How to Completely Drain the Hot Tub
- Switch your power off
- Place your submersible pump inside your hot tub
- If the pump’s hose is too short to reach, connect the water hose
- Turn on the pump and drain the water
- Once the water drains, switch off the pump before removing the hose
How high to fill a hot tub?
So how do you identify the correct fill level? You should fill a hot tub to a maximum height of 2 to 3 inches (5 – 7.5cm) above the top of the filter. The water must cover all the jets but be below the headrests to prevent the material from rotting.
How to drain a hot tub properly?
How to Drain a Hot Tub
- Flush the Lines. Whatever your reason is for emptying the hot tub it's a really good idea to use a line flush product before you drain the water.
- Drain a Hot Tub Step by Step. These step by step instructions on how to drain a hot tub apply to you whether you're refilling it with fresh water, giving ...
- Refill a Hot Tub Step by Step. ...
How to get the most out of your hot tub?
The Best Spa Accessories:
- Cup Holder Or Refreshment Float Planning to spend a lot of time soaking in your spa? ...
- Bluetooth Floating Speaker It’s not a party until you have some jams! ...
- Non-Slip Spa Bath Pillow Avoid leaning your head against the hard shell of your spa. ...
- Waterproof Games And Cards Enjoy family game night IN your hot tub by adding waterproof playing cards. ...
How much does a hot tub weigh when empty?
- A 150-gallon hot tub (5 feet by 7 feet) will tend to weigh about 300 pounds without the water (these are considered to be the smallest on the market)
- A 7 feet by 7 feet hot tub can weigh upwards of 855 pounds on average without the water
- Other hot tubs may fall between these measurements, and in some cases, larger tubs can weigh over 1,000 pounds
What to do if you drained hot tub water?
How to clean a hot tub before draining?
How to know if your hot tub is saturated?
Why do you need a prefilter in a hot tub?
Why does hot tub water turn yellow?
Why do people winterize hot tubs?
How to prevent bacterial growth in hot tub?
See 2 more
What is the fastest way to empty a hot tub?
Using a submersible pump This is a faster way to drain a hot tub, since the pump acts to forcibly move the water out. Start by attaching an outflow hose to the pump, then place the pump flat on the floor of the hot tub, at the center. See if the other end of the hose is long enough to reach the nearest drain or sewer.
Should you empty all the water out of a hot tub?
Routinely drain the hot tub for cleaning and maintenance. Some may even attempt to avoid this task by maintaining the water chemistry and keeping the tub covered when it's not in use.
How do you empty a hot tub after it has been emptied?
After draining your hot tub, wipe away any sediments, dirt or debris with a damp cloth. We highly recommend using a surface cleaner and a soft cloth. Or, for stubborn marks, try a tub scrubber.
Can you empty a hot tub with a hose pipe?
Draining your hot tub doesn't have to be overwhelming. You can use a garden hose to do the job quickly and cleanly.
How do I empty my hot tub for the winter?
How to safely close your hot tub or swim spa for winterDig out your owners' manual. ... Remove the thermal cover. ... Remove the filters. ... Drain your tub. ... Run the spa's air blower. ... Power off. ... Remove remaining water from inside the spa. ... Drain the pump housing, filter canister and heater.More items...
How often should you empty a hot tub?
about three to four times a yearOn average, you should aim to completely drain it about three to four times a year. Lucky for you, the time it takes to drain your hot tub is usually around an hour or so. One hour of time spent cleaning roughly four times a year is only four hours of your time to ensure that you are resting in a sanitary hot tub.
Can you drain a hot tub on grass?
Saltwater spas and hot tubs should never be drained on a lawn. However, more traditional chlorine-treated hot tubs can be drained safely if the cover is left off and the chlorine and bromine levels are allowed to dip below 1 ppm or, even better, below detectable levels.
How long can a hot tub stay empty?
Should the power go out to your hot tub for some reason, as a general rule, you've got at least 7 days before you run the risk of something important freezing and breaking. Usually, 10 to 14 days. It will not freeze overnight.
How do you siphon water out of a hot tub with a hose?
5:208:42How to Drain a Hot Tub - Garden Hose or Submersible PumpYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThough you simply plug it in and then drop it in. And make sure you have enough slack on the hose iMoreThough you simply plug it in and then drop it in. And make sure you have enough slack on the hose i like to place it in the absolute lowest part of the hot tub.
