{"id":3063,"date":"2024-11-14T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.platinum-spas.com\/?p=3063"},"modified":"2024-11-14T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T12:00:00","slug":"how-to-balance-your-hot-tub-ph","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.platinum-spas.com\/ae\/latest-news\/how-to-balance-your-hot-tub-ph\/","title":{"rendered":"How to balance your hot tub pH level"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Investing in a hot tub can be a great way to relax, socialise, and experience&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.platinum-spas.com\/ae\/latest-news\/professional-cyclists-share-the-benefit-of-hydrotherapy-after-exercise\/\"><strong>hydrotherapy benefits<\/strong><\/a>, all from the comfort of your home. However, with owning a hot tub, comes the responsibility of cleaning it and keeping it in good condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An important part of this is making sure that your hot tub\u2019s water is at the right pH level, and therefore safe to use. This guide will cover what you need to know when it comes to keeping your hot tub\u2019s water in the best condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a pH level?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before we get started on how you can measure and adjust your hot tub\u2019s pH level, you might be wondering what that means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The pH level is a measurement of how acidic or basic your hot tub\u2019s water is. The pH scale goes from 0-14, with 7 being a neutral level \u2013 an example of a neutral-level substance is clean water. The closer you get to 0 on the pH scale, the more acidic a substance is, and the closer to 14, the more basic (sometimes known as an alkaline) a substance gets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/G405upT9ApOTFl9-_m9B_vdo2uwf9kYm4ki_n4KmCVxCat5tGFz42CxATWqgS1Ect0X902Z9ETrCGU6bqSo4CsmV5N2wKgYlaZvfYDYHTQD-t4hRJfSRMfkgwScNFsMw4gwU2UB_F0Mp4gpywD2ZD2c\" style=\"width: 400px;\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/bitesize\/topics\/zn6hvcw\/articles\/z38bbqt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BBC &#8211; The pH scale<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why are pH levels important for hot tubs?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s important to keep your hot tub\u2019s pH levels as neutral as possible to avoid making your hydrotherapy sessions unsafe and to protect your tub\u2019s components. Try to keep your water between 7.2 and 7.4 on the scale for the best results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chemicals are needed to keep your hot tub\u2019s water clean and safe from bacteria, which will start to slowly change your hot tub\u2019s pH levels. Repeated use will affect your tub\u2019s pH too, as natural oils from skin can change pH slowly over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To make sure your hot tub stays in the best condition it can, while also keeping everyone who uses it safe, it is recommended to test your water\u2019s sanitiser, pH, and alkalinity levels regularly, and then make adjustments as necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to measure a hot tub\u2019s pH level<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adjusting your hot tub\u2019s pH level is much easier than it might initially seem. You can neutralise your water In a few easy steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Buy a pH probe or sensor to measure the pH levels in your water.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Identify whether your pH level is too high or low.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Add chemicals to increase or reduce the pH of your water accordingly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to make your hot tub a safe pH Level<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can balance your hot tub\u2019s pH level by using pH adjusters to increase or decrease your water\u2019s levels as needed. The aim is to get your hot tub\u2019s pH to 7.2 \u2013 7.4, which makes it both safe to enjoy, and beneficial to the lifespan of your hot tub\u2019s components. Make sure your Total Alkalinity level is between 100 \u2013 150 ppm when adjusting, which will help to stabilise the water\u2019s pH level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to balance the pH levels in a hot tub<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it comes to balancing any of the levels in your hot tub or spa, it is important to remember to test the water thoroughly. Before making any changes, check the TA of your water. Getting a measurement of 100 \u2013 150 ppm will \u2018stabilise\u2019 your water, making it much easier to balance your pH in future. Remember that adjusters and sanitisers change your TA too, so it\u2019s important to check this level first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When ready, use probes, sensors, or a testing strip to check the pH of your water. Then, add the correct amount of chemicals it tells you that you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once any kind of adjuster is added, turn on the jets and let the water circulate for 10 minutes or so, giving the chemicals a chance to evenly disperse throughout the water. Then turn off the jets and test again. Repeat as many times as necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When either increasing the pH in your spa or hot tub or decreasing it, read your pH adjuster\u2019s instructions and only add the recommended dose at any one time. Remember to aim for a pH of 7.2 \u2013 7.4 in your hot tub\u2019s water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can find more information on what chemicals to use, and how often you should measure and adjust your hot tub\u2019s level, in our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/platinum-spas.