Frequently Asked Questions

Purchasing your dream hot tub or swim spa is a big decision, and you probably have a lot of questions. Here are some answers to some of the most popular ones we get asked. If you have any more, feel free to call us on 01803 872666. You can find all the specific product information you need in our brochure.

It depends on the system your hot tub uses, but with a Hydropool Self-Cleaning model, maintenance is minimal compared to most other spas.

In a standard hot tub, you're typically checking chemical levels every couple of days, manually cleaning the filter weekly, and doing deeper cleans or draining the spa every 3 to 4 months. Without the right filtration system, water can quickly become cloudy or unbalanced, especially with regular use.

Hydropool Self-Cleaning hot tubs are different. Thanks to the built-in floor vacuum, surface skimmer, and pressurised filtration, the entire volume of water is cleaned every 15 minutes. That means less debris buildup, cleaner water, and fewer manual cleaning tasks.

Our patented PureWater system, coming as standard in our Signature Self-Cleaning range, further reduces the need for chemicals by using ozone and UV-C to destroy bacteria and contaminants. It makes your sanitiser (chlorine or bromine) go further and will greatly reduce the need for many other chemicals such as water oxidisers (ozone oxidises water naturally).

In short: with a Hydropool spa, you'll spend far less time maintaining your spa and more time enjoying it.

Hydropool self-cleaning technology is patent-protected, so our competitors can't use it. We have heard stories of some of our competitors claiming that our system is a gimmick; we would never put that down to bitterness...

Our 6-stage self-cleaning process with swimming pool filtration is so simple that with a short explanation from our expert team or by reading about it in our brochure, you will understand how it works - and then you can decide for yourself!

Here's a quick overview:

Hydropool's Self-Cleaning and PureWater systems are patented technologies developed to make hot tub ownership easier, more hygienic, and less time-consuming.

The Self-Cleaning system is a fully integrated water management system that filters 100 percent of the water every 15 minutes. It uses a combination of surface skimming and a built-in floor vacuum to remove debris from both the top and bottom of the spa. This reduces the need for manual cleaning and helps keep the water consistently clear and inviting.

The PureWater system which comes as standard in Self-Cleaning hot tubs adds an extra layer of protection using UV-C light and ozone, which work together to eliminate up to 99 percent of waterborne contaminants. This means you can use fewer chemicals overall, while still enjoying safe, clean water.

Unlike some brands that rely on marketing buzzwords, Hydropool has invested in engineering that genuinely reduces day-to-day maintenance. Customers often report spending more time enjoying their spa and less time maintaining it.

If you're looking for a hot tub that works smarter so you don’t have to work harder, consider Hydropool Self-Cleaning hot tubs.

No. Hydropool previously offered saltwater sanitation options between 2006 and 2016, but after years of real-world use and customer feedback, we moved away from salt-based systems in favour of our more advanced, low-maintenance Self-Cleaning and PureWater™ technologies, now patented by Hydropool.

Over the years, Hydropool received valuable feedback from saltwater hot tub owners, and several recurring themes became clear:

"I thought it would be easier to maintain"
Many customers expected a low-maintenance experience, only to find they were still regularly adjusting pH, adding balancing chemicals, and troubleshooting salt levels. Sometimes more than with traditional systems.

"The cartridge replacements add up"
Owners voiced frustration over the cost and frequency of replacing salt cells/cartridges (often every 3–4 months), which made long-term ownership more expensive than expected.

"I noticed scaling and buildup"
Customers reported calcium scaling on jets and heaters caused by the salt system’s chemical reactions, leading to service calls and cleaning routines.

"It damaged my fittings"
Some users experienced early wear and corrosion on internal components when salt levels or water chemistry drifted outside the ideal range, despite their best efforts. Since saltwater systems generate chlorine automatically, it’s easy to assume the water is balanced, but in reality, key factors like pH and alkalinity still need regular monitoring. If these levels drift out of range, it can accelerate corrosion and reduce the lifespan of parts like heaters, jets, and seals.

This real-world feedback helped drive Hydropool's decision to invest in a better alternative: the Self-Cleaning and PureWater™ system. The result? Fewer surprises, lower maintenance, and consistently cleaner water, without the complications of salt.

Salt water hot tubs are often marketed as easier, cleaner alternatives to traditional systems, but some of the most common selling points are misleading:

"Salt water hot tubs don’t use chlorine."
False. Salt water systems generate chlorine from salt, so your water still contains chlorine. You're just producing it differently, not eliminating it.

"They’re maintenance-free."
Also false. Salt systems still require regular testing and balancing of pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and salt levels. In fact, imbalanced water in a salt system can cause even more problems if left unchecked.

"Salt water is gentler on the spa and your skin."
It still uses chlorine. Despite the term “salt water,” the most saltwater systems still rely on chlorine to sanitise the water. If your skin is sensitive to chlorine, the source of the chlorine (salt vs. granules) is often irrelevant and your skin may still react to it.

