Refreshing Your Spa Water: Things to Consider
Over time, spa water gradually accumulates dissolved minerals, organic matter, oils and other contaminants. Even with good sanitation and filtration, these build-up and make water chemistry harder to manage. Regular water replacement refreshes your water, restores balanced chemistry, and keeps the spa experience clear, safe and enjoyable.
Signs Your Spa Water May Need Refreshing
We typically recommend you replace your spa water every 3‑6 months, however this figure will be dependent on a variety of the following factors
Spa Use
If your spa is being used frequently and by many bathers, you may find that you need to refresh the water more frequently. Alternatively, if your spa is being used minimally then you may find you don’t need to refresh your water as often.
The way in which bathers use the spa also plays a factor in determining when your water should be refreshed. A bather who showers before entering the spa will have far less impact on water quality than someone who gets in wearing sunscreen, lotion, or other contaminants.
Water Chemistry
These contaminents are grouped together under the banner of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and are checked when you get your spa water tested with us. Over time, TDS levels will naturally rise in your spa water making it harder to maintain balanced water chemistry. TDS levels are a useful indicator of water quality and can signal when it might be time for a water refresh. High TDS can reduce the effectiveness of sanitising chemicals, leading to cloudy water, musty odours or other water quality issues. If you are have any concerns, bring a water sample from your spa into our store, our friendly staff can measure it’s TDS levels and advise you if your spa needs refreshing.
Filter Cleaning & Replacement
Regularly maintaining your spa’s water chemistry not only helps extend the life of your water but is also more cost‑effective, as trying to correct highly unbalanced water can become expensive and may require more frequent draining. We recommend testing your spa water every two weeks if it’s in use, and every four weeks if it’s not. If water chemistry is balanced and there are no visible signs of contamination, a full drain may be unnecessary.
If you find yourself having to clean your filters more often than usual, notice frequent clogs or encounter stubborn debris that can’t be removed, it may be time to replace the filter element for your spa.
Visual Signs & Odours
Other indicators that it may be time to refresh your spa water include persistent odours, excessive foaming, cloudy or discoloured water, residue lines along the spa wall, or water chemistry that becomes increasingly difficult to balance.
Things to Consider When Doing a Spa Refresh
You should always take care when refreshing your spa, as the construction and installation type can affect how it handles being emptied. Deck-mounted spas can be problematic to fully drain if the base of the shell touches the ground, as it may lift or shift without a solid concrete pad beneath it. For in-ground spas, it’s safer to partially replace or turn over the water regularly rather than drain it completely. It is generally safe to drain a portable spa however our advice is to never fully drain your spa, instead replenish 1/3-1/2 of the water at a time.
Recommended Spa-Cleaning Products
Spa Pipe Degreaser
Using a pipe degreaser helps remove built-up grease, body oils, and grime from the internal pipework. This simple step keeps your plumbing clean and prevents old residue from contaminating the fresh water when you refill the spa. For best results, try products like Poppits ‘Spa Pipe Degreaser’ or Spa Pro’s ‘Spa & Pipe Flusha’, both available in-store.
Spa ‘Erase It’ Stick
If you’re experiencing algae, rust, leaf stains, scum lines or chemical stains on your spa’s surface, the ‘erase it’ is a great option for you. It has been specifically designed to be safe for use on fiberglass and gelcoat spas as well as Jacuzzi’s and SoftTubs. Simply erase the stains away.
Spa Alkalinity Increaser
A small amount of ‘Alkalinity Increaser’ (sodium bicarbonate) on a damp microfiber cloth is an excellent way to clean your spa’s surface. This gentle method helps remove light stains, body oils & residue from lotions or sunscreens and other minor buildups without damaging the spa’s finish.
Keeping up with regular spa maintenance makes all the difference in how enjoyable and easy your spa is to look after. If you’re unsure whether it’s time for a water change or want help choosing the right cleaning and maintenance products, our friendly team is always happy to help. Bring in a water sample and chat with us in-store so we can help keep your spa sparkling, and ready to enjoy- because everyone deserves a safe and healthy pool.
