How to Winterize Your Hot Tub Like a Pro

As winter approaches, hot tub owners face an important decision: should you keep your spa running, or shut it down and winterize it? Proper winterization protects your tub from freeze damage and can prevent costly repairs. This guide covers each essential step to help you winterize your hot tub like a pro, ensuring it’s ready for easy reactivation in the spring.

Why Should I Winterize My Tub?

If you plan to leave your spa unused during freezing temperatures, winterizing it is crucial. Any water left in the plumbing, drain, or heating elements can freeze, expand, and cause damage like cracked pipes or broken components. If you live in a region with harsh winters and don’t plan to use your hot tub regularly, winterizing it is the best option to protect your investment.

Shutting Down vs. Running in Winter

Some hot tub owners opt to keep their spa running in winter to enjoy warm soaks even in cold weather. If you choose this option, you’ll need to check and maintain the tub regularly, which can be more costly due to increased energy usage. However, if you won’t use your tub frequently, shutting it down and winterizing is often more practical, helping you save on energy and avoid unnecessary wear and tear.

Step-by-Step Guide to Winterizing Your Hot Tub

Once you decide to shut down your tub for the winter, follow these steps to ensure it’s thoroughly protected:

1. Shut Off Power

Before starting, turn off the power to your tub at the breaker. This ensures safety and prevents the tub from accidentally turning on while you’re working.

2. Drain the Hot Tub

Locate the drain spout or drain valve, usually near the bottom of the tub, and attach a garden hose to direct the water away from your property. Open the drain valve and drain the water entirely. Allowing chemical levels to drop for 24 hours before this step can also reduce environmental impact and keep your hot tub in a superior condition.

3. Remove and Clean the Filters

Take out the filters and clean them thoroughly. Rinse the filters with water or a filter-cleaning solution, let them dry, and store them in a safe place. Make sure to check the filter cavity to remove any residual debris. If the filters are worn out, consider purchasing replacements before reopening your tub in the spring.

4. Drain the Pump and Heater

To prevent residual water from freezing and damaging your spa, locate the pump and heater and drain them completely. These parts typically have a drain plug; open this to remove any trapped water. If your spa has an air blower, drain the air blower by briefly turning on the power to push out the remaining water, then turn the breaker back off.

5. Blow Out the Lines

Residual water in the plumbing lines is a common cause of freeze damage. Use a wet-dry shop vacuum to blow air through each jet individually to drain water from the lines. Spend a few seconds on each jet to ensure the plumbing is completely dry.

6. Loosen Unions on the Pump and Heater

Loosening the unions (the large nuts that connect your pump and heater) can allow any remaining water to escape, preventing pressure buildup and reducing the risk of freezing.

7. Remove Remaining Water from the Shell

After draining and blowing out the lines, use a wet-dry vacuum to suction any remaining water from the spa shell. Even small amounts left in the bottom can freeze, so ensure the shell is completely dry.

8. Add Antifreeze for Extra Protection (Optional)

To guard against any trapped moisture, you may choose to add antifreeze, specifically non-toxic, RV-approved antifreeze, to the jets and lines. Pour a small amount directly into each line to prevent freezing. Avoid automotive antifreeze, as it’s toxic and difficult to remove.

9. Clean the Shell and Hot Tub Cover

Wipe down the shell with a non-abrasive cleaner to prevent staining and remove any buildup. Cleaning the shell now will save time when reopening your spa. Clean the hot tub cover as well using mild soap, then rinse and dry. A clean cover improves insulation and extends its lifespan.

10. Secure the Cover

Place the tub cover on your tub, ensuring a snug fit to keep out debris and moisture. If your cover is worn or cracked, consider replacing it to ensure maximum insulation. Secure it with straps or tie-downs to prevent wind or snow from dislodging it.

Final Tips for Successful Winterization

  • Turn Off the Breaker: After all drain steps, double-check that the breaker is turned off for the season.
  • Store Cleaned Filters: After removing, cleaning, and drying your filters, store them in a safe place.
  • Check the Cover’s Condition: A well-sealed cover is essential for winter protection, so make sure it’s in top shape.

Conclusion

Winterizing your spa properly is essential to protecting it during the cold season. Following these steps will help prevent freeze damage and make springtime reopening quick and easy. By putting in a little effort now, you can enjoy your hot tub worry-free when warmer weather returns.

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Tips to keep a hot tub running in Winter

Are you considering closing the hot tub for the winter? Don’t do it!  Hot Tubs are the perfect at-home remedy to beat the winter blues.  Winding down after a long work day (or week), when your happy hour options are limited, means your Hot Tub is the perfect getaway.  Hot tubs are hardy, they are built to withstand the cold temperatures and heavy snowfalls that winter brings us.  Despite what you might think, hot tubs are not more difficult to care for in the winter.  Let’s breakdown the basics of keeping a hot tub running in the winter.

Follow a plan

Hot tub maintenance should follow a basic plan. If you’re paying attention to the water quality every 3-4 days and keeping the water well balanced, you should be able to avoid most surprises. It’s a good idea to drain and clean your hot tub every 3 months (more or less depending on use), so plan to give your Hot Tub a drain and clean before winter starts.  This way you won’t need to do a drain again until the coldest part of winter has passed.

