Hot tub shock treatments: Complete guide

If you’reinterested in purchasing a spa or hot tub, you are probably wondering what maintenance entails. While many of today’s high-quality spas have excellentwater care and filtration systems that make maintaining your spa easy, thereare still some minor tasks you will need to manage to ensure clear, fresh waterthat is ready for you when you’re ready for a soak. Much of that comes down to maintainingproper water chemistry, including balanced pH, sanitizer, and alkalinitylevels.

This articleis your complete guide to one particular chemical treatment that is vital foryour spa water—hot tub shock. It will begin by explaining what hot tub shockis, why it is so important for your spa water, and how to treat your spa withhot tub shock treatment.

What is hottub shock?
Also called spa shock, this term refers to the concentrated dose of oxidizingchemicals that is used to break down organic contaminants and combinedbyproducts that accumulate in your spawater, including sunscreens, lotions, cosmetics,natural body oils, sweat, and dead skin cells. Chlorine-based shock treatmentalso provides additional sanitization by helping to eliminate bacteria, algae,viruses, and other microorganisms, while all shock treatments help oxidizewaste that can cloud or discolor your spa water. It also restores theeffectiveness of your spa sanitizers.

Shocktreatment should be used as part of your regular maintenance routine, includingregular sanitizer. Beyond daily sanitization, shock treatment oxidizes theorganic compounds that accumulate in your spa water, breaks down chloraminesthat can cause odors and irritation to your skin and eyes, and restores theclarity of your spa water that slowly diminishes through use. Shock treatment deepcleans your spa water chemistry, so it serves as a complement to the dailysanitization that continuously controls bacteria.

Many peopleattribute overuse of chemicals to the strong chlorine odor. However, that smellusually means there is a lack of sufficient free chlorine, not too much. Thisodor can be attributed to chloramines, which are the used-up chemical compoundsthat form when free chlorine mixes with sweat, oils, dead skill, and otherorganic waste. When you start to smell this odor or start feeling itchy,irritated skin and eyes, it may be a sign that your spa water needs a shock treatment.  

Free chlorineadded through shock treatment is also much more effective at sanitization thanchloramines, which also can be irritating to your skin and eyes.

Chlorine shock for hot tubs vs. non-chlorine shock
There are two types of hot tub shock: chlorine shock and non-chlorine shock. Hereis the difference:

Chlorine shock
Chlorine-based shocktreatment uses concentrated doses of sanitizers that are regularly used in spasto provide oxidation and additional sanitization. Because chlorine shocktreatment significantly raises sanitizer levels, you should wait until freechlorine returns the to manufacturer’s recommended range before using your spa.This may take several hours depending on the product used and your spa waterconditions. Nighttime treatment is ideal to allow for dissipation of thechemicals while you sleep.

Non-chlorine shock
Non-chlorine shock treatmentis usually comprised of MPS, potassium monopersulfate, which provides oxidationfor your spa water without adding chlorine. Due to the lack of chlorine, youcan use your spa water fairly shortly after anon-chlorine shock treatment, usually between 15 to 30 minutes, so long as thewater levels have returned to normal. Because non-chlorine shock is primarilyan oxidizer, it does not provide the same level of sanitization as chlorineshock. It serves as more of a supplemental treatment than a completelyreplacement of an entire shock treatment. Think of non-chlorine shock as aconvenient way to oxidize contaminants between routine sanitizer treatments.

How to use hottub shock treatment
As a general rule, you shouldshock your spa about once a week under normal usage. You may need additionaltreatments if you use your spa every day or after heavy batherloads, such as if four or more people have used your spa in a single soakingsession, or extended soaking sessions. You will also want to shock your spaafter a party or social gathering, where many people have used the spa.

After suchuse, you may notice cloudy, foamy, or discolored water. These are signs thatyour spa water may need a treatment. If your water isn’t responding tosanitizer adjustments, a shock treatment can also help get it back on track.

When you are ready to shock your spa water, start by testing your waterand balancing the pH levels. They should be within the 7.2 to 7.6 range. Yourshock treatment will be most effective when your pH levels are where they aresupposed to be.

