Learn the essential maintenance intervals to keep your hot tub in optimal condition, ensuring peak performance and longevity. From water quality checks and filter replacements to comprehensive inspections, our expert tips will help you navigate the ideal service schedule for your relaxation haven.
How Often Should I Get My Hot Tub Serviced?
As a tub owner, it is natural to ask how often you should get your hot tub serviced. A hot tub is a major investment in your home and your wellbeing. Like a car or a home spa, it needs regular care to keep the water safe, the parts working well and the whole system in good condition for many years.
For most hot tubs in a private home, an annual service is usually the recommended schedule. This annual service, carried out by a trained engineer, gives your hot tub a deep clean and a full health check so you can keep your hot tub running smoothly all year. If your hot tub gets very heavy use, or if several people use it most days, you may be advised to book more frequent hot tub servicing to protect performance and reduce the risk of damage.
Commercial hot tubs, swim spas and hot tubs in holiday lets or gyms are under far more pressure than a small family spa. These often need a service every three to four months, or even more often, because the water, pumps, pipework and filters work much harder and can wear more quickly. In these cases, a quarterly hot tub service or spa service gives extra peace of mind and helps you meet health and safety conditions.
On the other hand, if you use your hot tub only now and then, you might not need more than an annual service, as long as you still follow a regular cleaning and water care routine. In some light-use cases, a full service every 18 months may be enough, provided that the water chemistry is checked often, the shell and cabinet are kept clean and any issues are dealt with early. Your engineer can advise a schedule that suits your hot tub, your site and your usage.
The key idea is simple. Service your hot tub regularly, follow the day-to-day care guide and you will enjoy better performance, a safer soak and fewer surprises in the long run.
Why Do I Need An Annual Hot Tub Service?
An annual service is essential for keeping both you and your hot tub safe. Even if the spa looks fine on the surface, parts are still working hard in the background. Over time, seals, pumps, jets and other components can begin to wear. A yearly visit from a professional gives your hot tub a full check so small problems are spotted before they become serious.
During an annual service, an engineer will inspect the overall condition of the tub shell, the cabinet and the internal components. They will look for signs of wear, damage or leaks, then advise you if any parts need to be repaired or replaced. Catching problems early is usually far more affordable than waiting until a pump fails or the pipework freezes and splits in winter.
Hygiene is another important reason to book an annual hot tub service. Hot tub water that is not balanced and cleaned correctly can become a breeding ground for bacteria, biofilm and other contaminants. These can build up inside the pipework, on the shell and in the filters, even when the surface looks clear. A professional service includes cleaning steps that are stronger and more detailed than normal home care, which helps keep the spa safe for everyone who uses it.
Regular servicing also protects performance. When the hot tub’s pumps, heaters, jets, sensors and seals are all working properly, the spa heats more efficiently, the jets feel stronger and the water is easier to balance. This gives you a better experience in every session and helps keep your hot tub water feeling soft, clean and inviting.
Treat your annual service as part of the normal running costs of your hot tub. Just as you accept that a car needs servicing, keeping on top of hot tub servicing gives you more years of trouble-free use and real peace of mind.
How Daily and Weekly Care Fits In
Professional servicing is only one part of keeping a hot tub in good condition. The rest of the year, daily and weekly care is still needed. Think of it as the difference between brushing your teeth every day and visiting the dentist once or twice a year. Both are needed for a healthy result.
At home, you should:
- Check your water chemistry regularly using test strips or a testing kit.
- Keeping the water in balance helps chemicals work properly, protects against bacteria and reduces wear on components and seals.
- Clean or rinse the filters as often as the manufacturer suggests.
- Filters trap debris and contaminants. If they become clogged, your pumps have to work harder and performance can suffer.
- Use the correct spa chemicals and products, in the amounts shown on the labels, to sanitise the water and adjust pH and alkalinity.
- Wipe around the waterline and tub shell with a gentle surface cleaner designed for hot tubs so you do not damage the finish.
- Check the hot tub cover for tears, waterlogging or broken clips, because a good cover is essential for keeping heat in and contaminants out.
- Daily and weekly cleaning routines keep your spa ready to use and reduce what needs to be done during your annual service. If in doubt, follow the care guide provided with your tub and ask a professional to advise you on any step you do not fully understand.
What Does Hot Tub Servicing Include?