Invest in a solid cover

A hot hub cover is not where you want to cut costs. Having an air tight seal on your hot tub means you can keep the snow and debris out of your water. It will also keep the heat in so that you can hop in any time you like. A good cover will save you in energy costs too because your heater will not have to work as hard to keep your water warm.  Do a thorough cover inspection in the fall to be prepared for winter. If you have any small cracks or notice any amount of water trapped in the cover then you need to repair or replace your cover before winter sets in.  Throughout the winter, its best to keep snow and ice off your cover, to avoid it causing permanent damage.

Install a heat timer

Depending on the model of hot tub you have, you may need to add a timer to your heater. If the temperatures are going to stay below freezing for long you should set a timer to turn the heater on every 20-30 minutes, and check it regularly.  This will help you avoid frozen water lines, and some unexpected surprises at the most inopportune times.  If you own a Jacuzzi hot tub, they have taken care of this for you. When you see the temperatures falling, activate Freeze Protection, or F3 Standard Mode.

Keep a hose nearby

Water loss is inevitable, but it happens so gradual that it can get missed in your weekly walkabouts.  If your water level drops too low it can lead to air locks, frozen pipes and burnt out pumps. When you winterize your outdoor water lines before the cold sets in, leave a hose out that you can run inside and top up your water levels as needed.

Have a supply of spa chemicals

When the snow falls and the cold temps set in, we start to question every trip out of the house – do I really need that?  Don’t get caught needing the right chemicals to balance your hot tub just as you’re putting your feet up for a winter weekend in. It’s important to keep your hot tub water well balanced to maximize the life of your heating and filtration system. Most hot tub owners know they need to keep their chlorine in check to reduce skin and eye irritations, but it’s important to remember that the pH and Alkalinity also play a role too. ph and Alkalinity levels impact your chlorine’s effectiveness and the life of your pumps and filters. Having a supply of chemicals for the winter season and a regular maintenance plan should yield you clean and clear water whenever you’re ready to slip in. 

Buy a reliable test kit

Keep your test kit handy, so you can get a full picture of your water quality.  A test kit should give you accurate readings for Chlorine (or Bromine), as well as your pH and Alkalinity. Test your water every 3-4 days and make minor adjustments as you need. 

Relax and enjoy your winter hot tub time

That’s it! It is both beneficial and efficient to keep a hot tub running in the winter. If you stick with a basic maintenance plan and keep an eye on things regularly, your hot tub can become part of your regular self-care plan. So grab your toque, a drink and your favourite playlist, and head out to enjoy your backyard winter oasis.

 

 

Diagnose and Solve Issues Based Upon Hot Tub Water Colour

Nothing is more relaxing than stepping into a clean, clear and wonderfully warm hot tub. But that sense of relaxation can quickly disappear when you’re faced with a hot tub water disaster. Even if you are diligent in maintaining your hot tub, brand new water issues can arise occasionally, and some can be more visually shocking than others. Sometimes, an issue with balance, a chemical reaction or cleanliness can cause your hot tub water to turn from crystal clear to shockingly colourful. This guide will help you diagnose and solve issues based upon your hot tub water colour. 

Continue reading Diagnose and Solve Issues Based Upon Hot Tub Water Colour

Maintaining Hot Tub Filters

Filters are one of the most essential parts of your hot tub. Filters make it possible for you to hop in and enjoy clean, warm water at any time. But, keeping your hot tub filters clean and well-maintained takes some work and effort. Many of the most common hot tub problems occur because of an issue with filters. Understanding how to maintain, clean and replace your hot tub filters will ensure you have an excellent experience in your home hot tub each and every time. Continue reading Maintaining Hot Tub Filters

What is Hot Tub Air Lock?

Taking care of a hot tub takes a lot of diligence and routine maintenance. It can take a while to learn the ins and outs of maintaining a hot tub. After a while, most people get into a seasonal routine that makes it easy for them to keep their hot tub balanced, clean, and ready to use. 

If you’ve ever owned a hot tub (or a pool) you know that every so often, mysterious issues can pop up. One issue that can stump even the most experienced hot tub owners is air lock.  Continue reading What is Hot Tub Air Lock?

Get the Most From Your Hot Tub During Winter

Many people dream of having their own hot tub, especially during the coldest days of winter. Hot tubs are an excellent way to relax, promote time with family, and to get outdoors during the winter. If your family already enjoys the swimming pool, a hot tub may be the perfect way for you to expand your backyard activities into the winter months. Continue reading Get the Most From Your Hot Tub During Winter

Mistakes to Avoid when Maintaining your Hot Tub

Having your own hot tub is an amazing experience. The ability to jump in and soak away stress is a luxurious way to end any day. The key to enjoying a home hot tub is ensuring that it is well-maintained and ready to use at all times. If you are maintaining your own spa for the first time, there are some things you’ll need to learn to do and avoid. We’ve put together a list of common mistakes that new owners make with their hot tubs. By learning about proper maintenance, you can avoid making an expensive and frustrating mistake that prevents you from using your spa.

Continue reading Mistakes to Avoid when Maintaining your Hot Tub