How to Drain Your Swim Spa: Your COMPLETE Step-by-Step Guide
One of the essential maintenance tasks of owning a swim spa is draining the swim spa. This initially sounds like a chore, but it’s a relatively easy task that can be done in a few steps.
At Hydropool, we are asked about draining swim spas at our stores, most often because people are trying to find out how much work is involved in maintaining a swim spa. These are entirely reasonable and logical questions, so we wanted to explain the answers here.
By the end of this article, we’ll walk you through the steps involved in draining your swim spa. We’ll cover:
- Why do you need to drain a swim spa?
- What is a step by step guide to draining my swim spa?
- How often should I drain my swim spa?
- How to drain a Hydropool swim spa?
- How long does it take to drain a swim spa?
- What is regular swim spa maintenance?
By the end, we hope you’ll see it’s a relatively painless exercise! Let’s dive in.
Why Do I Need to Drain My Swim Spa?
The main reason is the accumulation of chemicals and contaminants. Over time, the water in your swim spa accumulates chemicals, oils, and other contaminants that can affect water quality and performance. Regularly replacing the water in your swim spa ensures it stays clean, clear, and safe for use.
What is a Step-by-Step Guide to Draining a Swim Spa?
- Check Local Regulations
- Before you begin, check local regulations regarding draining swim spas. Some areas have specific guidelines on where and how you can release the water. Your local dealer will be able to advise you on this.
- Turn Off the Power
- Safety first: turn off the power to your swim spa at the circuit breaker to prevent any accidents or damage to the electrical components or you can use your GFCI.
- Locate the Drain Valve
- Locate the drain valve on your swim spa. This is usually found at the base of the unit or inside. You’ll typically need to remove some panels to get to it. Consult your owner’s manual if you're unsure of the valve’s location.
- Attach a Garden Hose
- Attach a garden hose to the drain valve. Ensure the hose is long enough to reach your desired drainage area. Make sure the end of the hose is positioned away from your home and any plants or lawn that could be affected by the chlorinated water.
- Open the Drain Valve
- Open the drain valve to allow the water to begin draining. This may take some time, depending on the size of your swim spa and the amount of water.
- Open Air Valves
- Open the air valves on your swim spa to speed up the draining process and prevent any vacuum lock.
- Use a Submersible Pump
- For faster draining, consider using a submersible pump. Place the pump at the deepest part of the swim spa and run the hose to your drainage area.
- Remove Remaining Water
- Once the majority of the water is drained, use a wet/dry vacuum or sponge to remove any remaining water from the swim spa.
- Clean the Swim Spa
- Take this opportunity to clean your swim spa thoroughly. Use a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to scrub the surfaces, paying special attention to corners and crevices.
- Close the Drain Valve
- After cleaning, close the drain valve and remove the garden hose. Ensure the valve is securely closed to prevent any leaks when you refill the swim spa.
- Refill the Swim Spa
- Turn the power back on and begin refilling your swim spa with fresh water. Use a garden hose and fill to the appropriate water level indicated in your owner’s manual.
- Balance the Water Chemistry
- Once the swim spa is refilled, balance the water chemistry by testing the pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels. Adjust as necessary to ensure safe and clean water.
You might be as lucky as the owner of this 19-foot AquaTrainer DTAX, who has plenty of room to drain his swim spa, or you might need to locate a spot that can handle the water coming out. In most installations, this is a minor issue.
How Do I Drain a Hydropool Swim Spa?
What’s above is a step-by-step guide for most swim spas. For a Hydropool swim spa we have a few other tips and can get a little more specific. This is derived from Hydropool’s swim spa manual.
- Locate your nearest possible draining area.
- Put the hot tub control system into Standby/Drain mode. It will remain in this mode for an hour before resuming normal operation (you can do this step, but it’s actually just as easy to kill the power entirely).
