People buy hot tubs to help relieve muscle aches, help them sleep better, or relax. Many customers use their hot tubs more than expected and are unhappy if they are unavailable when they need that relaxation most. Teaching your customers basic hot tub maintenance will reduce the occurrence of such events, making for happier customers.

New hot tub owners may not realize what goes into maintaining a hot tub. They may hear the word “tub” and think it requires no more care than the one in their bathroom. But hot tubs are not just large bathtubs. Customers need to know how to keep their hot tubs in top working order and optimize their enjoyment.

A poorly-maintained hot tub will look (and even smell) unpleasant, will be costly to fix, and can pose an even greater health hazard than a poorly-maintained swimming pool. On the other hand, customers with well-maintained hot tubs are happier. They get more use from their investment and are more likely to give you repeat business. And when you support customers who want to do it themselves, they are more likely to come back to your store than a big box store to purchase supplies.

Instruct new hot tub owners on all parts of their system, so they understand the essential parts and what each part does. This will enable them to maintain and fix minor problems themselves and help your service techs identify larger problems faster. Instruct your installers to listen to customer concerns and fully answer any questions about their new system. Ensure customers know how to drain and fill their hot tub and how often they should complete this task. Consider creating a one-sheet pool care manual to give to your customers or make it available on your website.

Hot Tub 101: Teach Them What Is Normal So They Can Spot Issues

RB pool and spa software will help you get your customers on a regular maintenance schedule and regularly bring them back to your store. The software lets you print maintenance calendars with chemical dosages based on water volume. These pool chemical cheat sheets will help customers determine when to add your chemicals to their hot tub, making it easy to stick to a regular schedule to keep their hot tub at optimal conditions.

Circulation

Your customers may not use their hot tub daily, but they need to know that the key to maintaining clear water is ensuring it circulates through the filter. Running the filter for a short time every day means their hot tub will be ready and inviting whenever they are ready to use it. While some models have automatic circulation schedules, others must be turned on manually (or set to a timer).

Sights

Make sure your customers know how the water should look. While bubbling water will not look clear, it shouldn’t be cloudy or lacking in shades of green. Explain what algae growth may look like and why it is a problem.

Sounds

Customers need to know that sound changes generally indicate a problem. Some noises may be a quick and easy fix, while others require a service call. Customers comfortable handling minor issues themselves will appreciate learning how to tell the difference.

Proper hot tub maintenance will protect your customers’ investment. As with swimming pools, keeping dirt and other substances out of the water will make it easier to keep the water clear and prolong the filter life. Recommending that customers wipe any dirt or grass off their feet and limit the use of cosmetics and lotions before entering the tub will also help keep the hot tub clean without taxing the filtration system.

Daily: Check the Temperature and Sanitize

A hot tub is supposed to be hot. But customers need to know what range is appropriate and what to do if the temperature goes too high or too low. After use, a sanitizer should be added and levels should be checked periodically.

Weekly: Test the Waters and Clean

Your customers will need to know how to perform regular water tests (at least weekly) and how to adjust chemicals as needed. Remind them that water chemistry can be impacted by extreme temperatures or having more people than usual in the tub. They should also be aware that the balance of chemicals may be trickier than a swimming pool due to the small volume of water at hand.

New hot tub owners may not realize that it’s normal for a certain amount of debris to gather along the waterline. Instruct them that weekly wipe-downs are an important maintenance task. Customers should also be instructed to rinse the filter thoroughly once a week using fresh water and to run the pump daily. Cost-conscious homeowners may not want to run their pump when the tub is not in use. Explain that regular use will keep the water clear. Customers should also know that water levels must be high enough for the filter to work properly.

Monthly: Check the Jets and Deep Clean Filters

Customers should know how to check the jets to ensure they are working correctly and how to troubleshoot any that are not. In addition, teach customers the proper procedures for monthly and bi-annual deep cleanings.

Quarterly: Drain and Fill

Inform your customers that a hot tub should be drained and refilled every 3-4 months (or more if used often or regularly at full capacity). This is also a good time to clean the walls and floor of the hot tub. Instruct your customers on how to clean the top inside and out and how to clean the internal pipes and jets.

Chemical Safety

While most customers can successfully balance the chemical composition of the water in their hot tub, it can’t be overestimated that pool chemicals require careful storage and use. These chemicals can be a danger to people and pets when handled improperly.

Hot Tub 101: Get the Most From Your Cover

Unlike most swimming pools, hot tubs tend to be covered year-round when not in use. This means that hot tub covers take more abuse. Your customers may not realize the effects the sun will have on vinyl covers but will appreciate learning about specialized cover cleaners to help protect the vinyl and keep it looking new. Instruct them on temporarily repairing seams with duct tape to keep water out of the cover’s foam and determining if a cover is beyond repair and needs to be replaced.

Some customers prefer being hands-on and handling their own hot tub maintenance rather than hiring a professional. A printed guide or a class taught by one of your technicians will help them follow best practices and get more satisfaction from their investment. Consider creating a video maintenance class to sell or offer free to customers who sign up for your newsletter.

RB Software Helps You Educate Your Customers

Teaching your customers about hot tub maintenance will help ensure their hot tubs stay clean and safe all year long. In addition, this will build trust, making it more likely your customers will come to you with questions or concerns and will position you as the “go-to” provider if they decide to outsource maintenance instead of going the DIY route.

RB’s software offers pool chemical cheat sheets and a host of other features that help you provide a better consumer experience to inspire more consumer loyalty. Schedule a demo today to see how!