Hot Tub Providers in the Birmingham, AL Area

Buy Your Hot Tub from Allstar Pool & Spa

At Allstar Pool & Spa, we are Birmingham, AL and the surrounding area’s premier providers of high-quality hot tubs. For nearly four decades, we have been known as the pool and hot tub experts, and with 90 years of combined experience under our team’s belts, it’s easy to tell why. We provide installations for all our hot tubs, and with such a wide variety of offerings, you’re sure to find something you love. Below, we have listed the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions surrounding hot tubs. Keep reading to learn more!

How do you drain a hot tub?

Draining a hot tub is relatively simple; you just need to know the proper steps. Follow this list to ensure you are removing the water from your hot tub properly:

1. Turn the power to your hot tub off at the circuit breaker.
2. Find the drainage spigot(s) on your hot tub. Some models will come with spigots, and some models will call for you to submerge a pump in the water as a drainage method.
3. If your hot tub has spigots, attach a garden hose to the area and allow it to drain away from your home. If you’re working with a pump, you can use either its outflow hose or a garden hose to carry away the water.
4. Lastly, you can open the ball valve on your spigot and allow the water to drain. For pumps, you can simply turn them on and let the spa drain. It’s that easy!

How do you clean a hot tub?

Once your hot tub has been drained, cleaning is a breeze. With any high-quality hot tub, the shell is designed to resist stains and dirt, so cleaning can be done with as little as a damp microfiber rag. Once finished, you can rinse the shell with clean water and fill it again. It should be noted there’s really no need for any added chemicals, and household cleaners can do more harm to your hot tub’s shell than good. You can always reference your owner’s manual if you have any specific cleaning concerns, and our team is also a viable resource as well.

How often should I clean my hot tub?

When it comes to completely draining and flushing your hot tub, we recommend three to four times a year. Though, the number of times you drain your hot tub will vary depending on things such as frequency of use. Additionally, owners should be sanitizing their hot tubs weekly, as well as performing routine treatments using hot tub chemicals. Depending on the type of hot tub, you may also need to be cleaning the filters monthly.

How do I winterize my hot tub?

Winterizing your hot tub is simple and ensures proper care for your spa system. If you’re a hot tub owner, you can refer to the following steps to winterize your tub each year:

1. Let the chemicals dissipate. This is so when you go to drain your tub, no chemicals will be left to leak onto your grass or flowerbeds.
2. Turn off the breaker to make sure absolutely no power can get to your hot tub. Don’t skip this step! Electricity and water don’t mix! We want you to avoid the potential danger for you and those around.
3. Drain your tub according to its owner manual. You’ll typically be able to remove a drain cap or use a sump pump to remove all the water from your hot tub.
4. If your hot tub has a blower, be sure to drain this as well. You’ll need to let it run to allow all the water to be released back into the tub.
5. Next, find the unions on the pumps and heater within the access panel. Loosen the unions and allow any water inside the plumbing lines to drain out.
6. Find the hot tubs filters to bring inside for the winter. While you’re at it, you might as well give them a good clean so they’re good to go in the springtime.
7. Probably one of the most important steps to winterizing your hot tub is remembering to blow out the lines. You can efficiently perform this task by turning a Shop-Vac’s setting to “blow.” Leaving water in the plumbing lines over the winter can cause the water to freeze and expand, which can work to crack or even burst the lines of your hot tub.
8. Remove any remaining water that has found its way back into your hot tub.
9. Since all the water is out of the tub, this is a great time to give it a thorough wipe-down. A warm cloth should do just fine at cleaning your tub. Go ahead and give your hot tubs’ cover a good spot-clean as well.
10. Finally, once all the water is drained, and everything is clean and dry, secure the cover. If your hot tub has a lock, be sure to lock it. If it doesn’t, invest in some wind straps to ensure it stays put throughout the season.

How to properly maintain a hot tub?

Performing regular and proper maintenance on your hot tub is a must. This not only ensures the longevity of your investment, but it ensures the safety of those who use your tub as well. These systems are a lot of work and require a dedication to routine care. Here are some of the most important things to remember when it comes to maintaining your hot tub:

• Circulation is key – Ensuring you have proper water flow in your hot tub will help keep it free of contaminants by passing it through a filter. Many newer tubs come with automatic circulation cycles, but tubs not equipped with this technology will need to be run manually about 15-20 minutes, twice a day.
• Monitor cleanliness and chemicals – To avoid scum build-up and water issues, clean your hot tub routinely. It’s best to monitor chemical levels on the day-to-day and give your hot tub a full drain and cleaning every few months. Failure to do so can cause damage to your hot tub, and even put those who take a dip’s health in jeopardy.
• Don’t forget the filter – Your hot tubs filter will also need a thorough clean about once a month to ensure it can efficiently do its job. You can spray it down well with a garden hose, or use hot tub filter cleaners for a deeper clean.

