When Should You Drain Your Hot Tub?
Over time, dissolved solids, oils, and organic materials can build up in your hot tub, making it harder to sanitise and balance the water levels properly. Draining the tub at the right time gives you a better chance of extending the tub's lifespan and ensuring it runs efficiently.
As a general rule of thumb, hot tubs should be completely drained and refilled every 3 to 4 months. However, this timeframe can vary depending on how often the hot tub is used, how many people use it, and whether the tub is inside or outside. Hot tubs that are used all the time are more likely to accumulate more contaminants, meaning that the tub may need to be cleaned every 1 to 2 months instead.
In addition, there are some signs that indicate your hot tub needs to be drained sooner. Persistent water clarity issues, even after chemical adjustments, suggest that the water is saturated with contaminants. If the water smells musty, sour, or overly chemical, it's also a sign that the sanitisers are no longer effective. A build-up of biofilm or residue inside the tub or on its components is another red flag to watch out for. If you're constantly adjusting the pH, alkalinity, or sanitiser levels with no success, a full hot tub drain and refill is often the best course of action.
How to Drain the Water Properly
Whether you're changing the water as part of a routine schedule or as a way to fix cloudy or smelly water, it's crucial to follow the proper steps. Before doing anything, it's crucial to switch off the power at the breaker. This protects your pump and heater from running dry or getting damaged while the tub is empty.
Most hot tubs come equipped with a built-in drain valve, which is generally found near the bottom of the unit. You can attach this valve to a hose and then place the other end in a lawn or a driveway so that the water can drain out safely.
After attaching the hose, open the drain valve to let the water drain out. Additionally, make sure the hose stays firmly in place to prevent it from shifting or spilling.
After the majority of the water has been drained out, some water can remain in the footwell, seats, or pipes. You should use a wet/dry vacuum or absorbent towels to remove this leftover water to ensure the tub is thoroughly emptied.
Once the tub is empty, you should scrub the interior surfaces using a hot tub-safe cleaner. This is a great time to remove any residue, scum lines, or build-up that may have accumulated since the last time you cleaned.
Once the tub is clean, you can close the drain valve and remove the hose. Then, refill the tub with fresh water, turn the power back on, and balance the chemical levels before you use the hot tub again.
Don’t Forget the Filters and Jets
When you're draining and cleaning your hot tub, it’s easy to focus on just the water and the interior surfaces. However, overlooking the filters and jets can lead to problems that affect your water quality, the system's performance, and the tub's hygiene levels.
Hot tub filters are often the first line of defence, and they are responsible for capturing debris, dirt, oils, and other contaminants that enter the water. If these filters aren't cleaned regularly, they can become clogged and reduce your water flow. Dirty filters also make it more difficult to maintain the water's chemical balance, which can lead to cloudy or unclean water. Draining your hot tub gives you the perfect time to remove the filters, rinse them thoroughly, and soak them in a filter-cleaning solution to break down any oils and residue.
The jets in your hot tub provide the soothing, massaging action that enhances your soaking experience. However, these jets can become clogged with body oils, soap, and other residues over time. If the jets aren't properly cleaned, they can lose pressure or become blocked. Additionally, bacteria can also develop inside the jet lines if they aren't regularly flushed. When you're draining your hot tub, you should use this opportunity to clean the jets by running a jet-cleaning solution through the system before the final rinse. This can help clear out the internal lines and ensure that water circulates properly when the tub is refilled.
Rinse and Check for Any Damage
When you're draining and cleaning your hot tub, it's not enough to simply empty the water and wipe down the tub. Thoroughly rinsing your hot tub and inspecting it for any signs of damage can help you preserve its cleanliness, safety and lifespan. Skipping these steps can result in ongoing water quality issues, mechanical problems and expensive repairs.
After scrubbing the shell and surfaces with a hot tub-safe cleaner, it’s essential to rinse the tub thoroughly before refilling the water. Leftover cleaning solutions or loosened debris can mix with the fresh water and affect its chemical balance, making it harder to keep the water safe and clean. Rinsing the tub thoroughly ensures that no dirt or grime is left in the tub.
Draining the hot tub also gives you the opportunity to closely inspect the entire structure and the tub's components. You should keep an eye out for cracks in the shell, signs of wear or tear on the seals and gaskets, and any water that's pooling where it shouldn’t be. These issues can all be early warning signs of leaks or structural damage.
Once the hot tub is fully drained, you have a good opportunity to inspect the jets, drain valve, and other components for any signs of corrosion, blockages, or general wear and tear. Damaged jets may not function properly, and a faulty valve could cause leaks or drainage issues. Replacing or repairing these parts before refilling the hot tub ensures that everything works efficiently and safely.
Get in touch if you're looking for professional hot tub cleaning services that can keep your spa clean, safe, and running smoothly. From thorough deep cleans and filter servicing to water treatment and balancing, we can handle it all.
