Getting into your hot tub only to find the water murky and uninviting can be frustrating and ruin the relaxing experience.
However, you can easily solve this by draining the tub and cleaning it thoroughly.
It’s a fairly straightforward process that doesn’t require any tools you won’t find at home or the next hardware store.
With just a little guidance, you can have your hot tub cleaned, refreshed, and ready in no time. In this quick guide, we’ll walk you through the process and help you avoid common pitfalls.
Tools and Materials for Draining Your Hot Tub
Luckily, cleaning and draining your hot tub doesn't require a lot of tools. There are some optional choices that you’re free to work with, but the basics you’ll need are:
- A long garden hose to attach to the drainage spout or siphon the water through it.
- A bucket or a wet/dry vacuum to help you remove residual water and debris that the hose can’t reach.
- You may need a wrench or pliers to loosen or tighten drain valves.
- A scrub brush or a soft cleaning sponge to scrub the hot tub’s interior surface after draining.
- Microfiber towels or absorbent rags to dry the tub and wipe down surfaces after cleaning.
- A hot tub cleaning solution to scrub the surfaces.
- A specific cleaner to remove buildup from the hot tub filters.
- Protective gloves to keep your hands safe from the chemicals
How to Drain Your Hot Tub
After you’ve gathered the previous tools, draining your hot tub should be straightforward. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Turn Off the Power
Safety is everything when working with something that combines electricity and water. So, your first step should be to turn off the power to your hot tub at the breaker.
2. Attach the Hose and Open the Valve
Once the electricity is off, locate the drainage spout, usually at the bottom of your hot tub, and attach one end of your garden hose to the spout. Place the other end of the hose in an appropriate drainage area, like a garden or outdoor drain.
Ensure that wherever the water goes, it won’t cause flooding that can ruin landscaping or environmental harm. Open the drainage valve to allow water to flow out through the hose.
Depending on the size of your hot tub, this should take a while, so be patient. Note: If needed, use the pliers or wrench to loosen a tight valve.
3. Remove Residual Water and Scrub the Tub
After a while, you’ll notice that not all the water has drained from the tub. This is where the bucket or the wet/dry vacuum comes in handy. You can use either option to remove the remaining water or debris the hose couldn’t reach.
Finally, apply the spa-safe cleaners to the tub’s interior. Then, use a brush or soft sponge to remove dirt, grime, or buildup, especially around the waterline and jets. Give the interior a good rinse with clean water to guarantee no residue is left behind.
4. Clean the Filters
One of the reasons your hot tub water is murky could be the filters since they ensure the water stays clean and free of debris.
As a result, you must give them a good cleaning session while draining the hot tub. To do so, remove the filters and wash them using an appropriate filter cleaner. Follow the cleaner’s instructions for the best results.
Then, rinse the filters thoroughly with clean water and set them aside to dry while you finish cleaning the tub.
5. Dry the Hot Tub and Inspect for Final Touches
Finally, wipe the hot tub's interior with microfiber towels or an absorbent rag to dry it completely. This can help prevent mildew or mold from forming while the tub is empty.
Use this opportunity to check the jets, seals, and other components for signs of wear or damage and tighten or adjust any parts as needed with your wrench or pliers.
Using a Submersible Pump
Some tools can make draining your hot tub easier, such as a submersible pump. This pump can significantly speed up the process of draining your tub, especially if you have a large one or want to avoid waiting for gravity to do the work.
Here’s how you can use one effectively:
- Turn off the hot tub’s electricity.
- Prepare the pump and attach the appropriate drainage hose, ensuring it’s tightly secured to prevent leaks.
- Locate the deepest point in the hot tub and place the submersible pump on it. Keep it flat, as you don’t want it falling over.
- Place the drainage hose in a suitable area to avoid causing any possible damage.
- Connect the pump to a power source and let it do the work.
- Monitor the water as the pump will stop working effectively once the water level gets too low.
- Use the bucket or the dry/wet vacuum to remove the residual water.
- Finally, clean and store the pump.
Using a Spigot
If your hot tub has a built-in spigot, draining it can be almost effortless. The spigot, often located near the base of the hot tub, allows all the water to flow out directly without needing a pump.
Here’s how you can use it:
- Always start by turning off the hot tub’s power.
- Search for the spigot near the bottom edge of the outer shell. It may be concealed behind a panel. Your owner’s manual can help you find its location.
- Connect one end of your garden hose to the spigot and tighten the connection to avoid leaks.
- Place the other end of the hose in an appropriate drainage area.
- Turn the spigot valve to open and let the water flow naturally. Depending on the design, you might need the pliers or a wrench to loosen the valve.
- Once most of the water has drained, close the spigot and detach the garden hose.
- Remove the residual water using the vacuum or bucket.
- After draining, inspect the spigot for blockages or wear, rinse it out, and ensure it’s closed securely to prevent leaks.
Water Damage: Causes and Preventions
When water escapes due to leaks or poor drainage, it can lead to costly damage to your hot tub, surrounding surfaces, and even nearby structures.
It’s not just the hot tub’s condition that matters—the environment surrounding it plays an equally important part.
Environment
Several factors around your hot tub can cause or prevent water damage, depending on how you deal with them. These factors include:
Location
The best location for your hot tub is slightly elevated or perfectly level to prevent water from pooling. You should also avoid low-lying areas prone to flooding or water collection.
Surrounding Materials
Use water-resistant decking material around your hot tub such as composite wood or treated tiles to help protect the surrounding area from splashes.
You should also consider adding a barrier around the tub, such as plants or shrubs, to help soak up splashes or spills naturally.
The Weather
If you live in rainy or snowy climates, install a canopy or a gazebo to shield the hot tub area from excess water exposure.
On the other hand, living somewhere with prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause the hot tub to fade or crack, so consider partial shade to protect it.
Hot Tub Cover
If you don’t really want to install a canopy or change your house’s design with a gazebo, you can buy a quality hot tub cover.
It can keep rainwater, snow, and debris out of the tub, reducing the risk of overflow and contamination.
Benefits of Draining Your Hot Tub
Draining your tub might seem like just another routine task in hot tub maintenance but it’s an important step that provides various benefits, including the following:
1. Incredible Water Quality
Once you get used to draining your hot tub regularly, you’ll notice the water gaining some sparkle and shine.
That’s because, over time, contaminants such as body oils, lotions, dirt, and chemicals build up in your hot tub, leading to murky water. Of course, draining and refilling the tub with fresh water eliminates these impurities.
2. Better Hygiene and Safety
Leaving your hot tub water without any change for too long can turn it into a breeding ground for bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms.
3. Prevent Scale and Staining
You must routinely drain and clean the tub to prevent the accumulation of scale and mineral deposits that can stain or damage the hot tub shell.
This not only keeps your tub looking pristine but also guarantees it continues to function efficiently.
To Sum Up
Learning how to drain your hot tub can be a tad overwhelming, but trust us, it’s simpler than you might think.
You’ll need to prepare the tools, mainly a garden hose, bucket, spa-safe cleaning supplies, and a sponge at the very least. After that, you’ll need to plan where to drain the water and the process gets much easier from there.
By following our guide, turning off the power, attaching the hose, draining the water, clearing the tub, and drying it thoroughly, you’ll have your tub refreshed and ready for use in no time.