What is Hot Tub Maintenance?

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How it works

Maintenance routines are typically performed between guest stays and on a longer-term schedule. On turnover days, hosts or their teams use test strips or digital readers to check pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels, adding chemicals as needed to balance the water.

Technicians also clean or replace filter cartridges, wipe down the tub's shell, and ensure the cover is secure. Periodically, the hot tub must be completely drained, deep-cleaned, and refilled to prevent the buildup of contaminants.

These tasks can be managed by the host, a professional service, or coordinated using scheduling features in property management software; for example, platforms like Lodgify allow hosts to create and assign recurring maintenance tasks to their team.

Why it matters

Proper hot tub maintenance is crucial for guest health and safety, as it prevents the growth of bacteria that can cause waterborne illnesses and skin irritation. A clean, well-functioning hot tub is a significant marketing advantage that can justify higher nightly rates and attract more bookings throughout the year.

Neglecting maintenance not only creates a poor guest experience but can also lead to costly equipment repairs, negative reviews, and serious liability issues for the property owner.

Examples

• A host at a mountain cabin drains, sanitizes, and refills the hot tub every three months as part of their preventive maintenance schedule, in addition to testing the water between each guest stay.
• A property manager hires a professional pool and spa service to handle weekly chemical balancing and filter cleaning for all five properties they manage that feature hot tubs.
• Following a guest report of cloudy water, a host immediately performs a "shock" treatment by adding a high dose of sanitizer to oxidize contaminants and clear the water before the next check-in.
• Before winter arrives, a host in a cold climate follows the manufacturer's instructions to winterize their hot tub, draining all water from the pipes and components to prevent freeze damage during the off-season.