A one minute tutorial to watch and learn quickly
A hot tub refill and keeping your hot tub clean are essential to ensuring an enjoyable spa experience. A critical part of hot tub care is refilling the water every three months, but the frequency also depends on the intensity of use.
Learn how to drain and refill your hot tub correctly and what extra steps to take after refilling in this blog and accompanying video.
Draining and refilling your hot tub water needs to be done regularly. That's because the water in your hot tub can quickly be saturated due to organic material entering the water. This organic matter can consist of many different things, such as skin, fats, oils, calcium, sand, and many more. At some point, the hot tub chemistry water will become challenging.
Hot tub water needs to be renewed for two reasons: to prevent bacteria and to keep the water clean. Bacteria can grow rapidly in moist conditions, and hot tubs provide the perfect environment for them to thrive.
If the water is not regularly replaced, the bacteria can build up to levels that are harmful to human health. Many people use hot tubs, which means that the water can quickly become dirty.
Regular renewal of hot tub water is crucial not only for preventing bacteria growth but also for eliminating any nasty hot tub smells that can develop when water becomes stagnant.
On average, change filters at least once every year and make sure your water is not too old, so you avoid saturation. You also need to replace the water every 3 months, but it also depends on the intensity of use.
There are a few telltale signs that it's time for freshwater:
If any of these things happen, it's time for a change! Spa draining and refilling your new hot tub is relatively easy. Here's how to do it:
As a hot tub owner, you know that refilling your hot tub is an important part of spa maintenance. Let's cover all the steps that will apply to most hot tubs:
Turn off the power to your hot tub at the circuit breaker box. This is an important safety precaution!
Find the drainage valve and open it up so the water can start the hot tub draining out. While the water is draining, you can use a hose to spray down the tub's sides to remove any dirt or debris.
Read more: How to Drain a Hot Tub: The Ultimate Expert Guide
Once the water has drained out, close the drainage valve and clean the tub well with soap and warm water.
Be sure to pay extra attention to scrubbing any areas where dirt or grime has built up (like on the jets).
Rinse the tub with clean water until all traces of soap are gone. You can also add any new spa chemicals you want in your diluted form (more on that later).
Now it's time to start filling up your hot tub again. Attach a garden hose to a faucet and wait until the tub is full again. Ensure you leave enough room at the top so that when you turn everything back on, there's no chance of overflow.
Once you've reached your desired level, turn off the hose and reattach any panels or covers you removed during step one.
The final step is adding chemicals back into your newly filled hot tub. Managing hot tub water chemistry is key to maintaining safe and balanced water. You'll want to add them in their diluted forms not to shock your system. Add chlorine last because it will disinfect everything else in your system as it circulates.
If everything looks good, go ahead and turn your power back on at the breaker box and enjoy!
After refilling your freshly filled hot tub, it’s important to follow these extra steps to ensure everything is running smoothly:
Filters play an important role in keeping your spa water clean and clear. They help to remove debris, dirt, and other impurities from the water. This can cause problems like cloudy water or bacteria growth.
It's important to check your filters regularly and clean or replace them as needed to ensure that your spa water is always safe and enjoyable.
It's also important to note that dirty filters can be dangerous. If not cleaned or replaced regularly, they can quickly become clogged with dirt and grime. This can cause the submersible pump to work harder than it should, leading to overheating and even fires.
Make sure you're taking good care of your filters by checking them often!
Hot tub filters offer several advantages for hot tub maintenance, including:
Read more: How To Thoroughly Clean Your Hot Tub Filter
After you've refilled your hot tub, it's a good idea to check all the hoses for any cracks or leaks. These can be dangerous as they allow water to escape and cause electrical problems.
You can also invest in a hose cover to prevent any cracks or leaks from happening in the first place.
Read more: Hot Tub Crack Repair: Quick, Easy DIY Solutions
Check the pH value and correct it if necessary by using a pH + to raise the pH in your hot tub water or a pH - to lower pH levels.