A full hot tub service is far more than a quick visual check. While different companies may offer slightly different packages, a professional hot tub servicing visit will usually include:
Water and Hygiene Checks
The engineer will test and adjust the water chemistry, checking sanitiser levels and balance. If needed, they may drain the tub completely, flush the pipework and refill with fresh water. This helps remove build-up of biofilm, debris and other contaminants that normal cleaning may not reach. They may also deep clean the filters, or recommend that the filters are replaced if they are too worn or damaged.
Inspection of Parts and Components
The engineer will inspect key components such as pumps, the main pump seals, heaters, control boards, sensors, jets, pipework and valves. They will look for leaks, corrosion, signs of wear and any parts that are not working as they should. The hot tub’s pumps and jets may be run through different programmes so the engineer can see how everything performs under load. If any parts are worn out or no longer safe, they will advise if they should be replaced now or simply watched over time. This kind of professional inspection helps keep the hot tub in a safe condition and can prevent sudden breakdowns.
Cleaning the Shell, Cabinet and Cover
During a full service, the tub shell is usually cleaned with a suitable surface cleaner. The engineer may also clean the cabinet, the underside of the cover and the areas around the basket or skimmer where debris collects. They should remove any build-up that could lead to stains or damage. When everything has been filled, flushed and wiped down, the spa will look and feel much fresher.
Final Checks and Testing
Once the tub is refilling or already filled with fresh water, the engineer will run the spa again to test performance. They will check that all jets work, that the pumps are working quietly, that the heater turns on and off at the set temperature and that there are no new leaks. These final checks make sure the hot tub is ready for you to use after the visit.
All of this work is carried out to provide a safer, cleaner and more reliable spa. When you have your hot tub serviced regularly, you help protect your investment and enjoy better performance every time you relax in the water.
Water Changes, Draining and Refilling
Even with careful use of chemicals, hot tub water does not last forever. Over time, dissolved solids, oils from skin, cosmetic products and other contaminants build up in the water. This can make it harder to balance and less pleasant to soak in.
As a general guide, many manufacturers recommend draining and refilling the tub every few months, or more often if it has heavy use.
During a professional hot tub service, the engineer may:
- Drain the spa completely using the dedicated drain point.
- Use a pipework flush product to help lift biofilm and hidden dirt from the internal pipes.
- Rinse around the tub shell and cabinet edges to remove any loose debris before refilling.
- Refill the spa with fresh water, then test and adjust water chemistry so it is safe before use.
- You can also carry out simple drain and refill routines yourself between services, as long as you follow the instructions given in your user manual. Refilling and refilling correctly helps keep your hot tub water clear and reduces strain on pumps, heaters and seals.
Looking After Filters, Jets and Other Parts
Filters, jets and other components do a lot of hidden work, so looking after them is a key part of keeping your hot tub in good condition.
Filters should be removed and rinsed on a regular basis, then soaked in a suitable cleaning solution when needed to remove oils and fine particles. If they become damaged, squashed or brittle, it is usually best to replace them rather than trying to clean them again. Using the right filters and changing them when needed helps protect pumps and helps water move freely.
Jets can sometimes become blocked by scale or debris. During a service, an engineer will test and inspect the jets, and may advise on cleaning or replacing any that are not working properly. They may also check the seals around jets and other fittings, so that leaks can be stopped early.
If you notice any change in how your hot tub’s pumps sound, or you see that jets are weaker than normal, it is wise to book a service or ask for advice. Early checks can prevent more serious wear on expensive parts.
Swim Spas and Larger Spas
Many of the same care rules apply to swim spas and larger spa pools as to smaller hot tubs. However, because swim spas hold more water and are used for both exercise and relaxation, they often need tighter control of water chemistry and more frequent servicing.
If you own a swim spa, or are thinking about adding a swim spa to your garden, plan for regular professional servicing. Larger volumes of water, longer pipework runs and more powerful pumps all mean that expert care is especially important to keep everything safe and efficient.
Specialist engineers who understand swim spas can advise how often to service, how to keep the water balanced and which products to use for best results.
Do I Need Servicing if I Look After My Hot Tub Well?
