SPA-Article # 3 Draining and Refilling Your Hot Tub

Periodically hot tubs need to be drained and refilled with fresh water.  

How often is often?

Basically, it depends upon your usage patterns and/or at the first signs of a loss of water quality.


How many times a year your hot tub water needs replacing depends on several factors: 

1. Hot tub size  This seems pretty obvious. 2 people using a small hot tub holding 200 gallons of water will require more frequent water changes than 2 people using a medium sized hot tub holding 300 gallons.

2. Number and type of bathers

More people, longer soaking times equals more frequent water changes.

3. Hot tub filtration design

Some hot tubs are designed with great filtration systems. Some hot tubs are designed to have a low purchase price and are constructed with low quality components.  Because the hot tub filtration system is not a priority for the manufacturer, it is probably undersized and allows for by-pass filtration.

A great filtration system will filter every drop of the hot tub water 24 hours a day, at a very low and slow gallons per minute, whether you use the tub or not. Cheaply priced hot tubs may only filter the water a couple of hours a day and at high flow rate.

Just like the size of the hot tub, the size and number of cartridge filters will also factor into how often



Beyond redemption,
best to replace this with a new filter.
Replacement has its benefits. Water clarity
will increase, less chemicals will be needed
to maintain your tub and BEST OF ALL..
..INCREASED PRESSURE WHEN
YOU TURN ON YOUR JETS!

a hot tub must be drained and refilled. Even cartridge filters that are older than 1- 2 years old (and not rotated) will effect the frequency of water changes...older filters gradually become clogged and filter less and less as time goes by.


This filter is probably as dirty
as a filter should be allowed to get.
If you haven't chemically cleaned it
in last 4-6 weeks, then do so.



4. Is hot tub maintenance performed regulary and routinely?

Many spa issues can be prevented with regular, routine preventative maintenance. Reacting to problems requires much more of your time, money and energy....and more frequent water changes.  



---

Regular draining and refilling is a normal part of spa maintenance. Over time, the water absorbs and dissolves minerals, chemicals and other soluble material. As your authorized BioGuard dealer, PoolCo can perform a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) test to help determine if it's time to replace your water. High TDS can make the water look dull, become foamy, and develop an odor.

How often you drain and refill your spa depends on how often you use it and how long you soak.

This simple formula can help:

Spa gallons ÷ Daily bathers ÷ 3 = Days between draining

Example: 300 gallons ÷ 2 daily bathers ÷ 3 = 50 days

Note: a bather is one person in the spa for 15-30 minutes.

---