How to Balance Hot Tub Chemicals (Alkalinity and pH Levels)

Owning a hot tub comes with a lot of responsibilities, including balancing the water to ensure the right alkalinity and pH. A lack of care when using the hot tub may lead to health issues and equipment damage. It can ruin the bathing experience while resulting in hefty repair or replacement costs.

This guide will go over everything you need to know to keep your hot tub water balanced, including:

• The factors that affect the quality of water in a hot tub

• Why is it important to balance water in a hot tub?

• What are the chemicals used to ensure balanced water?

What Are the Factors That Affect Hot Tub Water Balance? (Sanitizer, Alkalinity, and pH Levels)

There are several factors that can affect the quality of water in hot tubs, including the following:

Frequency of Use

Replacing hot tub water with every use may not be feasible. Due to this, the frequency of use (bather load) can impact the quality of the water.

Every person entering the water brings a lot of contaminants, such as lotions, sweat, and even dead skin cells. As the usage increases, the water quality in your hot tub deteriorates.

When contaminants start to build up, they counteract the effects of the water sanitizer. At the same time, the introduction of organic material can affect pH and alkalinity levels, creating an unpleasant bathing experience.

Water Temperature

While hot water can feel soothing, it can also accelerate a chemical reaction. As the water temperature increases, the water sanitizer starts to break down quickly. This can lead to bacterial growth around your hot tub.

Water Quality

Arizona’s water is known for its high mineral content. Using hard water to fill up hot tubs can affect calcium hardness. This can lead to scale buildup, which can damage the hot tub and reduces the lifespan of the hot tub. Poor water can lead to red, itchy skin, eyes, and other issues.

Evaporation

The evaporation process can increase the levels of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in hot tubs. This may result in:

• Dull and hazy water

• Poor quality of water

• Scaling issues

To prevent TDS buildup, it’s important for hot tub owners to drain and refill their hot tubs with fresh water frequently, and make sure to check levels for a safe experience.

Other Factors

Leaving a hot tub uncovered can expose it to debris, dirt, fallen leaves, and rainwater. According to Expert hot tub services, this can alter pH and alkalinity levels while breaking down the water sanitizer.

Why Is It Important to Fix Hot Tub Chemistry?

Here are a few reasons why it’s important to balance water in a hot tub:

To Sanitize and Adjust Water Chemistry

Improper chemical balance can affect the quality of hot tub water. High pH levels can reduce the efficacy of sanitizers, enabling harmful bacteria to multiply fast. Anyone entering the water is at a serious risk of health issues, some of which include the following:

• Hot tub rash from Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria

• Respiratory illnesses from Legionella bacteria

• Skin and eye infections

To avoid such health problems, it’s important to ensure the right sanitizer level. Regularly monitoring and testing can help with that.

To Prevent Damage to the Hot Tub Equipment

pH levels can have a direct impact on the life of a hot tub. Water that’s too alkaline or acidic may lead to equipment failure or costly repairs. Why is that?

When hot tub water has a low pH, it can increase the risk of corrosion. The acidity of the water may damage heater elements, pump seals, and even plumbing.

Damage to the hot tub surfaces and equipment can result in hefty repair costs. In some cases, homeowners may need to replace the faulty hot tub components.

On the other hand, when water has a high pH, it can cause minerals to build up. This can result in scaling that directly damages hot tub components.

Scaling is an incredibly common problem that many hot tub owners in Arizona face. It can affect:

• Filter efficiency

• Plumbing restrictions

• Heater performance

• Equipment lifespan

To Maintain an Enjoyable Experience

Chemical imbalance can lead to cloudy hot tub water, signaling poor water quality. This may result in:

• Skin irritation and itching

• Eye burning and redness

• Unpleasant chemical odors

• Rough water texture

When pH levels are low, water can feel harsh against the skin. This can ruin the enjoyable hot tub experience homeowners expect after a long day at work.

Proper water balance can feel therapeutic. In fact, the clear, comfortable, odorless water is enough to make every soak relaxing and memorable. 

Protecting your hot tub and keeping the hot tub water clean is as easy as putting a testing strip into the water to test your water regularly, and then adding chemicals to your hot tub to balance it all out. 

What Are the Chemicals to Fix Hot Tub Water Chemistry?

