While some hot tub owners love a winter soak and choose to keep their tubs running all year long, anyone who is going away for the holidays or prefers not to use their tub in the cold will need to learn how to prepare their hot tub for the winter.
The process of preparing your spa for the winter is known as ‘winterisation’ and in this blog, we will explain exactly what you need to do to winterise your hot tub and discuss why this process is so important. Let’s get started!
Why Is It Important To Prepare Your Hot Tub for Winter?
Preparing your hot tub for winter is crucial if you want to prevent expensive damage caused by freezing water. When temperatures drop, any water in the pipes, heater or shell of the tub will freeze and expand, which can crack both the inner workings and the outer shell, requiring costly repairs. By carefully removing all the water, you can avoid this issue.
In addition to this, if you choose not to drain or use your tub over winter, stagnant water can develop and create a breeding ground for bacteria and algae – potentially leading to permanent staining, unpleasant odours, and corrosion of the tub’s metal components.
How to Winterise Your Hot Tub: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Flush the tub
Before draining your tub, you will want to start by giving it a thorough flush to clear out any debris, oils or soap deposits that may have built up in the plumbing. All you need to do is buy a high-quality hot tub flush solution, pour it into your tub while the pumps are running and leave it to soak overnight.
Step 2: Power down
The following morning you can flip the circuit breaker for the hot tub to completely cut off the power. If your tub is not hardwired, you just can unplug it from the wall.
Step 3: Drain the tub
Once your hot tub is completely powered down, use the drain valve at the bottom of the tub to drain the main water supply. After draining, use a wet/dry vacuum to suck up any remaining water from the footwell, seats, jets and filters.
Step 4: Remove and clean the filters
Now it’s time to remove the filters and give them a good clean! It is recommended to leave the filters soaking in filter cleaner overnight and then ensure they are thoroughly dried before storing them in a dry, warm place until your tub is ready for use again. If there is water in the filter well once you have removed the filters, you can use a sponge to soak it up.
Step 5: Dry all components
Next you will need to disconnect the unions on the pumps and heater and use the ‘blower’ function on your wet/dry vacuum to blow air through the pipes, jets and filter standpipes to force out all hidden water.
At this stage, you can use either a sponge or the wet vacuum to get all remaining water out of the tub. Make sure that all drain plugs from the pumps have been removed so that any residual water can drain out.
Step 6: Clean the shell
Now that your hot tub is completely dry, you can give the shell of the tub a final scrub using either hot tub cleaner or a solution of white vinegar and baking soda. Take care to wipe the hot tub down thoroughly once you are done.
Step 7: Clean and secure the cover
Finally, give your hot tub cover or spa bag a good scrub and dry thoroughly – any moisture left on the cover can cause mould growth, especially if it will be untouched for a number of months. It is important that your hot tub cover is in good condition, fits properly and is locked down to keep the tub protected from the elements.
And there you have it! By following these easy steps, you can help keep your hot tub protected and prepared for the winter months.
Images supplied courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
