I just bought a home with a hot tub. What do I need to know about getting it to work, cleaning it, etc.?

Question

I just bought a home which was a foreclosure. Because of this, it was bank owned and they have no information on the hot tub that came with the house. I have no way of contacting the previous owners, but even if I did, I doubt they'd be helpful in helping me with their hot tub that they lost to foreclosure.

The hot tub itself seems in pretty good shape. No visible cracks. It's mounted on a wood deck. And it was covered well, only a small bit of mucky water inside of it. I've never owned a hot tub before, so I'm a complete newbie when it comes to them. Can anyone get me started on what I would need to know to see if it works, cleaning it (emptying that mucky water would be a good start), and making sure its safe? I would hate to be electrocuted the first time I set foot in it, though I'm sure thats a totally irrational fear. It looks well built and sturdy. The house was built in 2000 so the hot tub itself can't possibly be older than that.

Thank you for any assistance.

Answer 1

Go to stores that sell hot tubs and see if they have general maintenance sheet printout freebie.
They will tell you the basics that you need to know. Brands don't really matter.....it is a health thing moreso and also there will be info on tub upkeep pump upkeep, yada, yada. Take as much info about yours as possible Brand, model. That will aid any store as well.

Answer 2

I would highly recommend not going in a hot tub at all. I am not a germophobe or anything but about 6 months ago I read an article about the "ecosystem" that can develop in a hot tub. First of all you have people getting in a tub of water, and all their human contaminates come into the water with them (sweat, fecal matter, dirt, hair, and everything else). Over time bacteria colonies will develop and live in there even if you clean your tub with bleach and everything. What happens is the colonies will live in the pipes and then when you turn on your jets they come blasting out. Also the steam in the hot tub will be full of microbes and you will breath them into your lungs. Most doctors and others who are familiar with microbiology avoid hot tubs, and anything like them.

Answer 3

I would recommend that you have an electrician provide a properly grounded outlet for it. There is a pretty extensive section in the National Electric Code on how to properly wire a hot tub or spa. The most important; GFCI protected properly grounded outlet, no electrical devices within reach or above the tub.

Safety first when you're sitting in water.