When to Drain Your Hot Tub

Estimating

• You can estimate when to drain the tub, but you may be wasting pool chemicals and water. Generally, dealers say to drain hot tubs every two to four months. However, if you want to be more precise about when to drain the tub, you can use an equation or TDS test strips.

Using an Equation

• You can use an equation to determine the best time to drain the hot tub. Divide the gallons of water in the hot tub by three. Divide the sum by the bather load. If you have two bathers per day, divide the sum by two. A hot tub with 1,000 gallons of water and three bathers per day would require draining every 111 days (1,000 gallons divided by 3 = 333.33 divided by 3 bathers = 111 days).

TDS Test Kit

• Use a TDS test kit to determine when to drain the water from the hot tub. The test strip kit comes with test strips and a color chart. You dip the strip in the water, and pull it out. When you compare the strip color to the color chart, you will see the water's TDS levels. If the level is above 1,500 ppm, you will need to drain the hot tub and add fresh water.

Winterizing Hot Tubs

• If you won't use the hot tub during the winter, you need to winterize the tub. In fall before the first frost, turn off the heater and drain the water from the hot tub. Wipe out the hot tub shell so there is no water inside of the tub, and place the cover on the tub. You can use a tarp to cover the hot tub cover, which ensures that no rain or snow will get into the tub shell. If you have any water in the shell during cold winters, the water will freeze and crack the shell.