In this post, we discuss different ways to drain hot tubs, including the steps on how to do them. We also tell you about the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
There are many different methods that you can use to drain a hot tub. Some methods are time-consuming, while others require specialized tools. However, if you want to know how to drain your hot tub faster, this article is for you. This article will go over the different ways to drain a hot tub and show you which of these methods will give you the best results.
But before moving on to the draining methods, you need to make sure your plumbing lines are clean.
What to Do Before Draining
It's a good time to flush your plumbing lines while draining your hot tub simultaneously. Using a pipe cleaning solution, you need to remove all the built-up dirt and grime within the pipes. Pour it into the housing filter and turn on the jets to remove any biofilm or bacteria. Let it run for 15 to 30 minutes.
Now that you've cleaned your plumbing lines, you can start the draining process.
Drain a Hot Tub Using the Drain Valve
This is the easiest way to drain a hot tub. You only need a garden hose and sometimes a screwdriver if it requires removing one of the side panels. Here are the steps:
STEP 1: Locate and remove the valve cap
It's important to cut off the power supply to the hot tub before draining, so turn off the switches and turn off the circuit breakers or unplug it from the wall socket. You don't want your hot tub turning on accidentally while empty, damaging your hot tub.
Drain valves can be different from one brand or model to the next. But most of the time, you'll find them near the hot tub base. This allows water to drain completely. In newer models, drain valves are readily accessible. You just have to remove the valve cap and pull them out to open.
In some models, the drain valves are out of sight, so you need to remove one of the side panels. Others have separate valves for bleeding the internal pipes and draining the hot tub. Check your user manual if you have a hard time locating them or if you can't tell one from the other.
STEP 2: Identify the type of drain valve and connect a garden hose
Have a look at the drain valve before hooking up your garden hose. Inspect the drain valve to see how it works. Some drain valves are operated by a lever that must be turned 90 degrees to open or close the drain valve.
Others need to be rotated and pulled all the way out. And again, some need to be pushed halfway to turn open. If you're not sure how it works, refer back to your user's manual on how to close and open the drain valve.
Hook up your garden hose and point the other end towards the sewer or water drain. We recommend using a hose instead of just letting the water out from the spigot or hole because it could wash out soil or stones around the hot tub and cause environmental harm from all the chemicals in the hot tub water.
STEP 3: Open the valve to drain the hot tub
Start draining by opening the valve with the garden hose attached and directed away from your hot tub. Draining the hot tub using this method takes up to 2 hours, sometimes longer depending on the size of your hot tub.
You can just leave it there and go on with what you're doing until it's completely drained. Check back periodically to make sure it's still draining.
Key Takeaways: Use this method if you don't have a vacuum or don't want to spend money on one. The only downside is that it takes time to empty the hot tub using this approach.
Drain a Hot Tub Using a Wet/Dry Vacuum
This method drains water from the hot tub much faster than the first one. But instead of using the drain valve, we use a wet/dry vacuum. It's also known as the siphon method. With this method, you don't need to look for the drain valve or open the side panels to access them.
Here's how it's done:
STEP 1: Attach the vacuum hose to the machine and place the open end of the hose in the water
Wet/dry vacuum hoses are long enough to draw water from the top to the water drain below. If it's too short, you can look for a longer one that fits your vacuum from a local hardware store.
STEP 2: Use the vacuum to siphon out the water
Turn the vacuum on for a few seconds, just enough for the water to flow through the entire length of the hose, and then quickly disconnect it from the vacuum. Turn off your vacuum. Water will continue coming out of the hose, and you just have to ensure both ends stay in place until the tub is completely drained.
STEP 3: Use the vacuum to draw out the remaining water
Re-attach the hose to the vacuum and finish off small pools of water that's been left out.
Key Takeaways: This method cuts the time to drain the hot tub significantly - much faster than just letting the water out through the drain valve.
How to Drain a Hot Tub with a Submersible Pump
If you want to drain a hot tub as quickly as possible, nothing beats submersible pumps. It can drain your hot tub in a matter of minutes. It works just like the vacuum or siphon method, but instead of just letting it flow out, you're using a submersible pump to force water out from your hot tub.
STEP 1: Attach the hose to the submersible pump
Submersible pumps have special hoses made for them. Make sure they're long enough to reach the sewer or water drain. If your hose is not long enough, you can look for one from a local hardware store.
STEP 2: Run the hose to a suitable drainage location
Chemically treated water should be disposed of properly to avoid harming the environment. Place the end of the hose near or directly to the sewer or water drain.
STEP 3: Drain the hot tub
Place the submersible pump into the deepest part of the hot tub and turn it on. It probably won't take long to draw all the water out, so you need to pay attention to the water level in your hot tub. Leaving the submersible pump on after removing the water could damage your submersible pump.
Key Takeaways: Use this method if you want to drain your hot tub in just a few minutes. Submersible pumps can cost a lot of money, but you may rent or borrow from someone you know if you can.
Conclusion
These are the three most common ways to drain your hot tub. Use whichever method fits you. You don't need specialized tools and equipment to drain your hot tub. But if you want to empty your hot tub much faster, spending some money for a wet vac or submersible pump won't probably hurt, especially since you'll use your hot tub for quite a long time.