Having a hot tub can be one of the most low maintenance ways to add a little more fun and relaxation to your life. Modern hot tubs can be enjoyed with relatively small amounts of care. In general we tell homeowners to expect to put in roughly 30 minutes of work 3-4 times a year.
That being said, you still will want to perform some regular maintenance to maintain high water quality and keep your tub in good shape for the long term.
One of the most important items on your maintenance to-do list is draining the hot tub several times a year.
In this quick guide, we’ll share some of the reasons why you should drain your hot tub regularly, and the exact steps you need to follow to get the job done right!
Why is draining so important?
When you use your hot tub regularly, dissolved matter tends to build up in the water. This can include everything from lotions a person may be wearing, to dirt and debris from your yard and more. As this dissolved material starts to build up, you can start to notice problems with water becoming cloudy, foaming or even developing an odor.
The most effective way to address these issues is to replace the water in your tub with new, clean fresh water every 3-4 months on average. However, many hot tub owners find they can get away with draining a bit less regularly in the winter season. So if you complete a full drain in November, you should be able to continue enjoying your tub until March without needing to drain again.
How do I drain my hot tub
Simply follow these steps and you’ll be done with draining your tub in no-time. While the draining and maintenance process takes a minimum of 12-14 hours, we estimate only about 30 minutes of active work in total.
PROCEDURE
- Start by turning off the air controls and ensuring there is water coming out of all the seat jets.
- Move diverters to middle/neutral position and open closed jet faces).
- Put the tub on standby and remove the filter from the tub. (if you don’t have standby, turn the tub off)
- This is an excellent time to chemically clean your filter with a product such as Rapid Action Filter Cleanse.
- Take the tub off standby.
- Add 1 bottle of Drain Prep to the water put the jets on low for one cycle and leave the tub heated and circulating as normal with the cover closed for a minimum of 12 hours (can be circulated for up to 48 hours before draining for heavier build up). Drain Prep will break down any oils, dirt or scale build up that has coated the lines of the tub. For same day draining, add one Flush Pro Kit. Follow instructions as indicated in the kit.
- After 12 hours minimum has elapsed, turn the power to the tub off.
- Locate Spa Drain Valve. It is usually located on the side of the cabinet. Pull the drain valve completely out. Remove the safety drain cap and store for use when refilling your spa. Attach a standard garden hose to the drain valve. With the garden hose attached push the drain valve in so that the hose is flush with the drain. (if you don’t have a drain valve you can use a submersible pump and garden hose to drain the tub)
- As the water drains, clean the waterline and seats using Surface Cleanse and a clean, damp cloth. Surface Cleanse is the only cleaner that we recommend using to clean the inside of any hot tub. Do not use bathtub cleansers, CLR, or other household cleaners as they can cause damage to the acrylic surface.
- To stop draining the tub, simply reverse the process by pulling the drain completely out, installing the drain valve safety cap and pushing the drain in fully. Make sure you do not force the drain in so that it is properly aligned.
- Fill the tub then put your clean, dry filter into the filter canister, turn the power back on again and close the cover. (It is important to let a filter dry after chemically cleaning as the cleaner open the pores of the filter to release the dirt. Drying will shrink those pores back to regular size to catch more debris. It is recommended to have two filters so you can swap them out every drain and clean cycle to give the filters a proper chemical cleaning and time to dry before reusing.
- Turn the temperature up to the desired level. Once the temperature reaches 80°F you can start to add your fresh fill chemicals.
- This is a good time to take a water sample. Then, you can bring it into Buds to get free tailored recommendations for the correct chemicals for your tub.
LIMITED TIME
Service special!
Book a spa drain and clean before November 30th and receive a complimentary bottle of Drain Prep and a bottle of Rapid Action Filter Cleanse. Treat your spa to the care it deserves!
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