Winter is the perfect season to warm yourself, and what better thing to do than soak in a hot tub? The warm water can ease your tired limbs and make you feel relaxed after venturing out into the cold weather. Instead of spending money and going to the local spa, why not invest and modify your hot tub at home?
Modern, energy-saving hot tubs can stay hot and ready throughout the winter season without increasing much of your electric bill. The modifications you install on your hot tub are suitable investments that can benefit you for a long time.
Do you want to know how to winterize your hot tub and keep it warm and snug throughout the coldest months? Do you want to learn how but don’t know where to start? This article will tell you how to do precisely that and more, including ten steps to winterize a hot tub.
10 Steps To Winterize Your Hot Tub
Step 1: Check Your User’s Manual
Most manuals include step-by-step instructions for winterizing a hot tub; you can just follow them. General directions apply to most hot tubs, but you should still read the specific instructions for your hot tub model.
Ensure your hot tub does not need anything specific such as extra parts and components. If you can’t find your user’s manual, you can always contact your hot tub manufacturer by emailing or calling them.
Step 2: Remove The Thermal Cover And The Filters
Since you have to remove the thermal cover and your filter cartridges, you can also give them a good cleaning. For thorough cleaning, use an approved vinyl cleaner or hot water for the thermal cover. On the other hand, you can use a recommended hot tub filter for the filter basket; once done, store them inside.
Step 3: Let The Chemical Levels Drop
Before draining your hot tub into your front yard or anywhere, you should let the chemical levels in your tub dissipate. Some chemicals like chlorine and sanitizers are dangerous to plants and animals; ensure they’re gone before draining the water in your tub. Check the water after a few days; once the number of chemicals reaches zero, start winterizing your hot tub.
Step 4: Unplug The Power
Instead of simply unplugging your hot tub, turning the breaker switch off is better, so there’s no possibility of electrocution. You mustn’t forget this step; not cutting the power connecting the hot tub can harm you.
Step 5: Drain The Hot Tub
If your tub doesn’t have an exterior drain, use a garden hose or a submersible pump to drain the water from the tub. A gravity drain allows you to direct the water flow to a suitable place, like your driveway.
To start draining, remove the drain cap, connect the garden hose to the drain spout, and leave your tub empty. If you use a sump pump instead of a hose, leave it for approximately ten minutes.
To drain your tub faster, use a sump pump but check on it constantly, so the pump won’t get dry. Also, don’t forget to detach the drain cap once you’re done with the pump. If you can’t find the drain along the base of the hot tub or inside the panel, refer to your owner’s manual.
Step 6: Get The Water Out Of The Blower
This step only applies to hot tubs that have an air blower. Follow the steps below to drain the air blower. You can skip this step if your hot tub has no air blower.
- Turn off the heater; leaving it on while draining the air blower can damage your tub.
- Replace the hot tub cover and turn your hot tub on temporarily.
- Let the air blower run for 1 minute. Stop when all the water has been blown out on the inside.
- Turn off the hot tub again and take out the cover. You can now get back to winterizing your hot tub.
Step 7: Unfasten The Unions/Couplers
You can find the pumps and heater for the hot tub by opening the panel located in the cabinet. Unfasten the unions or couplers on the heart and pumps; you should also remove the bleed valves or drains on the tub.
Loosening the unions around the pump and heater allowed you to drain any remaining water from the tub’s pipes. They can drain naturally over time, but you can also use a shop vac to speed up the process. Once done, tighten the unions/couplers again and plug the drain.
Step 8: Blow Away Water From The Jet Nozzle
If your hot tub has jet piping, use a shop vac to blow away any water trapped in your hot tub’s pipes. Not draining the water from the plumbing line throughout the winter can break or rupture them. Every part of your hot tub must be empty for the entire winter season.
To drain the plumbing, set the shop vac to a blow setting, then put the hose into the drain, union, jet pipes, and your tub filter. Leave it for 15 seconds to drain the water completely.
When blowing out the water, make sure the jets are entirely open. Repeat the procedure until there’s no more water left.
Step 9: Wipe The Shell And Dry The Hot Tub
Clean the shell using an approved cleaner fit for cleaning the hot tube; dry it afterward. Put a large, absorbent towel in the bottom of the tub to soak up any remaining water that can get into the tub.
