Over time, the water in your spa or swim spa can become dirty, cloudy, and full of harmful bacteria. Changing the water regularly is essential for maintaining a hygienic and pleasant soaking experience.
This article covers:
How to change the water in your spa or swim spa
Keeping your spa or swim spa water clean is crucial for a comfortable and healthy experience. Discover how to easily change the water yourself with our tips.
How do I Change The Water In My Spa Pool or Hot Tub?
To change your spa pool water, start by running a degreaser through the plumbing before moving on to draining the water through a hosepipe attached to the spa drain valve.
Once all the water is drained, clean your spa filters and the inside of your spa thoroughly. Refill the spa pool with clean water by placing a hose into your spa pool’s fill pipe - usually in the filter chamber.
Keep reading for a step by step guide on how to drain and refill your spa pool correctly and efficiently without causing any damage to your spa.
Step by step guide to drain your spa pool water
Draining your spa pool water is simple and easy to do. However, it is important to drain your spa correctly to ensure its longevity. Follow these simple steps to effectively drain your spa pool yourself:
Step 1: Run a pipe degreaser through your system to flush your spa plumbing before draining
Over time, oily film and contaminants build up on the inside of your spa pool plumbing system potentially causing problems with water flow through the jet nozzles and circulating contaminants even after draining and refilling. This is why it is important to start your water change by running a pipe degreaser through your system.
Simply remove your filters and pour the recommended dosage into your spa. Run the system, including the jets and heater, for at least a couple of minutes or, depending on the product, overnight.
Recommended Pipe Degreaser Products
Spa World 500g Pipe Cleaner & Conditioner
Zodiac Spa Pipe Cleaner 250ml
Step 2: Locate the spa pools power source and turn the power off
Once your spa pool has run with the degreaser and you are ready to drain the water, locate the power source and turn the power off completely. Running the spa without water can damage the jets, always make sure the water is never below any of the jets while it is running.
Step 3: Locate the drain spigot and remove the drainage cap
Next, you want to locate the drain spigot on your spa pool and remove the drainage cap. It will be in different places for different spas, but generally, you will find it towards the bottom of your spa on one side. If your spa has two drain spigots, open the main drain first, and then the secondary drain for the remaining water in the system.
Step 4: Connect a hose to the drain
Spa pool water is not always good for the grass, you will need to connect a garden hose to the spa pool’s drain spigot to divert the water down a drain. Be gentle while twisting the hosepipe onto the connector as most are made of plastic and are prone to stripping.
Step 5: Drain your spa pool
Now that you have your hosepipe attached, you can allow the water to slowly drain out. This could take some time especially if your hosepipe is lying across a flat or uneven surface. The fastest way to drain with this method is with the pipe lying downhill.
Step 6: Remove all filters
Remove your spa filters to clean them thoroughly before putting them back to use. Dirty filters introduce contaminants into a newly cleaned spa pool. You can remove your spa’s filters either before or after all the water is drained.
Step 7: When empty, clean your spa filters
You can clean your spa filters in one of two ways. Simply rinse out your spa filters using a filter cleaning wand and allow the water to wash away any debris, or use a spa filter cleaning solution to effectively deep-soak each filter. Combine both methods for the best results.
Life Water Wand Filter Cartridge Cleaner
Heavy Duty Filter Cleaner
Step 8: Clean the interior of your spa pool
Before you can refill your spa pool, make sure you clean the interior surface thoroughly. Use a sponge or soft damp cloth with mild dishwashing soap or window cleaner to gently wipe down the entire surface. If there are any stubborn stains you can use a mild detergent or mild acrylic cleaner.
Step 9: Inspect your spa for any damage
Now that your spa pool is clean and empty, it is a great opportunity to inspect your jet nozzles, levers, buttons, and your cover for any damage that may need repairing.
Step 10: Get ready to refill your spa
Get your spa ready to refill by detaching the hosepipe from the drain spigot and making sure the two drain spigot caps are securely closed.
Bonus Step: Use a submersible pump for faster draining time
Instead of following steps 3-5, you can place a submersible pump directly into the spa pool and allow the pump to drain the water. This can decrease drain time from hours to minutes.
How to refill your spa pool
Now that your spa is sanitized and empty, you can move on to refilling the pool with fresh water and get it ready for use.
Step 1: Locate the spa fill pipe
Most spa pools have a spa fill pipe that you can place a hosepipe into. The spa fill pipe is generally a hollow tube with filter-like gaps around the outside to allow the water through.
Step 2: Insert your hosepipe directly into the fill pipe
Place your hosepipe directly into the fill pipe. If you do not have a fill pipe, you can place your hosepipe directly into the spa pool. However, this may cause trapped air bubbles within the spa system, potentially causing problems with your jets and other parts of the system.
Step 3: Open the valve and make sure the spa fills to the correct level
Now, you can open the valve and allow your spa pool to fill. Make sure you fill your spa until at least two fingers above the highest jet to avoid damage. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you change the water in a spa pool?
Change your spa pool water every 3-4 months to keep the effects of contaminants under control. You can also change the water if you notice your spa water looking cloudy, or when there have been excessive bathers using your spa in a short period.
Why do you have to change spa pool water?
Over time, spa pool water becomes saturated with contaminants such as sweat, lotion, and other dissolvable solids. Too many of these contaminants cause cloudy water and can damage the spa pool’s system by coating the pipes with an oily residue and becoming trapped in the filters.
How soon can you use a spa pool after adding chemicals?
Depending on what chemicals you add, the general rule of thumb is to wait at least 30 minutes before testing the water after adding chemicals such as bromine and chlorine. If you add a shock treatment, the wait may be longer, and in some cases allowing the water to circulate for an entire day is recommended.
Is it safe to use recycled spa water on vegetables and other edible plants?
No, watering edible plants and vegetables with recycled spa pool water is not recommended. However, when chemical levels have dropped and the pH is balanced, you can use the water on your grass and other non-edible plants.
Does the spa pool greywater need to be treated in any way before it is used?
Yes, for both bromine and chlorine systems, the water should be left to sit for at least 1-3 days before draining to allow for chemicals to dissipate. Make sure to test your chemical and pH levels before using the water on plants.
What are some of the best uses for recycled spa pool water?
Some of the best uses for recycled spa pool water include:
- Watering the lawn, ornamental plants, and trees
- Cleaning outdoor living areas and equipment (provided that the law allows in your area)
- Washing your car
- Flushing the toilet
- Responsibly storing for later use
Are there restrictions governing how I recycle greywater?
Yes, depending on where you live, your area may have separate laws and restrictions for recycling greywater especially along coastal regions, or other areas near water systems, where your water can prove damaging to aquatic life.
How often should I clean my spa pool filter?
Depending on how often you use your spa pool, check your filters weekly and give them a rinse with your hose pipe if necessary. To keep them clean and working well, give them a more thorough clean once a month using filter cleaner, and every time you change your spa water.
Does spa pool water kill grass?
It is possible for spa pool water to kill grass, depending on your chemical system and how freshly treated the water is. If you are using bromine or chlorine, you will need to let the water sit for a couple of days before using it on your grass. If you are using a saltwater system, the spa pool water will kill the grass.
Got questions?
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