Hot Tub Care

How to Drain and Refill Your Hot Tub for a Fresh Start

When to Drain Your Hot Tub

Your hot tub may need to be drained and refilled if you notice any of the following signs:

• Foamy or smelly water: This can be caused by inadequate sanitizer use or excessive lotion or sunscreen in the water.
• Cloudy water: This could indicate an improper chemical balance or a dirty filter.
• It’s been more than 3-4 months since the last drain: Regular draining and refilling helps keep your hot tub clean and ready to use.

How to Drain Your Hot Tub

There are two main methods for draining a hot tub:

Using a Drain Spigot:

1. Locate the drain spigot on the bottom rim of the hot tub.
2. Turn off the hot tub and connect a garden hose to the spigot.
3. Position the hose so that the water flows into a drain or an inconspicuous area.
4. Open the valve on the spigot.
5. Once the hot tub is drained, use a wet/dry vacuum to remove any remaining water.

Using a Submersible Pump:

1. Turn off the hot tub and lay the discharge hose from the pump to the nearest drain or inconspicuous area.
2. Submerge the pump in the hot tub and plug it in.
3. When the pump turns off or has pumped out as much water as possible, use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the remaining water.

How to Get Rid of Unwanted Water

If you just want fresh water in your hot tub, you can follow these steps:

1. Drain the hot tub completely.
2. Remove all remaining water with a wet/dry vacuum.
3. Clean and wipe down the entire hot tub with hot tub cleaner to remove any oils or bacteria.
4. Refill the hot tub and balance the chemicals.

Best Practices for Draining Your Hot Tub

• Remove as much water as possible from the hot tub and filter system.
• Wipe the hot tub down with a hot tub cleaner to remove any stubborn residue.
• Clean the filter with filter cleaner or at least a hose.

Refilling Your Hot Tub

Once your hot tub is drained, you can refill it with fresh water. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for filling and balancing the chemicals.

Additional Tips

• If you have a lot of debris in your hot tub, you may need to use a skimmer to remove it before draining.
• If you have a large hot tub, it may take several hours to drain.
• Be sure to disconnect the power to your hot tub before draining it.
• If you’re not comfortable draining your hot tub yourself, you can hire a professional to do it for you.