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The Hot Tub Takes Over: Transitioning Focus as Pool Season Fades

September 28, 2026  |  Your Happy Dolphin Pool & Spa Team

 
Steaming hot tub in a Minnesota backyard at dusk in early fall

Images are AI generated and do not depict an actual pool or Dolphin Pool & Spa location.

The mornings are cooler now. The pool cover talk has started. And here in Minnesota, that can mean only one thing: your hot tub is stepping into the spotlight. As pool season winds down, the spa takes over as your main way to enjoy the water. Here's how to make that switch a smooth one.

1 Fall Flips the Switch

All summer, the pool got the attention. Now your mind is on closing dates and covers. Your spa does not slow down for fall — it speeds up. Cold nights are exactly what a hot tub is built for. If it has sat a bit quiet all summer while the pool got the crowd, this is its season to shine.

2 Give the Spa a Fall Check-Up

Before your attention shifts fully to pool closing, give the spa some care of its own. Pull the filter cartridge and rinse it well, or bring it in for a $30 cleaning. Check the water balance from top to bottom — pH, alkalinity, sanitizer, and calcium all matter more once the spa is doing double duty.

Not sure where your numbers stand? Bring in a water sample. A test runs $7, or it's included free with a $50 chemical purchase.

Dolly's Tip: BioGuard chemicals only need 15 minutes between doses, not the four hours some store-brand chemicals ask for. On a cold night, that means less standing around outside and more time soaking.

3 Keep the Water Ready for Everyday Use

A pool you test once a week in summer can get away with that in the off-season too. A spa in daily fall and winter use cannot. Test more often now, not less. Keep pH in the 7.2–7.8 range and watch your sanitizer level after every soak, especially with guests over for the evening.

4 Watch the Cover as Nights Get Cold

A worn cover matters more once the temperature drops. Check the seams, the straps, and the foam core for damage now, while you can still fix it before a hard freeze hits.

Heads Up: A hard freeze changes the rules for spa care. We'll walk through full freeze protection steps in a few weeks. For now, keep the cover locked down and check it after every windstorm.

5 Quick Fall Spa Checklist

  • Test water weekly, not just when it looks off
  • Clean or replace the filter cartridge
  • Check the cover for tears or worn straps
  • Confirm the heater keeps up overnight
  • Stock up on BioGuard chemicals before the roads get bad
  • Wipe down the cabinet and check for pests
  • Pick a weekly maintenance day now
  • Bring in a water sample if it's been a while

Pool season had its run. Now it's the spa's turn. Give it a little care this week and it will keep you warm through every cold Minnesota night ahead.

Ready to give your spa the fall check it deserves? Stop by Dolphin Pool & Spa for a water test, a filter cartridge, or a full chemistry check-up. We'll get you set for a season of steam — because we make pool ownership a joy!

Call Us Now — 763-542-9000

Your Happy Dolphin Pool & Spa Team

Dolphin Pool & Spa  |  Plymouth, MN