By The Zagosa Team. Published .
Reviewed or updated .
Winterising your hot tub is a vital step that shields it from freezing weather and the damage that can follow. As the temperature drops and winter sets in, your hot tub gets far more vulnerable to cold-weather problems, including frozen plumbing and costly repairs. This article walks you through the process with a full step-by-step guide to winterising your hot tub properly, so it is ready to face the frost.
Hot tubs, with their soothing jets and warm water, are a luxury addition to any home, offering relaxation and therapeutic benefits. They do come with their share of upkeep, though. To perform well and last, they need regular care and attention, and those needs only grow as the weather turns colder. Freezing temperatures can play havoc with a hot tub, leading to expensive repairs and a shorter life. Understand why winterising matters and take the right steps, and you protect your tub, keeping it working well for years.
Getting to Know Your Hot Tub
Before you start winterising, it helps to understand how a hot tub is put together and why regular maintenance matters. A hot tub has several key parts: the shell, which holds the water and is usually made from durable materials like acrylic or fibreglass; the plumbing system of pipes, jets and pumps that circulate and filter the water; and the electrical parts, including heaters and control panels that manage temperature and operation.
Every component has a job in how the tub works overall. Regular tasks include checking and balancing the chemical levels, cleaning the filter, keeping the water circulating properly and holding the right temperature. Keeping the tub covered when it is not in use also protects it from debris and holds the heat in. As the weather turns colder, these tasks matter even more. Freezing can damage the plumbing and other parts, which is exactly why winterising is essential through the colder months.
Why Winterising Matters
Winterising is not just a precaution; it is a key process for a long life and for avoiding expensive repairs later. Fail to winterise properly and freezing can do serious harm to the plumbing and other parts. Water expands as it freezes, which cracks pipes, damages jets and causes other problems. Freezing can also harm the shell and cover, reducing how well they last and work.
Take the right steps and you protect your investment, avoiding costly repairs and extending the life of the tub. Proper winterising clears all the water from the plumbing lines, so there is nothing left to freeze. It also keeps the key parts sound, such as the shell, pumps and heaters. On top of that, winterising gives you the chance to clean and service the tub thoroughly, so it is in top condition when the warmer weather returns.
A full step-by-step guide is important when winterising, so that every task gets done and the tub is well protected. In the next section, we cover the pre-winterisation steps to take before you begin.
Pre-Winterisation Steps
Before winterising, get the tub ready by checking and balancing the chemical levels in the water. Good water chemistry is central to the health and life of your tub. The pH should sit between 7.2 and 7.8 to protect the components and keep bathers comfortable. Alkalinity should be between 80 and 120 parts per million to steady the pH, and calcium hardness should be between 100 and 200 parts per million to guard against corrosion or scaling.
Cleaning the filters is another important pre-winterisation step. Over time, filters gather debris and build-up, which drags down performance and can damage the pump and heater. Cleaning them regularly extends their life and keeps the water clean and clear. Aim to clean the filters at least every four to six weeks, depending on how often you use the tub, and replace them every one to two years so they keep working effectively.
Winterising Your Hot Tub: Step by Step
Once the pre-winterisation steps are done, you can start winterising. Begin by draining the tub completely. Remove the drain cap and use a garden hose to siphon the water out, or use a sump pump to speed things up considerably. Make sure you clear all the water, including anything left in the footwell or seats.
Next, switch off the breaker or unplug the tub to cut the power. This is a vital safety step to prevent electric shocks while you work. Then loosen the unions on the pumps and heater to let any remaining water drain from the plumbing lines. This stops water freezing and damaging the plumbing.
With the tub fully drained, remove and clean the filters so they are free of debris and ready for when you refill. Check no water is left in the filter well, since that can freeze and cause damage.
Next, blow out the lines with a shop vac set to blow. This clears any water trapped in the plumbing. Target the drains, unions, jets and filter cavities to make sure all the water is out.
After blowing out the lines, remove any remaining water with a sump pump or shop vac, so every area of the tub, including the footwell and seats, is completely dry.
Clean the shell with a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth and a hot tub surface cleaner or diluted white vinegar. This removes grime and build-up and leaves the tub sparkling.
