How Often Should You Change the Water in a Swim Spa?

How often should you change the water in a swim spa? This crucial task ensures your swim spa stays clean, safe, and enjoyable. Dive into our comprehensive guide to discover:

• Essential maintenance tips to extend water life.
• Signs that indicate it’s time for a water change.
• Practical schedules for daily, weekly, and quarterly tasks.

While this might seem complicated, it’s really not. We’re going to break it down for you into simple tasks that take just a few minutes at a time. Ready to see how easy it is to enjoy a clean swim spa? Let’s get started.

How Often Should You Change The Water in a Swim Spa? TL;DR

You should change the water in a swim spa every three to six months, depending on usage, water quality, and your swim spa dimensions. Regular maintenance tasks, such as daily debris removal, weekly water chemistry checks, monthly filter cleaning, and quarterly deep cleans, help maintain water quality.

Watch for signs like cloudy water, unpleasant odors, and difficulty maintaining chemical balance as indicators for changing the water.

Basics of Swim Spa Water Care

After getting a swim spa, there are a few things you need to do regularly to make sure you enjoy every dip.

Why Changing Swim Spa Water is Necessary

Over time, contaminants such as sweat, body oils, lotions, and environmental waste collect in the water. These contaminants can lead to the growth of bacteria and algae, which can pose health risks and affect water clarity and quality. 

Enjoyment & Comfort

When a swim spa gets dirty, it can be quite uncomfortable for all users. Often the walls feel slimy, the water feels oily on your skin, and it’s not very nice. It can also give off a bad odor or simply look unappealing.

Damage To Your Swim Spa

Dirty or polluted water can damage your swim spa system by a building up of oil on the pipes, or simply getting trapped in the filters. This can cause your pumps to work harder, which can cause them to break or malfunction.

Illnesses

While it’s rare, dirty water in a swim spa can cause illnesses such as: skin rashes, swimmer’s ear, diarrhea, and respiratory infections. If you keep your water clean and free of pollutants however, you won’t experience these issues. Regular use of normal chemicals will also keep these problems away.

Factors Influencing Water Change Frequency

The frequency at which you should change the water in your swim spa depends on several factors. Understanding these factors can help you develop an effective maintenance schedule tailored to your specific usage and conditions.

1. Usage Frequency: The more frequently the swim spa is used, the more often the water will need to be changed. If your swim spa is used often, it can introduce more contaminants into the water, pushing more regular changes.
   
2. Number of Users: The number of people using the swim spa also affects how quickly the water becomes dirty. More users mean more body oils, sweat, and other contaminants entering the water, which can speed up the need for a water change.
   
3. Water Quality and Chemical Balance: Regular testing of the water’s chemical balance is essential. If the water chemistry is consistently well-maintained, the interval between water changes grows. However, if the water chemistry is often imbalanced, more frequent changes may be necessary.
   
4. Environmental Factors: A swim spa that is outside is more susceptible to environmental contaminants such as leaves, dirt, and pollen. These factors can affect water quality and may require more frequent water changes. A swim spa that is indoor, while less exposed to environmental debris, still requires regular maintenance to ensure water quality.
   

By considering these factors and monitoring the condition of the water, you can determine the optimal frequency for changing the water in your swim spa. Regular maintenance and eager care will help keep your swim spa in excellent condition.

Detailed Maintenance Schedule

While a detailed maintenance schedule sounds lengthy, time-consuming, and annoying, it’s actually really easy and simple, taking up 5-10 minutes, if you follow this easy guide!

Daily Maintenance Tasks

Maintaining a swim spa requires routine maintenance, with daily tasks playing a big role in keeping the water clean and safe. Here are the essential daily maintenance tasks:

1. Checking Water Levels: Ensure the water level is adequate to cover the intake valves to prevent damage to the pump and heater.
2. Inspecting and Removing Debris: Use a skimmer or net to remove leaves, insects, and other debris from the water surface.
3. Monitoring Water Temperature: Check that the water temperature is within the correct range. Many people set their temperature to be 84-102 degrees.
4. Observing Water Clarity: Check the water clarity for any signs of cloudiness or discoloration, which can indicate contamination or chemical imbalance.

Weekly Maintenance Tasks

Weekly maintenance is essential for addressing issues that daily tasks might miss. These tasks include:

1. Testing and Adjusting Water Chemistry: Use test strips or a liquid reagent testing kit to check the levels of chlorine/bromine, pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness. Adjust as needed to maintain balance.
   
   • Chlorine/Bromine: Maintain sanitizer levels to prevent bacterial growth.
   • pH Levels: Keep pH between 7.2 and 7.8 for optimal comfort and effectiveness of sanitizers.
   • Alkalinity: Maintain alkalinity levels to stabilize pH.
   • Calcium Hardness: Ensure calcium levels are within range to prevent scaling or corrosion.
2. Vacuuming the Swim Spa: Vacuum the floor to remove debris and dirt.
   
3. Cleaning the Waterline: Use a non-abrasive cleaner to scrub the waterline and remove any buildup.
   
4. Inspecting Equipment: Check the condition of the pump, heater, and other equipment to ensure they are functioning properly.
   