"You only need to change the water once a year."
While some salt water systems claim annual water changes, the reality depends on usage, bather load, and how carefully the water is maintained. In practice, many salt water spa owners find themselves needing to drain and refill more often than expected, especially if water chemistry isn’t regularly balanced.

By comparison, Hydropool’s Self-Cleaning and PureWater™ systems help extend the life of your water by keeping it continuously filtered, circulated, and purified with UV and ozone. While water changes are still recommended periodically, many Hydropool owners report going longer between changes with less day-to-day effort, because the system does more of the work for you.

These myths often lead to unrealistic expectations, which is why Hydropool offers a more transparent, reliable approach to water care with its Self-Cleaning and PureWater™ systems after moving on from salt water systems in 2016.

Hydropool hot tubs and swim spas are backed by an industry-leading warranty: 10 years on the fibreglass shell structure, 5 years on the interior acrylic surface, and 3 years on plumbing and parts.

Hydropool products are built to last.

We are a family-run business that takes pride in our relationships with clients. We have a dedicated customer service team and full-time in-house technicians that are available 7 days a week to answer any questions or queries that you may have about using your spa and best practices for maintaining it.

Yes, and we encourage it! Most hot tubs might look similar, but the chances are you are not buying one purely for its aesthetic. That's why we welcome everyone to try our hot tub or swim spa with no obligation in our multi-award-winning showroom before making a decision. Call one of our friendly team on 01803 872666 if you'd like to book a private wet test.

We have many finance options available, from Buy Now Pay Later plans with 0% interest to longer-term financing up to 10 years. We require a minimum deposit of £1,000 for finance. You can learn more about hot tub finance plans in Devon here.

Depending on the access to your property, we will use a standard flatbed, a hiab or a crane to get your new spa into place. Our technicians will unwrap your spa, connect it to the power supply, and fill it up with water. Swim spas always require delivery via a hiab.

We will then give you a comprehensive tutorial that shows you how to use the spa's many features, how to maintain it, and answer any questions you might have. We welcome you to video record this demonstration to refer to later, but if you ever get stuck, our team is available to help over the phone, by email, or in person when you pop into the showroom, 7 days a week.

If you have access of 1m wide, we will take the hot tub through on its side before placing it down safely. If your access is more limited, we have other options available, including hiab or crane delivery. It is extremely rare that we are unable to install a spa due to limited access.

There are many hot tubs out there so it's hard to narrow down your options. To find your dream spa the first time (and avoid buying a replacement before long), you should consider the brand, durability, features, warranties and size. You can find out blog post about what to look for when buying a hot tub here.

Hydropool's unique and customisable Wellness Programs put the method in the massage with 8 automated programs that guide you around the Zones in your spa to relieve your unique symptoms at their source.

It's great having all these different types of jets, but how Hydropool applies them with science-led built-in treatments is one of the reasons why Hydropool hydrotherapy stands out. Learn more about Hydropool's Wellness Programs and Zone Therapy here.

It is recommended that you get your hot tub or swim spa serviced once every 12 months to ensure that your spa is in perfect working order and running at maximum efficiency, but you are under no obligation to do so.

You can sink or partially sink your hot tub or swim spa in decking. Our sister company, Rivera Decking, can handle all groundworks and decking if you wish, but you are welcome to use any company you wish and we will happily cooperate with them to ensure that your installation is stress-free.

Many people tell us that they can't use public swimming pools due to the skin irritation it causes. With a personal hot tub or swim spa, you won't need to use anywhere near as much sanitiser as public pools, making the water much kinder to your skin.

If you are sensitive to chlorine, some people find that using bromine helps. Chlorine sensitivity is rarely a factor that prevents people using their hot tub, but you are welcome to come and wet test our hot tub and swim spa before deciding whether to buy.

The most common issue with hot tubs or swim spas is a leak. While these are rare, they can occur due to the complex manufacturing process of all hot tubs. If your spa has a leak, you will usually know within a few months. When purchasing your spa from us, you are entitled to free labour for 12 months, courtesy of our full-time team of in-house technicians.

The manufacturer also has warranties for plumbing and parts (3 years) and the acrylic shell (10 years) for your peace of mind.

Hydropool Self-Cleaning Hot Tubs Brochure

Download a Brochure

In our brochure, you will learn about:

  • Hydropool hydrotherapy
  • Automated wellness programs
  • Our unique 6-stage self-cleaning technology
  • NASA-inspired nsulation and energy efficiency
  • Hydropool hot tub ranges
  • Zone Therapy
  • Cabinet and shell options
  • Packages
  • + much more!
Download a Brochure

Stay In Touch With Us

 

We always have a range of hot tubs, swim spas and other luxurious garden and wellness items on display. We’re open 7 days a week and love meeting new people, so why not pop down and plan your next home upgrade.