Short answer: change your hot tub water when it needs it, not on a fixed calendar. Many guides say every three or four months. With good filtration, continuous circulation and steady water care, Royal Spa owners often go a year or more between water changes.
Water itself does not wear out. What causes trouble is what builds up in it: body oils, lotions, dissolved solids from chemicals, and debris. Clear, sparkling water is the best sign that your water is still good.
Signs It Is Time to Drain and Refill
- The water stays cloudy or dull even after you balance pH and alkalinity, shock it and clean the filter. See how to fix cloudy hot tub water.
- Foam keeps coming back no matter what you add.
- Your chemicals stop working the way they used to and readings swing wildly.
- You will be away three months or more with no one to check the hot tub. See winterizing your hot tub.
Four Things That Decide How Long Your Water Lasts
1. Your fill water
Softened water is usually easiest to balance, city water is next, and well water tends to be hard, with lots of calcium and magnesium. Test pH and alkalinity after every fill and adjust before adding anything else. Our guide to what affects hot tub water chemistry explains why.
2. The quality of your chemicals
Low-cost products can leave fillers and binders behind, which cloud the water and lead to more chemical use. Quality products dissolve cleanly and you need less of them. Shop hot tub chemicals.
3. How much the hot tub is used
Daily use and bigger groups add more to the water than a couple soaking twice a week. Trees overhead, a cover left off, or mulch and gravel near the steps also add debris. After a party, plan on extra treatment.
4. Filtration and circulation
A hot tub that filters around the clock keeps water clean with fewer chemicals. Royal Spa hot tubs are built to run continuously, turning the water over 30 times a day or more. Keep the filter clean with our filter care guide.
How to Make Your Water Last Longer
- Start every fill with balanced water.
- Use quality chemicals, as needed.
- Rinse your filter on schedule.
- Keep the cover on between soaks.
- Follow a simple routine like our year-round maintenance schedule.
When you do refill, follow our steps for filling a hot tub and the Operation and Care Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to drain my hot tub every three months?
No. Drain when the water can no longer be cleared with normal care, or before leaving it unattended for three months or more.
Should I drain my hot tub for winter?
Not if you will keep using it. A heated, circulating Royal Spa can run all winter. See winterizing your hot tub for when draining makes sense.
Why is my water cloudy right after a refill?
Usually pH or alkalinity is off. Test 24 to 48 hours after filling and adjust. See lowering pH in your hot tub.
