The Ultimate Guide to Hot Tub Water Maintenance: When and How to Drain a Hot Tub

There’s a time for everything –  

A time to relax in your hot tub, a time to invite friends for a hot tub party, a time to add FROG Maintain^®, your monthly non-chlorine shock, and eventually, a time to drain. 

While it may not be the most entertaining task on your to-do list, draining is fundamental to maintaining a Cleaner, Clearer, Softer and Easier^® hot tub.  

Why Draining is Necessary

Benefits of Regular Draining

Regularly draining your hot tub will help you keep it in tip-top shape, making overall water care easier, and your hot tub ready when you are. Draining your hot tub:   

Removes Biofilm: Biofilm is a slimy buildup of bacteria and organic matter that can cause cloudy, irritating, murky, smelly and hard-to-manage water – plus, clog your plumbing and filter. Getting rid of it helps it operate more efficiently, and reduces the risk of murky, cloudy, smelly water and bacteria contamination.

Extends Component Life: Keeping the plumbing and jets clean reduces wear and tear, potentially saving you costly repairs down the line.

Enhances Water Quality: Over time, body oils, lotions, and debris, or even bacteria, can build up in the water, and can’t always be completely cleaned by the filter or chemicals. Old water can become oversaturated, making chemicals less effective. Fresh water makes it easier to maintain proper balance.Sanitizers are most effective when water is within ideal balance parameters, plus, balanced water is better for your skin, hot tub components and more costeffective in the long run.

Signs Your Hot Tub Needs Draining

Recognizing when to drain your hot tub is key to keeping it in great shape. Here are some signs that tell you it’s time to drain your hot tub: 

Cloudy or foul smelling water: Bad smells indicate a buildup of contaminants and biofilm in your system. Balanced hot tub water should not have any smell – in fact, that “chlorine” smell indicates poor water quality. 

Increased chemical use: If you’re adding more chemicals than usual to maintain water clarity and balance, it’s likely time for a hot tub drain.  

Hard-to-manage water: If you’re testing and balancing your water regularly, and it tests within ideal levels but the water is still cloudy, murky, off-color, smelly or feels harsh, it’s time to drain it.  

Reduced water flow or weak jet performance: This can be caused by blockages in the plumbing or filter system due to accumulated debris and biofilm. Plus, if cleaning or replacing the filter doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to drain. 

Time since last drain: If it’s been more than 3 to 4 months since your last drain, it’s generally a good idea to schedule one. Regular draining ensures your hot tub water remains clean, safe, and ready when you are! 

When to Drain a Hot Tub

Timing is everything when it comes to hot tub maintenance.

Follow these guidelines to keep your hot tub in top condition year-round: 

This helps keep your plumbing, jets and water clean and free of buildup.  

Regular Maintenance: The industry standard to drain your hot tub is every 3 months.

Heavy Use: If your hot tub sees heavy use for example, you had a hot tub party with several friends, consider draining more frequently.  

Peak Use Season: Drain your hot tub at the beginning and end of the peak use season. This proactive approach helps maintain a Cleaner, Clearer, Softer and Easier^® hot tub environment, and keeps you on a schedule. 

How to Drain a Hot Tub: Step-by-Step Draining Guide

1. Prepare your Hot Tub and gather equipment:

Clear any debris from the water. You’ll need a chemical flush product to use prior to draining. Then get a hose long enough to reach from your hot tub to the drain. You can also invest in a submersible pump (sump pump) to make the job quicker and easier. Get cleaning rags, mild nonabrasive cleaner and you’re set! 

2. Add a Chemical Flush Product:

Use as directed on product directions. Ask your local retailer – they can recommend best products for you. 

• • Remove the filters and set them aside to clean or replace them. 
  • Remove any floating items 
  • Turn off the power to the spa via circuit breaker or shutoff switch 
  • Drain the water 
    • Connect the hose to the spa’s drain fitting per the manufacturer’s instructions (slow gravity drain) 
    • Use a sump pump (fast – don’t let the pump keep running when dry) 
    • Siphon – start flow to a hose using a pump or shaker siphon (if pump, unplug when flow starts) 
  • Use a shop vac or towels to remove the remaining water 

3. Clean the Interior:

Once the hot tub is drained, wipe down the interior with a nonabrasive cloth to remove any remaining residue. Clean the rails and remove pillows or seats so you can clean them, as well as the front, back and sides. 

• If leaving the hot tub empty, allow it to air dry before covering.
• If leaving empty over the winter, additional steps may be needed to protect the hot tub from freeze damage; follow your hot tub manufacturer’s directions or ask your local retailer for recommendations. 

4. Refill and Reassemble:

Refill your hot tub with fresh water, reinstall the clean or new filters and balance the water. Get help balancing your hot tub water from our easy guide. Once balanced, add FROG Serene^® System. Your hot tub is now clean and ready to use.

Hot Tub Expert Tips with FROG Serene^®

Using FROG Serene means you can maintain clean, clear water longer than the usual 3 months most often recommended for draining and refilling your hot tub. 

Replace the FROG Minerals every 4 months, they work in conjunction with bromine to kill bacteria, and keep Cleaner, Clearer, Softer^® water. 

That’s because FROG Serene uses up to 50% less bromine*, and FROG Minerals help kill bacteria, condition the water for softness and help keep pH balanced. 

See this video for easy hot tub start-up directions: 

*Compared to the minimum ANSI recommended chlorine level of 2.0 ppm for a hot tub. 

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FROG products can be purchased from local dealers in your area. Over the past 20 years, we have built a strong nation-wide network of dealers that carry our products and can service your needs. For this reason we do not sell our products on-line or directly to the pool or spa owner.