Where is the drain plug on a hot tub?
Facing the main controls of your hot tub, you should see a drain cap at the bottom of the spa. Remove the cap & you'll see a hose nozzle/valve.
Can I use a shop vac to clean my hot tub?
Yes, you can use a shop vac to clean a hot tub. The only caveat is that your shop vac must be Wet/Dry vacuum so that it is able to hold water. A shop vac is a great way to clean the remaining water off the floor of a drained hot tub. But you can also use it to suck water out of the jets.
Can you leave water in a hot tub?
If you do not want to put any chemicals in to your hot tub, no problem. But you must drain down and refill after each use and ensure that the water is never in the spa for more than 12 hours!
How long can you leave a hot tub drained?
Should the power go out to your hot tub for some reason, as a general rule, you've got at least 7 days before you run the risk of something important freezing and breaking. Usually, 10 to 14 days. It will not freeze overnight.
Should I empty my hot tub in summer?
Draining your hot tub if you won't be using it in summer is, as mentioned earlier, a good idea. However, leaving it exposed to the sun isn't. The problem is that the sun's UV rays can be exceptionally damaging to acrylic. It's so detrimental that leaving the tub exposed can void your hot tub's warranty.
Should I drain my hot tub during the summer?
It's safe to drain your hot tub for the summer. If you do choose to drain your hot tub, make sure to blow the water out of all the plumbing and equipment.
How to Empty A Hot Tub?
In preparation for draining your hot tub, you should have a good understanding of where the water will end up. Allowing several hundred gallons of water to wash up against your house or into the neighbor’s yard is probably not the most ideal situation. If you can direct it into a storm drain or a garden or lawn that requires watering, that’s probably much more preferable.
How long does it take for a hot tub to empty?
Large hot tubs may take more than an hour to empty. If this isn’t fast enough for you, you might want to use a submersible pump. This can reduce the drainage time to tens of minutes.
Can you use a hot tub without having to worry about it?
Plenty of people use hot tubs without having any idea of what it takes to maintain them. If you’re lucky enough to use a hot tub without having to worry about this , we don’t blame you ! However, there needs to be someone who understands how to empty a hot tub, how to clean the water filters, and how to refill it with fresh water.
Is hot tub water bad for plants?
Hot tub water with properly balanced water chemistry should n’t be harmful to your lawn or garden plants. That’s as long as the water is allowed to cool before draining and you don’t drown the greenery.
Can you run a hot tub without water?
Make sure to turn off the power at the breaker box before you empty the hot tub. Running it without sufficient quantities of water can lead to mechanical damage. Once you have everything in place you can open the drain valve or turn on the pump.
Can you direct a hot tub to a storm drain?
If you can direct it into a storm drain or a garden or lawn that requires watering, that’s probably much more preferable. Your hot tub might already have an outflow hose to help direct the drainage process. If it doesn’t, the drainage spigot will likely be threaded to allow you to attach a hose.
How to get hot tub water out of hot tub?
If you are having difficulty draining the water using the factory drain or its taking way to long to get all the water out, try using a sump pump. They are designed to pump water fast and efficiently and will make the process go a lot faster. If you are using one for the first time make sure you stay close to your hot tub so you can turn the pump off when most of the water is removed.
Where is the drain on a hot tub?
You may have a drain or spigot located at the bottom of the tub either protruding from underneath or you might have to remove a panel to access it. It can be tedious to try to use the drain but don't get discouraged because there are other ways.
Why flush hot tub lines?
Whatever your reason is for emptying the hot tub it's a really good idea to use a line flush product before you drain the water. It might seem like a waste of time but the reason is that harmful organisms can live in the plumbing where you can't even see them.
How to know if hot tub line flush is working?
You may experience foaming, which indicates the product is working. If you notice that the jets aren't clean after one application, repeat and let the product circulate through your hot tub for a longer period of time.
How to drain a spigot?
If you manage to locate the spigot, attach a garden hose securely by tightening clockwise. Make sure the hose will empty into a safe area before draining, keeping in mind that storm drains are not a good place to drain the water due to the negative impact on the environment. Most owner's find that draining onto grass or the garden are completely safe, just use common sense and move the hose to prevent flooding one area.
