So you’ve got a new hot tub but you’re not sure how to set it up. It would be great if all you had to do was just fill it with water, jump in and enjoy, but there’s a little more to it than that. Don’t worry! It’s not incredibly complicated, but you do need to know what you’re doing before you get started. I’m going to run you through a couple of steps that should make everything clear.
The first thing you’ll want to do is read the user’s manual. It might seem a little tedious, but there’s bound to be a lot of useful info in it and getting familiar with it will give you a clearer picture of how your hot tub works. This will help you avoid damaging your hot tub down the line as you get into using it.
You’ll want to be sure you’re aware of the electrical requirements of your hot tub. You should be able to find these in the user’s manual. Portable, or lightweight, hot tubs are generally 120V. These are referred to as plug-n-play. These can run of the ordinary 110-120V of most households. Others have a plug with a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) which can go directly into an outlet. These use a standard 15 amp circuit. To prevent overload, make sure you have dedicated circuits.
A lot of hot tubs will already be equipped with a bit of antifreeze to prevent the plumbing from freezing. Fill the spa’s footwell with water, let the pumps run for a few minutes and drain it to avoid any issues with balancing the water.
Next, you’ll want to turn the spa off at the breaker, or simply unplug it. Remove the equipment door (access panel) to ensure the gate valves are open, allowing water to flow into your spa through the pump and heater. Make sure the drain valve isn’t open so it doesn’t all drain right out. Spray the interior part of your spa with a mild non-abrasive cleanser that won’t foam, then wipe it clean. Don’t use common household detergents as they might damage the tub shell, creating problems with foam and possibly altering the pH balance.
This should have you ready to use your hot tub. Enjoy!
Sponsored by Hot Tub Repair Philadelphia