Hard Water and the Effects It Can Have on Your Hot Tub

There are many things involved with owning a hot tub. Dealing with the effects of hard water can be a bit of a challenge. This situation can affect the equipment involved with the hot tub, as well as cause health problems and more. Hard water could also cause problems with a hot tub's operation. 

Hard Water
This is water that contains high levels of natural minerals that have dissolved into it. The two most common minerals known to accumulate in water are magnesium and calcium. When water with high levels of these minerals is heated, it could form scale and stick to pipes as well as other surfaces.

Effects of Hard Water
Hard water could eliminate efficient heat transfer. This means heating elements in a hot tub will use more energy to heat the water. When this happens, an owner will be paying more than is necessary to heat their hot tub. The heater and other parts will need to replaced or repaired sooner than anticipated.

Health Problems
Hard water in hot tubs can also contribute to health conditions like eczema. Too much calcium in water will decrease the moisture in a person's skin. Some of the minerals people experience will settle into the pores of their skin and may be too small to wash away. This could lead to acne on the face and other parts of the body. It's also possible for some elements of hard water to break down the collagen of healthy skin cells. This will make a person's skin more susceptible to damage from the sun.

Manage Alkalinity and pH
Individuals who own hot tubs should consider purchasing a water test kit. They are not expensive and can quickly provide important information concerning the water in a hot tub. It is important for hot tub owners to keep the Alkalinity and pH in their hot tub as low as possible. Many experts recommend Alkalinity be kept in the 80-ppm range and the pH be kept in the 7.2 ppm. 

Calcium Filters
Some hot tub owners have a home water softening system. This means they can fill their hot tub with properly filtered water to eliminate the effects of hard water. It's also possible to use such filters on the water that is placed into a hot tub. In some cases, the filters can be placed at the end of a hose. These filters can eliminate minerals, metals, sediment, and more. 

Pool Chemicals
It is also possible to use certain pool chemicals. They will bond to the calcium in hard water and become a large particle that can be easily removed by any filter. Hot tub owners have been able to significantly decrease the calcium levels doing this. Once it is done, the cartridge in the spa filter will need to be cleaned or replaced.

Scrub the Hot Tub
If a hot tub starts to show the effects of hard water, it may be best to empty and scrub it before taking additional measures. Once the water is removed, the hot tub needs to be thoroughly wiped out and have any residue removed. After it has been allowed to dry, a solution of equal parts distilled water and vinegar should be sprayed all over the tub and then let stand for five minutes. A nylon brush can be used to scrub away stains or the effects of hard water. Tough stains can be removed with distilled water and baking soda. All residue must then be wiped away. Once that process is complete, fill the tub back up and take the appropriate steps to make certain the water's Alkalinity and pH are at proper levels.

It's important for people to realize hard water shouldn't keep them from the pleasure of a hot tub. By following these steps, owners can make the water safe and the hot tub experience a good one.