Owning your own hot tub is great, and there’s really not much hot tub maintenance to think about, especially when you get used to it. A healthy hot tub has many chemicals, and it’s important that you keep these in balance. In this blog, we’re answering the question, what are the risks of a pH imbalance in your hot tub?
Why do I need hot tub chemicals?
Hot tub chemicals are essential for the safety of your spa water. When people enter hot tubs, they bring oils, creams, soaps and more with them. Over time, this can lead to the hot tub water becoming dirty.
No one wants to get into a hot tub with dirty water, so it’s important to treat it before people use the spa again.
The hot tub chemicals are a crucial part of hot tub safety as they help to kill germs and bacteria that are found in the water.
Can I use my hot tub without chemicals?
No, you should avoid using your hot tub without chemicals in the water. A hot tub with poor water chemistry is simply not safe and could cause illness or skin irritation for yourself or your guests.
Upon buying your hot tub, you should familiarise yourself with the water care needs. Keep in mind that these may even vary based on where you live. This is because some locations have soft or hard water.
Which chemicals should be in my hot tub water?
Hot tubs that are safe and ready to use should contain the following chemicals.
- Hot tub pH Increaser – useful for low pH level
- pH Decreaser/pH Reducer – useful for high pH levels
- Chlorine or Bromine
Chlorine and bromine essentially do the same job in your spa water, so you really only need to add one of them.
There are important reasons why you might need these chemicals. A pH increaser can be used when you have acidic water and a hot tub pH decreaser can be used when the water has a high level of alkaline. You should also ensure that you have a water sanitiser, which can help to remove bacteria from your hot tub’s water. Read our blog on: what hot tub chemicals do I need?
What are the risks of a pH imbalance in my hot tub?
When it comes to water chemistry, each solution is connected and works together, such as pH and total alkalinity. For example, some people find that their pH problems are caused by the water alkalinity. When testing your water’s pH level, it should be between 7.2 and 7.6 ideally. It’s great to keep your total alkalinity levels and pH level stable.
If your hot tub’s pH level or total alkalinity is fluctuating, it can cause many issues. Some issues with an unbalanced pH can include the following.
Cloudy water
Cloudy or dull water is never ideal, so it’s understandable that you’d want to sort it out. The first step you could try is cleaning out your hot tub filter. Read our blog on hot tub filters.
After this, you could try using a Spa Clarifier solution. This is great for treating dull and cloudy spa water. Ensure that you read the instructions carefully before use. If these methods fail to make a difference, then you may need to empty and refill your hot tub water.
Skin irritation
Each of the hot tub chemicals used plays an important role in keeping your hot tub safe. If one of these chemicals becomes imbalanced, then it can cause irritation to the skin for those using the spa.
Damage to the spa
Leaving your chemicals out of balance for too long can lead to damage to your spa, which is definitely not what you want. It’s very important that you take on the advice from your hot tub supplier regarding hot tub water care. Your hot tub’s pH levels not being right can have a big impact on your spa.
We’re always happy to help our customers even after the sale is completed. Read our blog on hot tub care mistakes to avoid.
How do I test my hot tub water?
To successfully test your hot tub’s water, you will need to use high-quality testing strips. Our test strips are easy to use and available for purchase on our website.
Follow all instructions on the tub. Once the test is complete, you will be able to use the guide on the side of the tub to assess your water chemistry. The colour guide will show you the optimal levels for each chemical.
You should be very careful when adding chemicals to your hot tub water. Ensure that you complete the process slowly by adding small doses each time. Between adding chemicals, keep checking the water chemistry again. If you add too much of one chemical, you may need to balance it out with a decreaser or begin the process again.
You should check the hot tub water quality each time you use your spa to ensure that it is safe for use. Read our guide to hot tub care. Building your own water test kit is a good idea so that you always have everything you need. You’ll find all of the hot tub chemicals and accessories you need in our online shop.
We hope this blog has been helpful regarding your hot tub’s pH levels. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about hot tub water care.
