Your spa pool is a sanctuary of relaxation, providing you with a soothing retreat from the stresses of everyday life. To ensure it continues to bring you enjoyment for years to come, it's essential to understand the significance of regular draining. In this blog post, we'll explore why you need to drain your spa pool, how often you should do it, and the signs that indicate it's time for a change.
Why Do You Need to Drain a Spa Pool?
Accumulation of Contaminants and Impurities: Over time, spa pool water accumulates various contaminants and impurities. Bathing products, body oils, lotions, and even dust and debris find their way into the water. These substances can affect the water's clarity, leading to a decrease in water quality and an overall less enjoyable experience for bathers.
Chemical Efficiency: Fresh water is more receptive to spa chemicals. Similar to the previous point, the addition of chemicals builds up dissolved solids and makes it harder for them to work in the water. This means that when you refill your spa pool after draining, the chemicals used for water treatment will be more effective. As a result, you'll need fewer chemicals to maintain the water's balance, which can lead to cost savings.
Protection of Equipment: Regular draining of your spa pool is vital to protect the equipment and components within. Stagnant water with accumulated contaminants can lead to corrosion and damage to critical components like pumps, filters, and heaters. By replacing the water periodically, you extend the longevity of these components.
Biofilm: In addition to visible contaminants, biofilm, a thin layer of bacteria and microorganisms, can develop on the spa's surfaces and plumbing. Biofilm can be challenging to eliminate entirely and poses a potential health risk to bathers.
Bather Safety: Clean and well-maintained water is just safer for bathers. Water that hasn't been drained for a long time will likely mean that your sanitising protocol is not nearly effective as it can be. Regular draining and refilling of fresh water helps minimize the risk of waterborne illnesses and ensures a hygienic and safe spa pool experience for everyone.
How Often Should You Drain?
The frequency of spa pool draining can vary depending on usage and maintenance practices. Advice will be found in your owners manual but general guidelines are:
Light to moderate use - drain and refill your spa pool every three to four months.
Heavy use - parties or large families using over 4 times per week, drain every two to three months.
Outside of those guidelines the key is to monitor your spa pool's water quality and perform water tests regularly. If the water becomes cloudy, foamy, or if you experience persistent water quality issues, it may be time to consider draining and refilling your spa pool.
Signs it's Time to Drain Your Spa Pool
Water Quality Issues: If you notice persistent cloudiness, foaming, or an unusual odor in your spa water that can't be resolved with standard maintenance, it's a clear indicator that draining is needed.
Biofilm or White Mold Buildup: If you've experienced biofilm issues or persistent waterborne illnesses, it's time to drain and thoroughly clean your spa pool.
Excessive Chemical Usage: When you find yourself using an excessive amount of spa chemicals to maintain water balance, it's a sign that the water may have reached its limit, and a fresh start is needed.
Difficulty Maintaining Water Balance: If it becomes increasingly challenging to maintain proper water balance despite your best efforts, draining and starting with fresh water can help reset the balance.
When to use Pipe Cleaner
Pipe cleaner, also known as spa system cleaner, is a specialised product designed to clean deep within the plumbing lines and components of your spa pool. Over time, these lines will accumulate biofilm, scale, and other impurities that cannot be entirely eliminated through standard water treatment. This buildup can affect water quality, equipment performance, and bather safety so it's highly recommended to use pipe cleaner. Because pipe cleaner will remove this gunk from the water, you'll want to time it with a drain and refill.
