A common misconception amongst many spa and hot tub owners is that you only need to drain the tub to protect it from freezing. This concept is quickly proven false when the tub is reopened in the spring. Failure to properly winterize your hot tub will result in broken plumbing, heaters, pump housings, and more. Typically, if widespread damage is found, it can be a very tough job to locate and repair all the leaks. Some damage can be far inside the insulation and difficult to find. This is a labor-intensive and expensive ordeal. This guide is meant to help you avoid this costly mistake and keep your tub, your wallet, and your sanity safe for the cold weather season. 

1- I only need to drain my spa to protect it from freezing. 

False! When you drain the tub, it only removes water from the spa shell itself. Plumbing lines, skimmers, pump wet ends, heater housings, valves, etc. will all still have water in them. Unless the water is evacuated from the plumbing, you run the risk of freezing and breaking.

2- I need to use anti-freeze to protect my plumbing lines from freezing. 

False! If the tub is winterized properly, there is no need to use anti-freeze. Using anti-freeze is a common practice amongst some spa repair companies. Anti-freeze needs to be removed before you open the spa for the season, so this creates an extra step. Anti-freeze also makes a huge mess. You will need to flush the plumbing and the spa shell several times to remove it all before you fill it with fresh water.

3- The normal hot tub cover will stop rain and snow from entering the hot tub shell during the winter.

False! The hot tub cover is not waterproof. Rain and melting snow can infiltrate the cover through the stitching of the cover and also any holes, rips, or punctures pre-existing. The water only needs to get as high as halfway up the suction grate for water to pour right back into your plumbing lines. Footwells are small, and the water can accumulate fast! You must add an additional waterproof layer of protection in addition to the regular spa cover.

4- It is bad to run your spa normally during the winter / freezing months.

False! Hot tubs run just fine during the winter. Pumps that run every day tend to last longer than pumps on spas that are shut down each year. Normal weekly chemical maintenance must be practiced. If you don’t plan to actually maintain the hot tub during the winter, then winterizing is the next best option. To conserve energy, it’s also a great idea to make sure you minimize your heat loss with a good cover and perhaps some extra insulation inside the cabinet. Many consumers enjoy the hot tub during the winter more than at other times of the year.

5- I need expensive equipment to properly winterize my hot tub.

False! Everything you need can either already be found in your garage or can be purchased at any home improvement store for very little investment.