What is the problem with white water in a hot tub?
If you've ever run into problems with white water mold, waterline slime or the dreaded hot tub rash also know as folliculitis, you'll understand how replacing the water combined with a thorough clean is absolutely necessary.
How long should you wait to add salt to a hot tub?
If you are using salt water as your hot tub sanitizer, you should wait until the water chemistry is balanced before adding salt and turning the salt water system on. It's important to achieve balance with pH and alkalinity before producing chlorine with the salt water system.
How to drain a hot tub
If you've recently invested in one of the best hot tubs, you might be wondering why you need to know how to drain a hot tub, and the answer is that it’s a question of the quality of the water inside it.
1. Flush the pipes
You want to know how to drain a hot tub, but before you do so, there is a cleaning routine you should follow while it is still full of water. Using an additive called a system or line flush will clean up the contaminants that build up inside the plumbing lines.
2. Turn the hot tub off
To drain a hot tub, you need to turn the power off by unplugging it completely or turning it off at the circuit breaker. The pumps and jets should not run when there is no water in the spa.
3. Drain using a hose or submersible pump
There are actually two answers to the question of how to drain a hot tub. You can do it using a garden hose, or a submersible pump. It’s worth investing in the latter if you want to get the job done much more quickly.
4. Clean the hot tub
Once the water is drained, it's important to learn how to clean a hot tub properly before refilling it with water. Use a cleaning product designed for hot tubs and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
How often to drain a hot tub
Now you know how to drain a hot tub, the question of how frequently you should be doing so is the next one. ‘Ideally, the water should be drained every three months and refilled with fresh,’ says Tom Drakett-Cain. This means that if you're using it all year long, you'll need to make sure it's part of your hot tub winter care too.
Hot tub draining mistakes and how to avoid them
These are the errors the experts see most often in the hot tub drainage process so you can avoid them.
What to do when a hot tub is empty?
When the hot tub is empty, turn off the pump, remove it from the spa, detach the hose, and return it to storage.
How long does it take to drain a hot tub?
Drain your hot tub. Depending on the size of your spa, it should take around an hour to drain using the hot tub’s drainage spigot, or ten minutes to drain with a submersible pump. To drain using the spigot: Turn the power to the spa off at the circuit breaker.
How many spigots does a spa have?
Your spa model may have two spigots, a primary and auxiliary spigot. Use the primary spigot to drain most of the water, and then open the secondary spigot to drain the internal bleedlines. Attach the garden hose to the spigot, being careful not to cross-thread.
How to prevent air bubbles from forming during refilling?
To prevent air bubbles from forming during refilling, you simply need to fill the spa from the correct fill pipe instead of putting the hose directly into the spa shell.
What is an airlock in a hot tub?
An airlock is an air bubble that gets trapped inside your hot tub’s plumbing as it’s being filled with water . One or more air bubbles can cause the spa to work improperly and could damage jet and circulation pumps if you run them with air inside.
How to clean a spa filter?
Cleaning your spa’s filters is even easier than cleaning the shell and should be done monthly. Remove the cover to the filter compartment. Remove any floating items from the compartment. Turn the filter retainer handle to unlock the filter and retainer. Remove the filter cartridge and retainer.
What is a hot tub?
A hot tub offers a soothing, relaxing experience each time you use it. It provides daily enjoyment, relief, and comfort, and can improve your quality of life. Because your spa takes care of you, it’s only fair that you give it a little TLC in return. It doesn’t take much to maintain your spa on a regular basis —just keep the water clean, ...
What to do if you don't use a hot tub?
And if you decide to not use your hot tub, do not leave the power on and have it full of water. That water needs to be maintained, and if you are not going to do it, the water will turn murky and gross. It would be a pain to clean and disinfect it, so try to remember to drain it and leave the power off.
How to maintain a hot tub while you're gone?
Of course, one easy to way to maintain the hot tub sanitation while you’re gone is to use a hot tub floater with chlorine or bromine tablets inside.
Can you turn off a hot tub when it is not in use?
Do not turn a hot tub off when not in use unless fully draining it, using a wet/dry vac to suck out excess water from jets, and opening the union fittings to allow excess water near the heater and pump to drain out.
