How Often Should I Purge My Hot Tub?

How Often Should I Purge My Hot Tub?

Hot tub maintenance might not be the most glamorous part of owning one, but it’s essential to keep things running smoothly. One question I hear a lot is, “How often should I purge my hot tub?” It’s a great question because purging isn’t something most people think about until their water starts looking cloudy or they notice an odd smell. Trust me, staying ahead of these issues is way easier than fixing them after the fact.

What Does “Purging” Mean?

Purging your hot tub basically means cleaning out the plumbing system—the pipes and jets where water flows. Over time, biofilm (a fancy word for bacteria buildup) and other gunk can collect in those areas. Even if your water looks fine on the surface, the inside of the pipes could be hiding some nasty stuff. Think of it as giving your hot tub’s “insides” a reset.

How Often Should You Purge?

Most hot tub experts recommend purging every three to four months, but it really depends on how often you use your spa. If you’re soaking a few times a week, stick to the three-month schedule. If you only use it occasionally, you might be able to stretch it to four or five months. Personally, I purge mine every three months because I use it a lot, and I’ve noticed the water just feels fresher when I stay consistent.

Signs It’s Time to Purge

If you’re not keeping track of the last time you purged your tub, no worries—your spa will let you know when it needs attention. Some telltale signs include:

  • Cloudy water that doesn’t clear up even after balancing chemicals.
  • A funky or musty smell, even when the water looks clean.
  • Reduced jet pressure, which can mean buildup in the plumbing.

A friend of mine swore her jets were broken because the pressure was so low. She hadn’t purged in over a year! After running a cleaner through the system, everything worked like new.

How to Purge Your Hot Tub

Purging might sound intimidating, but it’s actually really simple. Start by draining most of the water, then add a spa purge product designed to break down biofilm and clean the pipes. Turn on the jets to circulate the cleaner through the system. You’ll probably see some foam or gunk come out—that’s a good thing! After letting it run for about 20 minutes, drain the remaining water, rinse the tub, and refill it with fresh water.

Why It’s Worth It

I’ll admit, purging your hot tub isn’t exactly fun. But it’s one of those things that pays off big time in the long run. It keeps your water cleaner, extends the life of your spa components, and saves you from dealing with unpleasant smells or buildup. Think of it as a little TLC for your hot tub.

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3 comments

Every three months? Oops, I’ve definitely been slacking.

MarkT

I didn’t even know purging was a thing until my jets started losing pressure. Used a spa purge product last week, and the difference is crazy. Wish I’d known about this sooner

RachelB

I’ve been purging mine every six months because I don’t use it a lot, but after reading this, I think I need to switch to every three or four months. I’ve definitely noticed the water getting cloudy faster lately. Also, can anyone recommend a good purge product? I used one that didn’t seem to do much, so I’m looking for something more effective.

JoshD

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