Even if you are very careful with daily cleaning, you still need professional servicing. You may already:
- Test your water
- Clean your filters
- Wipe the shell
- Keep the cover in good condition
- Follow the care instructions closely
All of this home care is very important and will greatly help with keeping your hot tub in a good condition. However, there are still many areas that only a trained technician can reach or safely inspect. Internal pipework, hidden electrical components, the main pump, heaters and control systems all need expert eyes and tools.
A professional service can reveal hidden issues such as small leaks, loose connections or signs of wear inside the cabinet that you might never see from the outside. In the same way that even the best brushing does not replace a proper dental check, your careful daily care does not replace an annual service.
The combination of home care and regular hot tub servicing is what gives the best long-term result.
Safety, Hygiene and Peace of Mind
Hot tubs combine warm water, moving parts and electricity, so safety should always be at the front of your mind. Poorly maintained hot tub water can hold bacteria and contaminants that may cause skin irritation or more serious health problems. A hot tub that has not been serviced can also develop faults that affect safe operation.
Regular servicing, along with daily and weekly care, helps ensure that your hot tub is safe to use. It supports hygiene by reducing biofilm, cleaning hidden parts and checking that sanitiser and chemicals are working as they should. It also confirms that key safety systems, such as sensors and cut-outs, can perform their role if needed.
Knowing that your hot tub has been inspected by a professional gives real peace of mind. You can relax in the water, confident that the spa has been checked, cleaned and adjusted by someone who understands how all the parts fit together.
How Servicing Helps Your Warranty and Long-Term Investment
Many manufacturers and dealers set out terms in their warranty that are linked to proper care, water chemistry and regular servicing. If a problem arises and it becomes clear that the tub has not been serviced or maintained correctly, this could affect warranty status.
Keeping records of each hot tub service, along with proof that you follow the care guide, can help if you ever need to make a claim. It also protects the value of your investment. A well-maintained spa with records to show regular servicing can be more attractive if you ever decide to sell your hot tub in future.
In short, treating servicing as part of the normal cost of ownership makes it easier to plan for the long term and to enjoy many years of reliable use.
Booking and Preparing for a Hot Tub Service
When you are ready to book a service, you can usually visit the service provider’s website, add the service you want to your online basket and email the team with any special notes. Many companies offer Monday to Friday appointments so you can choose a time that suits your routine.
Finance, Credit and Servicing (Where Offered)
Some owners like to spread the cost of a major hot tub service, or to upgrade their spa at the same time. In some cases, The Hot Tub Engineer may act as a credit broker, not a lender, to help make this more manageable. The Hot Tub Engineer could help you keep your hot tub in good condition by arranging finance options for servicing or for new hot tubs, subject to the lender’s terms.
Where this kind of finance is available, it is often arranged through Novuna personal finance, a trading style of Mitsubishi HC capital UK PLC. Novuna personal finance a trading style of Mitsubishi HC capital UK PLC is authorised and regulated by the financial conduct authority and is regulated by the financial conduct authority for credit. The Hot Tub Engineer would act as a credit broker not a lender in this case. Credit is subject to status and affordability, and credit is provided by Novuna personal finance, a trading style of Mitsubishi HC capital UK PLC.
You can finance a trading style plan in this way if it suits your budget. Finance a trading style arrangement may help a tub owner spread the cost of a full hot tub service, a new swim spa or related products. Conditions apply, and full terms conditions are usually explained on the provider’s website. Terms conditions apply to any finance offer, and you should always read them carefully before you accept.
If you are unsure about affordability, seek independent advice. Always make sure any company offering credit is properly authorised and regulated and that you are comfortable with the monthly payments.
Keeping Your Hot Tub in Great Condition
Getting your tub serviced regularly is one of the best ways to protect your spa, your health and your wallet. An annual service, supported by simple daily and weekly care, helps to:
- Keep the water safe and clear
- Protect pumps, filters, pipework and other parts from avoidable wear
- Spot and fix issues early
- Maintain performance and comfort
- Extend the life of your investment
Follow your manufacturer’s guidance, use only suitable products, clean and test the water often and arrange professional hot tub servicing when needed. With this approach, your hot tub, swim spa or spa pool can provide years of relaxation, fun and comfort for you, your family and your friends.
At The Hot Tub Engineer, I provide expert-level services for hot tubs, swim spas, and pools in and around Maidstone, Kent. I can carry out yearly servicing appointments, as well as cleaning sessions, general maintenance, installations, and more.
