Preparing Your Hot Tub For Summer Use
After a long, cold Michigan winter spent relaxing in your hot tub, it’s recommended that you prepare your hot tub for the warm summer months. It’s a great time to make sure everything is running in good working order.
Drain and Clean Your Hot Tub
To create a safe environment for all of the fun you’ll be having in it over the summer months, it’s important to thoroughly clean your spa. If you haven’t drained your hot tub in four months or longer, it’s recommended that you do it at this time.
After it’s drained, use an all-purpose cleaner to clean the shell’s surface and check the jets, pumps, valves, pipes and filter casings for damage and built-up dirt. If you find anything amiss, contact Emerald Spas and Billiards in Grand Rapids MI and we can help you repair the damage.
Perform an Inspection
Now is the time to check your hot tub for any cracks, leaks, or other damage. It happens, which is why it’s important to find them early so that they don’t get worse. Be sure to check your spa’s filters and the mechanics behind the panels of your tub, and then fire it up to make sure each of the jets is properly working.
Also make sure the ozonator, pumps and filters are working properly, as proper use helps to reduce the amount of maintenance needed in the future. If your filter is dirty, make sure to clean it or replace it.
Check Your Chemical Balance
Summer is also a good time to use testing strips to analyze the chemical balance in your water, making sure that they’re at safe levels and that the alkaline and acid levels are even. Warm weather will have a different effect on your water than the cold winter air. If the water isn’t right, balance it by adding the appropriate chemicals.
Adjust the Temperature for Summer Weather
While normal hot tub temperatures are ideal for cool summer nights, you might want to lower the temperature during the day if the Michigan heat really rises. If you want a relaxing experience in your hot tub during the day, try turning the temperature down to 95 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Even on the hottest days, anything lower than your average body temperature of 98.6 degrees will feel relaxing.
On the other hand, turning the temperature down to 85 degrees or lower will transform your hot tub into a “cool tub,” which can provide a refreshing experience. The key is finding a balance, and that means choosing when you want to soak — which won’t often be at the height of daily temperatures.
Instead, enjoy your spa during the cool morning hours and during the hours of twilight and dusk, after the sun — and the temperatures — have gone down. These windows of opportunity let you enjoy your hot tub throughout the summer months. Get hot tub energy saving tips here.
Benefits of Using Your Hot Tub In Summer
Since you’ll be running your spa heater either at a reduced temperature setting, or completely off during stretches of hot weather, the cost of operation will be greatly reduced. And there are physical benefits, too!
After working your muscles working out in the yard or going for long summer walks, your hot tub can help reduce soreness and aching. The warm spa helps release tension, and the buoyancy of the water and the massaging effect of powerful jets can help you recover much quicker.
Plus, enjoying your hot tub with friends and family is a great way to improve your social connections, and a quick soak before bed can help improve your sleep. In other words, there’s no reason to not use your hot tub in the summer. In fact, it’s highly recommended.
Thinking About a Hot Tub for Your Home?
Emerald Spas and Billiards, right in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is your one-stop shop for brand new Sundance Spas, covers, chemicals, and everything you need to make your summer hot tubbing experience the best it can be. Stop in and talk with our expert staff today!
