It’ll be a bigger problem if you ignore it, though. If your hot tub freezes, the ice can cause a lot of damage, and you’ll spend the spring fixing or replacing your equipment. Avoid that, and just keep it from freezing in the first place.

To Close or Not to Close

Few things are more exhilarating than sitting in a nice, warm hot tub while snow falls around you. You may decide to keep your hot tub open during the cold winter months just for that experience. Just understand, when it’s cold outside, your hot tub will take longer to heat up, and your energy bills will rise.

If you don’t plan on using your hot tub in the winter, you’ll want to be sure you properly drain it before it gets too cold. Most hot tub damage that occurs during the cold months is caused by freezing water, which is what can happen if you don’t properly winterize your hot tub. This damage can end up costing you far more than simply running it during the winter months.

Using Your Hot Tub During the Winter

If you do choose to keep using your hot tub during the winter months, do a few things to prepare for the cold weather.

Change the Water

Before it gets too cold, drain and clean your hot tub, then refill it with fresh water. Trying to change the water when it’s really cold outside can be quite difficult and, as you can probably imagine, is no fun at all.

Invest in a Good Cover

Most temperature loss occurs at the water’s surface. Before winter hits, check your hot tub cover carefully, and make sure that it’s in tip-top shape. If it’s not, repair it or replace it. If you don’t, you could end up spending way more than you bargained for on your energy bills.

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01/27/2023 03:29 pm GMT

Get a Floating Thermal Blanket

In addition to a high-quality cover for your hot tub, a floating thermal blanket that sits between the water and the cover will keep even more heat in the water, and further reduce your energy costs during the winter months.

Solar Cover for Hot Tubs

Using an extra thermal blanket underneath your existing cover during the winter will help your hot tub retain temperature, prevent freezing, and keep your energy bill down!

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Check the Water Level

Over the winter, especially if you haven’t used your hot tub for a few weeks, you’ll want to check the water level. If it drops too low, your pump and heater could shut down, resulting in ice and possible damage to your hot tub.

Closing Your Hot Tub for the Winter

If you decide you won’t spend much time in your hot tub over the winter, you can save quite a bit of money by not heating and circulating the water.

However, you can’t just close the cover and forget about it. You must take the time to properly drain and dry out your hot tub before it gets too cold. If you don’t, you could end up with an expensive repair in the spring.

Flush and Drain Your Hot Tub

First, you must perform a hot tub line flush to clean out the plumbing. Then, drain all the water from your hot tub. During the winter months, you can’t have water in the hot tub that is not circulating and heated as it’ll freeze and could damage your tub or the plumbing.

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Drain the Air Blower

If your hot tub has one, you must take the time to fully drain the spa blower of water as well. Shut off the heater, and run the blower for about 30 seconds to push all the water from the system and dry it out.

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Remove the Filters

Closing your hot tub for the winter is a good time to pull out and clean the filters. Clean and dry them and keep them somewhere safe and dry during the winter.

If they’re worn out, simply discard them, and replace them when you start your hot tub in the spring.

Loosen Fittings

After you’ve drained your hot tub, there could still be water in many of the plumbing fittings. Loosen these fittings, and allow all the water to completely drain out of them.

If you have a gas heater, shut it down per your manufacturer’s instructions, and drain the water from any valves and fittings to be sure they’re dry.

Blow the Jets

You must make sure there’s no water in the jet system either. Using a wet-dry vac, blow air through each jet to make sure all water has been expelled from the system.

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Do a Final Cleanup

Mop up any water that’s been left behind in the hot tub, and then give it a good cleaning before putting the cover on and locking it for the winter. This will make opening your spa in the spring much easier.

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Don’t Give Your Hot Tub the Cold Shoulder

When fall begins to set in, you need to begin thinking about what you want to do with your hot tub over the winter. If you decide to let it run so you can use it on those cold nights, you must make sure it’s ready to operate in the cold weather. If you prefer to close it down for the winter, take the time to learn how to keep your hot tub from freezing.

