The good news is most hot tub parts can be replaced. Just like a car, if there are serious problems with your hot tub, it’s your job to weigh up the amount it costs to replace the parts versus buying a new hot tub. The deciding factor for most people is whether it is worth the cost of the part and whether they can do it themselves. For example, replacing a filter is relatively easy, but replacing the control box or spa pump is more expensive and requires time, patience and technical skill for installation. If you are not sure what parts you need, then phone a hot tub technician and get them to come and diagnose the problem. This could save you money in the long term.

Here are some of the more common hot tub parts readily available for replacement or upgrade:

Heaters
As the name suggests, hot tub heaters warm the water inside the spa. Heaters can be replaced by the home owner providing they have carried out similar tasks before. You should always check the manual. If you’re in any doubt then contact a qualified technician.

Motors
Replacing a hot tub motor is one way to prolong the life of a hot tub. It’s best to get a qualified technician to replace the motor unless you have had previous experience or instruction. It can be an expensive job, but when the choice is replacing the motor or discarding the hot tub altogether, most people will opt for the motor.

Jets
Jets are another component that can be changed with little or no difficulty – providing you know what you are doing!

Traditional rigid foam spa covers can get damaged or completely destroyed by heavy rain or snow – even within the very first year of owning your spa. The problem is that rigid foam hot tub covers don’t absorb impact very well, so they get damaged or broken by falling debris and branches. Heavy rain or snow can even cause the hot tub cover to sink into your spa.

If you are replacing your hot tub cover because your current cover has broken, it’s important you find out what the reinforcement inside your next cover is made from. Hot tub covers are typically made with a piece of metal shaped like the letter U or C inside them, which strengthens the centre of the hot tub cover.

The so-called C-channel is constructed out of aluminium, which is stronger than the foam filled covers. The only downside to these types of covers is that they lack flexibility, so can take up significant space for storage purposes. An alternative would be to choose a roll hot tub cover which is very strong and essentially serves as a portion of deck that is rolled over the spa. The downside is roll covers don’t offer much in the way of insulation and debris tends to collect and fall into the spa. Reinforced rigid foam hot tub covers have a piece of board in them for added strength. The only problem with these covers is that if they become saturated they are very heavy to lift. An alternative is an air-filled spa covers. These are designed to guard against impact damage resulting from contact with branches, debris or heavy snow.

If the time has come for replacing your hot tub cover, keep in mind you will most likely need to provide the dimensions to the spa cover manufacturer. It is important to note that the spa manufacturers do change the dimensions of their spas without changing the model name or number. Due to this, you will have a hot tub cover that fits much better if you measure your own spa or get a qualified technician to do so, rather than relying on a cover manufacturer’s template. It’s important to remember that unlike clothes, if a hot tub cover doesn’t fit properly you can’t just take it back. If you decide to measure your own hot tub then you have to make sure you do it properly.

Here are a few tips:

The hot tub itself (as opposed to the existing cover) should be measured. It is important to measure from the outside edge of the of the hot tub on one side, across to the outside edge on the opposite side – from the widest point to the widest point. At this stage, ignore any rounded or cut corners. Once the overall length and width are determined for the cover, the corner dimensions will need to be provided.

Spa water is frequently heated and used over and over again for weeks or even months, so it has to be treated with chemicals to remove all bacteria from the water. Hot tub water chemistry is an important factor when trying to achieve a safe quality of water. Balancing the water chemistry also keeps the water fresh and hygienic, ensuring quality time in your hot tub.

When it comes to maintaining the quality and the freshness of your spa water, you should  always rely on quality products because they last longer and they are more effective than cheap chemicals. Apart from using hot tub chemicals, you should also regularly check the chemical levels and the PH levels in the water, as part of the overall maintenance. If you do not follow strict filtration regime, your spa water will breed bacteria, become cloudy and unfit for use.

First and foremost, you need to be strict with the cleanliness of your tub. If your hot tub is frequently used by your family and friends, then clean it regularly. You should replace dirty hot tub water with fresh water every three to four months or more frequently if it’s used heavily. First of all the hot tub needs to be drained, which can take a considerable amount of time. Secondly, the hot tub shell needs to be cleaned. Just as you wash out and clean your bath or shower, hot tubs need the same attention! Use a sponge and a hot tub cleansing agent to get rid of dirt and slimy substances on the tub.

