Off-Season Water Care: Managing Pool Water Balance and Controlling Organics

In some parts of the U.S., pools are typically treated only once as the cover prevents outside debris and waste materials from entering the water.

Whether one calls it winterizing, closing, off-season, or end-of-season pool care—how pool professionals handle water care once there is not much pool activity, all boils down to what part of the country the pool is located. In all cases, the two variables that need to be addressed are (a) managing water balance, and (b) controlling organics. This article will focus … Read More

Hot Tub Water Care Made Easy

People do not want to check their hot tub water regularly; they want to enjoy it in a manner that provides predictable and satisfying results.

As a pool industry professional, you have probably heard a plethora of customer complaints regarding hot tub water care. Some say their water is cloudy all the time and they cannot figure out why. Others are frustrated from having to battle the up and down pH ladder with levels climbing or dropping off the charts. On top of that, they … Read More

Seasonal Maintenance Tips for Hot Tub Retailers

Even in the cold, hot tub water chemistry should be kept at the same general levels as any other season.

For many homeowners, the decision to close their hot tub for the season is not as automatic as it is for most pool owners. Just because the leaves change colors and the temperature drops, it does not mean the hot tub has to be winterized, putting an end to the warm-water therapy season (at least for a few months). The … Read More

Best Practices for Maintenance Techs to Ensure Accurate Water Test Results

Common sense goes a long way in assuring a maintenance professional’s testing techniques will produce accurate, reliable, and consistent results.

Water balance in pools and hot tubs is a relatively simple concept. Take the readings from the most commonly tested parameters (pH, total alkalinity [TA], calcium hardness [CH], water temperature, and total dissolved solids [TDS]) and then use these values in a mathematical formula that produces a number. This number defines whether the water is corrosive, scale forming, or in … Read More

Filters Play an Integral Role in Hot Tub Water Quality

It is important to educate customers about hot tub water care and the importance of filter maintenance.

One of the most memorable hot tub water care questions this author has ever received involved the topic of filters. Years later, the conversation is just as relevant today partially because it not only highlighted the importance of proper filter care, but also the integral role they play in helping keep hot tub water clean and the jets flowing at … Read More

Water Care Basics to Prevent Biofilm Formation

The organic matter introduced into the water by two bathers during a 20-minute soak can eliminate almost all traces of available sanitizer.

After many years working in the water chemistry field, this author still gets the same question: What is the most important aspect of hot tub water care? In speaking to hot tub customers, service technicians, water care sales teams, retailers, and store owners from all over the world, the answer remains the same: The best way to enjoy the hot … Read More