If you are leaving your house for an extended period, especially over the winter months, you’ll want to winterize your hot tub. Follow these 5 steps below:
1. Drain your hot tub.
First, turn off your hot tub and unplug it. Coil up the power cord and wrap the plug-in plastic, placing it inside the equipment compartment. Then open the drain spigot and let the water out. While it’s draining, open all adjustable jets and air valves, allowing for better drainage.
2. Wipe down excess water.
If you have water left anywhere in your hot tub, make sure to get it out with a bucket or soak it up with towels.
3. Release water from equipment compartment.
Below the control panel, you will find your equipment compartment. Inside the compartment, loosen and release the water from your heating element and pump housing. The large, plastic, white unions that attach your heater and pump(s) to the rest of the spa should also be loosened until all water is out. You should also open any drain plugs your pump housing may have.
4. Close the air venturi valves.
Next, close or turn off any air valves. Your system will most likely still have some residual water in it, so it is a good idea to use the blowing end of a shop vacuum and blow air into the jets for a few seconds at each jet and the opening of the filter. Be sure to remove your filter and leave it out all winter.
5. Seal the hot tub and turn off power.
By this step, most of the water should be out of your system. Place your cover back on and secure it tightly. Close your equipment compartment and re-attach any screws or latches. Make sure the power to the hot tub is turned off at the house breaker.