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Occasionally dirt and debris can and will get tracked into the spa. Some spas have drain fittings in the floor of the spa to collect this debris and deposit it into the filter system, other spas will require manual removal of this debris. We have found the Paradise Spa Vacuum to be the easiest and most reliable spa vacuum available. To operate the vacuum simply put your thumb over the hole in the end of the telescoping aluminum handle, aim the vac at the dirt and then remove your thumb from the hole. The handle can extend to over 6 feet long so it works great in ponds or in spas which are sunk down in a deck. It only takes a minute or two to vacuum the spa and can usually be done just prior to entering the spa! We sell these for $59 and have a hard time keeping them in stock. Email us if you are interested in purchasing one!
Other vacuum systems available include units from Polaris which require the operator to "pump" the unit to fill it with water and to remove debris from the water. There are also units which hook up to a garden hose and use a venturi to create suction to draw debris into a bag or sock attached to the vacuum. The down side to this style is the addition of water to the spa which can cause the spa to overfill or even cool down with the use of cold water. They also do not catch small dirt particles very well.
The water in the spa should be replaced or changed every three months. Total Dissolved Solids levels accumulate to unacceptable levels in this amount of time and replacement of the water is necessary. Be sure to disconnect the power to the spa at the main breaker panel or un-plug the spa before you begin draining it. Also be sure to turn the thermostat off or to the lowest setting before you begin. It is OK to drain the spa onto the lawn or surrounding area and the water will not kill or damage vegetation as a result unless the water chemistry is way out of whack. Use GLB TLC Cleaner to scrub the interior of the spa and be sure to clean the filter cartridge. Wash the spa cover while the spa is re-filling to save time. Re-install the filter cartridge and be sure the filter lid is correctly installed. Re-fill the spa and turn on the power and get the spa pump (jets) operating and verify water flow out of the jets before turning the thermostat on or up. Once the spa is full and operating, you can add your chemicals and the spa should be hot in 12-24 hours depending on your system.
Filter Cartridge Cleaners Most spas use a cartridge type filter which can be cleaned periodically and can also be easily replaced. Chemically cleaning a spa filter cartridge can remove unwanted oils and scale build up that normal cleaning will not achieve. Generally the filter cartridge is removed from the spa filter and placed in a container in which the filter can be soaked in the chemical cleaning agent overnight. Some spa owners purchase an additional spa filter cartridge so the cartridges may be swapped and then soaked at a more convenient time. This also allows the cleaned filter cartridge to completely dry out which can kill any remaining bacteria which might be on the filter cartridge as bacteria requires moisture and heat/light to grow.
Cleaning agents specifically designed for pool and spa use such as GLB T.L.C. cleaner can be used to clean the surface of the spa and even the spa cover. TLC will remove rust and mineral stains and will even remove scale. Do not use household cleaners on the inside of the spa as these products are not compatible with spa chemicals and may cause water balance problems or foaming when the spa is refilled. We use a green Scotch Brite pad to scrub the interior of the spas. Use care not to scratch the spa surface. The White Scotch Brite pads are less likely to scratch but wear out faster. |
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~ Expert Pool & Spa, Inc. ~
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Filter cartridges should be lightly cleaned on a monthly basis
and more often under heavy bather or dirt loads. Be sure to shut off the
power to the spa at the breaker panel or un-plug the spa before servicing the
filter cartridge as some filters are under pressure and you could be injured if
you attempt to open a filter housing under pressure. Follow the
instructions from the spa manufacturer or filter owners manual! The
cartridge should be removed from the filter and cleaned with a regular garden
hose and a spray nozzle attached to the hose. Do not try to clean it with
a power washer or at a car wash as you will only damage the cartridge and
probably injure yourself from the high pressure water while trying to hold the
cartridge. Do not put the cartridge in the dishwasher either. Every
three months or sooner the cartridge should be soaked in a chemical cleaning
solution to remove oils and scale the regular cleaning can not get. Some
spa owners purchase an additional spa filter cartridge so the cartridges may be
swapped and then soaked at a more convenient time. This also allows the cleaned
filter cartridge to completely dry out which can kill any remaining bacteria
which might be on the filter cartridge as bacteria requires moisture and
heat/light to grow.