Chlorine Lock Hot Tub - Splashy Home

Introduction

Hot tubs require a certain level of acidity to allow the chlorine to keep working and fighting off organic contaminants and bacteria. If the cyanuric acid levels go too high, it will lead to a chlorine lock in the hot tub. A chlorine lock renders a hot tub useless and defenseless against algae, germs, and microorganisms.

Avoiding chlorine lock means testing the water\’s chemical levels at least twice a week. A hot tub without chlorine cannot fight off fungus and bacteria, leading to damage from ultraviolet rays from the sun. So it\’s pretty simple, maintain the proper chemical balance and reduce the chances of the hot tub suffering from chlorine lock.

This guide examines the steps to avoid chlorine lock in hot tubs.

What is Chlorine Lock in Hot Tubs?

Chlorine locks in hot tubs consist of situations where the one present in the tub becomes useless. The hot tub becomes powerless when fighting off bacteria and won\’t work no matter how much chlorine you add. One of the leading causes of chlorine lock is having a high cyanuric acid level in the hot tub water.

Chlorine levels disappear fast when it breaks down in the heat, which is why so many hot tub owners prefer bromine. Two potential signs that your hot tub is about to experience chlorine lock include:

You discover that the total chlorine levels in the tub are unequal.
You perceive a strong bleach smell within the hot tub water.

There are three types of chlorine tests to carry out to avoid the possibility of your hot tub becoming weak. These tests are as follows:

A Free Chlorine Test – Conducting a free chlorine test determines which one works best for hot tub sanitization.

A Total Chlorine Test – Conducting a total chlorine test sums up all the chlorine in the tub water. It includes the ones wrapped up with inorganic or organic materials.

A Combined Chlorine Test – A combined test covers the total chlorine while excluding the free ones.

Why Do Hot Tubs Loose Chlorine?

Understanding why your hot tub loses chlorine will help you identify ways to prevent chlorine locks. Losing chlorine is common, but learning to reduce the loss is essential if you hope to protect your hot tub against algae and organic matter.

Two main reasons why hot tubs lose chlorine are as follows:

A Buildup of Biofilm:

A biofilm buildup in the jets and plumbing areas can cause a hot tub to lose chlorine. A biofilm buildup consists of microorganisms such as fungus, algae, and bacteria. The chlorine levels of any hot tub will continue to drop if these organic matters continue to build up.

Organic contaminants and biofilm can gain a foothold within the pipes and plumbing system of the hot tub. Once this occurs, it is much harder for sanitizers to kill and remove this buildup. Your best bet is to use chemicals designed to flush out the pipes and disrupt the biofilm as it accumulates.

A High Level of Cyanuric Acid:

Cyanuric acid helps to keep chlorine in the water for a longer time. The longer the chlorine stays in the tub water, the higher the chances of fighting off fungus and algae buildup. A hot tub with high cyanuric acid levels renders it defenseless against bacteria infestation.

How Long Can Chlorine Last In a Hot Tub?

When chlorine enters the water, it dissolves and reacts with the bacteria in the water. During this process, it breaks down and kills the bacteria. While eliminating the fungus, chlorine reacts with other elements in the water and deactivates. This deactivation during chlorine reaction is one of the reasons why constant maintenance of the hot tub is necessary.

The time it takes for chlorine to last depends on the amount you use and how frequent you soak in the hot tub. At most, chlorine can last up to a week of constant use before adding more. However, the amount of chlorine you use can change depending on soaking habits.

For instance:

Adding Little Chlorine Will Allow Bacteria Grow:

Too much chlorine can irritate the skin and cause itchy eyes. It can damage some working parts of the hot tubs too. Adding the right amount of chlorine every other day will keep the hot tub water in the right shape.

Add Chlorine As You Use the Hot Tub:

It is advisable to measure the chlorine levels in the hot tub to know when to add and when to stop. Ensure to top-up the chlorine as you go for regular soaking sessions in the tub.

Using Bromine as an Alternative to Chlorine:

Because heat destroys chlorine faster, some hot tub owners prefer using bromine.

Ways To Lower Chlorine Levels In A Hot Tub

A high level of chlorine helps to protect your hot tub from harmful bacteria and organic contaminants. However, chlorine levels that are too high can cause skin irritation and itchy eyes. You can either wait for the chlorine level to drop or replace some tub water with fresh water.

There are two main methods for reducing the chlorine levels of a hot tub.

Lowering High Chlorine Levels:

When it comes to lowering high chlorine levels, there are specific steps to ensure the best results. These steps are as follows:

Waiting for the Chlorine Levels to Drop – Chlorine levels drops and breaks down over time. You can wait for about 24 – 48 hours before testing the hot tub water again. Another way to ensure fast results is by leaving the tub covers open while you wait. With the lid left open, ultraviolet rays from the sun break down the chlorine faster.