Unfortunately, following these steps won’t protect you from any White Walkers. But it will ensure your hot tub remains in good working order and help you avoid damage that could lead to expensive repairs in the spring.

Happy Soaking!

The post How to Keep Your Hot Tub From Freezing appeared first on Swim University®.

If that’s you, it’s likely you’d rather close things up and wait until the weather’s warm again before venturing into the spa. We get it. So you may be wondering how to winterize your hot tub to avoid all the upkeep while you’re keeping yourself snug inside. You came to the right place.

Why Learn How to Winterize a Hot Tub?

Because it can save you a lot of money in hot tub repairs and component replacements. Freezing temperatures can do significant damage to your spa, particularly the plumbing lines.

Winterizing your hot tub is protecting your investment. The small amount of time you spend on winterization is worth the savings and equipment longevity you’ll get in return.

Oh, did you see advice on the internet saying you don’t actually have to winterize your hot tub? All you need to do is keep it running? Theoretically, that’s true.

But that also means you’ll have to keep an eye on your hot tub all winter long, testing the water, adding chemicals, cleaning it, and paying for the electricity to run it when you’re not using it.

Doesn’t sound like the best use of your time and money, does it? We don’t think so either.

Location, Location, Location

Let’s be clear that when we talk about winterizing a hot tub, we mean outdoor hot tubs. Inside, in a temperature-controlled environment, the only time you’ll need to close your hot tub is if you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time. We’re talking more than a month.

Let’s also be clear that winterizing a hot tub located outdoors is essential in cold climates. If you live in, say, Arizona where the temperature in the winter seldom falls below the mid-40s, you can probably get away with running your hot tub all winter long—if you plan to use it all winter long.

But if you’re not using it, what’s the point of spending all that money and using up all those chemicals? Comfy winter temperatures or not, if you’re not going to use your spa for an extended period of time, close it.

Winterizing Your Hot Tub

Some of the tasks will be similar to what you do when you drain and clean your hot tub, so they shouldn’t be unfamiliar or difficult. Gather your supplies before you begin so you don’t have to stop halfway through to make any trips to the store.

You’ll need:

• sump pump
• garden hose
• Shop-Vac
• hot tub filter cleaner
• spa filter soak
• hot tub cleaner
• hot tub cover cleaner
• non-abrasive sponges
• soft cloths or towels

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1. Let the Chemicals Dissipate

Before you drain all the water into your yard or other location, you need to allow the chemicals levels to drop.

This mostly applies to chlorine and other sanitizers, which can be toxic to plants and wildlife, but none of the chemicals you use in your spa are made to be released anywhere but into your hot tub.

Give it a few days, and test the water. Once the chlorine (or other sanitizer) level has dropped to zero, you can begin winterizing your hot tub.

2. Turn Off the Breaker

It’s not enough to just turn the hot tub off. Make sure there is absolutely no power getting to your hot tub. You can also simply unplug it if it’s not hard-wired.

Important: This cannot be stressed enough. Do not skip this step. Electricity and water do not mix, and failing to cut power to the hot tub will put you—and anyone who may be helping you—in danger during this process. Safety first, always.

3. Drain the Hot Tub

Remove the drain cap, and attach the garden hose to the drain spout. Make sure the other end of the hose is in an appropriate place to drain all the water. Remember, you’ll be releasing roughly 400 gallons of water. Make sure the drainage area can accommodate that amount. Allow the spa to drain.

If you want to drain the spa more quickly, you can pump the water out with a sump pump. Keep an eye on the hot tub so the pump doesn’t run dry. Also remember to remove the drain cap when you’re done using the pump.

Or, if you want to really speed the process up, you can do both.

An inch or two of water will remain at the bottom of the hot tub. Don’t worry about it right now. You’ll get to it later in the process.

Note Keep the drain cap somewhere safe so you’ll be able to find it easily when you’re ready to refill your hot tub. If you misplace the drain cap, don’t worry. You can get a replacement.

