It’s important to know how to drain & clean a hot tub because you don’t want to soak in a hot tub where the plumbing is full of dirt, hair, scale and scum. You wouldn’t know it by just looking at the water when the pumps not operating but spa pools and hot tubs very quickly accumulate dirt in the plumbing which reduces the operating efficiency and increases the risk of catching a bacterial infection from the water.
I recommend to drain and refill a swimming pool every 5 to 7 years to combat the issue of total dissolved solids accumulating in the pool water. These TDS’s cannot be chemically treated or removed with the filter. While you have your pool empty it’s also a good idea to make any necessary repairs or renovations to maintain your pool in top condition.
Hot tubs and spa pools are different from a swimming pool as they contain a lot less water and need to be drained, cleaned and refilled more frequently. Normally, drain, clean and refill the hot tub every 3 or 4 months. It’s not the tub itself that gets dirty it’s the plumbing pipes that clog with dirt, hair, scum and chemicals.
Table of Contents
How to Drain & Clean a Hot Tub
1. Clean the Plumbing Pipes
Your hot tub might look clean to you but most of the dirt and scum that resides in hot tubs accumulates in the plumbing where you cannot see it. This is similar to cleaning a dishwasher or washing machine where the inside may look clean but inside the plumbing is filthy. When the plumbing pipes are partially blocked the equipment doesn’t function efficiently leaving the water not fully sanitized and not filtered enough.
While you still have water in the spa or hot tub you need to clean the plumbing because most of the dirt and scum is hiding inside the plumbing. You need to buy a jetted tub cleaner product that you pour into the hot tub with the pump operating for 15 minutes. The cleaner product will circulate through the plumbing and breakdown the scum in the pipes and jets. The broken down dirt and scum is now in your tub water which needs to be replaced.
How Often Should You Drain & Clean a Hot Tub?
Hot tubs and spa pools only contain a small volume of water which quickly becomes saturated with chemicals and total dissolved solids (TDS). The only way to remove the TDS and excess chemicals is to drain, clean and refill the tub. You should change the water in your hot tub every 3 or 4 months.
2. Switch Off Power Supply
Please ensure you have switched off the power supply so your filter doesn’t activate after you have emptied the hot tub or spa as this may damage the pump motor.
3. Drain Out the Water
Check your spa/hot tub manual for instructions on how to empty the water. Look at the water that is draining out of the pool to see how dirty it is. If it is very dirty you need to consider cleaning and refilling your spa more frequently.
Do all hot tubs have a drain?
Many hot tubs have a tap valve at the bottom that can be connected to a garden hose or pipe and emptied into a drain. If there is no valve you can siphon the water out with a garden hose or use a submersible pump to direct the water into a drain.
Where do you drain the water in a hot tub?
Do not empty the contents of your spa into the garden or on the lawn as the chemically treated water may harm the lawn and plants. Always empty the water into a drain.
4. Clean the Spa Filters
Check your spa/hot tub manual for instructions on how to clean your hot tub filters as they will be slightly different for every make and model. You don’t have to wait until you empty the hot tub to clean the filters. Depending the level of usage hot tub and spa pool filters become soiled quickly and need to be regularly cleaned.
The filter elements don’t last forever and eventually lose their filtering effectiveness.
Replace the filter every few years to make your spa operate like new again.
5. Clean the Inside of the Spa
Use a spray cleaner and wipe out the inside of the tub or pool. Examine the surface for scaling or any other damage that would need repairing. Ensure you have rinsed away all traces of cleaner before refilling as it may cause foam suds to form in the water.
It’s a good idea to clean around the outside of the tub while you’ve got the cleaning products out. Also clean the hot tub lid on both sides.
Is it OK to leave a hot tub empty?
Yes most tubs are safe to leave empty but should be covered to prevent dirt and debris accumulating in the tub or spa. The cover also prevents the spa surface from being damaged by UV light, heat and cold.