The pH level should be between 7.2 and 7.8 to ensure that any sanitizer, like chlorine or bromine, can work properly. This pH level will also ensure that the water will not harm the equipment.
The alkalinity level should be between 80 and 120 ppm (parts per million). This ensures that the pH levels stay stable and prevents equipment corrosion.
Let's understand how is the alkalinity level important for the hot tub:
The alkalinity level in a hot tub affects the pH levels. Alkalinity is a measure of the water's ability to neutralize acids. If the alkalinity level is too low, the pH level will be unstable and could drop quickly, leading to equipment corrosion. If the alkalinity level is too high, the pH level will be difficult to adjust.
Next, you should check what to do with the sanitizer. The most commonly used are bromine and chlorine. Just like in a swimming pool, proper sanitation is critical in a hot tub to maintain clean water and prevent harmful bacteria from thriving.
Important to know is that you want to know what the FREE chlorine level is because this is the chlorine that can still kill off contamination. Total chlorine or combined chlorine measurements can be important, but there is a difference.
We will explain further, but most test strips will only show "free" chlorine, so you can start by correcting the value.
Add sanitizer to get ideal free chlorine between 3 ppm, or ideal bromine between 3-5 ppm.
Chlorine will work quickly and bromine takes more time to work.
It is always difficult to advise in absolute numbers because different types of chlorine and different brands of chlorine can vary in the amount of active substance, so always check yourself after mixing it.
To raise the chlorine levels, you can use chlorine granules, which dissolve quickly and help maintain the sanitizer levels in your hot tub.
Check your work after mixing and see if the pH and chlorine/ bromine levels are good.
After adding the sanitizer, you should check and calibrate your pH levels. You can use a pH test kit, strips, or a digital hot tub water tester to check the levels and adjust accordingly.
When and if you add O-Care, the water can get cloudy. Don’t worry, that means it is working, and it will clear up soon. Often in minutes, but depending on the water quality, it can also take hours.
Hoping and assuming the water is clear and all you “need” to do now is add O-Care, and you’re ready to go. After taking care of all these aspects, your newly refilled hot tub should be ready for action.
Now that you know all about refilling hot tubs, it's time to start! If you're still unsure what to do or which steps to take, download the O-Care app for weekly maintenance and step-by-step problem-solving.
Draining and refilling your hot tub is essential for maintenance, but it's also important to take a few extra steps afterward to ensure everything is running smoothly.
Following the tips in our video will help ensure that you have a pleasant and relaxing experience each time you step into your hot tub.
At O-Care, we care about providing the best Hot Tub experience regardless of the system you use. Of course, we highly recommend enhancing your water quality and decreasing your maintenance costs by utilizing O-Care. Find your local dealer who can deliver O-Care to your doorstep.
Emptying and cleaning your hot tub every 3-4 months is typically recommended. This can vary depending on how often you use it, the quality of your water, and other factors.
Yes, you can refill your hot tub with a garden hose. You'll need to ensure the water is clean and contaminant-free. You may also need to add a filter to the hose if your water is particularly dirty.
Heat your hot tub after filling it can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or more. The exact amount of time will depend on your hot tub's size, the water's temperature, and other factors.
No, you should not heat your hot tub while filling it. Doing so can damage the pump and other components.
Yes, you can drain and refill a hot tub in winter. You'll need to take steps to protect the components from freezing. You may also consider using an outdoor hot tub heater to warm the water.
If you need to top up your hot tub water in the winter, add a garden hose or other source of clean water. You'll need to take steps to prevent the components from freezing, such as adding a heater.
No, you do not have to empty a hot tub after every use. You may need to drain and refill it more often if you use it frequently or if the water quality is poor.
If necessary, you can leave your hot tub empty for a week or more. You'll need to take steps to protect the components from freezing and damage. You may also consider using an outdoor hot tub cover to keep the elements out.