Monthly Maintenance Tasks

Monthly maintenance helps to address more in-depth issues and prolong the lifespan of your swim spa. Key tasks include:

1. Cleaning Water Filters: Remove and clean the filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Soak them in a filter-cleaning solution to remove any trapped dirt and contaminants.
2. Inspecting Components: Perform a thorough inspection of all components. Look for signs of wear or damage and address any issues promptly.
3. Adding Water Treatments: Use specialized water treatments to maintain water clarity and quality. This can include algaecides, clarifiers, and enzyme-based cleaners.

Quarterly Maintenance Tasks

Quarterly maintenance involves more comprehensive tasks to ensure the swim spa remains in top condition:

1. Draining and Refilling the Swim Spa: Completely drain the swim spa and refill. This helps to remove accumulated contaminants and refresh the water chemistry.
   
   • Step-by-Step Process:
     • Turn off the power to the swim spa.
     • Attach a hose to the drain valve and direct the water to a suitable drainage area.
     • Open the drain valve and allow the water to drain completely.
     • Clean the interior surfaces of the swim spa with a non-abrasive cleaner.
     • Refill the swim spa with fresh water, ensuring the water level covers the intake valves.
     • Turn the power back on and adjust the water chemistry.
2. Deep Cleaning the Shell and Components: Use a mild, non-abrasive cleaner to scrub the entire shell of the swim spa, paying special attention to any nooks and crannies where dirt and debris can accumulate. Clean the jets, skimmer, and other parts thoroughly.
   

Regularly performing these maintenance tasks will help keep your swim spa in excellent condition.

Practical Tips and Best Practices

While we just discussed a healthy maintenance schedule for your swim spa, there are other things you can do to help! And luckily, they’re also easy to do!

Tips for Extending Water Life

Extending the life of your swim spa water can help reduce the frequency of water changes and ensure a consistently enjoyable experience. Here are some practical tips to keep your water in top condition:

1. Showering Before Use: Encourage all users to shower before entering the swim spa. This helps to remove body oils, sweat, and lotions.
2. Rinsing Bathing Suits: Rinse bathing suits thoroughly before use to remove detergents, fabric softeners, and other residues.
3. Using a Swim Spa Cover: Always cover the swim spa when it is not in use. Swim spa covers help to keep out debris, leaves, and insects, and also reduces water evaporation and chemical loss.
4. Regular Skimming: Skim the water surface regularly to remove floating debris and prevent it from sinking and decomposing.
5. Proper Chemical Balance: Maintain the correct chemical balance by testing the water regularly and adjusting as needed. This helps to prevent the buildup of contaminants and makes sanitizers last long.
6. Limiting Food and Drink: Avoid bringing food and drinks into the swim spa, as spills can introduce pollutants and attract insects.

Signs That It’s Time to Change the Water

Recognizing the signs that it’s time to change the water in your swim spa is crucial for maintaining a safe and pleasant environment. Here are some indicators that a water change is necessary:

1. Cloudy Water: If the water appears cloudy or murky, it may be a sign of an imbalance in water chemistry or the presence of contaminants that the filtration system cannot remove effectively.
2. Unpleasant Odors: Foul or strong chemical smells indicate that the water has become contaminated with organic matter or that there’s a chemical imbalance.
3. Greasy or Foamy Water Surface: The presence of a greasy film or excessive foam on the water surface can be a result of body oils, lotions, or other contaminants. This is a clear sign that the water needs to be changed.
4. Irritated Skin or Eyes: Users experiencing skin or eye irritation after using the swim spa may indicate poor water quality or an imbalance in chemical levels.
5. Difficulty Maintaining Chemical Balance: If you find it increasingly difficult to maintain the proper chemical balance, it may be time to start fresh with new water.

By monitoring these signs and taking swift action, you can ensure that your swim spa remains a safe and enjoyable place for relaxation and exercise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How often should you change the water in a swim spa?

It is recommended to change the water in a swim spa every three to six months, depending on usage and water quality.

What happens if you don’t change the water regularly?

Failing to change the water regularly can lead to the buildup of contaminants, bacteria, and algae, which can cause health issues, unpleasant odors, and damage to the swim spa’s components.

Can you use the same water treatment methods as a pool?

While some water treatment methods overlap, swim spas often require more frequent and specific chemical adjustments due to their smaller volume and higher temperature compared to pools.

How can you tell if the water needs changing even if it looks clean?

Regular testing of chemical levels, as well as monitoring for any changes in water clarity, odor, or user comfort, can help determine if the water needs changing even if it appears clean.

Conclusion

Maintaining a regular schedule for changing the water in your swim spa is essential.

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the many benefits of your swim spa.

While all this can seem lengthy, and even scare you away from swim spas, you have to remember that it’s actually quite easy! And having professionals to help is a great way to make sure that these steps are done!

If you’re still having issues or if you have any questions about swim spa maintenance, contact our experts at Epic Hot Tubs.

Ready to buy a swim spa or need swim spa water maintenance?

Contact Epic Hot Tubs today!

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About The Author:

Manny Brambila

Pool & Spa Expert

Manny has been in the Pool & Spa industry for over 15 years and is considered a pool, swim spa, & hot tub expert. He has been a Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) since 2009 and worked 15 years in aquatic training and development for the largest pool chemical and customer care company. He also has been an outside consultant for the Pool and Spa industry in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles since 2018. In the past few years Manny has become Director of Operations for Epic Hot Tubs with a priority of providing customers with the most reliable information and best service possible.