The winter is an ideal time for hot tub use, as the warm silky bubbles can warm the body and ease tension during the frost of colder months. While it’s best for most people to leave their hot tub water set to their ideal temperature for greater energy efficiency, its necessary for those planning a prolonged vacation or season of disuse during the colder months to winterize their hot tub. Winterizing your hot tub while it’s not in use helps to protect the integrity of your home spa, and also lower your energy bill. If you plan to winterize a hot tub this season, this short guide on how to winterize your hot tub will give you all the information you need!
Properly Drain Your Tub
The first step to winterize a hot tub is proper drainage. Be sure to pick a clear and dry day, when temperatures are above zero to avoid any complications during the process.
- To begin, turn off the spa’s circuit breaker in order to ensure your safety.
- Remove the cover from the tub and take off the filter for cleaning (because filter cleaning is also an important part of hot tub maintenance, the time when your hot tub is not running is an ideal time for cleaning them). Filters can usually be washed underneath a cold tap, and can be replaced annually for wear and tear as a part of your regular hot tub maintenance.
- Locate the hose spigot on your hot tub and attach a garden hose for drainage. Because so much water will be drained, it’s important to bring the hose to a safe spot, such as a driveway or curb drain (allowing the water to flow into the street will allow you to avoid flooding your yard).
- After you have opened the spigot to allow the water to drain, use a sump pump or wet/dry vacuum to remove any remaining water left at the bottom of the hot tub. This step is important, as any remaining water is susceptible to freezing, causing damage to your spa jets, lines, or other areas.
Cleaning and Protecting Your Hot Tub
After drainage, cleaning and freeze-protection is the next important step to winterize a hot tub:
- Start by using a dry cloth to ensure all moisture is out of the tub. While the tub is still drained, use a multi purpose cleaner to clear the shell surface of any debris and mildew. Make sure to wipe out the front of jets and crevices, as these are typical hiding places for mold and debris.
- Using a funnel, pour some propylene glycol antifreeze into your jets and standpipes. This will help prevent any water from freezing during your absence or season of non-use.
- Next, you’ll want to secure your cover back into place to protect the interior of your tub. It’s also a good idea to place plywood boards on top of your cover to help prevent any damage to your tub from the weight of snow. Securing a heavy tarp overtop the ply board can help add a layer of protection to your tub.
Speak with Our Hot Tub Store in Fair Oaks, CA
Learning how to winterize your hut tub is an important part of ownership, but this process doesn’t have to be intimidating. By following the above tips, you can protect your home spa, and be all set to enjoy it once temperatures warm up! If you are looking for more tips on how to winterize a hot tub, come visit Blue Lagoon Spas today. We invite you to experience our relaxing, no pressure atmosphere, as our experts help you with your Turbo Spa needs today!