Then clean the cover with a cover cleaner and let it air dry, which keeps mould and mildew from forming over winter.
Finally, secure the cover with locks and wind straps to keep water and debris out. This also helps hold in the heat and prevents damage.
Getting the Chemical Balance Right
Keeping the chemistry balanced is vital for clean, bacteria-free water. Imbalanced water leads to plenty of problems, such as cloudiness, bad smells and skin and eye irritation. It can also cause scaling, which damages the tub's components. So test the water regularly and adjust the chemical levels as needed.
Zagosa Spa & Pool offers a range of water treatment products to help you keep the water clean and balanced [1,2]. These include pH balancers, non-chlorine shock treatments and chlorine or bromine tablets and granules. Zagosa Spa & Pool, a brand under Zagosa Ltd, supplies a wide range of high-quality water treatment products for hot tubs and pools.
Cleaning and Care While Winterising
Cleaning is a key part of winterising, and that includes the shell, cover and filters. Clean these thoroughly to clear grime and build-up and make sure the tub is ready for use when warmer weather returns.
For the shell, use a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth and a hot tub surface cleaner or diluted white vinegar. This lifts grime and build-up without scratching the surface.
For the cover, use a cover cleaner and let it air dry to prevent mould and mildew forming over winter. Clean the filters too, so they are free of debris and build-up.
It also pays to use the right products and methods when cleaning. That means effective cleaning while protecting the look and function of your tub. Zagosa Spa & Pool offers a range of high-quality cleaning products to help you keep your hot tub in good order.
Staying Safe While Winterising
Safety should always come first when winterising. Before you begin, turn off the power to the tub. This is a vital step to prevent electric shocks during the process.
If you are in a particularly cold area, you might consider antifreeze for extra protection. Check your manufacturer's warranty first, though, as not every hot tub is designed for it. If you do use antifreeze, make sure it is a pool- or spa-grade product.
Care After Winterising
Once the tub is winterised, keep up with regular maintenance. That means cleaning the shell, cover and filters and checking and balancing the chemical levels. Regular cleaning prevents grime and build-up, while good chemical balance keeps the water clean and safe.
Think about protective extras such as cover bags or floating thermal blankets as part of your after-care. Cover bags shield the tub from falling leaves, branches and stormy weather, while floating thermal blankets cut heat loss through evaporation, saving money on energy over the colder months.
Using Your Hot Tub in Winter
Many people winterise their tub for the colder months, but others keep using it. If you decide to use your tub through winter, there are extra maintenance and freeze protection steps to keep in mind.
It is important to keep the tub covered when it is not in use, to hold the heat and prevent freezing. Many hot tubs also have freeze protection settings you should switch on for winter. These turn the heater on automatically when the water temperature drops to a set level, stopping the water freezing.
Bringing in a Professional
Winterising can be a DIY job, but you might prefer to bring in a professional, especially if you are unsure about any step. A professional can make sure the tub is winterised correctly and kept safe from damage. It is worth weighing up the pros and cons first, though.
Hiring someone saves you time and effort, but it can cost more than doing it yourself. If you do go that route, choose a reliable, experienced provider. Check online reviews, ask for recommendations and make sure they have the right qualifications and insurance.
Why Regular Maintenance and Water Treatment Matter
Regular maintenance and water treatment are key to a long-lasting tub and a safe, enjoyable experience. That means checking and balancing the chemical levels, cleaning the filters and keeping the water circulating properly.
Zagosa Spa & Pool offers a range of chemicals for keeping water clean and balanced in hot tubs and pools. These include pH balancers, non-chlorine shock treatments and chlorine or bromine tablets and granules. Using them keeps your water clean, clear and safe.
Conclusion
Winterising your hot tub is essential for protecting it from freezing weather and potential damage. Follow the step-by-step guide and you can be sure the tub is properly winterised and ready for the cold. Regular maintenance and water treatment matter too, for a long-lasting tub and a safe, enjoyable experience. Care for your tub properly through winter and you keep its performance and its life at their best. So do not let the cold catch you out; get your hot tub winter-ready today.