Hot tubs are a great investment and can provide you with ample relaxation over the years.
They offer the ultimate way to reconnect with loved ones, unwind and relieve stress, but they’ll only be able to do so if you’re taking proper care of them.
Professional hot tub service is an essential factor in this and can result in maximizing your hot tub’s lifespan, giving you upwards of 15 to 20 years of quality enjoyment!
The simple fact is that no matter how well you take care of your hot tub, issues will inevitably occur.
The good news is, including hot tub service as part of your regular maintenance routine can keep these issues few and far between.
However, when they do arise, calling in the professionals can make managing them easy, and get you back in the water quickly!
In this article, we’re going to share with you everything you need to know.
We’ll touch on the five most common hot tub issues that may require professional hot tub service, consider DIY hot tub maintenance compared to professional service, and answer the most commonly asked question, “How often should I service my hot tub.”
5 Common Hot Tub Issues
As mentioned above, there are some common issues that can occur with your hot tub, even if you’re keeping yours in pristine condition and following a rigorous maintenance routine.
Just like anything else, problems are bound to occur eventually, and how well you respond to them can play a big part in your hot tub’s future.
Here are some of the most common issues hot tub owners experience.
1. Low Water Flow
Low water flow generally comes from your water being unable to circulate properly through your system and may provide various warning signs.
Some common signs of an issue with your water flow include:
- Weak jets
- A poorly working waterfall
- Water that’s difficult to keep clean
- A drop in your water temperature.
While you may be quick to notice your hot tub isn’t circulating its water properly when the above signs begin appearing, diagnosing the root cause of the problem can be difficult.
Circulation issues can be caused by a variety of factors, with the most common ones being:
- Clogged filters
- A malfunctioning pump
- A blockage in your water line
Scheduling a hot tub service appointment can ensure the cause of the issue is found and repaired quickly before it begins affecting other aspects of your system.
2. Cloudy Water
If your water has gone cloudy, it’s no longer safe to soak in, and you’ll want to get it diagnosed and maintained right away.
Cloudy water is often a sign of poorly balanced water, but can also occur for various other reasons, including:
- Poor circulation
- Clogged filters
- An abundance of organic matter in the water
- An imbalance in your water chemistry
Unlike some of these other issues, there is one step you can take before needing to schedule a hot tub service appointment; test and treat your water!
One of the leading causes of cloudy water is an elevated pH, alkalinity, or low sanitizer levels. Testing your water will give you a good starting point.
You should never leave your water unbalanced. It can result in corrosion or hard scale damaging your heating element or forming throughout your system.
If testing and rebalancing your chemistry doesn’t clear up your water, you’ll want to schedule a service appointment with a professional team.
3. Heater Malfunction
If your heater has malfunctioned, it won’t be hard to miss, not only because your water temperature will suddenly drop or skyrocket, but you’ll discover temperature warnings showing up on your control panel.
While a minor temperature fluctuation may not be as noticeable, you should aim to check the temperature of your water each time before stepping into it.
This will help you easily track smaller fluctuations in your temperature day to day that may hint that your heater isn’t working properly.
Heater malfunction can occur naturally as your heater ages, but it can also result from poorly balanced water damaging your element over the years.
If your water temperature is fluctuating more than expected, or you discover icy water, schedule a service appointment to have your heater and system checked for any issues.
4. Faulty Jets
Jets are easily one of the most enjoyable aspects of a hot tub.
Sure, the toasty warm water feels amazing after a long day at work, but the therapeutic pressure of the jets treating your muscles to a luxury massage is certainly a favorite among many.
So when you discover your jets aren’t working, you’ll want to get the issue diagnosed and repaired right away!
Issues with your jets can occur for various reasons, some of the most common being:
- Poor circulation
- Dirty filters
- Damaged parts in your jets
- A broken seal
- An airlock in your system
Diagnosing the issue can be a challenge, especially if it’s with the jets specifically.
Checking your filters and rinsing them off is a great place to start, but if that doesn’t fix the problem scheduling a hot tub service appointment is your best option.
5. Control Panel Failure
Your control panel is a vital aspect of your hot tub.
Not only does it give you control over your spa, but it also monitors your system and notifies you of any imperative issues that need your attention.
If your control panel is malfunctioning, you’ll want to call in a service technician right away to diagnose the issue and get it working properly again.
Should you discover a faulty control panel, we recommend that you don’t use your hot tub until it’s repaired.
Benefits of Professional Hot Tub Service
While professional hot tub service is certainly needed when the issues listed above occur, it’s for far more than just diagnosing and managing issues after they appear.
Professional hot tub service is a great preventative measure and is a powerful asset to your hot tub care routine.
Some other things included in a routine hot tub service appointment can include:
- Performing a full inspection of your system and spa
- Diagnosing minor issues or problem areas
- Draining, cleaning and refilling your spa
- Answering any questions or concerns you may have
- Performing preventative maintenance to keep your spa running smoothly
One of the best things about professional hot tub service is easily the full system inspections.
Catching signs of potential issues early is vital in protecting your spa from unexpected damage, and keeping repairs to a minimum, saving you from costly problems in the future.
Additionally, professional hot tub service can ensure your warranty is not voided by any repairs that are made in the process, protecting your spa and saving you money should any larger issues arise in the future.
DIY vs. Professional Service
For many people, the idea of servicing their spa themselves is highly appealing, whether it’s to save money or because they enjoy taking on new challenges.
When it comes to servicing your hot tub, there are certain steps you can take before calling in the professionals, however knowing when it’s time to schedule an appointment can save you from further damaging your spa or possibly voiding your warranty, as mentioned above.
Some of the DIY service steps you can perform on your hot tub include:
- Testing and balancing your water
- Performing regular inspections
- Cleaning your filters
- Draining and cleaning your spa
- Inspecting your heating element for corrosion or scale build-up
When it comes to repairing issues or installing new parts, it’s important to contact your dealer and schedule a hot tub service appointment so that they can make the repair for you.
How Often Should I Service My Hot Tub?
Now that we’ve discussed when it’s time to call in the professionals and the most common hot tub issues, it’s time to answer the most popular question we receive about servicing hot tubs…how often should it be done?
Ultimately, we recommend including a professional service in your routine once every three months.
This will ensure your hot tub is regularly inspected while providing you with the support you need before issues arise.
This, however, can vary person by person.
For example, you may need service more often if you require additional support caring for your hot tub on a regular basis.
The choice is your’s and will be based on your personal needs and preferences, but at the bare minimum, you should be scheduling service once a season.
Professional Hot Tub Service in Rochester
Whether you’ve found yourself experiencing the issues listed above and need support or are looking to begin including professional hot tub service in your regular maintenance routine, the experts at Ace Swim & Leisure are the perfect team to support all your hot tub needs.
Our team has been supporting the New York communities of Rochester, North Greece, and Webster with all their hot tub service needs for 55 years, and we’re always ready to take on a new challenge.
Contact your local team, or request a service appointment through our website today to get started.
We’d love to help keep your hot tub in pristine condition!