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4. Drain The Blower

If your hot tub has an air blower you must drain the water from it before continuing.

1. Turn off the heater. You must never run the heater when the hot tub is empty, so make sure the switch is in the off position.
2. Cover the hot tub. Put the hard cover in place, just as you normally would.
3. Turn the breaker on. Or plug the hot tub in, if you just unplugged it.
4. Turn the hot tub on. This will run the blower. Let it run for about 30 seconds to remove any water from inside it.
5. Turn the hot tub off.
6. Turn the breaker off. Or unplug the hot tub.
7. Remove the cover. Then get back to winterizing your hot tub.

5. Loosen the Unions on the Pumps and Heater

Open the access panel in the cabinet, and locate the pump(s) and heater. Loosen the unions to allow water to drain from the plumbing lines.

If the pump(s) has a drain plug, remove that as well, and allow any water inside the pump to drain out.

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6. Remove and Clean the Filters

You don’t want to leave the filters in place over the winter. You also don’t want to store dirty filters. Remove them, and take this opportunity to clean them.

You could use regular filter cleaner, but since you’ll be storing the filters for weeks, possibly months, we recommend going a little further and putting them in a chemical soak for 24 hours, or at least overnight.

If the filters are beyond cleaning, just dispose of them, and start with new filters when you open your hot tub next season.

Once you’ve removed the filter, remove any water left in the filter well. You can do this with the Shop-Vac, sponges, or towels.

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7. Blow Out The Lines

When you think about how to winterize a hot tub, clearing the water from the lines is the key. If this isn’t done correctly or completely, you may as well not winterize at all.

Leaving water in the plumbing lines over the winter can cause the water to freeze and expand, which can cause the lines to crack or burst. You want your hot tub to be completely empty over the winter, and that means every part of it, not just the tub.

Turn the Shop-Vac’s setting to blow. Insert the hose into every drain, union, and jet, and the filter cavity. Blow into each spot for 10 to 15 seconds to force the water out of the lines and into the tub.

When you finish, repeat the process. Again, you don’t want any water in the lines.

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8. Remove the Remaining Water

This is why we said not to worry about a little bit of water left in the tub when you drained it. Now you can remove all the remaining water at once. We’re all about efficiency!

Depending on how much water is now in the tub, you may want to use the sump pump again, and then use the Shop-Vac to pull out whatever the pump can’t get. If it’s just a little water, the Shop-Vac should be able to handle it all.

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9. Clean The Shell

This will be the easiest clean you ever did on your hot tub. It’s easy when there’s no water in the way!

Use non-abrasive sponges and hot tub cleaner that doesn’t require rinsing to clean the shell. Wondering how to clean a hot tub without chemicals? You can absolutely use non-toxic products like vinegar and baking soda. Either way, make sure to get all the nooks and crannies.

If you find a ring of hot tub scum where the waterline was, you may need to soak it a bit with the hot tub cleaner before scrubbing it away. You may also want to use a little diluted bleach to kill any bacteria that may be hiding in it.

Don’t forget to remove the headrests and clean under them too. You may find a little water hiding under there, just waiting to grow mold over the winter.

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01/27/2023 06:51 pm GMT

10. Clean The Cover

You probably give your hot tub cover a good wipedown when you do your regular cleaning. But to winterize your hot tub and keep it closed for a few months, that cover needs to be clean.

If your hot tub is outside, use a good cover cleaner that’s also a protectant to shield the cover from the sun’s rays. Clean the underside, the top, and the sides, getting into the crevices created by seams.

Let it air dry, or wipe it dry with a towel. You don’t want to close up any moisture when you cover your hot tub. That’s an invitation to mold and mildew.

11. Secure the Cover

Once the cover’s dry, place it over your spa. If it locks, lock it to prevent anyone or anything from climbing into the hot tub during the winter. All kinds of little critters would love to find a cozy place to stay out of the snow and ice.

