Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Tubs & Spas | Modesto Stockton Valley Experts

What's the difference between a "hot tub" and a "spa"?

Today the word "hot tub" and the word "spa" can be used interchangeably.  There are some who would argue that a hot tub is made from traditional wooden barrells and heated via external equipment.  But in the last five to ten years the words have come to mean the same thing.  With the advent of the internet age, spa companies are using the word hot tub to differentiate themselves from day spas since doing a search for "spa" typically yields both hot tub dealers and traditional day spas, two entirely different things.

What can cause my hot tub to stop heating or cause my spa heater's "high limit" to keep tripping?

We get phone calls daily about this problem. Believe it or not, the easy solution is often overlooked....you simply need to clean your hot tub filters. Hose them off with a high pressure hose, and then spray them with Filter Cleaner, which releases minerals and oils. Rinse your spa filters thoroughly again, and that's it. keep in mind, hot tub filters don't last forever. They generally last three years, so replace them when the time comes.

How often do I need to change the water in my spa?

Water in the spa gets 'tired' after a while, and it's a personal assessment as to when to change it. Change your hot tub water when it doesn't maintain its clarity (which is crystal clear), or if you feel that the water doesn't seem fresh. Water builds up minerals from salts from your body and from evaporation after adding additional water. Rule of Thumb: Change water every three to four months for those with chemical-system spas, and every eight months for those with ozone-system spas.

My Spa is ten years old... are there any major changes in spa technology that I might be missing out on?

A number of things have changed in the past ten years. Even though 1995 spas were great units, Hot Spring Spas has improved every aspect of their hot tubs. Today's spas have better jet systems, more jets, more effective jets, and the spas recycle heat better, and they have lower maintenance of exteriors, better sanitation, much-improved ozone systems and have more high-tech controls. They're also deeper, have more comfortable seating, come in attractive colors, and have polymer exteriors that look like real wood but possess great durability.  Visit our Modesto Hot Tub Showroom which serves the entire Central Valley including Stockton, Tracy, Manteca, Lodi and Merced.