Owning a hot tub comes with the promise of relaxation, therapeutic benefits, and fun, but it also comes with a certain level of maintenance. One common question many hot tub owners have is whether they should drain their hot tub every season. The answer isn’t as simple as a yes or no—it depends on several factors. Let’s dive in and explore the reasons behind draining your hot tub and whether it’s necessary for each season.
Why Would You Need to Drain Your Hot Tub?
Hot tubs need regular care and maintenance to keep the water clean, clear, and safe. Over time, debris, oils from skin, lotions, and other contaminants can build up in the water, even with regular filtration and chemical treatment. Draining your hot tub helps remove any build-up, refreshes the water, and gives you a fresh start. Here are the main reasons why you might consider draining your hot tub:
- Water Quality: Even if you’re using chemicals to keep the water balanced, over time, the water will lose its freshness. Draining and refilling helps maintain clean, clear water and ensures your chemical levels remain balanced.
- Preventing Scale and Build-Up: Minerals in the water can lead to scale build-up on the tub’s surfaces and in the plumbing. Draining the tub helps prevent this build-up and keeps the system running efficiently.
- Deep Cleaning: Draining allows you to thoroughly clean your hot tub, including the jets, filters, and surfaces, which can be hard to do when there’s water in it. A good scrub down will help prevent any unpleasant odors or mold growth.
Should You Drain It Every Season?
In many cases, draining your hot tub once every season (roughly every 3-4 months) is a good idea, but it’s not always strictly necessary. Here’s a breakdown of when it might be appropriate to drain it and when you can wait a little longer:
- Regular Use (Frequent Soaking): If you use your hot tub regularly (several times a week or more), the water can become contaminated more quickly due to the oils, lotions, and debris brought in by your skin. In this case, it’s a good idea to drain and refill your tub every 3-4 months to maintain water quality and prevent buildup.
- Less Frequent Use (Occasional Soaking): If you only use your hot tub occasionally, you may not need to drain it every season. You can extend the time between draining by maintaining good filtration, proper chemical balance, and using a cover when the tub is not in use. However, even with infrequent use, you should still consider draining and refilling the water at least twice a year to avoid stagnation.
- During Winter or Off-Season: If you live in a climate where you’re not using the hot tub during the colder months, draining it for the season can be a good move to avoid the risk of freezing pipes and to keep the water fresh. Make sure to thoroughly clean the tub before draining and store any removable parts (like filters) inside to prevent damage.
- Extended Periods of Inactivity: If you’re planning to not use your hot tub for an extended period (such as a few weeks or longer), it’s wise to drain it. Stagnant water, even if properly treated with chemicals, can develop bacteria, algae, or foul odors over time.
Signs It’s Time to Drain Your Hot Tub
You don’t have to rely solely on the change of seasons to decide when to drain your hot tub. Keep an eye out for these signs:
- Cloudy or Foul-Smelling Water: Even after adjusting the chemicals, if the water remains cloudy or has an unpleasant smell, it’s time for a drain and refill.
- Inconsistent Chemical Balance: If you find that your chemicals are frequently off, even after treatment, it may indicate the water has reached a point where it can no longer hold proper balance.
- Scale Build-Up: If you notice mineral deposits or white, chalky build-up in the tub, it’s a sign that the water needs to be refreshed.
- Dirty or Clogged Filters: If your filters are dirty or clogged even after regular cleaning, it might be time for a complete water change to ensure your filtration system can work properly.
How to Drain and Refill Your Hot Tub
If you decide to drain your hot tub, follow these basic steps to ensure a proper process:
- Turn off the power to your hot tub to avoid damaging the heater or pump during draining.
- Locate the drain valve: Most hot tubs have a drain valve or hose connection. Use this to drain the water, or use a submersible pump if there’s no valve.
- Clean the surfaces and jets: Once drained, use a soft cloth and a non-abrasive cleaner to scrub the surfaces of the tub. Clean the jets, pillows, and other hard-to-reach places.
- Clean or replace filters: Remove the filters and clean them or replace them if needed. This ensures that your tub is ready for fresh water.
- Refill with fresh water: Once everything is clean and dry, refill the tub with fresh water and balance the chemicals (pH, alkalinity, sanitizer levels).
- Turn the power back on and let the system run for a bit to check for any issues.
Conclusion: To Drain or Not to Drain?
Draining your hot tub every season is a great idea to maintain water quality, prevent build-up, and ensure your system runs smoothly. However, the frequency of draining depends on how often you use your hot tub and how well you maintain the water. If you use it regularly or for long periods, draining every 3-4 months is recommended. For less frequent use, you might be able to stretch it out a bit longer. Always monitor the water’s clarity and chemical balance to determine the best time for a drain and refill.
In short, regular maintenance is key to keeping your hot tub in top shape, and draining it every season can help you enjoy a cleaner, more relaxing experience.