Should I winterise my hot tub?
- By HTRNI
- •
- 10 Nov, 2024
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How to winterise my hot tub.
For some winter is the best time of year for a hot soak in a hot tub. A hot tub does not need to be drained for winter as they are designed for all year round use and built to withstand harsh climates. If for whatever reason your hot tub does need to be switched off perhaps you are going away for an extended period it is essential to prepare and protect your hot tub from the winter elements.
Essentially during winter when temperatures can plummet any water remaining in your hot tub can freeze, expand and cause damage to the hot tub. So it is important to drain and remove every last drop of water inside the hot tub and underneath in the plumbing. Our trained engineers can assist you with this process but if you feel confident enough to undertake this process yourself here is a guide to winterising your hot tub.
Start by turning off the power supply and draining the water out thoroughly. Two methods can be used to drain the water out: (1) using the drain plug and attaching a garden hose or (2) using a sump pump, which is the quicker alternative. Once the water has drained, use a wet vac to go over the entire surface to suck remaining last water droplets.
Don't forget if your hot tub has an air blower to ensure that the blower pipes are also dry and free from any remaining water. One way is to disconnect the power to the heater and pumps and turning the blower on for no more than 30 seconds to purge the air pipe and remove any remaining water droplets. Once you have finished, shut the power down again.
Next, remove the filters from your hot tub and clean with a specialised 24-hour chemical soak, allow to dry before storing in a dry place for winter.
Now to drain the pumps located in your hot tub’s cabinet, remove the pump drain plugs and piping and use a wet vac to blow out any water still left inside the pipes.
Finally, clean the shell of your hot tub and secure tightly with the cover. It is essential to have a lockable lid that cannot be blown away in high winds or storms. For open exposed areas consider using a storm strap for added strength and security.
How often do I need to clean my hot tub filters?
How often you clean your hot tub filter will depend on the frequency of use and number of bathers. However, for good practice, we suggest that you rinse the filter with a garden hose and clear debris from the skimmer basket at least once a week. It is also advised to help prolong the life of the filter to clean thorough once a month with a filter cleaning solution.
Filter Cleaning Process
To remove the filter cartridge from the filter housing first put your hot tub on standby and remove the filter as per manufacturers instructions. Once removed, rinse the filter with a garden hose to remove debris. Next step, prepare filter cleaning solution and hot water (preferable) in a clean plastic pail, laundry tub or specific filter cleaning container. Submerse filter cartridge in the filter cleaning solution (refer to guidelines for amounts) and allow to soak for 6 – 12 hours. After the soaking process, remove the filter cartridge from the filter solution and rinse well with clean water from garden hose or tap - do not use a high-pressure washer. Allow the filter cartridge to dry thoroughly before putting back into the filter housing. The used cleaning solution can be disposed of safely by pouring down the drain.
Filter Care Tips
Always wear rubber gloves when handling the filter cartridge.
Having a spare filter cartridge to alternate between cleaning cycles allows you sufficient time to clean the filter correctly and saves time when the hot tub is out of use.
Allowing the filter cartridge to dry thoroughly after cleaning will improve filter effectiveness.
When preparing the filter solution, use the warm water from the hot tub as the hot water source in a bucket or container.
Rinse with a garden hose or under a tap; don't use a high-pressure washer.