If you place your hot tub outdoors, use a cover cleaner that protects the cover from the ray of the sun. Ensure you clean the top, underside, sides, and aperture on the interior and exterior of the tub.
Let the tub air dry, or wipe it with a clean towel. You must not leave moisture when you cover your hot tub because it can create mold.
Step 10: Clean And Tighten The Cover
After drying the cover, put it back in your hot tub and tighten it to prevent any insects or animals from entering the tub during winter. To secure it further, you can add tarps so that even winter storms can’t wreak havoc on your hot tub. You should also remove any potentially damaging objects within the area, so they can’t cause damage to your hot tub.
You can winterize your hot tub by yourself by following the ten steps mentioned above! If you’re still unsure of the process, constantly refer to your hot tub’s user manual or contact the manufacturer to ask for assistance.
Why Should You Learn To Winterize Your Hot Tub?
Winterizing your hot tub yourself saves you the cost of repairing it; individual component replacements can be expensive. Your hot tub can seriously harm your plumbing lines, especially from freezing temperatures.
Hot tub owners can protect their investment by winterizing their hot tubs before winter. This way, your equipment will last longer, and you can save money in exchange for the time you spent on your hot tub’s modifications.
Materials You Need To Winterize A Hot Tub
A hot tub owner must have the necessary materials to winterize a hot tub; this includes the following:
- Flush line product
- Filter cleaner or new filters
- Hot tub shell cleaner
- Hot tub cover cleaner
- Non-toxic antifreeze
- Sump pump (optional)
Tools You Need To Winterize A Hot Tub
The tasks you have to do won’t be unfamiliar because they’re similar to those when you drain and clean your hot tub. You need to buy and gather the tools you need to proceed to winterize your hot tub without interruptions. For this, you need to get the following tools:
- Towels
- Garden hose
- Wet or dry shop vac that has a low setting
- Non-abrasive sponges
- Extra protection or fastenings (ratchet straps, tarps; optional)
Now that you’re equipped with the appropriate tools and materials, you can begin winterizing your hot tub by following the steps below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does winterizing a hot tub mean?
Winterizing a hot tub means preparing it for winter, especially if you don’t plan on using it. To winterize a hot tub, you need to turn off the power, drain all the water, clean the filters and shell, and secure the cover so it won’t be damaged.
Do hot tubs need to be winterized?
Winterizing a hot tub is only necessary if you plan to spend an extended period away from home. Leaving it for months without anyone using it or ensuring it has maintenance can damage your hot tub. So before spending winter someplace else, make sure to winterize your hot tub first!
Is it necessary to put antifreeze in a hot tub?
You can put antifreeze in a hot tub. But you shouldn’t. Antifreeze is an unpleasant chemical that’s difficult to wash out of pipes; it’s inconvenient for your tub.
If you know to winterize your hot tub, you’ll be able to drain and clean the plumbing. So an antifreeze isn’t necessary at all. But if you want to, non-toxic antifreeze is available, like Propylene glycol, also known as hot tub antifreeze.
How do I get rid of antifreeze in my hot tub?
You must spray water into the tub’s interior and let it drain to remove any excess antifreeze. If there are no blockages, it will thoroughly remove the antifreeze from the system. You can also add bleach; for it to work, you should let it sit for some time before flushing.
Is it okay to leave a hot tub empty in the winter?
Yes, especially if you are winterizing your hot tub. However, if you spend winter at home, you must frequently keep your hot tub running.
How long does it take to winterize a hot tub?
Winterizing a hot tub is a long process; it can take about 3 to 6 hours and 1 to 2 days if you’re a beginner. But once you’ve mastered winterizing your hot tub, you won’t notice how much time has passed.
How do you start a hot tub after winterizing?
Opening a hot tub is more manageable than closing it; you can start by cleaning the interior of the tub. Wipe down the inside with a moist and soft cloth, or you can use a tub cleaner if there’s more dirt to clean.
Check the wires, plumbing, and drain of your hot tub, and ensure that nothing is damaged or chewed by animals. Afterward, you can fill the tub with water, power it up, and enjoy a warm and relaxing bath.
