Hot tubs are great for relaxing when the weather is nice and hot. However, when the cold wind blows and the temperature drops ushering in the winter, you are probably as far away from feeling like relaxing in your hot tub as you could get.
There are several reasons why you might not want to use the tub during wintertime. Most of them revolving around the temperature and weather.
Perhaps it’s not that at all, though, and your tub is located at your vacation property, it will cost more to run it during winter. Or maybe it is just the fact that it is positioned too far away from your home and you don’t really want to walk over it in the cold just to get that light relief of some warmth.
Regardless, if you are not going to be using it during the winter, you need to take the proper steps to winterize your hot tub. If you don’t, any water still in it will eventually freeze up and as it expands and becomes ice, it will damage the hot tub.
Although it may seem obvious to some of you reading this how you might go about emptying a hot tub, there is quite a bit more to it all in fact. In the following post, we are going to discuss this subject at length and provide a step-by-step guide to getting your tub ready for the coldest part of the year.
1. Drain the Water Away
First and foremost, you need to ensure the water has been removed from the hot tub, do this by draining your hot tub the correct way. To start, you need to switch off the power supply either at the breaker or if it has a GFCI plug, unplug it from the mains outlet, then wrap the cord up and plug in some plastic and put it away in the available storage compartment for the equipment.
Now you are ready to vacuum any debris from the water and then drain the water away. Just remember to open any venturi air valves and jets to make drainage easier.
Does the hot tub have a spigot? All you need to do is open that and drain the water away. If you don’t, however, you can still do it by using a siphon or submersible pump. Be sure to lower your drain hose to the lowest water level or lower still to make sure it drains away.
This part of the task is crucial if your hose attaches to your tub’s drain spout. Does your tub have a blower? If it does, it may be helpful to reconnect your tub’s power and switch it back on for around 20 to 30 seconds to help blow the water out. After you’ve drained the tub away, leave the spout open.
2. Release the Water from the Storage Compartment
You need to release the water that has collected in and around the pump housing and heating element inside the compartment for the equipment related to the tub.
The big white unions made from plastic that attach the pumps and heater onto the hot tub need to be loosened off so the water spills away. Open the pump housing drain plugs if it has them.
3. Wipe Away Any Excess Water
If there is water remaining in the filter cavity, recessed seated areas, footwell and others, be sure to remove it either by using a large sponge or towels to absorb it or a bucket to tip it away.
4. Close Air Venturi Valves
Now you need to close and switch off air venturi valves. As there will be some water remaining in the system, it is best to a vacuum blower to spray air through the jets of the tub for a couple of seconds as well as the opening of the filter, being sure to remove the filter beforehand.
5. Seal off the Hot Tub and Switch the Power Off
By this point, most of the water should be out of the hot tub completely now. Replace the cover onto the hot tub and fasten it tightly to stop it from blowing off if there are any high winds and storms.
Close up the compartment where the equipment is kept again and attach any latches or screws back where you removed them. Finally, check that the hot tub power has been switched off at the breaker you are using.
When you want to make sure your hot tub is fully prepared for the winter, there is more involved than just emptying the water. The above tips and suggestions should help to ensure that your spa will be ready to use again when the weather is more pleasant.
You need to remember though, to re-connect all the drain plugs and unions and close the drain spigot before you start trying to fill the tub up with water again.