How to Drain a Hot Tub: A Step-by-Step Guide

Picture this: you’ve just enjoyed a long, relaxing soak in your hot tub. The jets have massaged away your stress, the warm water has soothed your muscles, and now… it’s time to face the less glamorous side of hot tub ownership: draining and cleaning. While it might not be as enjoyable as a soak, properly draining your hot tub is crucial for maintaining water quality, preventing buildup of harmful bacteria and minerals, and ultimately extending the life of your spa. Neglecting this essential task can lead to murky water, unpleasant odors, and even costly repairs down the line.

Draining your hot tub is a fairly straightforward process, but understanding the steps involved and knowing a few helpful tips can make the job much easier and more efficient. From locating the drain valve to prepping your spa for refilling, there are a few key things to consider. This guide will walk you through the entire process, ensuring you can drain and clean your hot tub with confidence and ease.

What are the most frequently asked questions about draining a hot tub?

What’s the quickest way to drain my hot tub?

The quickest way to drain your hot tub is by using a submersible pump. These pumps are specifically designed for this purpose and can remove water much faster than the gravity drain that most hot tubs are equipped with.

Submersible pumps work by being placed directly into the water of the hot tub. You connect a garden hose to the pump, and then plug the pump into a standard electrical outlet. The pump then sucks the water from the hot tub and discharges it through the hose. The speed advantage stems from the pump’s motor actively forcing the water out, whereas the standard drain relies solely on the difference in water level (gravity) to push the water through a smaller opening.

Before draining, always disconnect the power to your hot tub at the breaker to prevent any electrical hazards. Also, familiarize yourself with the pump’s instructions before using it. When using a submersible pump, be sure to monitor the draining process and turn the pump off when it starts sucking air, as running it dry can damage the motor. Ensure that the area where you are draining the water is capable of handling the volume of water and that the discharged water will not cause any damage to your property or violate any local regulations.

How often should I be draining my hot tub?

You should drain and refill your hot tub every 3-6 months, depending on usage frequency and water chemistry maintenance. More frequent use and inconsistent water care necessitate more frequent draining, while less frequent use and diligent maintenance might allow you to stretch the interval towards the longer end of that range.

Several factors influence how often you need to drain your hot tub. High bather load (the number of people using the hot tub) introduces more organic material, like sweat, oils, and lotions, which degrade water quality faster. Even with proper sanitation, these contaminants build up over time, leading to cloudy water, unpleasant odors, and difficulty maintaining proper chemical balance. Regular water testing will help you determine when it’s time for a fresh start. If you’re consistently struggling to maintain proper sanitizer levels, pH, or alkalinity, despite following recommended procedures, it’s likely time to drain and refill.

Ignoring the need to drain and refill can lead to more than just aesthetic issues. A buildup of dissolved solids and contaminants can create an environment where bacteria and algae thrive, potentially leading to health problems. Furthermore, these substances can corrode and damage your hot tub’s components, shortening its lifespan and leading to costly repairs. Regularly draining and refilling your hot tub with fresh water is a crucial part of maintaining a clean, safe, and enjoyable hot tub experience.

Where should the drained water be directed?

Drained hot tub water should ideally be directed to a sanitary sewer drain, such as a cleanout, toilet, or tub drain. This ensures proper treatment of the chemically treated water at a wastewater treatment plant, preventing environmental contamination.

While the sanitary sewer is the preferred method, alternative options exist depending on your local regulations and property setup. If a sewer connection isn’t easily accessible, consider directing the water to a lawn or garden *only* if you’ve neutralized the chemicals in the hot tub water. Use a test kit to ensure that chlorine or bromine levels are at 0 ppm. Even then, be cautious about draining large volumes onto a single area, as this can oversaturate the soil and potentially harm plants. Check for local ordinances, as some municipalities prohibit draining chemically treated water onto lawns or into storm drains. Directing hot tub water into a storm drain is almost universally discouraged. Storm drains typically lead directly to natural bodies of water (rivers, lakes, streams) without any treatment, and the chemicals in the hot tub water can harm aquatic life and disrupt the ecosystem. Always prioritize the environment and follow local regulations when disposing of hot tub water. Failing to do so could result in fines and environmental damage.

Do I need a special pump to drain my hot tub?

While not strictly required, a submersible pump will significantly speed up the draining process of your hot tub. Most hot tubs have a drain spigot, but it relies on gravity and can be very slow, sometimes taking many hours. A submersible pump, often called a utility pump or sump pump, can drain the hot tub in a fraction of the time.

