Hot Tubs: Running One Safely

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Hot Tubs: Running One Safely

Water chemistry and legionella, temperature limits, who should be careful and costs

A hot tub is a small volume of warm water with people in it, which is why the maintenance is more demanding than a swimming pool rather than less.

Legionella is the main risk

Warm water between about twenty and forty-five degrees, agitated into an aerosol, is ideal for legionella bacteria. Outbreaks traced to poorly maintained spas have caused deaths.

Maintain sanitiser continuously within the correct range, test daily when in use, keep the filters clean and change the water on the schedule the manufacturer states — typically every one to three months.

Do not let a tub sit warm and unused without circulation and sanitiser.

Chemistry in order

Correct pH first, since chlorine or bromine works poorly outside the right range. Then sanitiser level, then alkalinity and hardness. Shock dose as directed after heavy use.

Never mix chemicals, add chemicals to water rather than water to chemicals, and store them locked away from children.

Temperature and time

Forty degrees is the usual maximum for adults, and less is sensible. Limit sessions to around fifteen to twenty minutes, and get out if you feel dizzy or your heart is racing.

Who should be careful

Anyone pregnant, with heart disease or low blood pressure should speak to a doctor first. Young children overheat quickly and should be limited or kept out.

Never use a hot tub after drinking alcohol, which impairs judgement of heat and raises the risk of drowning.

Safety

A lockable cover, electrical installation by a qualified electrician with RCD protection, and no unsupervised children.

Before buying

Check the electrical supply required, since many tubs need a dedicated higher-current circuit installed by a qualified electrician rather than a standard socket.

Check the base can take the weight when filled and occupied, which is considerable, and that there is access for delivery and for servicing.

Covers and children

A rigid lockable cover is a safety device as well as an insulator. Children must never have unsupervised access to a hot tub, and a cover left off is an open water hazard.

Inflatable tubs

Cheaper and far less insulated, with smaller filters and shorter water change intervals. The same chemistry and legionella rules apply and matter more, not less.

Testing and records

Test strips are quick and approximate; liquid kits and digital testers are more accurate. Write the readings down, since a trend tells you far more than a single measurement.

Keep a simple log of water changes and filter cleans, which is what stops a schedule slipping.

Running cost

Heating and chemicals are the real expense. A well-insulated tub with a good cover costs far less to run.

WHERE TO BUY

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