Even if your hot tub cover locks, it’s a good idea to further secure it with wind straps to ensure it stays put, even in the harshest winter weather.

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Can You Put Antifreeze in a Hot Tub?

Sometimes it’s not a question of can, but a question of should. Sure, you can use hot tub antifreeze, but should you?

No. No, you shouldn’t.

To be more specific, you shouldn’t have to. Once you learn how to winterize a hot tub, you know it entails blowing out the lines and removing every last drop of water from every inch of the spa, inside and out. So there’s no need for antifreeze.

But what if you leave the water in it all winter? Well, then, sure. You could put antifreeze in it, but why would you want to do that?

Leaving the hot tub full all winter is just asking for the work of dealing with cloudy, mucky, gross water spring, which is a bigger job than just winterizing the hot tub.

Call In a Pro

Does all this sound like something you’d just rather not mess with? There’s no shame in calling a pro to do it for you. That way, you can be sure the lines are cleared properly, and that your hot tub will be in good condition when you’re ready to use it again.

The Gold Medal is Yours!

You’ve learned how to winterize a hot tub. Congrats! Now you can sit by the fire, drink hot cocoa, and not have to worry about algae, bacteria, or any spa-related chores for a while.

No sprinting for you. Time for a long winter’s nap.

Happy Winterizing!

The post How to Winterize a Hot Tub in 11 Steps appeared first on Swim University®.

Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Follow these 12 simple steps to start a hot tub like a pro.

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1. Rinse and Drain

If you’re a new hot tub owner, you’re going to have to get used to the cleaning that comes with hot tub ownership. If you’re a more seasoned owner, you know the drill.

For New Hot Tubs

Many manufacturers ship hot tubs with a small amount of antifreeze just in case they’re exposed to freezing temperatures on the way to your house. It protects the plumbing from any potential damage, but it’s not something you want to soak in.

Fill the tub’s footwell—that’s the bottom portion where you place your feet—with water, run the pumps for a few minutes, and then drain. This clears any antifreeze out of your plumbing system.

To Restart a Hot Tub

If you’ve left your water sitting for a long period of time with no maintenance, you need to drain and clean your hot tub to get rid of the old water and any bacteria colonies that could make you sick.

After draining, refill the tub with new water. Choose a good jet and drain cleaner, and follow the instructions on the package. Allow the jets to run long enough to do a thorough cleaning job.

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Once your jets and drains are clean, drain the hot tub again.

Tip: If you winterized your hot tub, your drain plugs and fittings will have been left unscrewed or open. Before filling your tub with water, remember to make sure everything is reconnected:

• Tighten all quick-disconnect fittings
• Check the front and top of the pump to ensure it’s connected
• Inspect the heater for any missing plugs or loose connections
• Ensure the air blower is properly connected
• Close any drain valves
• Put any slice valves in the open or up position

2. Turn off All Power

We’re big on safety here. Before you do any major cleaning you should always disconnect all power to your hot tub to prevent any shocking mistakes.

This doesn’t mean simply flipping your spa equipment switch. Unplug your tub and turn off the circuit breaker to ensure the power is completely cut off. Remember, water and electricity to not mix.

3. Clean the Empty Hot Tub

You wouldn’t bathe in a dirty tub or shower, right? Well, you don’t want to soak in a dirty hot tub either. Keeping your spa clean is pretty much a third of the maintenance along with water chemistry and hardware upkeep.

For New Hot Tubs

When you first start a spa, you want to make sure all the surfaces that water may come into contact with are as clean as possible. Spray and wipe down the shell (that’s the actual tub of your hot tub) and the cover.

Use a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth or sponge to prevent any damage to your shell. Rinse thoroughly to keep your hot tub from foaming later.

To Restart a Hot Tub

If your spa sat with stagnant water in it for a while, it’s a good idea to perform a hot tub deep clean to get it back to usable status.

