How to Drain and Refill Your Hot Tub

Maintaining your hot tub is essential for its longevity and performance. One of the most critical maintenance tasks is draining and refilling the water. Whether you're new to hot tub ownership or need a refresher, this guide will walk you through the process, highlighting tips and best practices to ensure a smooth experience.

Why Use a Submersible Pump?

While most hot tubs come equipped with a built-in drain plug, it may not always be the best tool for the job. Many built-in drain plugs are made of plastic and can be fragile. If you're not careful, you risk breaking them, which can be costly and inconvenient to repair. Additionally, built-in drains are often positioned in ways that make draining slow and inefficient, sometimes taking hours to empty the tub.

A better option is using a submersible pump, a tool that professionals rely on for its speed and ease of use. With a submersible pump, you can drain your hot tub in under 30 minutes, making the process much quicker and hassle-free. Investing in one of these pumps will save you time and prevent potential damage to your hot tub's built-in drain system.

Step 1: Preparing to Drain Your Hot Tub

Before you begin draining your hot tub, there are a few crucial steps to follow:

Turn Off the Breaker: Ensure your hot tub is entirely shut down by switching off the breaker. This prevents the system from accidentally turning on while empty, which could severely damage the pump.

Safety First: Verify that the spa is completely powered down. Running a hot tub pump without water can lead to significant issues, including overheating, air locks, or even pump failure.

Remove the Filters: Take out the filters before draining. This step allows you to clean or replace them while the hot tub is empty.

Step 2: Draining the Water

Once your hot tub is prepped, it's time to start draining:

Connect the Submersible Pump: Place the pump at the deepest point of your hot tub and attach the hose to direct water away from your spa and home. Ensure the hose is secure and leads to a proper drainage area.

Monitor the Process: Turn on the pump and monitor the draining process. Keep an eye on the pump to make sure everything is running smoothly.

Step 3: Cleaning the Spa

After draining the hot tub, there may still be a small amount of water left in the plumbing and shell. To clean this out:

Flush the Plumbing: Run fresh water through the filter hole for a few minutes to clear out any old water from the pipes. This step helps remove lingering debris but doesn’t need to be perfect—a small amount of old water won’t harm the new water.

Wipe Down the Shell: Depending how dirty. You can use a hot tub cleaner meant for hot tub shells to scrub the interior of the tub. Use a Spa Pad for cleaning the shell. Focus on any areas with visible grime, ensuring the surface is clean and ready for fresh water. If you are using a cleaner, make sure you rinse off your shell and drain out all the dirty soapy water before you start filling it up. If your hot tub wasn't that dirty. You can just scrub with water for a quick clean.

Step 4: Refilling the Hot Tub

Once the cleaning is complete, it’s time to refill the spa:

Use a Garden Hose: Feed the garden hose into the filter compartment. This helps reduce the risk of air bubbles (air locks) forming in the plumbing, which can disrupt the system.

Secure the Hose: Position the hose so it won’t move when water pressure increases. This will free you from holding it in place during the filling process.

Monitor the Water Level: Depending on your water pressure, it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours to fill your hot tub. Stay close to ensure it doesn’t overfill.

Step 5: Restarting the Hot Tub

Once the water level is where it should be:

Turn the Breaker Back On: Reactivate the power supply to your hot tub.

Run the Jets: Turn on the jets to check if they’re functioning correctly. If you notice any jets not working or reduced pressure, there may be an air lock in the plumbing.

After running the jets for a few minutes, reinstall the clean filters. This ensures the filtration system is ready to keep your water clear and healthy.

Balance the Water: Use test strips or a water testing kit to check and balance the chemical levels in your hot tub. Proper pH and sanitizer levels are crucial for maintaining safe and clean water.

What If You Encounter Air Locks?

Air locks can occur when air becomes trapped in the plumbing during the refill process. This can cause jets to stop working or make the pump struggle. If this happens:

Reach out to your hot tub dealer for guidance on bleeding the air from the system. They can walk you through the process to restore proper functionality.

Final Thoughts

Draining and refilling your hot tub doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right tools and a bit of preparation, you can complete the process quickly and efficiently. By following these steps and using a submersible pump, you’ll save time and ensure your hot tub stays in top condition, ready for you to enjoy a relaxing soak whenever you need it.