Should I leave my hot tub on all the time?
Yes, it is better to leave a hot tub on all the time rather than frequently turning it off and then back on. This helps ensure no bacteria buildup as the filtration cycles will continue. Plus it will use less electricity to maintain a constant temperature than if it is frequently reheating the water.
How to keep a hot tub running longer?
Keep in mind proper maintenance will keep the hot tub running for a long time to come. So, while it is off, clean the hot tub itself and its filters to ensure a long hot tub life.
How long can you leave a hot tub on?
If your hot tub will not be in use for more than 2 weeks, you may want to turn it off, drain it, and clean it. If you are using your hot tub somewhat regularly, it is totally safe to leave it on. It will be cheaper on your electric bill too rather than constantly turning it off and back on.
How long does it take for a hot tub to heat up?
AND, more importantly, your hot tub will be ready to go when you are. Remember, it takes hot tubs anywhere from 3 hours to 8 hours or more to fully heat up from scratch.
How to tell if a hot tub is leaking?
Some hard-to-see, hairline cracks can be found by running your fingers around the shell. You should be able to feel a subtle difference once you come upon a crack. While some cracks are simply cosmetic imperfections, others can cause your hot tub to leak over time. With the acrylic shells of modern hot tubs, cracks that lead to leaks are normally not an issue, but it is a more likely scenario than that herd of elephants we mentioned earlier.
Why does my hot tub leak water?
A hot tub that leaks out the same amount of water after each fill is usually indicative of a leak in the jet assembly. You can also narrow your search by determining if your hot tub leaks faster with the pump running or when it is off. Hot tubs that leak quickly with the pump running usually means there is an issue on the pressure side (the lines after the pump), while hot tubs that leak more slowly with the system on usually have an issue on the suction-side of the plumbing (the lines before the pump).
What happens when you put on your bathing suit and remove the cover?
But, after putting on your bathing suit and removing the cover, you discover there is no water in your hot tub.
Do hot tub jets have their own connections?
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that the jets and nozzles also have their own connections and fittings. If after filling your hot tub you notice that the water only drains to a particular level, examine the jets directly above the water line.
Is a hot tub plumbing system complex?
If you’ve read our article on how hot tub plumbing works then you’re already familiar with how complex hot tub plumbing systems can be. Yes, a hot tub’s plumbing is complex, but don’t let that deter you from investigating the leak and arriving at a solution. These bits of advice will help you in your search:
What to do if you drained hot tub water?
Having drained the water from your hot tub, you have an opportunity to clean the shell and soak the filter in chemicals.
How to clean a hot tub before draining?
1. Flush the lines. This cleaning procedure is required before you drain your hot tub. Even if your sanitizer level is perfect, your hot tub can still develop a biofilm: a bacteria that isolates itself from the chlorine and starts exposing other contaminants like legionnaires or Staphylococcus.
How to know if your hot tub is saturated?
Difficult to balance the water. You may notice that you cannot achieve an adequate pH (7.2 – 7.8) or Total Alkalinity (80 – 150 ppm) level. You add a pH decreaser / pH increaser or Total Alkalinity Increaser and nothing helps. Some water indicators (pH, Total Alkalinity) are like a roller coaster, fluctuating time, and again. It is recommended to replace the water as it is a sign that the hot tub water is saturated.
Why do you need a prefilter in a hot tub?
It helps the hot tub filter to remove contaminants from the water and ensures that you have clean and pure water in your hot tub.
Why does hot tub water turn yellow?
These bacteria can pose serious health concerns like intense stomach illness, skin rashes, eye, and ear irritation. Due to dirty pipes , your hot tub water can turn a red-yellow color and can cause a foul odor over time. The line flush product will help you deal with the dirt accumulated on the pipes.
Why do people winterize hot tubs?
Winterizing hot tub is essential for people who live in a chilly climate and need to ensure that their spa is well looked after during the winter season.
How to prevent bacterial growth in hot tub?
To prevent bacterial growth over time, you should clean the cover. Clean the cover and ensure that it is secured before winterizing to prevent living creatures from getting into your hot tub. Check the fullest guide on proper hot tub winterization: 9 Steps to Winterize a Hot Tub (+ mistakes to avoid) properly.
