as you may inadvertently damage the equipment. It’s also easy to damage your hot tub if you neglect replacing the filter every 12 months. Never turn your hot tub off, as the water won’t circulate, which can cause problems with the growth of algae and harmful bacteria. However, you can turn the pump off as needed. 

It’s also a bad idea to wash your hot tub with a pressure washer, as that can damage the lining and equipment. Follow along as we explore the biggest pitfalls to avoid when you buy a hot tub. 

8 Ways To Ruin Your Hot Tub

1. Leave It Uncovered

Every hot tub owner should get into the habit of covering their hot tub when they aren’t using it. Your hot tub can quickly become contaminated if you don’t cover it. For example, you may notice green water if your hot tub has been uncovered for a while.

That indicates that your hot tub is full of algae, which can be hard to treat. Bad bacteria can also thrive in the water if you fail to cover it for extended periods. Your hot tub can also quickly lose water due to evaporation if you don’t cover it during the summer. 

It’s also hard to keep your hot tub clean without a cover as leaves, dirt, and debris will keep falling into it. You also run the risk of animals, animal droppings, and birds getting into your hot tub. Covering your hot tub at all times is essential if you have small children and pets. 

2. Use The Wrong Chemicals

Many people understandably assume they can use the same chemicals for their hot tubs as they would for a swimming pool. However, doing so can damage your hot tub equipment and make the water unsafe to sit in. That’s because pool chemicals are too concentrated for a hot tub, and that can lead to damage.

It’s also unsafe to get in a hot tub after treating it with pool chemicals until you test the water. Never get in a hot tub if the chlorine level is higher than 3 to 5 parts per million after treating the water. Pool chemicals can also disrupt the pH level in your hot tub.

Overly acidic water can significantly reduce your hot tub’s lifespan. Ideally, the pH level in your hot tub should be between 7.2 and 7.8. Invest in test strips to ensure the chemical and pH levels in your hot tub stay balanced.

3. Leave It Empty For Too Long

Emptying your hot tub a few times per year is necessary to keep up with basic maintenance. It’s okay to leave it empty for a few weeks or months if you must close it for a season. However, leaving it empty for too long can cause problems with bacteria. 

That’s because it’s difficult to empty all of the water from a hot tub. The tub itself may appear empty, but water may remain in the pipes and filter. This can cause bacteria, algae, and mold to thrive within your hot tub.

Upon refilling it, the bacterial problem may get worse, as it will grow and spread. You can avoid this if you use a hose or pump to remove the water from your hot tub’s pipes. Otherwise, you may refill your hot tub and struggle to treat it with chemicals to make it safe.

4. Forego A Filter

A filter is essential to keep your hot tub clean and safe. You must never run your hot tub without a filter, or else the water quality will quickly become uninhabitable. This can also make the pump dirty and full of debris that will eventually damage it. 

Using a damaged or broken filter is just as bad as failing to use a filter altogether. Hot tub filters become dirty and clogged in a year or less in many cases. Order a new filter every 10-12 months and replace your old filter to avoid this problem. 

5. Neglect It While It’s Full 

Some homeowners understandably can’t use their hot tubs for weeks or even months due to busy schedules and health reasons. However, you must drain your hot tub if you don’t plan on using it for weeks or months. Otherwise, it will become a petri dish of bad bacteria and algae that will get worse with time. 

The chemicals can eventually settle at the bottom due to the lack of circulation. You must also worry about mold and mildew forming in the plumbing and on the bottom of the cover. It’s important to leave the power on if you plan to be away for a while.

This will ensure that the water still circulates, so it won’t become stagnant and the chemicals won’t settle. Keep the temperature at 90 degrees during this period to fend off bacteria. However, you don’t need to run the pump during this time. 

6. Shut It Off

Ideally, you should always keep your hot tub on. That ensures that the water will circulate, so it won’t become stagnant and filthy. You don’t need to run the pump, but you should at least avoid turning the hot tub off. 

Don’t worry about exorbitant energy bills when you leave your hot tub running. It’s more efficient to leave it running than to continually turn it off and on. That’s because the hot tub will maintain its temperature if you leave it on.

It takes a lot of energy to bring a hot tub back up to the right temperature if you turn it back on after it’s been off for a while. Make sure to check your hot tub and turn it back on after a power outage. 

7. Harsh Cleaning

One of the worst things you can do to a hot tub, is clean it too harshly. That includes using abrasive chemicals and pressure washing it. Some people mistakenly clean their hot tubs with pressure washers following an algae outbreak.

However, that is a sure way to easily damage your hot tub’s lining and even the equipment. Pressure washers blast water at surfaces with a pressure of 320 PSI to 3,500 PSI or even more. They are great for removing stains, but you can cause irreversible damage to your hot tub if you use a pressure washer. 

8. Overfill It

Never fill your hot tub past the recommended level, or else you may ruin it. You can ruin the electrical parts that help run your hot tub and circulate the water. Extra water can even damage the control panel and trip the circuit breaker. 

This is dangerous, as electrical damage and water are a deadly combination. Pay attention to your hot tub’s instructions, so you’re aware of how much water it should contain. Use a hose, spigot, or submersible pump to remove extra water as needed. 

Check your hot tub cover during heavy snow to make sure it isn’t buried. The combination of the weight and extra moisture can make your hot tub overflow. Brush snow, ice, and water off the cover to keep extra water out of your hot tub. 

What Usually Breaks On A Hot Tub?

Heating elements, gaskets, and seals are the parts most likely to break on a hot tub. The filter can also stop working if you leave your hot tub uncovered and don’t clean it regularly. Your circulation pump can also break within 5-10 years due to neglect. 

Summing It Up

You can easily ruin a hot tub if you don’t regularly treat it with chemicals and drain the water as needed. It’s also easy to ruin a hot tub if you leave it uncovered, as that can damage the equipment and cause an outbreak of bad bacteria. Replace your filter yearly and keep your hot tub running to ensure it stays in great condition. 

Related Guides:

• My Hot Tub Is Frozen: What Should I Do?
• What's The Best Time Of Year To Buy A Hot Tub?