Using the built-in drain spigot is certainly an option, especially if you don’t mind waiting and your hot tub is positioned to allow for gravity drainage. Ensure the spigot is connected to a garden hose and directed to an appropriate drainage area that won’t harm your landscaping or violate any local regulations. However, the flow rate will be significantly slower compared to using a pump, and you might find that it struggles to remove the last few inches of water.

A submersible pump offers a more efficient solution. These pumps are designed to be placed directly into the water and can pump out hundreds or even thousands of gallons per hour. They are readily available at most hardware stores and are relatively inexpensive. Look for a pump that can handle debris, as hot tub water can contain small particles. After using a submersible pump, you can usually remove nearly all the water from your hot tub, making cleaning and maintenance much easier. Make sure you unplug the hot tub before introducing any pump.

When choosing a submersible pump, consider these factors:

• Flow rate (GPH): Higher GPH means faster draining.
• Hose compatibility: Ensure the pump’s outlet fits a standard garden hose.
• Debris handling: Some pumps are better at handling small particles than others.
• Automatic shut-off: Some pumps have a float switch that automatically shuts off when the water level is low, preventing damage to the pump.

How do I prevent airlocks when draining?

To prevent airlocks when draining your hot tub, ensure there’s a clear path for air to enter the plumbing system as water exits. The easiest method is to leave the filter access open and/or remove the filter completely. This allows air to replace the water being drained, preventing a vacuum from forming and halting the draining process.

Airlocks occur when a vacuum forms in the plumbing lines, preventing water from flowing freely. This is especially common in hot tubs with complex plumbing systems or those where the drain is located at a higher point than some of the jets and pipes. If an airlock forms, the draining process will slow to a trickle or stop altogether, even though there’s still water in the tub. Beyond removing the filter and filter housing, you can also try loosening any unions in the plumbing. This provides alternative entry points for air. If you’re using a submersible pump to speed up the draining process, ensure the pump’s intake isn’t completely submerged; a small amount of air intake can help prevent a vacuum. In particularly stubborn cases, a garden hose can be used to gently force water back into the drain line, dislodging the airlock.

Should I clean the hot tub while it’s drained?

Yes, absolutely. Cleaning your hot tub while it’s drained is the ideal time to give it a thorough cleaning. Draining allows you to access all areas of the shell, jets, and plumbing inlets without the hassle of dealing with water. This leads to a more effective and comprehensive cleaning process.

Draining your hot tub provides the perfect opportunity to remove biofilms, mineral deposits, and other grime that accumulate over time. These deposits can harbor bacteria and reduce the effectiveness of your sanitizers. Attempting to clean a filled hot tub is significantly more difficult because you’re working underwater, and the dirt and debris you dislodge simply recirculate. By cleaning while drained, you can effectively remove these contaminants and improve the overall hygiene and water quality of your hot tub when you refill it.

Consider using a specialized hot tub cleaning solution designed for acrylic surfaces. Avoid abrasive cleaners that can scratch the shell. A soft cloth or sponge and a dedicated hot tub cleaner will be gentle yet effective at removing dirt and grime. Pay particular attention to the waterline, jets, and any areas prone to staining. Finally, remember to rinse thoroughly after cleaning to remove any residual cleaning product before refilling. This prevents imbalances in your water chemistry when you refill.

What do I do with the chemicals before draining?

Before draining your hot tub, you need to neutralize the chemical levels to avoid harming the environment. Specifically, you want to significantly reduce or eliminate chlorine or bromine and balance the pH to be within an acceptable range, generally between 6.8 and 7.8. This ensures the water you release is safe for your lawn, sewer system, or wherever it drains.

Before draining, stop adding any sanitizing chemicals like chlorine or bromine for a few days, ideally 2-3 days. Test your water using a reliable test kit or strips. If the chlorine or bromine level is above 5 ppm (parts per million), you can use a chlorine/bromine neutralizer, readily available at pool and spa supply stores, following the product’s instructions precisely. These neutralizers chemically break down the sanitizers. After neutralizing, retest the water to confirm the levels are sufficiently low before proceeding. In addition to sanitizers, check your pH level. High or low pH can also be detrimental to the environment. Use pH increaser or decreaser (also available at pool stores) as needed to bring the pH into the recommended range. Allowing the water to sit after adjusting the pH will give the chemicals time to circulate and affect the water uniformly. Retest to confirm the new pH level before draining. Draining water with unbalanced pH can damage your hot tub shell, equipment, or surrounding landscaping.

And that’s all there is to it! Hopefully, this guide helped you drain your hot tub quickly and easily. Now you can get it cleaned, refilled, and back to bubbling bliss in no time. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back soon for more helpful tips and tricks to keep your hot tub sparkling!