Top 10 Hot Tub Maintenance Mistakes You Should Never Make

A hot tub in your garden or on your patio is the perfect spot to relax, decompress and enjoy your free time. To make sure your spa keeps delivering for years, the right care routine is everything. Most problems can be avoided once you know which mistakes to look out for. Here are the 10 most common hot tub maintenance mistakes — and how to avoid them.

1. Neglecting water chemistry

If you don’t test and adjust your water regularly, you risk cloudy water, scale build-up and skin irritation.

Tip: Check pH, alkalinity and sanitiser levels at least 2–3 times per week with 3-in-1 test strips and adjust as needed.

2. Using the wrong chemicals

Not every cleaning or pool chemical is safe for hot tubs. Cheap alternatives or household cleaners can damage the acrylic shell, the pumps or the jets.

Tip: Only use products specifically formulated for hot tubs and follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly.

3. Too much sanitiser

More chemicals doesn’t mean cleaner water — in fact, overdosing sanitiser can irritate skin and damage components.

Tip: Stick to recommended levels and only shock the water when needed. After dosing, leave the cover open for around 30 minutes to prevent chlorine damage to the underside of the cover.

4. Ignoring the filter

The filter is the heart of your hot tub. Neglect it and the water turns cloudy, while the pump is forced to work harder.

Tip: Rinse the filter weekly, deep-clean it monthly with a filter cleaner and replace it every 12–18 months.

5. Not showering before getting in

Oils, creams, make-up and laundry residue from swimwear all put extra load on the filter and the water chemistry.

Tip: Ask everyone to rinse off in the shower before getting in.

6. Leaving water in for too long

Letting the same water sit for months invites bacterial growth, scale and foam.

Tip: Drain and refill the hot tub every 3–4 months. With heavy use, more frequent changes can be sensible.

7. Neglecting the cover

A dirty or damaged cover lets debris in, drives up energy use and impacts water quality.

Tip: Wipe the cover down monthly and replace it once it’s cracked or waterlogged.

8. Running the jets without enough water

If the water level is too low, the pump can be damaged when the jets run.

Tip: Check the water level before every use.

9. Skipping regular inspections

Small issues like a loose fitting or a slow leak can quickly turn into expensive repairs.

Tip: Give the hot tub a quick once-over weekly and book a professional service annually.

10. Forgetting winter care

In areas with hard frost, a hot tub that hasn’t been winterised properly can suffer burst pipework.

Tip: Follow the manufacturer’s winterising instructions — or get a professional in to do it for you if you’re not using the spa over winter.

Conclusion

Most hot tub problems come down to small, avoidable lapses. Stay on top of the basics and you’ll get clearer water, healthier components and a longer life out of your investment.

Pro tip: Keep a small maintenance log. Jot down water readings, filter cleans and water changes — it saves time, prevents mistakes and helps you spot patterns early.