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4. Install or Clean the Filter

Your hot tub filter plays a crucial role in maintaining the cleanliness of your water. This is the best time to install new filters or clean your old filters.

For New Hot Tubs

Install a filter cartridge into every filter well. Some hot tubs only have one, but check your owner’s manual just to be safe.

To Restart a Hot Tub

Remove and inspect any filter cartridges currently installed. Check them all to see if they need to be replaced.

If they’re just dirty, you can clean the hot tub filters by spraying them down with filter cleaner. If they’re extremely dirty, put them in a chemical soak overnight. Actually, it doesn’t matter if they look dirty or not, it’s safer to clean them anyway.

Once the filter cartridges are clean, inspect them one more time in case they need replacing before reinstalling them into your filter wells.

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5. Fill Your Hot Tub

Whether you’re filling your hot tub for your first or fiftieth time, we also recommend you use a hose filter. It will help remove any impurities from your water source, including high mineral levels (which can clog your system), metals like copper and iron (which can turn your water green or brown), and calcium (which can cause buildup in your shell and plumbing).

Hose filters prevent mineral and metal problems before they start, which can save you a lot of time and money.

Even with a hose filter, we recommend placing the hose into the filter well. This lets the water circulate through the system and push out any air locks (air stuck in the plumbing).

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Using the Filter Well

If you don’t have a hose filter, the next best thing is to place the hose directly into the filter area rather than the footwell. You’ll get the filtering benefits from the hot tub’s filter, and will still head off any air lock problems.

Monitor the Water Fill Level

Your owner’s manual may have specific instructions on how high your water level should be, but generally, you want the water level to be about an inch below the headrests while still being high enough to fully cover the jets.

Try to resist the temptation to add a little more water. When you, your family, or your guests enjoy the tub, the water level rises. If you spill water, it can throw off the balance of your hot tub chemistry, which means more work for you later. Plus, if your hot tub is indoors, you’ll have a slippery mess.

You also want to make sure your water level is high enough. Low water levels can cause your heater and pump shut down, which means no outflow from the jets and less filtration. Plus, if you live in a colder climate, your water might not circulate properly and your pipes could freeze.

6. Prime the Pump

Air in your hot tub’s lines can cause a whole slew of problems. To make sure air is out of everything, you need to prime the hot tub pump. This process varies depending on the manufacturer and model, so consult your owner’s manual before proceeding.

Some control panels have a self-priming mode. If yours doesn’t, you’ll have to prime it manually using a bleeder valve.

Control Panel Priming

It’s easy to prime your pumps using your control panel, if it has the setting:

1. Press the jets button to turn the pump on. Run for ten to twenty seconds.
2. Press the jets button again to turn the jets on high. Run for another ten seconds, and make sure all the jets are working.
3. Turn off the jets by pressing the jets button again.
4. Continue to repeat this process until water circulates through all the jets. You’ll know the pump is primed if all the jets are working as they should.

Bleeder Valve Priming

It’s not a big deal if your hot tub doesn’t have a self-priming mode. It’s just as easy to prime your hot tub using a bleeder valve, which is a nozzle on the pump that allows air to escape:

1. Make sure all power is disconnected from your hot tub by turning off your spa and the breaker.
2. Locate your hot tub’s pump. If you’re unsure of its location, check your owner’s manual.
3. Close the gate valve on the discharge side of the pump. This shuts off the water flow.
4. Turn the bleeder valve counterclockwise until you hear it start to hiss. That’s air leaving the pump. All the air has been released when the hissing stops.
5. Once all the air has escaped, tighten the bleeder valve, reopen the gate valve, and turn the hot tub power on.
6. Turn on the jets to check whether the water is flowing properly. Repeat the process until the pump is primed and water is flowing normally.

