We all like to save a dollar or two.
We owners of spas are continually tempted to choose cheap low-quality spa chemicals such as chlorine sanitizers for spas and swim spas.
WARNING: This can prove to be a very costly mistake.
You know what I am talking about; those cheap, harmless looking spa chemicals sold through your local grocery store or big box building supply store. Those places may sell bottled water or hand tools but I think we can agree they are not
experts in spa pool water treatment. Because of that they often carry the lowest quality spa products available.
Save big with cheap spa chemicals.....Really?
The reduction of spa chemical prices comes at a cost. With spa chemicals, the main way to save money in manufacturing is to use fillers. Fillers reduce the amount of active chemical ingredients and it is these active ingredients that cost more. This typically means the
higher the price, the more concentrated the chemical and the lower the price, the less concentrated.
With less concentration, you need to use more spa chemicals to accomplish the same task. When more chemicals are needed, more dosing is required and often the water quickly becomes out of balance.
When spa water becomes out of balance it becomes highly corrosive and can damage most of the spa parts.
See Exhibit A:
This spa pump is 4 months old
It is easy to tell when a cheap spa chemical with a large amount of calcium filler was being used.
The inside of the pumps should be a shiny black. You can see the calcium buildup. This is the typical build-up seen on
spa parts when low-quality spa chemicals are used.
This person started out using the correct chemicals and then eventually started buying chlorine from the supermarket.
They have purchased two pumps at $795 each.
They now use the recommended
spa chlorine and other
spa chemicals.
The type of fillers used in cheap spa chemicals varies but widely used filler is calcium. It is often used in powdered spa chemicals such as
spa chlorine, bromine and lithium sanitizers.
In a short time, the corrosive water and build-up of these
fillers can destroy mechanical seals in pumps causing leaks. These leaks allow water to seep out of the pump housing where the water migrates down the spinning shaft and starts attacking the motor bearings. Soon the bearings are destroyed and the motor becomes filled with water.
Although this may sound like a rare case
it happens far too often.
It is so common that a number of spa and swim spa manufacturers are stipulating the brand of spa chemicals to be used with their
spas and
swim spas or the warranty can be affected.
Sure you may have saved a few dollars when purchasing cheap spa chemicals, but a replacement pump can be $700 not including the installation labour.
The use of cheap spa chemicals will cost you more.
So what should you do?
Spa maintenance should be quick, simple and inexpensive. Especially water treatment.
Quality spa chemical brands formulate their spa chemicals to match the requirements of the major spa manufacturers. Typically these brands can be purchased through spa experts and licensed dealers. We highly recommend the
Spa World brand of spa chemicals and if you want a
chlorine free spa water treatment you cannot find better than the
Poppits brand.
Just remember: If you are buying your spa chemicals from a store that sells bacon, it may be a danger sign. If they sell lawn fertilizer and cordless drills, you may be heading for trouble.
Where do you buy your spa chemicals?
Purchase factory recommended spa chemicals here.