Here’s the good news: The chemical additive you use to purify the water, whether it’s chlorine or bromine, will keep the water clean for three months or longer, depending on how frequently you use the tub, so there’s no need to empty it more often than that. But you will want to replace the water and start fresh every few months or so, or your hot tub will start to look and feel pretty grimy—or, worse yet, be contaminated by bacteria.
Methods for Draining a Hot Tub
There are three methods for draining a hot tub: through the drain spigot (a.k.a. drain plug), using a submersible drain pump, or with the help of a wet/dry vacuum. Before you start draining the tub, however, cut off the power supply so the jets and pumps can’t accidentally be during this procedure.
Also, check the ordinances in your area for any guidance or restrictions on discarding chemically treated water. Some towns may have laws on emptying pool or hot tub water into the street or within your own yard.
Using the drain spigot
Your hot tub comes equipped with a drain spigot, which is located on the outside of the tub, near the bottom rim. (Some models have two spigots, a primary and an auxiliary. The primary spigot is the one you’ll use to drain the hot tub; the auxiliary one is for bleeding the internal lines.)
If your drain spigot is located directly over a drain in the ground, just open the valve to allow the water to flow into the drain. If the drain or sewer is situated farther away, attach a garden hose to the spigot, position the other end of the hose over the drain, and open the valve. Note that if your drain or sewer is positioned uphill of your hot tub, you’ll need a submersible pump to drain the tub completely.
It should take one to two hours to drain the whole tub through the spigot. Depending on the contours of the tub, there will likely be some puddles of water left in the end. If you don’t own a wet/dry vacuum, which can be used to suck up these puddles, use your hands or a brush to scoop the water toward the interior drain.
Using a submersible pump
This is a faster way to drain a hot tub, since the pump acts to forcibly move the water out.
Start by attaching an outflow hose to the pump, then place the pump flat on the floor of the hot tub, at the center. See if the other end of the hose is long enough to reach the nearest drain or sewer. If it isn’t, attach a garden hose to the outflow hose to extend it. Then just turn on the pump and let it remove the water.
To take care of the leftover pools of water in the end, place the pump directly into a puddle to siphon the water. But keep an eye on the pump to make sure it’s always drawing water in taking in too much air can cause the pump to overheat.
Using a wet/dry vacuum
This method is slower than using a submersible pump, but faster than using the drain spigot.
Attach the wet/dry vacuum’s hose to the machine and place the open end of the hose in the water. Turn the vacuum on so water starts flowing through the hose. Once it does, turn the vacuum off and disconnect the hose from it. The water should continue to flow. Position the open end of the hose over a drain or sewer to let the water pour directly into it.
Once the water becomes too shallow to be siphoned out effectively, reattach the hose to the wet/dry vac and use it to draw out the remaining water. Make sure you vacuum up all the small pools of water at the end.
FAQs
What is the easiest way to drain a hot tub? ›
Turn the power to the spa off at the circuit breaker. Place the pump inside the spa. If your pump's outflow hose isn't long enough to reach a drain, connect it to a garden hose. Turn the pump on and let the spa drain.
How do you drain all the water out of a hot tub? ›There are three methods for draining a hot tub: through the drain spigot (a.k.a. drain plug), using a submersible drain pump, or with the help of a wet/dry vacuum. Before you start draining the tub, however, cut off the power supply so the jets and pumps can't accidentally be during this procedure.
How do you get the last bit of water out of a hot tub? ›Locate the drainage valve of the hot tub. Connect the garden hose and run this to a drain. Open the valve to allow the water to drain out. Be aware that the process may take an hour or so – sometimes two.
How can I speed up my hot tub drain? ›The fastest way to drain your hot tub is to use a submersible pump to forcibly move the water out. Attach an outflow hose to the pump and place it on the floor at the center of the tub. See if the other end of the hose is long enough to reach the nearest drain or sewer.
How long does it take to drain a hot tub with a garden hose? ›The draining process can take up to 2 hours, but you don't need to supervise if it is properly set up. Just make sure the hose is actually draining to the correction location, then check back periodically, and at least after 1 to 2 hours.
Do you turn hot tub off to drain? ›Firstly, make sure your turn your hot tub off. If the pumps try to run whilst there's no water in the hot tub, it can cause damage to the pump and pipework. You then have two options when it comes to releasing the water. All hot tubs have a drain valve which can be opened to release the water.
How long does it take to empty a hot tub? ›By using a submersible pump to empty your hot tub:
This hot tub draining solution can take as little as 10 minutes to empty your hot tub, depending on its size… Flush your pipes prior to drainage.
With average use, your hot tub should be drained and refilled about once every three or four months. But since everyone uses their hot tub differently, the answer can vary based on how many people use it and how often. Hot tub manufacturers like Jacuzzi offer some handy tips for figuring out when to drain and refill.
Can you drain a hot tub on grass? ›Generally speaking, there is no issue with draining your Hot Tub onto your lawn or even using the water to hydrate your flower beds. If you're using the right chemicals and monitoring the ph level of your Hot Tub water it won't contain anything which will damage your plants.
Is it OK to drain a hot tub into a storm drain? ›Did you know? It is illegal to discharge chlorinated water to the storm drain system. Water in pools, spas, and fountains is treated with a variety of chemicals such as chlorine and other additives. Draining into storm drains can harm our waterways.
What is good for a slow draining tub? ›
- Pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain opening.
- Pour one cup of white vinegar down as well.
- Let this foam for about five minutes.
- Run the tub's hot water for a few minutes.
- Examine the bathtub drainage to see if it's improved.
Slow bathtub drains are often caused by an accumulation of hair, soap scum, and little bits of debris that get caught up in the first part of the drain assembly.
