Bringing Your Hot Tub Out of Hibernation: How to Open a Hot Tub
Did you sneak off to a warmer climate for the winter? If so, you likely have a few chores to do! Now that the snow is melting and backyard season is coming back, it’s time to bring your spa back into service. Here, we discuss how to open a hot tub after an extended period of not using it.
Whether your tub was properly winterized or left dormant, we explain how to open it correctly so you can enjoy a relaxing soak from day one.
Opening a Winterized Hot Tub
Snow? No problem. Your hot tub was winterized to withstand the cold. That means reopening is simple:
- Remove the cover
- Fill the tub (see below)
- Start it up!
That’s all it takes to get back to relaxing.
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Contact UsHow to Refill Your Hot Tub
The entire process takes about 4 hours for most homeowners. Follow these steps to properly refill your hot tub:
- Close the drain valve: Make sure the drain cap is securely tightened before adding water.
- Insert the hose into the filter compartment: Place your garden hose directly into the filter well rather than the open tub. This helps push air out of the plumbing lines and reduces the risk of an airlock when you restart the system.
- Begin filling with fresh water: Turn on the hose and allow the tub to fill slowly.
- Fill to the proper water level: Most hot tubs should be filled to about halfway up the skimmer opening or according to the manufacturer’s recommended fill line. Avoid overfilling.
- Restore power to the hot tub: Once filled, turn the breaker back on and power up the spa.
- Prime pumps if necessary: If the pump does not start properly, you may need to loosen the pump union slightly to release trapped air, then retighten once water begins to flow.
- Balance the water chemistry: Test and adjust:
- Sanitizer levels
- pH
- Alkalinity
- Allow the water to heat fully: It may take several hours for the water to reach your desired soaking temperature.
After refilling and balancing, your hot tub should be ready for regular use.
What if You Didn’t Winterize Your Spa?
If you didn’t winterize your hot tub, it requires some cleaning, maintenance, or service to make it ready for family enjoyment.
Step 1: Drain the Old Water, Clean the Tub, and Refill
Hot tub water can be kept clean with chemicals for a while, but every few months you still need to:
- Drain the water
- Clean the surface of the hot tub
- Refill with fresh water
Step 2: Start It Up and See What Happens
Sometimes a hot tub will inexplicably develop a mechanical issue when left dormant for a stretch of only a few months.
After refilling, power it on and check for the following:
- A leaking or squealing pump should be turned off and investigated by a technician.
- A hot tub with power loss should be investigated by a technician.
- Any mechanical issue can be an independent problem or a sign of something larger.
The best move is to call us for general hot tub service. We can inspect and repair all makes and models.
Remember to do Weekly Maintenance!
A hot tub that is taken care of takes care of you. After you’ve reopened it for the season, you should perform the following maintenance on a weekly schedule:
- Test and analyze water balance
- Vacuum any debris from the tub floor
- Make corrections to water chemistry
- Remove any developing scum lines
- Rinse your filter
- Inspect the moving parts to ensure performance
- Make sure your hot tub cover lift hasn’t shifted
Talk to Us About Hot Tub Care Today
Contact us or stop by our showroom to talk over your maintenance options. We know how to open a hot tub properly, how to winterize it next time and how to keep it running smoothly for years.
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