Keeping Your Hot Tub Open or Shutting It Down For The Season – Here’s what you need to know
Keeping Your Hot Tub Open or Shutting It Down For The Season
Before you know it the sun is setting a little earlier, the temperatures are a little cooler and the leaves are a little more colorful. Winter is on it's way!
Now is the time to decide if you plan on keeping your spa open or shutting it down for the season.
If you do not intend to use your hot tub in the winter months, it’s important that you have your spa properly winterized. Not doing so can cause your hot tub to freeze, which will most definitely lead to extensive damage and will void your warranty should you still be covered.
NEVER DRAIN YOUR SPA WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE AT OR NEAR FREEZING.
Do you intend to use your spa in the winter? If so, remember to follow these suggestions.
If you are due for a water change, it's a good idea to have it done before the cold weather sets in.
Look at the perimeters of your spa for water stains that might indicate leaks. If you find any problematic areas, contact Central Jersey Pools immediately.
If your cover is damaged, now would be the perfect time to change it. One of the most common issues with spa covers are water saturation. When your cover is saturated with water, the spa cover becomes too heavy to take off your hot tub. A water saturated cover will turn into a giant block of ice during winter.
Routinely monitor your water level. If the water level is too low, the pumps can malfunction and cause the water to freeze, which will damage the hot tub, the plumbing fixtures and parts. Also, remember to often check the temperature of the water in the hot tub so you know that the heater on the tub is working properly.
Make sure to maintain your chemical balance as normal. Simple problems can become complicated in freezing conditions.
Always be sure to check/clean or replace your filters. Dirty or damaged filters cause insufficient water flow which can result in damage to your pump, heater or cause your jets to stop flowing.
Keep the area around the spa clear of ice and snow. Accumulating ice and snow can damage your cover so make sure to remove any from your cover using a soft bristle broom. A hard shovel or scraper can cause damage to your cover.
If you plan on shutting the spa down (winterizing), and are the DIY type, follow these basic steps for a damage free spring opening.
Always refer to your owners manual for any specific instructions that they recommend. Freeze damage will void your warranty.
Turn off the GFCI breaker. It is critical that you shut the power off at the breaker.
Remove the spa access panel, locate your drain, remove the cap and connect a garden hose to drain.
Remove and clean your filters and all headrests.
Loosen all the unions on all pumps and the heater and remove the lowest drain plug from the front of every pump.
Using a wet-vac, blow out your lines. Remove all water from your plumbing or they will freeze and damage your spa. Blow out your drain(s), jet face(s), union(s), suction(s), and filter compartment. Blow into each area for at least 10 – 15 seconds to force any water out of the lines and into the tub.
Repeat to make sure ALL water is removed.
If there is any water still in the footwell when you are done draining, just use a wet-vac, sump or cover pump to remove the remaining water.
Clean the shell & cover.
Leave the cap OFF of the drain. (Don't lose it!) In the event any water finds its way into the spa (ie: cover saturation), it will have an escape route. Replace the drain plug(s) on your pump(s).
For a standard sized spa, pour one gallon of hot tub antifreeze into the top of each pump, and also one gallon into your filter cavity.
Make sure the cover is on, closed and locked. Keep in mind, most covers are not weatherproof, only debris proof. For added protection, you can always place a tarp on top of the cover to help it from absorbing what mother nature throws at it.
If all of this sounds like too much work, don't forget...
Central Jersey Pools provides a professional winterizing service.
Give us a call today to schedule!
Till next time... Happy Hot Tubbing!