Keep Your Hot Tub Protected This Winter

Canada is known for its beautiful landscapes, friendly folk and most of all - its chilly, white Canadian winters. The below-zero temperatures and mountains of snow can either be a dream come true for some and a nightmare for others. If you’re thinking about relaxing by the fire instead of relaxing in your hot tub this winter, then it’s time to winterize.

Winterizing your hot tub can be a simpler task than you may think. It does require a little know-how in the proper steps in shutting it down. Not winterizing your hot tub properly can damage your hot tub and its accessories. Here are the steps you need to make sure your hot tub is protected this winter.

Step1: Turn off all the power

Find the spa heater and flip the switch to off. Make sure any circuit breakers or other power switches are also turned off.

Step 2: Drain your hot tub

This is one of the most important steps in winterizing your hot tub. The most common way to drain your hot tub is to use a garden hose and hook it up to your hot tub’s drain spout and draw the water out. To make things easier, you can also connect the hose to a tap and place the other end in the hot tub. Then, turn the water on until the hose is full, than shut the water off and disconnect the hose. You can than turn off the water and disconnect the hose. Handle the hose on a slant to allow more water to drain. You may also want to use a hot tub vacuum to remove remaining water.

Step 3: Check the air blower (if you have one)

If you have an electric air blower you need to remove any excess water by replacing the cover and then flipping the switch on. Have the air blower running for about a half a minute (about 30 seconds) and then turn the power back off.

Step 4: Remove filters

Remove your filters and soak them in a filter cleaning solution so they will be ready to be put back on in the spring season. If they’ve been in use for over a year or more, you may want to replace them. Make sure all the water is soaked up from the filters and clean the filter compartment.

Step 5: Loosen fittings

Hot tubs usually are equipped with many fittings, so it’s an important to loosen all of them to allow water to drain. This includes checking and draining your pumps and heater. Make sure to also open up any drain plugs to prevent possible freezing.

Step 6: Cover up

Be sure to clean your cover inside and out and apply a protectant solution to keep your cover looking its best. Be sure to ask a hot tub professional which protectant solution is right for your hot tub before applying one to your cover. Secure the cover to the hot tub and lock the straps.

Hot tubs can be a relaxing treat anytime of the year. But if you decide that winter isn’t your preferred hot tub season - feel good knowing you’ve closed it correctly. Closing your hot tub properly will help ensure it will be there waiting for you in next season.