6. Refill with Fresh Water
Use the garden hose to refill the tub or spa pool with fresh water. This doesn’t take long so watch that the tub is not over filled.
I do not recommend to use other sources of water to fill a hot tub. Bores, dams, rivers and tank water can already contain a high level of total dissolved solids (TDS) and calcium hardness that will make your sanitizer and other spa chemicals less effective.
7. Switch On the Pump
Now it’s time to reconnect the power supply, turn on the pump and circulate the water through the filter. Ensure the pressure is low at the filter and there is a strong water stream coming out of the jets.
8. Add the Spa Chemicals & Balance Water
Balance your water chemistry – pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, etc.
Consult our pool chemistry guide for all the information you need to complete this task.
Add the bromine (or chlorine) to the desired concentration as per the instructions on the container.
Test the water with your test strips and adjust the chemical levels until everything is in the desired range. Always run the pump for at least 20 minutes when adding chemicals to circulate the water and fully mix in the chemicals.
Please consult our article on How Long Does it Take to Heat a Hot Tub
How to maintain a hot tub
1. Regularly Test the Water
Spas and hot tubs need to be tested every week to ensure the water chemistry is balanced and adequately sanitized.
Normal Spa levels:
pH: 7.4 to 7.6
Chlorine: 1 to 3 ppm
Alkalinity: 80 to 120 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 150 to 250 ppm
Ensure you maintain the water level at the mid-point of the skimmer box to prevent the filtration system sucking in air and not operating correctly.
2. Regularly Shock the Spa Pool or Hot Tub
Spa pools and hot tubs need to be regularly shocked (super chlorinated) like a swimming pool to kill all bacteria and other contaminants. Read the instructions on your shock product to determine how much shock to add to your tub as they vary between products.
Depending on the level of usage you would normally shock your spa every 2 weeks. If you use the hot tub every day shock the water every week.
3. Regularly Clean the Filter
I recommend to clean the filter element every month or more frequently with high usage. The element is normally fitted under the skimmer basket and needs to be hosed over the lawn to remove dirt and debris. If you notice the filter element is difficult to clean then it’s time to replace it with a new one.
4. Keep the Tub Covered
A hot tub cover is essential to keep the water clean from debris and prevent evaporation. It also prevents young children finding their way into the water.
Enjoy Your Clean Spa or Hot Tub
Should I shower after hot tub?
Yes you should always shower with fresh water after soaking in a hot tub or spa pool to wash away any contaminants and chemicals on your skin. You should never put your head under water in a hot tub as the chemicals, bacteria and other contaminants may enter your body through eyes, ears, nose or mouth.
How long should you soak in a hot tub?
It’s recommended that you only relax in hot tubs and spas for a short period of time, usually no longer than 20 minutes. Typically, you should relax for 10 minutes at a time and alternate between the hot tub and the cool swimming pool. It’s the alternating heating and cooling effect that is most beneficial to your body. Two thousand years ago the Roman’s used to bath in hot spas and cool pools everyday as it was proven to improve blood circulation and relieve many muscular skeletal conditions.
What are the health benefits of a hot tub or spa?
The heat and massage from the moving water soothes your whole body by increasing blood circulation to areas of your body that are causing aches, pain, inflammation and restrictive moment. The heat also helps to stimulate you immune system to fight the effects of many other medical conditions.
Hot Tubs and spas have been proven to help relieve the symptoms of:
- inflammation
- muscle tension
- frozen joints & reduce joint pain
- the pain & stiffness of arthritis
- anxiety
- reduce cellulite
- improve blood circulation
- improve skin conditions
Conclusion
Relaxing in a spa pool or hot tub is an enjoyable activity with many benefits for your health. However, like all equipment you must Drain & Clean a Hot Tub regularly to maintain its cleanliness and effectiveness. Regularly draining and cleaning is a simple activity that is essential to ensuring you continue to enjoy a clean and healthy spa experience.