To make sure that the water is safe and clean, it’s important to use the right hot tub chemicals. They include the following:

Water Sanitizers

Hot tubs, if not sanitized properly, can become breeding grounds for bacteria, viruses, and algae. High bacteria levels can cause skin and other serious health issues for homeowners.

To make water clean and safe for hot tub users, there are two types of water sanitizers. They are as follows:

Halogen Sanitizers

Chlorine is one of the most popular halogen sanitizers on the market. It’s widely used to sanitize hot tubs and swimming pools, as it is fast-acting and aggressive against bacteria and contaminants. Plus, chlorine is an incredibly affordable option.

However, it may not always be the best choice. Chlorine can have a strong, repulsive odor and may lead to skin irritation after prolonged contact. Homeowners may also need to use more of this chemical, as it can easily break down in hot water, reducing its effectiveness.

Bromine can also be used to sanitize hot tub water. It’s a great alternative to chlorine, as it does not break easily in hot water. Plus, it doesn’t irritate the skin and eyes as much as chlorine.

That said, bromine is much more expensive than other water sanitizers. It works more slowly than chlorine and can gradually break down in direct UV exposure.

Non-Halogen Sanitizers

There are non-halogen water sanitizers like polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), which provides a gentler sanitizing approach. It’s odorless and is not affected by sunlight or changes in pH levels.

However, PHMB is incredibly costly and is not as effective as chlorine against certain types of bacteria.

pH and Alkalinity Balancers

Besides sanitizing the water, it’s important to ensure water balance to maximize the effectiveness of the sanitizer and protect the hot tub components from corrosion.

When pH levels are lower or greater than the recommended guidelines, homeowners can use a pH decreaser or use an alkalinity increaser to bring balance. These include sodium carbonate and sodium bisulfate.

Calcium Hardness Adjusters

The recommended level for calcium hardness is between 175 and 275 parts per million (PPM).

Not getting the right calcium hardness? There are several hot tub chemicals that homeowners can use to:

Increase Calcium Hardness

When hot tub water has low levels of calcium, it starts to dissolve calcium from its surroundings, including the hot tub’s surface. This can lead to etching or pitting, resulting in costly repairs and an uninviting hot tub. To avoid that, homeowners should use a calcium increaser like calcium chloride.

Decrease Calcium Hardness

High levels of calcium in the water can also be a huge problem. The minerals gradually settle on the surfaces, resulting in scaling (a thick, chalky layer in the hot tub).

Hot tub chemicals with chelating agents can help lower calcium hardness to avoid such issues. However, it’s not really recommended. Instead, homeowners should partially drain and refill their hot tubs with fresh water to reduce the levels of calcium in the water.

How to Balance Hot Tub Chemicals in 4 Simple Steps

Hot tub chemistry 101 breaks down balancing hot tub water quality into four simple steps. They are as follows:

Step 1: Test Your Water

Before adding any hot tub chemicals into the water, it’s important to test the water first. There are many brands that sell pH and alkalinity test strips at local hardware stores and even pharmacies. These help assess the chemical composition of water. Any brand of test strips will do.

Once that’s sorted, homeowners should:

1. Take a sample of the water, preferably from the center of the hot tub.

2. Test the water using test strips. They should dip the strip into the hot tub's water and keep it submerged for the recommended period of time.

3. Compare the color of the test strip with the provided chart to determine pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels.

Regular testing is an excellent way to maintain safe and clean hot tub water. Experts recommend doing it two to three times every week. Our team of experts can also advise on how to winterize your hot tub.

Step 2: Adjust pH and Alkalinity Levels

Alkalinity always comes first. This parameter buffers pH changes and prevents wild swings.

Since alkalinity acts as a buffer, homeowners should always check and adjust its level first. The recommended range is between 80 and 120 PPM. Any more or less, an alkalinity increaser or a pH decreaser may be necessary.

After adjusting the water for alkalinity, homeowners must focus on ensuring the right pH levels. Here’s how to do it:

1. Test the levels of pH in the water

2. Use a pH increaser for low readings or a pH decreaser for high readings

3. Let the chemicals settle and mix into the water before testing once more

4. Repeat the above steps if necessary

Step 3: Add Water Sanitizer

Now it’s time to sanitize the water. Using a water sanitizer of their choice, homeowners should gradually mix the chemical into the water according to the instructions on the label. This should kill bacteria and viruses while preventing algae growth.

During this step, running the jets for a couple of minutes can help mix the water well with the sanitizer. Shock treatment is recommended to keep the water safe and clean after heavy hot tub use.

