Hot Tub Maintenance: The Weekly + Monthly Checklist (2026)
A Cal Spas hot tub will run 10–15 years with the right maintenance. It'll die in 3 years with the wrong maintenance. This checklist is the difference.
Weekly (5 minutes)
Test water chemistry. pH should be 7.2–7.6. Total alkalinity 80–120 ppm. Sanitizer (chlorine or bromine) 3–5 ppm.
Skim debris. 30 seconds with the skimmer net. Leaves and bugs clog filters fast.
Shock if heavy use. After 5+ people use the tub in a week, add a non-chlorine shock. Burns off the bather waste your sanitizer can't handle.
Monthly (20 minutes)
Rinse filter cartridge. Pull it out, garden-hose spray it for 2 minutes. Reduces flow restriction and pump wear.
Test calcium hardness. 150–250 ppm. Too low corrodes plumbing. Too high causes scale.
Inspect the cover. Check the locks, the vapor barrier (touch the underside of the cover — if it's soaked, the foam is logged and the cover needs replacing). A waterlogged cover doubles heating costs.
Every 3–4 Months
Drain + refill. Bather waste, mineral buildup, and chemical residue accumulate. Fresh water restores chemistry control. Takes 2–3 hours.
Deep-clean filter. Soak in a filter-cleaning solution overnight, rinse, reinstall. Or replace if it's >12 months old.
Wipe shell. Use a non-abrasive vinyl/acrylic cleaner on the spa surface. Never use household chemicals.
Things People Get Wrong
Adding chemicals on top of dirty water. Drain first. Chemicals can't fix biofilm.
Ignoring the cover. A waterlogged cover doubles your electric bill and lets algae thrive.
Using pool chemicals. Pool chemistry is different. Use spa-grade only.
New To Hot Tub Ownership?
Browse the Cal Spas Patio Series or read the 5-model comparison.
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