There’s nothing quite so relaxing as soaking in the hot tub after a long day’s work. But that relaxation can be seriously impaired if your water is looking particularly murky or feeling a little gritty. Even if you’re faithful with hot tub and water maintenance, your hot tub water will still need to be replaced regularly — usually every three to four months to be exact. Proper maintenance may start with using the right hot tub chemicals and water care products but, eventually, you will need to drain your tub and start from scratch.

Follow our step-by-step list to make the process as painless as possible.

Steps to Draining Your Hot Tub

1. If you know you’re going to be draining your spa, avoid putting any chemicals in the water a few days beforehand. Chemicals can take a toll on your grass and surrounding landscaping.
2. Make sure your hot tub is powered off before beginning the process.
3. If the drain valve on the bottom of your tub isn’t connected to a drain pipe, you can use a hose to drain the water. Another, quicker option is to use a submersible pump.
4. Once the water is drained, wipe down the shell of your spa with a damp cloth. Next, choose a non-foaming cleaner to give the inside of your tub a gentle scrub. Be sure to use a hot tub cleaner rather than your ordinary household cleaning products. Speak with the experts at Spa Crafters to find the best water care products for your Sundance® Spas or Jacuzzi® hot tub.
5. Rinse the tub thoroughly with a hose to remove the cleaner.
6. Clean or replace your spa filter as needed. When cleaning, use a soft brush to remove debris and use a hose to spray between each fold of the filter. Be sure to clean the filter housing as well.
7. Once the bottom drain valve has been closed on the spa, run the system for a few minutes to ensure debris from the pipes is pushed out and into the filter.
8. Refill your tub. Be sure to test the water and adjust levels with your spa chemicals as necessary.
9. If you use a hot tub cover, it’s a good time to clean that too. After removing your cover from the tub, spray its underside to rinse away any hot tub chemicals that may have splattered on its surface. Dry the cover and flip it to wash the outside free of any grime. Spray it with a vinyl cleaner or a mild vinegar and water solution and, using small circular motions with a cloth or a soft-bristled brush, gently scrub it clean. Once the cover is dry, use a UV vinyl protection spray across the entire surface.

Spa Crafters in San Antonio, Texas

Need more advice on how to best care for your spa? Spa Crafters in San Antonio is here to help. Simply give us a call, browse our website or visit us in store today for more information or to get started. Our team of backyard leisure and hot tub experts are here and happy to assist.