What do you run in hot tub before draining? ›Before Draining Your Hot Tub
Before you begin draining your hot tub water, It is a good idea to use a Whirlpool Rinse to clean and degrease your hot tubs internal plumbing and prevent calcium build up which can affect the performance of your hot tub.
Drop one end of a long vacuum hose into the spa, and connect the other end to the wet/dry vacuum. Turn it on for a few seconds - just long enough to let the hose prime and get the flow moving. Turn off the vacuum, and quickly disconnect the hose so the water can flow out onto the ground.
How many times should you drain your hot tub? ›Although completely draining and flushing your hot tub should be done three to four times a year, it should be sanitized weekly and routinely treated with hot tub chemicals. Depending on the brand of hot tub, the hot tub filters should also be cleaned on a monthly basis.
How does a hot tub drain itself? ›It has a spring-loaded “flap seat” that stops water from flowing. If anything gets trapped within that valve, such as debris, it can disturb the flap and prevent the valve from sealing properly. That allows the water to flow backward and drain instead of remaining inside your hot tub.
Is 2 hours too long in a hot tub? ›How long is too long to be in a hot tub? You might love luxuriating in the warm, jetted waters for as long as an hour, but it's not recommended that you stay in for extended periods of time for safety reasons. About 15-30 minutes at a time is a general recommendation if you prefer very hot water.
What happens if you stay in a hot tub for 1 hour? ›Staying in your hot tub too long can result in dizziness, light-headedness, overheating and dehydration, especially if you're soaking at a higher temperature. It can also cause burns, decrease in blood pressure, increased heart rate, nausea and vomiting.
What happens if you stay in a hot tub for 6 hours? ›Since the water in a hot tub is higher than your normal internal temperature, staying in a hot tub too long can cause you to overheat and experience symptoms like light-headedness, dizziness, or nausea. These symptoms are your body's way of telling you that it is time to get out of the hot tub and cool down.
Can you half drain hot tub? ›Instead, we recommend that you drain your hot tub in the late fall and early spring, even if you're not due to drain for a little bit. If you need to drain and refill the water in the winter, we recommend only draining around half of the water before you refill and reheat the water.
What happens if you leave water in a hot tub? ›
If you turn your hot tub off but leave the water in it, the chemicals you use to keep the water clean will sink and settle at the bottom. Then they will congeal and be difficult and nasty to clean. Cleaning congealed chemicals from hot tubs could also be hazardous to your health.
How many gallons of antifreeze does it take to winterize a hot tub? ›Winterize a Hot Tub Process
Things that will be needed: 2 Gallons of NONTOXIC (R-V type) antifreeze, a strong wet/dry vacuum (shop vac), a turkey-baster, 1 or 2 light plastic dishes approximately 5” in diameter (from the bowl container), and Time approximately 2 hours.
As much as 6 gallons of water can remain in the pumps and plumbing after draining. This water could easily freeze, expand, and crack valuable plumbing and equipment. If you can't winterize or have an in-ground spa, a spa technician can close the hot tub for you.
Can I drain my hot tub into my septic tank? ›Unfortunately, your septic system was not designed to handle large quantities of water from your hot tub. Emptying hot tub water into your septic system stirs the solids in the tank and pushes them out into the drainfield, causing it to clog and fail.
Do hot tubs increase home value? ›In short: Yes! A hot tub or swim spa can absolutely bump up your asking price. Like with all features of a home, however, the exact amount it adds can vary greatly. If you're looking for a precise figure, you'll need to consult a professional appraiser or real estate agent in your area.
Can I drain my hot tub water into the street? ›Drain to Sanitary Sewer or Infiltrate On-site
City code prohibits the discharge of heated, chlorinated, or salt-treated waters, such as from a pool or hot tub, to a storm drain or into the city's stormwater system.
Shock your spa. Although this isn't necessary, shocking with chlorine or bromine can help the purge process by killing bacteria in the water before you start to ensure your hot tub is clean. 2. Add the hot tub line flush product to the water.
Where do you drain chlorinated water? ›Never drain pool or spa to a septic system. Drain your pool or spa water to your vegetated landscape, lawn or rocky areas on your property that allow the water to percolate into the ground. Salt or saline pool water contains higher concentrations of salts that can be more damaging to plants and soils.
How do you speed up a drain? ›- Pour boiling water down the drain.
- Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain.
- Pour ½ cup of vinegar down the drain.
- Wait 10 minutes.
- Pour boiling water down the drain again.
- Turn on the hot water faucet to clear out the solution.
Coke and Pepsi are loaded with phosphoric acid, which breaks down the buildup that can clog your drains! Phosphoric acid can even remove lime scale and another tough buildup that regular cleaners struggle with. This is an effective and refreshing home remedy if we ever saw one!
How do you make a slow drain drain faster? ›
Bring water to a boil and then pour it down the slow clearing drain (recommended to use a whole kettle) Put half a cup of baking soda into that drain and let it sit for a few minutes. Add 1 cup of vinegar for every 1 cup of hot water you pour down the drain. Cover the drain with a plug and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Can you drain hot tub water on grass? ›While this might look like a good idea on the surface (as you'd be saving a lot of water), the fact is that hot tub water is definitely not safe for watering your lawn, your garden or your trees. Hot tub water contains dangerous chemicals that makes it bad for anyone to drink or use.
How do you drain a hot tub to winterize? ›TIP: Use a garden hose or sump pump to drain the majority of the water. Attach the garden hose to the bottom drain spout and leave your tub to drain (one to two hours). You can also use a sump pump instead of a hose (approximately 10 minutes).
How often should you drain a hot tub? ›Although completely draining and flushing your hot tub should be done three to four times a year, it should be sanitized weekly and routinely treated with hot tub chemicals. Depending on the brand of hot tub, the hot tub filters should also be cleaned on a monthly basis.