For additional maintenance tips, contact our pool and hot tub professionals today.

How do I clean my hot tubs filter?

To clean your hot tub’s filter, remove it from its compartment and give it a good spray down with your garden hose. If you have hot tub filter cleaner, give the filter a good spray and dry it off completely. For a deeper clean, you can let your filter soak in water or filter cleaner. Let it dry completely before returning it to your hot tub.

Why should I hire a professional to install my hot tub?

When you rely on professionals, you don’t have to worry about faulty installations or half-hearted service. At Allstar Pool & Spa, we take pride in our sterling reputation for always showing the utmost professionalism and never getting corners. When you work with professionals, you save time and money, gaining you the peace of mind you deserve. Hot tubs are a significant investment, and you want to make sure this investment is in reliable hands from start to finish. We’ll do the job right the first time, so you can begin enjoying your hot tub as soon as possible.

What is the difference between a hot tub and a Jacuzzi?

Hot tubs and Jacuzzis tote the same features, like ample seating, waterfalls, LED lights, massage jets, electronic controls – the list goes on. What many people don’t realize is that “Jacuzzi” is simply a trademarked brand of hot tubs. Kind of like how we have come to use the word “Kleenex” for all types of facial tissue, Jacuzzi has just become that identifiable brand of hot tubs.

How do I prepare my hot tub for use?

To prepare your hot tub for use, whether it’s the first or after a long winter, be sure to follow these steps:

1. Rinse and drain your tub thoroughly. Brand new tubs are typically sprayed with Propylene Glycol anti-freeze (not the toxic kind) to ensure the shell doesn’t crack if exposed to cold temperatures during delivery. Proper cleaning ensures any outside dirt, debris, or chemicals are not left behind.
2. Make sure no power is connected to your hot tub. You may need to turn off the circuit breaker or unplug the hot tub all together to prevent any potential hazards.
3. Give the tub a deep clean while it’s still empty. Use a non-abrasive hot tub cleaner, or even a warm rag to rid your tub of any scum or dirt build-up.
4. If your hot tub is new, this is the time to install the filter. If you already own and have installed one, go ahead and give it a proper clean. Make sure any worn out filters you own are replaced before you begin using your tub again.
5. It’s time to fill up your hot tub! Grab your garden hose and place it in your tub. We recommend using a hose filter to ensure there aren’t any impurities to make their way into your hot tub’s water. Monitor the water, allowing it to fill up about an inch below the headrests of your tub.
6. Air in your hot tub’s lines can cause a wide range of problems, so it’s hugely important to prime your hot tubs pump before use. This process varies depending on the manufacturer and model, so consult your owner’s manual before proceeding, or give our team a call and we’d be happy to assist you.
7. Next, you’ll want to add the chemical. We recommend waiting until the water reaches 80ºF (30ºC). This way, the water is warm enough to help dissolve the chemicals into the water.
8. Once the chemicals are added, run the pump for at least ten minutes on high speed. This works to evenly distribute the chemicals throughout the water and produces more accurate test results.
9. Now test the water. Correct chemical chemistry is essential to a happy hot tub.
10. Set the temperature of your tub to whatever is most comfortable to you. Our experts generally recommend anything between 98ºF and 102ºF (36ºC and 38ºC).
11. Let the water circulate a bit more and then place the cover on your hot tub. You’ll want to keep the cover on for at least 24-hours before use. This ensures the temperatures have time to rise, heat is retained, and there is less chemical or water evaporation.

*Pro-tip: After those 24 hours are up, test your water again. Once the water has had time to stabilize, chemical levels may be thrown off.

Do I need a hot tub cover?

YES! Hot tub covers are an essential component to your spa system for a plethora of reasons, including:

• Safety
• Durability
• Energy efficiency
• Cleanliness
• Water conservation

What’s the difference between a hot tub and a spa?

The term “spa” is often associated with some type of water treatment. Since modern hot tubs come equipped with massage jets and other relaxing features, the terms spa and hot tub are nearly interchangeable by today’s standards.

Contact Our Team Today to Learn More!

When you have hot tub questions, the seasoned team at Allstar Pool & Spa has answers. Our team has over 90 years of combined experience in this industry, and there’s not much we haven’t seen. If you have additional questions surrounding hot tub sales, maintenance, installations, contact us today. Better yet, visit our Birmingham, AL location so you can see for yourself why we’re locals first and best choice for premier hot tubs.