6 Keys to Basic Spa Care
Relaxing in
your spa can be very
soothing and enjoyable. Proper spa care with Zagers Pool &
Spa's
line of high-quality products will give you the most out of the spa
experience. Each of these steps is essential in getting that
experience every
time you use your spa.
CIRCULATION
Every
day, bacteria and other contaminants can find their way into your spa
water. Care should be taken to enhance circulation – this
will help prevent these contaminants from becoming problems.
As the water
circulates it:
•
passes through the filter and the suspended particles are trapped.
• thoroughly
distributes the SpaGuard products that kill bacteria, eliminate
undesirable compounds, and help prevent problems.
What you need to do...
1. Run your spa's circulation system every day.
Check your spa owner's manual to determine how long your spa's
circulation system should run or ask your SpaGuard Dealer for advice.
2. If your spa has a separate circulation pump
that runs continuously, simply make sure that your system is always in
good working order.
CLEANING
If left
unchecked, contaminants such as dirt, oil, and even bacteria can
accumulate at the waterline, much like a bathtub ring. Good spa care
involves regular cleaning of surfaces. This will not only preserve the
surfaces, but will also make the whole spa environment look and feel
better.
What
you need to do...
1. Use a
skimmer net to remove floating debris.
2. Brush and
vacuum the spa.
3. If you have
a skimmer basket, empty it once or twice a week.
4. Clean the
oily ring that forms at the waterline using SpaGuard®
Surface Cleaner or SpaGuard Spa Mitts. If you are on the
SoftSoak system click here.
This fast-acting product breaks up the oils and debris at the waterline
so you can easily wipe the surface clean. Unlike most common household
cleaners, SpaGuard Surface Cleaner is totally compatible with your
spa's water chemistry.
5. Prevent
waterline build-up with SpaGuard
Natural Spa Enzyme. This natural product has enzymes that
digest most oils and eliminate them from the water.
By removing
these oils:
•
Your spa will be less likely to form foam.
• The
surface will be easier to clean.
• The
waterline will require less frequent cleaning.
• The filter
will require less maintenance.
FILTRATION
Many spa care
mistakes are caused by poor filtration. A filter that's operating
properly helps keep the water clear by capturing the hair, oils, and
cosmetics that wash off when people use the spa. When the filter is
dirty or clogged, all this debris remains in the water. Most spas have
a cartridge filter. Check your owner's manual for detailed information
on how to remove the filter for cleaning. Typically you should clean
the filter every 4-6 weeks.
What you
need to do...
1. Remove the
cartridge.
2. Rinse with
a garden hose to remove loose debris. A hose-end nozzle is best. A
pressure washer has too much pressure. (NOTE: this will not eliminate
the accumulated oils.)
3. Every time
you clean your filter, use SpaGuard
Filter Cleaner and Degreaser according to label
instructions. This will dissolve and loosen the built-up oil and dirt.
If you are on the SoftSoak program, use SoftSoak Filter Cleaner.
4. Thoroughly
rinse the cartridge again. (Ideally the cartridge should be allowed to
dry before being returned to service.)
5. Return the
cleaned cartridge to the filter housing.
6. Replace the
filter element as often as the manufacturer or your SpaGuard Dealer recommends.
7. Use SpaGuard Water Clarifier
weekly. If you are on the SoftSoak program click here. Some
particles of debris are microscopic and too small for the filter to
catch. Water Clarifier will help join these tiny particles together and
allow the filter to remove them, keeping the water clear. SpaGuard
Water Clarifier is compatible with the SoftSoak program.
CHEMISTRY
By using a
SpaGuard program in your spa care regimen, you’ll receive
numerous benefits. When used according to label instructions, SpaGuard
products will:
Make the water
feel clean and comfortable.
Kill bacteria
which can multiply rapidly in a spa.
Protect spa
surfaces from stains caused by metals which are often dissolved in
water.
Protect spa
equipment from scale caused by calcium deposits. Scale can accumulate
on spa surfaces and inside filters and heaters, greatly reducing their
effectiveness.
For your convenience, we've color-coded our
different product categories.
BLUE: Sanitizers to
kill bacteria and keep the water protected and soothing.
ORANGE: Oxidizers to
remove undesirable compounds and keep the water clean and inviting.
PURPLE: Balancers to
make the water feel wonderful, and protect the spa surfaces and
equipment.
TEAL: Accessories to
keep the spa surfaces clean and the water beautiful.
If
you are on the SoftSoak program, click
here.
What you
need to do...
1. Maintain an
adequate sanitizer level at all times to kill bacteria.