Be sure to measure the shock treatment according to the directions onthe package, which should be based on your spa’s water volume. Be careful notto exceed s recommended dose.

Keep your spa cover off for 20 minutes or more after adding the shocktreatment to allow gases to escape during the process. You should also haveyour pumps running for proper circulation for at least 20 minutes as well.

Be sure to disperse the shock treatment across the water’s entiresurface, versus dumping it all in one place. Even distribution allows forquicker dissolution and also helps prevent concentrated chemicals from cominginto prolonged contact with your spa surface, which could damage the finish.

Shock treatment safety tips
While shock treating yourspa water is safe, keep in mind, it is a concentrated product and should behandled with care. When it comes to adding chemicals to your spa water, youshould always follow the specific directions listed in your model’s owner’s manualand on the product container. Here are some additional tips to ensure safetywhen using:

1.      Only use the recommendedtype and amount of shock treatment in accordance with your specific spa model,which may often be determined by your spa volume.

2.      Never mix spa chemicals.Only add chemicals and treatments one at a time to prevent dangerous reactions,such as toxic fumes or fire.

3.      Keep your spa cover openwhile treating the water and for at least 20 minutes or more after adding theproduct.

4.      When not in use, store spachemicals in a cool, dry place, and well-ventilated area that cannot beaccessed by children or pets. Always store product in its original container,and avoid storing it near heat sources or in direct sunlight.

5.      Always wait until sanitizerlevels return to safe range before using your spa after treatment.

First-time spaowners can learn a lot about caring for their spa water at their localauthorized spa dealer. When you purchase your spa, be sure to ask what type ofchemicals your spa will require and inquire about water testing and balancing.

Your spa dealercan provide you with detailed guidance on watercare when you purchase it, and some authorized hottub dealers may be offer in-store water testing-services. Some spas, such asselect Sundance®Spas models, for example, even offer smart technology andapps that help you monitor and manage your spa water.

The Sundance® Spas SmartTub®system and app, offers wireless sensors that providereal-time monitoring of water quality to ensure your spa is in optimalcondition before your next soak. It also offers proactive maintenance such asremote diagnostics that allow you to identify and troubleshoot quickly, oftentimes without the need for a service call.

When you are readyto explore spa ownership and learn more about caring for your spa water,including shock treatments, visit your nearby authorized Sundance® Spasshowroom. Here, you can explore various models, speak with a knowledgeable spadealer, and even perform wet test to see for yourself which model you likebest.

FrequentlyAsked Questions (FAQS): Hot tub shock treatments: Complete guide

Q: Is hot tubshock safe?
A: Yes, hot tub shock is safe. However, it is apotent chemical and therefore requires proper use. Due to the fact that it ishighly concentrated, there is a waiting period after use. For a non-chlorineshock, you should wait about 15 to 30 minutes. Depending on the product used,you may need to wait anywhere from two hours to overnight, or until thesanitizer levels return to the manufacturer’s recommended range, before usingyour spa.

Q: How oftenshould I use a shock treatment on my spa?
A: Most manufacturers recommend shocking your spaonce a week as part of your routine water care. However, the type of shockproduct and frequency will depend on your sanitizer system and how often youuse your spa. For example, you may also want to use it after heavy use of yourhot tub, such as if you have had several bathers in your spa at one time. Alwaysfollow the instructions in your owner’s manual and chemical manufacturer’sdirections for use.

Q: Doprofessional companies shock treat your hot tub water?
A: There are professional pool service companiesthat also service spas. You will want to ensure the company can offer servicessuch as water testing, chemical balancing, draining and refilling, filtercleaning and replacement, and water skimming. Prices will range based on howoften you require the service and what your service entails. Research somelocal companies in your area, and ask for a consultation before committing toservice.

Disclaimer: Sundance® Spas is aregistered trademark of its respective owner. All rights reserved.

Medical Disclaimer: We are not medicalprofessionals. This content is for informational purposes only and is not asubstitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult yourphysician or a qualified healthcare provider with questions regarding anymedical condition.

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