Refill the hot tub. Again, depending on your water pressure this can take several hours. Add the water until it reaches the required amount of water for your the size of your spa. Let it heat up until it reaches the appropriate temperature which is usually about 38 degrees Celsius. Slowly add the correct amount of chemicals needed, then test the water to get the new levels of chemicals.

Why Use Chemicals?

Hot tub chemicals stop the growth of disease causing bacteria and break down organic matter present in the water and the hot tub pipes and filtration system (pipes etc). These chemicals contain natural oils and are completely safe for the human skin and hair.

Chlorine alternatives

There are pros and cons to using chlorine in spa water. There are different alternatives to chlorine which are as effective and less harmful. These include bromine and hydrogen peroxide, which have a less powerful odour.

The good news is the South West has not been effected. Some water authorities have misunderstood the legislation and told people that hot tubs and spas are included in the ban and can’t be filled or topped up either. That isn’t true. The British Swimming Pool Federation (BSPF) are in discussion with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), to reassure people that they can refill hot tubs. So, rest assured – the ban does not include hot tubs!

Unfortunately, owners of domestic swimming pools and swim spas are not exempt from the hosepipe ban. They aren’t allowed to refill or top up their pools using a hosepipe. In fact the ban specifically says owners of any type of pool can only use water taken from a tap and transported in a hand held container to maintain it.

Just because the hosepipe ban does not effect hot tubs, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be careful about our water consumption. When it comes to hot tubs, there are other ways to cut down on your water consumption. You could upgrade your hot tub cover, preventing water and chemicals from evaporating and keeping more heat in. For many home owners, holiday letting companies and hotels, hot tubs are an essential part of a relaxing break so it’s important to keep them running. At least now, you can keep your spa running safe in the knowledge that you are on the right side of the law.

Chlorine: There are chlorine tablets and chlorine granules created specifically for hot tub use.

Bromine: Bromine can be added to a hot tub in the form of tablets, nuggets or granules. Many people choose Bromine over Chlorine because it is an effective hot tub sanitizer. Bromine has a less powerful odour than Chlorine and it works in a wide range of pH levels. Bromine is normally distributed through a floating feeder or cartridge system.

Ozone: Ozone is an oxidizer and not a sanitizer, but it reduces the work of the sanitizers and lowers the level of sanitizers needed in the spa to keep it clean. To use this product you need an Ozonator. The downside is you will definitely still need to use a low level of sanitizer like Bromine or Chlorine.

As well as sanitizing the water, it is important to change it every month to three months depending on the usage. No amount of chemical additives can protect you completely in water that is old and dirty.

Shock Oxidizers: This product oxidizes the water and helps to get rid of organic matter like dead skin, skin oils, cosmetics and lotions. By using it once a week helps prevent bacteria, cloudy water and a clogged system.

There are two types of shock, non-chlorine shock and chlorine shock. Both work as a good maintenance product to oxidize your spa. For fresh water fills, use a chlorine shock.

pH: Water pH is a measurement of the concentration of hydrogen ions in your hot tub water. pH levels need to be kept within 7.2-7.8 (this is only a guide) otherwise your water can become too alkaline or too acidic and this can be damaging for your skin in the short term and the hot tub in the long run.

Calcium Hardness: It’s important to balance these for safe bathing. For water low in Calcium you can use a Calcium increaser, if the Calcium level is too high you can adjust the pH and alkalinity to their lower ranges to help avoid cloudy water and scale.

Alkalinity control: Controlling alkalinity can help keep your pH in the appropriate range thereby lessening the need for pH balancing. Use test strips to see if you need to add a pH reducer to lower the alkalinity or if you need to raise it by using an alkalinity increaser.

This is only a guide and you should always take care when adding chemicals.

Warm water provides an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and algae. It is essential to add chemicals to the water to kill harmful bacteria. Unlike chlorine or bromine tablets or granules, the generators provide juts enough chemicals to keep the water clean and they make hot tubs less expensive to run.

Using a salt generator means the water is kinder to your skin, it’s much healthier for children, you won’t get sore eyes and it increases the water quality. Perhaps the most noticeable benefit is that there is no chlorine odour!