Step 4: Clean the Hot Tub Equipment and Filters

Most homeowners often forget about the filter when they’re cleaning their hot tubs. This is an essential part of maintenance, as dirty filters can adversely impact the flow of water.

There’s a better way of cleaning the hot tub filters than scrubbing them by hand. Here’s what to do:

1. Create a cleaning agent by mixing household bleach and water in a bucket.

2. Let the hot tub filter soak in the solution for a few minutes.

3. Spray off the solution and clean the filter with a hose.

4. Let the filter dry before fitting it back into the hot tub.

Cleaning a hot tub filter can be a huge headache. Homeowners can make this process easier by investing in tools like the septic tank cleaning wand.

Top Tips for Taking Care of Your Hot Tub Water

Here are a few hot tub care tips for homeowners to ensure a clean and safe hot tub:

• Many hot tub owners forget regular water care and testing of spa chemicals. This can result in poor water clarity. Frequent cleaning and maintenance are crucial.

• Use a hot tub cover to keep water fresh, protect the hot tub shell, and maintain a clean and safe environment.

• Check chlorine levels and adjust as needed. This ensures a safe soak and prevents damage to the hot tub.

• When adding chemicals, homeowners must measure accurately to keep the water clear and safe.

• Salt water hot tubs still require maintaining water balance and routine water softener checks.

• Maintaining water circulation means the water stays fresh, and neglecting it can lead to issues with the hot tub water’s quality.

How Often Should You Balance Your Hot Tub's Water?

This is one of the most asked questions. While there are many different factors that affect cleaning and maintenance frequency, it’s important for homeowners to pay attention to the water chemistry. Sometimes, excessive use may warrant an early water balancing treatment.

Homeowners Must Test and Adjust Water Every Week

To avoid costly repairs or major pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer adjustments, testing water twice a week is crucial. A few minutes of testing can save hours on diagnosing and fixing issues later on down the road.

Testing can also reduce the cost of balancing the hot tub water. It helps with early problem detection, allowing homeowners to take corrective measures immediately.

A Daily Visual Check Is Often Recommended

While testing the water should be a weekly routine, homeowners must visually inspect the hot tub water on a daily basis. They should look out for:

• Cloudy water or discoloration

• Foam formation on the surface

• Unusual chemical odors

• Debris or particles

Any of the abovementioned warning signs suggests water chemistry issues. In such situations, immediate water testing and adjustment can ensure that the hot tub water is safe and clean for use.

Calcium and TDS Testing Should Be Scheduled Every Month

While pH and alkalinity levels can change fast, calcium hardness and TDS remain relatively stable. Testing these parameters every month should be enough to ensure safe and clean water.

High TDS levels indicate a buildup of minerals, which can affect water balance. When that happens, it’s time to drain the hot tub and refill it with fresh water.

Arizona homeowners also need to pay closer attention to calcium levels. With the quality of water in Tucson and other surrounding cities, scaling and equipment damage are common problems.

Drain and Refill Every Three Months Is Crucial

Completely draining and refilling a hot tub should be on every homeowner’s quarterly to-do list. Three to four months is enough time for minerals to accumulate and bacteria to multiply.

Biofilm, a slimy layer of microorganisms, may build up on the surface and hot tub plumbing. All of this can create an unsafe environment to bathe in and even cause damage to the equipment.

Regular draining helps keep the water clean and protects equipment from mineral buildup. Replacing water once every three to four months ensures that the hot tub remains in perfect condition.

E-Konomy Pool Service & Supplies Offers Exceptional Hot Tub Maintenance!

While this complete guide provides hot tub owners in Arizona with the knowledge to manage their hot tub chemistry, balancing water also requires expertise.

It's not just about keeping your hot tub clean and safe. There is a lot to do. What are the chemicals you need to add? How do you keep your water safe and clean? Plus, you may be too busy in your life to even notice the mineral or biofilm buildup in the water in your hot tub. This is where we come in.

Hot tub ownership comes with responsibilities. E-Konomy Pool Service & Supplies offers a wide range of services, including full hot tub cleaning and maintenance, in Arizona. Our professionals have the skills, expertise, and tools to ensure the water is perfectly balanced, clear, and safe for use, whether it's cleaning the spa water or shocking your hot tub.

Need help balancing your hot tub water? Visit our stores for free water testing or call us for a quick quote!