• SpaGuard® Brominating
Concentrate. Bromine is an ideal bacteria fighter in spa
care. Simply add these concentrated granules into the spa water
according to label instructions. A double dose of Brominating
Concentrate can also serve as a shock.
• Brominating Tablets. As
these Brominating Tablets dissolve, they release powerful protection
against bacteria. Use them in a brominator or in a floating feeder.
IMPORTANT: Do not place Brominating Tablets in the skimmer or drop
directly onto the spa's surface.
• Chlorinating Concentrate.
This fast dissolving chlorine product is also effective against
bacteria and easy to apply. Sprinkle the granules directly into the spa
according to label instructions. A double dose can also serve as shock.
If you are on
the SoftSoak program, click here.
2. Use SpaGuard Enhanced Shock* (or
a shock dosage of Brominating or Chlorinating Concentrate) to remove
undesirable compounds, eliminate odors, clarify the water, and restore
the sparkle. SpaGuard Enhanced Shock is the preferred routine shock
product in spa care. This patented formula has oxidizers to remove
undesirable compounds and clarifiers to make the water beautiful and
clear. And it works fast so you can quickly get right back to relaxing.
Every time you
refill your spa with fresh water use SpaGuard
Stain and Scale Control to prevent metal stains and scale
build-up. If your water contains high levels of minerals or metals,
your SpaGuard Dealer may also recommend a weekly maintenance dose in
your spa care routine.
Even if your
spa is equipped with an ozone generator, you still need SpaGuard
sanitizing and "shock products." Ozone can provide some oxidizing
support, but ozone is very short lived. SpaGuard
sanitizers provide the continuous, reliable protection you
need.
TESTING
There are 2
primary components that affect spa water quality.
1. Sanitizer
2. pH
When both are
within their recommended ranges:
• Your water is comfortable, protected
and clear.
• Your sanitizers and "shock products"
work efficiently.
• Your spa surfaces and equipment are
protected.
What you
need to do...
1. Maintain
sanitizer within the recommended levels:
Bromine residual = 2 - 6 ppm
Brominating Concentrate = 3-6 ppm
Brominating Tablets = 2-4 ppm
Chlorine residual = 3 - 5 ppm
If you're on the SoftSoak
program, click
here.
(If your spa
is equipped with an ozone generator, you may choose to maintain the
chlorine or bromine at the lower end of their ranges.)
2. Maintain
the pH between 7.4 - 7.6. In this range bathers are comfortable, the
spa surface and equipment are protected, and the sanitizers perform
efficiently.
Add SpaGuard® Spa Sentry™
to hold the pH in it's optimum range. pH
is THE most important aspect of spa water quality.
However, maintaining the proper pH can be a challenge in a spa. The
heated, aerated water, combined with heavy bather loads can cause the
pH to change quickly, unless a means for buffering these changes is
present. That's where SpaGuard Spa Sentry comes in. Spa Sentry is
formulated to "watch over" the pH and protect the water from pH
changes. So all you have to worry about is enjoying your spa.
3. Test
sanitizer and pH level several times a week with the test strips. These
strips provide quick, easy and accurate readings. The test process is
easy. Follow the label instructions. Simply dip and read.
4. Take a
water sample to your SpaGuard dealer
regularly (every 4-6 weeks) for a complete water analysis. In addition
to testing the pH and sanitizer, this analysis will measure the water's
total alkalinity, calcium hardness, iron, copper, manganese and total
dissolved solids. Based on this analysis, your dealer can recommend the
SpaGuard spa care products you need in order to keep the spa looking
and feeling great!
DRAINING & FILLING
Regular
draining and refilling is a normal part of spa care. Over time, the
water absorbs and dissolves minerals, chemicals and other soluble
material. Your SpaGuard Dealer
can perform a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) test to help determine if
it's time to replace your water. High TDS can make the water look dull,
become foamy and develop an odor.
How often you
drain and refill your spa depends on how often you use it.
This simple formula can help.
(# of Spa
Gallons / # of Daily Bathers) / 3 = Days Between Draining
* Example: (300 gallons / 2 daily bathers) / 3 = 50 days
What you
need to do...
1. Drain the
water. Check your owner's manual for information.
2. Clean the
spa surfaces with SpaGuard
Surface Cleaner or SpaGuard Spa Mitts.
3. SpaGuard Surface Cleaner
is compatible with the SoftSoak
program.
5. Refill the
spa with fresh water.
6. Take a
sample of the water used to refill the spa to your SpaGuard Dealer for
a complete analysis.
7. Add the
recommended SpaGuard products in the order and amount determined by the
water analysis.
