4655 Patterson Ave. SE        Grand Rapids, MI  49512
616.940.4036 (Corporate)   616.954.2838 (outlet)
Copyright Nordic Store 2009
Owner Tips
Winterizing Your Hot Tub          by Rob Fuller, Nordic Hot Tubs
Winterizing a spa or hot tub (if done properly) is a complicated procedure. If done by a qualified spa/hot tub service center, they will guarantee that you will not have a freeze up. If something does go inadvertently wrong, you will not bear the cost of repair.  A frozen spa can be very pricey to fix.

With that in mind here are some basic winterizing tips. Keep in mind however that not all spas or hot tubs are plumbed the same, so please refer to your owners manual and the dealer you purchased your tub from before attempting this.

What you will need:
     1.  A wet /dry (shop vac) vacuum.
     2.  1 to 3 gallons or RV antifreeze (nontoxic, used in recreational vehicle's water tanks)
     3.  Channel lock pliers (16" works best for most tubs)
     4.  A funnel or turkey baster
     5.  Time, expect two to three hours.

Now that you have those things,
•Drain the spa
•Vacuum all of the jets and injectors, until there is no more water coming out.
•Remove your filter and vacuum at the filter plumbing. (Make sure not to vacuum any O-rings up"
•If you have an air channel, turn power on , and make sure the pump (s) are NOT running. (sometimes                   this can only be accomplished by unplugging the pumps from the control box) then turn your air blower                 on until water no longer comes out of air holes. Then turn the power back off.
•Loosen the plumbing connections at your pump and at your heater. Vacuum any water that comes out.
•Reconnect the plumbing to the heater, and the lower of the two connections on your pumps.
•Add RV anti-freeze to the pump using your funnel. Most pumps will take approx. 4 oz.
•Reattach your pump unions.
•Add approximately 1oz. of RV anti-freeze to each of the jets. (use funnel or baster)
•Add RV anti-freeze to the plumbing that is attached to your filter until it runs out of the intakes in the foot              well of the spa. (This is not possible in all spas)
•Add anti-freeze to the air channel / air injectors, this can be tedious but is worth the effort.

In climates that get heavy snows it is a good idea to place some 1/4" plywood over your cover to help reinforce it.

Then cover the spa with a tarp, and strap the tarp down, this will help keep winter winds from getting to your cover.

In the spring, or when you are ready to start the tub back up.
•Make sure that all fittings are tight.
•Fill with cool water
•Turn the power on.
•Run the jets on high speed for 15 minutes.
•Several times during the 15 minutes that you are running your pump, turn your air blower on and off. This              will purge the air lines.
•Drain the spa / hot tub
•Put your filter in the spa / hot tub.
•Refill and treat the spa / hot tub water chemically like you would during a water change.

Exclusively serving the Grand Rapids, MI area