Back-to-basics: Simplifying hot water chemistry and conserving sanitizer

Pro Tips

To ensure the overall wellness of the clients’ hot tubs, the following are a few tips for service pros to keep in mind. Service tip 1 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends checking and adjusting hot tub chemicals every hour when bather load is high to make sure chlorine is at two to four parts per million (ppm) and the pH level is 7.2 to 7.8. In the case of bromine, the sanitizer level should be between 4 and 6 ppm. Service tip 2 Service techs should be sure to include a note on their maintenance checklist to scrub off any slimy bacteria (biofilm) appearing on hot tub walls, so it does not continue to circulate in the water. Service tip 3 One should also make a note of the installation date and any hardware changes or major repairs on the customer record. Many newer hot tubs come from the factory or have options to add secondary disinfection devices, which can help improve the water quality and lessen the amount of maintenance work. That said, these devices require regular upkeep that is often overlooked, such as replacing solarized ultraviolet (UV) bulbs or replacing an ozonator as they have a limited lifespan.

Back-to-basics 5: Keep testing

Lastly, test, test, test. There are several methods available in the industry today and retailers/service pros should help their clients choose the one that suits their needs best. Small adjustments are easier to make than large ones; therefore, it is important to make sure clients are also testing their water every few days. This can be done with a simple test strip and it is especially important to train new hot tub owners to do this routinely. Many retailers include a three-month supply of water test strips in their initial ‘start up’ chemical package for their new customers, just to ensure they have clean hot tub water and are more likely to feel satisfied with their purchase. Additionally, some service companies include onsite water testing and training for an additional fee, or they build in the cost of new hot tub owner training into their pricing or service contracts. These onsite testing and training sessions can help ensure the client understands and participates in the wellness of their hot tub water.

John Bokor is the host of Haviland Pool and Spa Products’ “Legendary Pools and Spas,” a web series that promotes the fun of owning a pool or hot tub. He is also the company’s director of sales and has more than 25 years of experience in the pool retail industry. Bokor, a certified pool operator (CPO), regularly speaks to professional dealers and pool owners within his territory about water chemistry and maintenance. He can be reached via email at jbokor@havilandusa.com and on Facebook @LegendaryPLS.