Help! My Water Isn’t Flowing

If your jets are running and there’s no water flowing through them, you’re probably experiencing an air lock. They’re not uncommon and they’re simple to fix, so don’t worry. To get rid of an air lock:

1. Turn all of your jets’ faceplates counterclockwise to open them.
2. Keep the heater off by turning down your thermostat.
3. Press the jets button twice to turn the jets on high. Let them run for ten to fifteen seconds. Turn off the jets.
4. Repeat the previous step three more times, increasing the run time by ten to fifteen seconds.
5. You will start to see air bubbles coming from the jets. Keep the jets running until all the air has been released.

7. Add the Start-Up Chemicals

Now that your filters are clean and installed, your water is fresh, and your pump is primed, it’s finally time to add your start-up chemicals. Wait until your hot tub water reaches 80ºF (30ºC) before you add anything. The heat helps the chemicals dissolve and incorporate into the water.

If you’re not sure what chemicals you need, check out our guide to Hot Tub Chemicals. And if you’ve never added chemicals to your water before, we have a few tips before you get started:

• Figure out how much water your hot tub holds. You can find usually this in your owner’s manual. The amount of water in your tub determines the amounts of chemicals you need, so this is important.
• Measure your chemicals before pouring them into the tub. It helps keep your water chemistry balanced and will save you money in the long run.
• Keep your chemical measurements separate before pouring them into your tub. Mixing chemicals outside of water can be dangerous and less effective.
• Important: Do not use pool chemicals in your tub. Chemicals made specifically for hot tubs are your best option.

8. Run the Pump

Once your chemicals are added, run the pump for at least ten minutes on high speed. This evenly distributes the chemicals in the water, and will give you a more accurate test result.

9. Test Your Water

If you’re a new hot tub owner, get ready to discover the high school chemistry throwback that is testing your hot tub water.

You may have measured the chemicals, but you should always check to make sure your chemistry is correct. If your chemistry is off, it can damage your hot tub, irritate your skin, or allow nasty bacteria to invade your relaxation time.

If you’re a new hot tub owner, and you’re not sure how to test your hot tub water, don’t worry. It’s not as difficult as it may seem, and you’ll get the hang of it in no time.

We also recommend you plan to test your hot tub water at home once a week and have your water professionally tested at your local spa supplier once a month.

10. Set the Water Temperature

Some like it hot, and some like it hotter. You should find the temperature that’s most comfortable for you, but we recommend keeping your water between 98ºF and 102ºF (36ºC and 38ºC).

Caution: Your water temperature should never, ever exceed 104ºF (40ºC). You could burn yourself or damage your hot tub, or both.

While your hot tub control panel has a thermometer, we recommend you test your water with a separate thermometer to ensure an accurate reading.

We also recommend that you keep your water’s temperature consistent. If you let your water cool off and reheat with every use, you run the risk of stressing the heater and circuit board. Not to mention, you’ll waste a ton of energy and get a higher electric or gas bill.

11. Cover Your Hot Tub

Let your water circulate for another ten minutes after you set the temperature. Cover your tub for approximately twenty-four hours. This helps the temperature rise, retain heat, and prevent loss of water and chemicals through evaporation.

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01/27/2023 03:29 pm GMT

12. Test Your Water

No, we’re not just repeating ourselves. Now that your water has had some time to stabilize, the chemical levels may not be correct. Before you use the hot tub, test the water a second time and adjust chemical levels as needed.

Additional Considerations Before Restarting Your Hot Tub

When you start a spa after a long break, inspect your hot tub for any cracks, stains, or mildew. Dampness may disguise damage, so it’s important to wait for your tub interior to dry completely before looking it over.

Be sure to also take a peek at the wiring before you refill. If you see any frayed cords or loose connections, call a qualified electrician to inspect it. Unless you’re a licensed electrician, working with electrical systems is best left to a professional.

Great Work!

You’ve successfully started or restarted your hot tub. We told you it wasn’t that complicated. As a reward, sit back, relax, and let your troubles float away in your hot tub.

Happy Soaking!

The post How to Start a Hot Tub in 12 Easy Steps appeared first on Swim University®.