Do you plan on keeping your hot tub running all winter? Many parts of Arizona avoid snow and freezing temperatures altogether, so you may be able to continue to enjoy relaxing soaks outside all winter long.
But if you live in northern Arizona or if you plan to travel for the holidays, it’s important to winterize your hot tub. This will protect it from sudden cold snaps, prevent damage, save you money, and keep your hot tub in top condition until the spring. Here’s how to get your hot tub ready for winter.
Do You Need to Winterize Your Hot Tub in Arizona?
Although daytime temperatures often remain comfortable throughout the winter in Arizona’s more southern cities, nights can drop into the 30s or 40s. Northern areas experience occasional snow or freezing rain, and even desert areas can have a cold snap.
Sudden drops in temperature cause heat loss and increased energy usage, which adds up to a higher electric bill. And if the temperature drops below freezing, the water in your hot tub could freeze and expand, damaging its pipes or shell.
Winterizing your hot tub will protect its components from potential cold weather damage and extend its lifespan. It’s especially important to winterize your hot tub if you plan to travel for the holidays, and won’t be home to do last-minute maintenance in the event of a sudden cold snap. Here’s what you need to do.
How to Prepare Your Hot Tub for Winter
1. Let the Chemical Levels Drop
Before you start preparing your hot tub for winter, make sure you take the time to let the chemical levels drop to zero, which can take a few days. To do this, stop adding chlorine and run your tub with the cover off. After the water level has dropped a few inches, add fresh filtered water to dilute the tub water. DO NOT DRAIN TREATED WATER. The chlorine and other chemicals used to maintain your hot tub are toxic to the environment, and should never be released into your drains or groundwater supply. They will burn or discolor your grass and contaminate drinking water sources as well.
2. Disconnect the Power Source
The next crucial step in winterizing your tub is to turn off the power. You can either turn off the breaker or unplug the tub, depending on the type of hot tub you have. Water and electricity are a deadly combination, so make sure you don’t skip this step.
3. Drain the Water
Next, remove the drain cap on your hot tub and attach a garden hose to its spout. Then, drain the tub somewhere that can handle all that water. Make sure to check local regulations about where you can properly drain water, such as to your landscaping, the sewer, or onto a paved road. For instance, Mesa’s guidelines are to drain hot tub water into your yard or home sanitary sewer cleanout.
Draining a hot tub takes some time, but a submersible pump can help speed up the process. If there is any water left in the tub after draining, you can siphon it out with a shop vacuum.
4. Drain the Air Blower
Some hot tubs have an air blower to create stronger jets. If your tub has this feature, you will need to drain the water from it as well. After draining the tub, cover it and turn the power back on. Make sure to turn off the heater, as heat can damage the tub when there’s no water in it. Run the blower for 30 to 60 seconds with the tub cover on to flush out any water in the jets.
5. Drain the Plumbing Lines & Blow Out the Pipes
Open the access panel that houses the heater and pumps, and slightly unscrew the unions (nuts) to drain the water from the plumbing lines. Then, use a shop vacuum to blow out any remaining water in the jets and pipes. Skipping this step can cause pipes to burst and crack if the water inside them freezes.
6. Clean All Filters
Next, remove the filters and clean them according to the manufacturer. Make sure to store them in a clean, dry place for winter. Especially dirty filters will need to be replaced when your tub is ready to use again in a few months.
7. Clean the Shell
Scrub the shell with a hot tub-friendly detergent to remove bacteria and debris. Although this task is tedious, it’s much better to do it now. If you skip this step, you’ll have to clean a much dirtier and potentially moldy hot tub in the spring.
8. Clean and Secure the Hot Tub Cover
Finally, thoroughly clean the hot tub cover, including all its hard-to-reach areas. To prevent mold growth, make sure the cover and inner shell are completely dry before covering the tub. Secure the cover with wind straps and locks as needed to ensure that it stays closed for the season.
Upgrade Your Hot Tub Today!
Even with proper maintenance and care, hot tubs don’t last forever. If you notice that your hot tub is looking a bit worse for wear, consider replacing it instead of winterizing it. Sunset Spas in Arizona offers a variety of hot tubs and swim spas that will turn your backyard into your personal oasis. Visit a showroom near you to find the hot tub of your dreams.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (11/5/2024). Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels
