Experiencing a sandpaper-like texture in your hot tub water can be a disconcerting and uncomfortable issue that hinders your relaxation. This gritty feeling is often caused by the presence of contaminants and minerals that settle in the water, creating an unpleasant sensation on your skin.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to resolve this problem and restore the silky, smooth feel of your hot tub water. In this article, we’ll delve into how to fix sandpaper feel in hot tub.
From understanding the potential causes to implementing effective water treatment methods, we’ll guide you through the process of regaining the luxurious and soothing experience that a hot tub should provide. So, let’s explore the steps needed to fix the sandpaper sensation and enjoy your hot tub to its fullest potential.
The Discomfort and Potential Causes of This Issue
Although it is meant to be a relaxing and soothing experience, sometimes your hot tub can feel like sandpaper on your skin. This rough and uncomfortable sensation can quickly diminish the enjoyment of an evening soak. But what causes this problem? And more importantly, how can you fix it?
The most common cause for a sandpaper-like feel in your hot tub is improper pH balance. When the pH levels are too low, the water becomes acidic and can irritate your skin. This can also lead to other issues such as cloudy water and damage to your hot tub’s equipment.
Another potential cause is high levels of calcium in the water. Hard water contains a high concentration of minerals, including calcium, which can create a gritty feeling on your skin. In addition, high levels of calcium can cause buildup on your hot tub’s surfaces and equipment, leading to potential damage and reduced performance.
Other factors that could contribute to a sandpaper feel in your hot tub include inadequate filtration, dirty or clogged filters, and outdated or malfunctioning systems. It is important to regularly clean and maintain your hot tub to prevent these issues from occurring.
10 Methods How to Fix Sandpaper Feel in Hot Tub
1. Check the pH Levels
The first step in fixing a sandpaper feel in your hot tub is to check the pH levels of the water. Hot tubs should have a pH level between 7.2 and 7.8, so if your pH levels are outside of this range it can cause skin irritation and a sandpaper feeling on your skin. You can use a test strip or digital meter to test the water and adjust it accordingly with either baking soda or muriatic acid.
2. Clean the Filters
The next step is to clean the filters of your hot tub, as dirty filters can lead to poor water circulation and an uncomfortable sandpaper-like feel on your skin. Make sure to thoroughly rinse off any dirt and debris before replacing them back into the hot tub. Additionally, you may want to consider investing in new filters if they are more than two years old since they will be less effective at filtering out contaminants from the water.
3. Balance Calcium Hardness Levels
High calcium hardness levels can also cause a sandpaper feeling on your skin when using a hot tub, so make sure you check and balance these levels as well. The ideal calcium hardness level for hot tubs is between 150-400 ppm (parts per million). If your calcium hardness level is too high, you can lower it by adding sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to the water; if it’s too low, you can raise it by adding calcium chloride or sodium carbonate (washing soda).
4. Shock Treatments
Shocking your hot tub regularly will help keep bacteria and other contaminants at bay, which could cause an uncomfortable sandpaper-like feeling on your skin when using it. Shocking involves adding chlorine or other sanitizing agents, such as bromine, to the water, which will kill off any unwanted bacteria that may be present in the water.
5. Change Water Regularly
If you’re still experiencing a sandpaper-like feeling despite following all of these steps, then it might be time to change out some of the water in your hot tub altogether since, over time, minerals can build up, which can cause an uncomfortable feeling on your skin when using it.
Aim to change out about 10% of the water every month or two, depending on how frequently you use it; this will help keep mineral levels down and prevent any buildup from occurring, which could cause irritation on your skin when using it.
6. Test for Metals
Metals such as copper, iron, manganese, zinc, etc., can also contribute to an unpleasant sandpaper-like feeling on your skin when using a hot tub, so make sure you test for these metals regularly, too, as part of regular maintenance checks for your hot tub. If metals are present in high concentrations, then consider installing a filtration system that specifically targets metal removal from spa/hot tub waters.
7. Check Sanitizer Levels
It’s important that you also check sanitizer levels regularly since having inadequate amounts of sanitizers in spa/hot tub waters can lead to an increase in bacteria, which could contribute to an unpleasant sandpaper-like feeling on your skin when using it. Make sure that chlorine or bromine levels are within their recommended ranges according to manufacturer instructions.
8. Add Softening Agents
If all else fails, then consider adding softening agents such as magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) into spa/hot tub waters, which helps reduce calcium hardness levels while simultaneously making spa/hot tub waters softer. This should help reduce any discomfort caused by high calcium hardness levels, which could otherwise contribute to an unpleasant sandpaper-like feel on one’s skin when using spa/hot tub waters.
9. Install Ozone Generators
Ozone generators are another great way of keeping bacteria under control while simultaneously preventing any buildup from occurring inside spa/hot tub waters, which could otherwise contribute to an uncomfortable sandpaper-like feel on one’s skin when using them.
Ozone generators work by producing ozone gas that helps kill off bacteria while simultaneously oxidizing organic materials present inside spa/hot tub waters, thus helping keep them clean and free from contaminants that could otherwise irritate one’s skin upon contact with them.
10. Use Hot Tub Covers
Finally, make sure you invest in good quality covers for spa/hot tubes since these help prevent dirt and debris from entering into them while simultaneously providing insulation against heat loss, thus helping maintain optimal temperatures inside spa/hot tubes even during colder days. Additionally, covers also help protect against UV rays, thus reducing their impact upon chemicals present inside spa/hot tube waters that could otherwise cause an uncomfortable sandpaper-like feel on one’s skin when using them.
Things to Consider When Discovering the Sandpaper Feel in Your Hot Tub
One of the most relaxing experiences is being able to soak in hot water, especially after a long day at work. However, this experience can be ruined when you start feeling like you are rubbing against sandpaper instead of smooth water. This can happen over time and for various reasons, such as neglecting regular maintenance, using harsh chemicals or simply due to natural wear and tear.
Identifying the Sandpaper Feel
The first step in fixing the sandpaper feel in your hot tub is being able to identify it. This usually occurs when the surface of your hot tub starts to feel rough and gritty, making it uncomfortable to sit or lie down in. You may also notice small particles floating in the water or sticking to your skin after you get out of the hot tub.
Causes of Sandpaper Feel
There are several reasons why your hot tub may start to feel like sandpaper. One of the most common reasons is the buildup of calcium and other minerals on the surface. This can happen if you neglect regular cleaning and maintenance, allowing these minerals to stick to the walls and floor of your hot tub.
Solutions for Fixing Sandpaper Feel
The solutions for fixing the sandpaper feel in your hot tub may vary depending on the severity of the issue. In some cases, simply cleaning and scrubbing the surface with a soft brush can help remove the buildup of minerals and restore smoothness. However, if the problem is more severe, you may need to use specialized cleaning products or seek professional help.
Conclusion
The feeling of sandpaper in your hot tub can be quite off-putting and can make bathing less enjoyable. Fortunately, it can be easily fixed by taking the proper steps to maintaining your hot tub and its water quality! Cleaning out the sinter deposits from the bottoms of your jets is often the best way to get rid of that sandpaper feel. You’ll also need to shock the water and use chemicals regularly to keep things balanced for a smoother soak.
With the right combination of maintenance measures, prevention, and action, you’ll have that sandpaper feeling good as new and ready for years more enjoyment in no time at all. Follow these simple instructions outlined in this blog post about how to fix sandpaper feel in hot tub, and you’ll be able to get the job done with ease.