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Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Build Your Dream Backyard Retreat Custom build your pool, spa or hot tub of your dreams! Connect with prescreened top-rated contractors on HomeAdvisor in your area. Explore Options One of the benefits of owning a hot tub is being able to enjoy a hot, relaxing soak on a cold winter’s day. But if you happen to be going out of town for the winter, or if you simply won’t be using your hot tub for three to four months, you probably need to winterize it. Just as you need to winterize your home or even your sprinkler system, your hot tub also needs attention before temperatures drop below freezing.
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Winterizing your hot tub simply means draining and preparing it for the winter in order to avoid freezing or other damage to its system.
Winterizing your hot tub is not necessary for many hot tub owners. You should only winterize your hot tub if you will be away from your hot tub for three to four months in a row (for example, if you have a vacation home or you are spending the winter elsewhere). You should also winterize your hot tub if you are certain you will not be using it, even if you are home. This applies both if you are making this decision for yourself or if your hot tub is damaged and needs repair.
If you plan on winterizing your hot tub, schedule it for the late fall or early winter—ideally before the first frost or freezing event arrives. If you wait until the temperature is already below freezing, the water in the pipes may freeze, causing cracking and long-term damage.
If you are spending the winter around or at your home, then there is no need to winterize your hot tub—especially if you plan on using it regularly. Just make sure you are maintaining your hot tub to meet normal specifications and keeping any pipes properly insulated and you’ll be good to go.
While winterizing your hot tub is a relatively safe procedure, there are a few things you should pay close attention to. Always make sure that the power to your hot tub is off before beginning to drain the tub or before doing any other serious maintenance on it. Besides the standard electricity plus water risk, the pump system may be damaged if it runs in an empty hot tub or sucks air.
If you are using chemical products (e.g. flush line products, filter cleaners, antifreeze or general cleaning solutions), make sure to thoroughly read any warnings or safety information on the labels. Follow the appropriate safety precautions as necessary. Note that this may require you to purchase additional materials, such as gloves or goggles.
Finally, always check your hot tub owner’s manual for any model-specific safety precautions, instructions and warnings you should pay attention to. Hot tub manufacturers thoroughly outline any information you should be aware of before doing maintenance, and most manuals will also include model-specific instructions on winterization.
If you no longer have access to your physical manual, most companies will provide the manual online for free or for a small fee.
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Many manuals already include a step-by-step instruction list for winterizing your hot tub. While the basic process remains the same for all hot tubs, you’ll want to make sure that your hot tub does not require anything specific.
Especially if you are planning on draining into your yard, begin winterization preparations in advance by allowing the chemicals in your tub to dissipate. Chlorine especially is toxic to plants and animals, so wait until levels are close to or at zero before proceeding.
Add a flush line product to your hot tub’s system in order to clean out the plumbing. This will help prevent mold and bacteria growth during the winter. Follow the instructions on the flush line product (you may need to let it circulate for anywhere from a few minutes to overnight).
Depending on your hot tub set-up, you will need to turn off power directly at the GFCI circuit breaker or simply unplug the hot tub. If you are in doubt, call your electrician for instructions to turn off and disconnect the breaker.
Draining your hot tub can be a fairly involved process, since you want to make sure your hot tub is fully empty before continuing. This will help prevent any freezing damage to your hot tub.
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). Make sure the water is draining into an appropriate area, such as a driveway or other area with proper drainage grading.
If your hot tub does not have an air blower, you may skip this step.
By loosening the unions around the pump and heater, you will be able to drain any remaining water from the hot tub’s pipes. You can allow these pipes to drain naturally or use a shop vac to blow out the water. Re-tighten the unions and plug the drains once finished.
If you are planning on storing your filters, place them in a chemical soak for maximum protection. Otherwise, you can use a standard filter cleaner or simply dispose of your old filters (meaning you will need new ones when you reopen your tub). Remove any water left in the filter.
If your hot tub has jets, you can use a shop vac to blow out any water within the pipes. Make sure the jets are fully open when you do this. Repeat until all the water is gone.
If there is any water left in the hot tub or hot tub pipes after the above steps, use a shop vac to get rid of it. Make sure that your tub is completely empty before proceeding.
This is a great time to thoroughly clean your hot tub. After cleaning, dry your hot tub completely. You can leave a towel in the bottom of the tub to soak up any water that may get inside during the winter.
If you have fully drained and dried your hot tub, this step is not necessary. Consult with your owner’s manual to see if you should add antifreeze. If yes, follow the preparation and dilution instructions on the antifreeze bottle and add to the filter and pump discharges as your manual instructs.
Use a cover cleaner, ideally that also offers sun and weather protection, in order to prevent mold and mildew. Once finished, replace the cover on the hot tub. Secure as necessary using straps and locks.
Although your hot tub is now prepared for winter, it can still be damaged by falling branches, winter storms, animals or even accumulated ice and snow. Add extra covering if necessary and remove any potentially damaging objects from the area, especially if you will not be around to check in-person during the winter.
If you are short on time, are new to DIY, don’t have all the materials, or aren’t familiar with your hot tub system, we recommend calling a professional to help you winterize your hot tub. While winterizing your hot tub is straightforward, any damages that occur during or as a result of the process will amount up to a costly bill. Replacing cracked or broken pumps and heaters alone can cost thousands of dollars.
Hiring a professional will ensure that the winterization process is performed correctly and your hot tub will be ready for you—with no extra complications—whenever you want to use it again. Professionals will also have access to supplies and materials that you may not have and some companies will provide a package service that includes de-winterizing your hot tub again. Professional services will typically run between $200 and $400.
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Chauncey grew up on a farm in rural northern California. At 18 he ran away and saw the world with a backpack and a credit card, discovering that the true value of any point or mile is the experience it facilitates. He remains most at home on a tractor, but has learned that opportunity is where he finds it and discomfort is more interesting than complacency.