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chemical-Guide_Digital.pdf\">hot tub chemical guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Having the wrong pH levels in your hot tub<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What are the effects of hot tub water that\u2019s too basic or acidic? These are the reasons you should aim for a neutral pH in your spa:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Low pH levels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lower the pH level of your water, the more acidic it becomes, meaning your sanitisers will stop working as effectively as they should be. This can start to increase the risk of potentially harmful bacteria in your hot tub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Acidic substances can also be corrosive, meaning your hot tub\u2019s components can be damaged and worn away over time. Keeping a pH level of 7.2-7.4 ensures you get the longest lifespan out of your products and stops you from spending more on expensive replacements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A lower pH level in your hot tub\u2019s water may also cause irritation in your eyes or skin, so it\u2019s important to keep a safe balance for your bathers too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Low pH levels can be fixed by increasing the pH in your water to a safe, neutral level. There are many chemicals available to buy for combating acidic water in your hot tub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High pH levels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the opposite side of the scale, letting your hot tub\u2019s pH level rise over 7.6 makes it become more \u2018basic\u2019, causing its own problems. Like with water that\u2019s too acidic, high pH water can let harmful bacteria grow, making your spa dangerous to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">High levels of alkaline substances can also cloud up your water, letting scale grow on the surface. This can make your bathing experience very uncomfortable, but more importantly, it can clog up important components like water filters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">High pH levels can be stopped by balancing your water to a neutral level using pH adjusters. If your tub\u2019s water is too high about 7.6 on the pH scale, try adding more acidic chemicals to counteract these effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Total alkalinity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another crucial thing to consider when balancing pH levels properly is <strong>Total Alkalinity<\/strong> (or \u2018TA\u2019 for short).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although alkalinity is measured on the pH scale, your water\u2019s total alkalinity is a different subject. The TA of hot tub water represents how hard it is to increase or decrease its pH, making balancing easier and less frequent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We recommend keeping your spa\u2019s TA between 100 \u2013 150 ppm (parts per million). This level means your pH will not change too much, but chemicals like chlorine will still work effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High alkalinity levels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having too high of a total alkalinity level will make it incredibly hard to change your hot tub\u2019s pH level, as there is a large \u2018buffer\u2019 that neutralises acid before it alters the water\u2019s pH. A high TA will also make sanitiser chemicals like chlorine much less effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Low alkalinity levels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having too low of a TA level makes your water much more susceptible to pH change, and can make it hard to balance it around the 7.2 \u2013 7.4 pH level. This is because the pH changes much easier, so it can be easy to get stuck in a cycle of trying to raise and lower the pH level, commonly referred to as \u2018pH bouncing\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learn more about hot tub ownership with Platinum Spas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regular maintenance and servicing of your hot tub is the best way to not only keep it in good condition but also to keep your water safe for longer without constantly draining it and replacing it, and balancing your hot tub\u2019s pH level is an important part of this maintenance process. So make sure to test regularly and thoroughly. It may seem intimidating at first, but once you get into the habit of regulating your tub\u2019s pH, it\u2019s a breeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Need a hand with your hydrotherapy? Platinum Spas has a wide range of <a href=\"\/ae\/product-category\/hot-tubs\/\">hot tubs<\/a> from all the best brands on offer. <a href=\"\/ae\/owner\/\">Get in touch with one of our experts<\/a> for advice on picking and caring for the right tub for you, or read one of our other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.platinum-spas.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Care-Maintenance-compressed.pdf\">guides on cleaning and maintenance<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Investing in a hot tub can be a great way to relax, socialise, and experience&nbsp;hydrotherapy benefits, all from the comfort of your home. However, with owning a hot tub, comes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3069,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[137],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3063","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.platinum-spas.com\/ae\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3063","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.platinum-spas.com\/ae\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.platinum-spas.com\/ae\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.platinum-spas.com\/ae\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.platinum-spas.com\/ae\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3063"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.platinum-spas.com\/ae\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3063\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.platinum-spas.com\/ae\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.platinum-spas.com\/ae\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3063"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.platinum-spas.com\/ae\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3063"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.platinum-spas.com\/ae\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3063"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}