Adding Fresh Water To The Chlorine – Remove some water from the tub and add a bucketful of fresh water to dilute the chlorine. Turn on the air jets after adding the freshwater and circulate for about 20 minutes. The circulation lowers the overall concentration of chlorine.

Using A Chlorine Neutralizer – Adding a neutralizer to the hot tub water helps lower the chlorine levels. You can get chlorine neutralizers from online and pool supply stores. Follow the manufacturer\’s instructions and run the air jets for a few minutes to circulate the neutralizer. After this process, rerun the test.

By Testing The Water Before Using The Tub – Before lowering the chlorine levels of your hot tub, it is ideal you test the water again. If the levels are low, you need to add more chlorine to the water and rerun the test.

Testing Chlorine Levels:

Another way of lowering chlorine levels is by testing it yourself. Some steps involved are as follows:

Using Chlorine Test Strips – Using test strips is one of the easier ways to test chlorine levels. You swirl a strip around in the hot tub for a few seconds and compare the color that appears to the chart provided by the product. The chart tells you how much chlorine is present in the water.

Using a DPD Test Kit – Another way to test chlorine levels is by using a DPD test kit. A DPD test kit is more accurate than regular test strips as it tests both chlorine and pH levels. You can purchase a DPD test kit online or from pool supply stores and use it by following the steps below:
Fill the test vial with water from the hot tub.
Add the chlorine reagent.
Cover the vial and shake it.
Compare the color that appears to the chart provided to see the chlorine levels.

Allowing Professionals Run the Test – If you want an expert opinion, you can have the chlorine tested by professionals. You need to collect a sample of the tub water in a plastic bottle. After this, take the bottle to your local dealer and pay to have chlorine level tested.

By Lowering the Chlorine Level Yourself – You can decide to lower the hot tub’s chlorine level if it’s over 3 PPM. The recommended chlorine level for preventing bacteria and germs is 3 PPM. Anything higher than that could cause itchy eyes and skin irritation.

How To Get Rid Of Chlorine Lock In Hot Tubs

There are several ways to get rid of chlorine lock, with dilution\’s most effective method. Other forms of dealing with chlorine lock in hot tubs include the following:

By Using a Cyanuric Acid Reducer:

One of the most recent ways of dealing with chlorine lock is using a cyanuric acid reducer. Since lower acidic levels of CYA are required to prolong the chlorine, you should consider reducing it if it gets higher. This tool allows you to lower the cyanuric acid levels without draining the hot tub or balancing the chemicals over again.

By Using Non-Chlorine Shock Treatment:

Another effective way of getting rid of chlorine lock is by applying the non-chlorine shock treatment. This treatment sanitizes the water and restores the chlorine balance, making the water crystal clear. Just add the shock to your swimming pool and let it circulate for 3 -4 hours, then rerun the chlorine test.

By Draining the Tub Halfway:

Draining the hot tub halfway gets rid of the chlorine lock to an extent. Ensure not to drain the entire tub as it can be expensive and time-consuming. Below are some steps to follow when draining the hot tub halfway:

Drain out a portion of water from the hot tub.
Refill to the average level with fresh water.
Test the chlorine again to confirm whether the issue is still present.
Drain some more water and rerun the test if the problem persists.
Be sure to repeat the process until the free and total chlorine levels become equal.

By Using Chlorine Shock Treatment:

Chlorine shock treatment is a straightforward method for getting rid of chlorine lock. Just add a significant amount of chlorine to break up the chloramine molecules.

Maintenance Tips For Preventing Chlorine Lock In Hot Tubs

Ensuring the water is clean and healthy is necessary to enjoy the hot tub. You can carry out maintenance exercises to improve the water\’s chlorine levels and prevent chlorine lock.

Some maintenance tips for preventing chlorine locks are as follows:

Adjusting and Testing Phosphate Levels:

One way to prevent chlorine lock is by testing and adjusting the phosphate levels of the hot tub water. The tub water consists of oxygen and phosphorous that needs specific tests to stop them from helping grow bacteria and algae.

Testing the Water before Filling up The Tub:

One way to prevent chlorine lock is by testing the water before pouring it into the hot tub. Take a sample of the water to a professional to determine the levels of calcium or metals in it.

By Shocking the Hot Tub:

It will help if you shock the hot tub once a week to ensure that nothing stops the base layer of chlorine in the water. The shock treatment involves applying large doses of the right chemicals to break up any buildup of organic contaminants.

Testing pH and Alkalinity Levels:

Ensure to test the alkalinity and pH levels using a test strip to prevent chlorine locks in future. Chlorine destroys fungus and bacteria best when the chemical levels are more balanced.

Conclusion

Testing your hot tub water for chlorine levels is one of the quickest ways to avoid chlorine lock. Nobody wants a tub that doesn’t possess the necessary chemicals to fight off bacteria and germs. Proper checks and maintenance will ensure you don’t end up with a chlorine lock hot tub.