What to Do if a Hot Tub Freezes

Preparations

• Before you do anything else, it's important to make sure you have turned off the hot tub's breaker. If you have a frozen mass of ice in your hot tub, as well as frozen, clogged pipes, you could cause even more damage leaving the power running. Also, turn off the thermostat and time clock, if your hot tub is equipped with these.

Thawing

• The actual thawing process includes getting a work light and putting it close to the surface of the ice. The extreme heat emitted from the light should start the ice melting fairly quickly, depending on the temperature of the air outside. The light, plug and extension cord should be clamped where it won't get wet when the water begins to pool.

Checking for Damage

• As the ice thaws, you'll want to keep looking for signs of damage to your hot tub. This includes items like the manifolds, unions, jet bodies, heater nuts, filter-pump locks and pump wet ends. These little items are prone to cracking when they get cold, and you'll have to replace them if you see signs of distortion. Check carefully and slowly, because starting the hot tub back up with missing pieces can lead to even greater destruction.

Turning the Tub Back On

• Once you've made sure that all the parts are in good, working order -- or have replaced any broken parts with new ones -- and that the ice has fully melted, you're ready to turn your hot tub back on. Start the tub up on a very low speed. This will allow you to inspect for leaks. You will need to fix any leaks that you find before using the hot tub, as they are symptomatic of cracked pipes.

Professional Repairs

• You can always call a professional to fix a frozen hot tub -- doing repairs if you're not sure of what you're doing can be costly and possibly dangerous. A hot tub technician can pinpoint issues that you might miss and can diagnose the root of the problem. Major issues that can cause a hot tub to freeze include a dirty, clogged filter or tripped breakers. A professional will also have access to other tools and more complicated methods of thawing your system.

Prevention

• If you live somewhere cold, it's essential to keep your hot tub heated and running, even if you aren't planning on using it. The tub should be kept to a temperature between 94 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the technicians at Blue Waters Pool & Spa Service. Check on the hot tub regularly, making sure that the temperature is staying within this limit. Don't be tempted to try to save money on energy by turning off the heating unit.