Nothing feels greater than enjoying the cold winter inside the hot tub with your loved ones since it’s designed to serve you even in the coldest months. However, if you’re planning to go to warmer places and won’t be using your hot tub for a few months, it would be better to winterize it. Winterizing means that you drain the hot tub completely and make sure that everything is dry until you use it next time.
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Below we have a guide that you can do to winterize your hot by yourself!
How to Winterize a Hot Tub
Step 1: Tools and Supplies
Some of the tasks will be similar to what you do when you drain and clean your hot tub. You’ll need:
- Sump pump
- Garden hose
- Shop-Vac
- Hot tub filter cleaner
- Spa filter soak
- Hot tub cleaner
- Hot tub cover cleaner
- Non-abrasive sponges
- Soft cloths or towels
Step 2: Check the Chemistry Level
Just like how you drain and refill your hot tub, the steps are:
- By using a chemistry test kit, test the chemistry level of the water to see if it’s on the right level for the alkalinity, calcium, and pH.
- This mostly applies to chlorine and other sanitizers, which can be toxic to plants and wildlife.
- Test the water after a few days to see if the chlorine or sanitizer level drops to zero then you can start winterizing.
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Step 3: Turn Off the Breaker
You don’t want to make people and yourself get in danger while working on this project.
- Please make sure to turn off the breaker.
- Not only the breaker part but also the power source to ensure that there’s no electricity connected to the hot tub.
Step 4: Start Draining
Every hot tub has its own spigot or plugs that let the water drain out.
- Check your hot tub manufacturer for specific directions.
- If your local area has a specific rule about water disposal, you might want to use a drainage hose that can properly reach the sewer.
- If you need extra help to drain the water faster, you can rent a submersible pump from the nearest pool supply store.
Step 5: Drain The Blower
If your hot tub has an air blower you must drain the water from it before continuing.
- Turn off the heater.
- Cover the hot tub. Put the hardcover in place, just as you normally would.
- Turn the breaker on or plug the hot tub in, if you just unplugged it.
- Turn the hot tub on to run the blower. Let it run for about 30 seconds to remove any water from inside it.
- Turn the hot tub off.
- Turn the breaker off or unplug the hot tub.
- Remove the cover. Then get back to winterizing your hot tub.
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Step 6: Loosen the Pumps and Heater Unions
- Open the access panel in the cabinet, and locate the pump(s) and heater.
- Loosen the unions to allow water to drain from the plumbing lines.
- If the pump(s) has a drain plug, remove that as well, and allow any water inside the pump to drain out.
Step 7: Clean the Filters
Filters are important parts that you have to take care of even when you’re trying to ‘freeze’ them.
- Turn off the power and make sure that there’s no electricity connected to the hot tub.
- Take out the filter and clean it by using a cleaning solution.
- There are weekly, monthly, and 3-4 month maintenance processes that you can use. However, we recommend deep cleaning the filter if you’re not going to use the hot tub for a long time.
For more detailed instructions on how to clean a hot tub filter, you can read it here.
Step 8: Blow Out the Lines
Leaving water in the plumbing lines over the winter can cause the water to freeze and expand, which can cause the lines to crack or burst.
- Please make sure that the hot tub is completely dry and empty from water, including the line system.
- Turn the Shop-Vac’s setting to blow.
- Insert the hose into every drain, union, and jet, and filter cavity.
- Blow into each spot for 10 to 15 seconds to force the water out of the lines and into the tub. You might want to repeat this step to make sure that there’s no water inside.
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Step 9: Clean the Body
- Use non-abrasive sponges and hot tub cleaner that doesn’t require rinsing to clean the shell.
- Use non-toxic products like vinegar and baking soda. Either way, make sure to get all the nooks and crannies.
- If you find a ring of hot tub scum, you may need to soak it a bit with the hot tub cleaner before scrubbing it away.
- You may also want to use a little diluted bleach to kill any bacteria that may be hiding in it.
Step 10: Clean the Cover
You may give your hot tub cover a good wipedown on regular cleaning but it has to be clean before winterizing it.
- If your hot tub is outside, use a good cover cleaner that’s also a protectant to shield the cover from the sun’s rays.
- Clean the underside, the top, and the sides.
- Let it air dry or wipe it dry with a towel. You don’t want to close up any moisture when you cover your hot tub that might cause mold and mildew.
Step 11: Secure the Cover
- Once the cover’s dry, place it over your spa.
- Lock it to prevent anyone or anything from climbing into the hot tub during the winter.
- Even if your hot tub cover locks, it’s a good idea to further secure it with wind straps to ensure it stays put.
(We would also recommend this: 6 Ways On How to Maintain A Hot Tub by Yourself)
The main purpose of winterizing a hot tub is to prevent the pipes from freezing and damage due to extreme cold weather. The process can be done either by a pro or yourself but if you’re going to do it by yourself, you have to spare extra time because the whole process may take 3 to 4 hours.