- Remove the skimmer basket so that the hole beneath it is accessible and insert the rubber expansion plug or plastic threaded plug that is provided with your swim spa (this will have a home inside the cabinet of your swim spa, nearby the draining assembly).
- Attach a garden hose to the hose bib located on plumbing line beside the hot tub control system (the hose bib is a funny term: It’s really a type of faucet you can screw a hose onto).
- Run the garden hose to the drain location.
- Open the hose bib (see? It’s a faucet).
- Close filter on pump return gate valve next to the hose bib (this directs the water out the drain hose and away from the swim spa).
- Activate the circulation pump. This will pump the water out the hose.
- Monitor the swim spa while it drains. How long this will take will vary on the size of your spa.
- If you have one second garden hose to wash down interior surface as the swim spa continues to drain. A sponge or towels may also be used to wipe down the interior surface. (it’s worth pointing out that many people use this time to flush out their lines with a product from a company like Ahh-Some. I’d recommend this, but you’ll want to see what your local dealer suggests: They may know another product better).
- To completely flush the old water from the plumbing lines, first allow fresh water to fill into the foot-well area while the old water continues to be pumped out. Always keep at least 10cm (4 in.) of water in the foot-well so that the pump remains primed and isn’t forced into pumping air.
- When the water from the drain hose turns clear (indicating it is fresh fill water), the flush is complete.
- Turn off the filter on the pump.
- Close the drain-hose bib on the swim spa plumbing line and continue filling swim spa with fresh water.
- Open the filter pump return gate valve.
- Take the system out of Standby/Mode mode (or turn your power back on).
- The filter pump and the heater will now activate to circulate and heat the water while filling continues. This also reduces the possibility of an airlock occurring.
- Continue adding fresh fill water until level is approximately 3/4 inches from the top of the skimmer opening.
- Once fill is complete, remove the rubber expansion plug from the bottom of the skimmer housing and return it to its home underneath the cabinet.
The manual includes multiple details as well.
Additional Tips for Swim Spa Draining
- Plan Ahead: Schedule draining for a day with pleasant weather and no immediate plans for swim spa use.
- Use a Pre-Filter: Attach a pre-filter to your garden hose when refilling to remove impurities from the water.
- Monitor Water Flow: Keep an eye on the draining process to catch any issues early, such as hose kinks or slow drainage.
Additional Options for Swim Spa Draining
You can use a submersible pump, aka a sump pump, which will speed up the process if you wish. Some people prefer them and some swim spas require them (Hydropool’s uses its built-in circulation pump to pump out the water).
How Often Should I Drain My Swim Spa?
Generally, we recommend draining your swim spa every four months or once a quarter. However, this can vary based on usage and water quality. We know a lot of people stretch this over the winter in Canada, because the weather insists on it.
How Long Does It Take to Drain a Swim Spa?
In most cases, it will take a couple of hours to first drain it and then refill it again. It will take a full day to heat your swim spa so it’s usable again. You can speed this process up by buying an after-market sump pump.
Can I Drain My Swim Spa in Winter?
Yes, but it’s best to avoid freezing temperatures if at all possible. If necessary, perform the task during a warmer day and ensure all water is removed to prevent freezing damage.
What Should I Do with the Drained Water?
Check local regulations, but generally, drained water can be directed to a grassy area or storm drain. Avoid areas with plants or direct drainage into streams or lakes.
Draining your swim spa is a necessary maintenance task that ensures your investment remains in top condition. By following these steps and tips, you can complete the process safely and efficiently so you can get back to enjoying your swim spa.
How to Drain Your Swim Spa: Your COMPLETE Step-by-Step Guide
Draining your swim spa regularly is essential for maintaining water quality and preventing damage.
- Follow a step-by-step process to ensure safe and efficient draining.
- Plan ahead, use a pre-filter, and monitor the process to avoid common issues.
If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to our expert team at Hydropool Hot Tubs and Swim Spas. Find your local Hydropool retailer here.