The generators work with most major brands. However, you should check with the manufacturer before buying a salt generator. If the spa gets a lot of use then you might have to use a sanitizer too.

It’s advisable for children over the age of four to learn how to swim, but don’t assume that a child who knows how to swim won’t drown. Infants and very young children should have an adult swimmer with them (within touching distance) and they should be wearing age appropriate (and Coast Guard approved) floatation devices.

If the hot tub is outside it’s important to protect your child from the weather. Don’t forget to use high factor sunscreen and reapply frequently. UV sunglasses, hats and sunshades will also provide protection from the sun.

Children’s body temperature rises much faster than an adults when they are in warm water, so it’s important to make sure they have drunk plenty of fluids. It is vital to cap their time in the hot tub to avoid them overheating – between five and ten minutes at a time.

Lastly, children should be kept away from the access panels and should not be allowed to lie, sit, walk or play with the hot tub cover because they could end up trapped underneath it.

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Rather than being overlooked by neighbours whilst relaxing in the hot tub, many people are choosing to have an indoor hot tub. An indoor hot tub can be used all year round, regardless of the weather conditions. Outdoor hot tubs are not typically used during snowfall or heavy rain. In fact the weather determines how much you can use an outdoor hot tub and this can result in it being unused for up to four months of the year.

Indoor hot tubs can be located anywhere in your property (within reason) providing the house has strong foundations. It is important to check with the hot tub company who will advise you on where’s safe to locate your hot tub.

If you plan to purchase an indoor hot tub, you should consider where you will install it and the people who will use it most often. The last thing you want is wet footprints trailed across the carpet from room to room! Another important thing to consider is access to the hot tub should anything go wrong. Indoor hot tubs require more complex installations than traditional outdoor ones. Indoor hot tubs also produce extreme heat and high humidity, so it is vital the spa is placed in a well ventilated area of your home. If in doubt you should consider using a dehumidifier close to the hot tub, so excess water can be filtered out of the air instead of collecting on widow sills and walls where it can lead to mould.

The best quality wooden hot tubs are built from hard wood taken from the heart of the tree, known as the heart wood. The wood must be properly cured and treated to prevent it from warping or cracking and to protect it from the weather. Wooden hot tubs can made from a variety of woods including cedar, cypress, teak, oak, mahogany, spruce and pine.

The tub is typically constructed of wooden side slats or staves with a wooden base. The staves are attached to the floor and then to each other so that they form circle. The watertight seal is made naturally by the expansion of the wood as it swells.

Contrary to popular belief, wooden hot tubs are easier to look after and keep clean than acrylic spas. Recent evidence has shown that wooden surfaces harbour fewer bacteria and that wood is naturally self cleansing (of course you still need the correct chemical balance in the water). The most important point is to ensure air can circulate around the hot tub base and that it is not placed directly onto soil. A cedar wood hot tub will largely look after itself, silvering over the years. However, if you want to keep the natural colour of the wood, you can oil the outside with cedar oil.

Features such as seating and jet systems can also be found in both the inflatable and portable hot tubs. Some have the same comfortable seating, as well as the same jet system. However, there are inflatable tubs which only have a blower system, which moves the water around, not providing the same effect as the jet systems do.

Installation of inflatable or portable hot tubs is relatively easy. All you need to do is inflate them, fill them with water from a garden hose and plug it in to the main socket which has a built in RCD (a safety device).

While convenient and less expensive, inflatable spas do have their cons. Obviously, they are not as durable as the acrylics. The best inflatable spas are made of heavy rubber used for white water rafts. This will decrease the risk of rips, and punctures. Another complaint is that due to the lack of insulation, the water temperature can decrease quickly. In order to slow down the heat loss you can buy heat matting.

On average, inflatable hot tubs hold about 600 to 800 litres of water which should be changed on a weekly basis. The water temperature is comfortable around 40 degrees, but the time it takes to heat your inflatable spa will depend on the temperature of the water used to fill it and also the outside temperature.

In conclusion, inflatable hot tubs are cheap to buy, easy to move around and cheaper to run. The downside is they are small, the seating is limited, there are often no jets, you cannot buy parts and they have a limited warranty.