One of the premier advantages of owning an inflatable hot tub is the flexibility to deflate it whenever you like. Deflating your spa is useful for storage purposes, weather concerns, and transportation.
That said, you can’t pack up an inflatable hot tub without properly draining it first.
Draining your inflatable hot tub may seem intimidating or cumbersome, but rest assured that these quick tips will have you looking forward to the process. (Along with the notion that draining your spa regularly entices several other owner advantages.) Keep calm and float on into our tips for how to drain an inflatable hot tub the right way.
A Note on Draining Water Safely
Well-maintained spa water is treated with chemicals that you likely don’t want to dump on your lawn. These chemicals are there to kill unwanted algae and bacteria in the water, so they’re highly capable of killing your grass. The chemically-treated water might also trickle from your lawn to your neighbor’s and harm nearby wildlife.
You can alleviate some of this concern by letting your chemical levels drop prior to draining. However, factors like alkalinity and other absorbed chemicals still make it risky to drain the water on your lawn or use it for irrigation. Test your water thoroughly to make the safest decision.
The amount of water is also a concern for grass, which can easily be drowned by an emptied hot tub. If the water is clean enough to be reused, be sure to collect it safely instead of letting it flow freely and risk overwatering vegetation.
Where to Drain your Hot Tub Water (Instead of Your Lawn)
Before you set a plan for draining your hot tub, check your local ordinances to see where you’re allowed to send the water. Some towns require all used pool water to be drained directly into the sewer. Others allow the water to be reused for car washing and other household purposes.
If your water has been adequately tested and meets local requirements for household usage, decide where you will store it and designate this area as your drainage location.
Once you know where the water will go, you can choose a draining method.
Method #1: Use a Submersible Drain Pump
The fastest way to empty your inflatable hot tub is by using a submersible drain pump or sump pump. This device sits at the bottom of your tub and pumps the water out through an attached hose.
To use a submersible pump to drain your inflatable hot tub, follow these steps:
- Turn off and unplug the hot tub.
- Clear any debris from the water.
- Set the pump in the spa, ensuring its cord can comfortably reach an outlet and the hose can stretch to your designated drainage location.
- Turn on the pump. Water should begin flowing through the hose.
- When the remaining water is only a puddle, turn off the pump.
Depending on the size of your regular or portable hot tub and the type of pump, this process can take mere minutes. The sump pump draining method is best for households who need to drain their inflatable hot tub often.
Method #2: Use A Garden Hose
If you’d rather not buy or rent a sump pump, you can opt to use a garden hose if you already have one handy. Complete steps #1 and #2 above by unplugging the tub and clearing debris, and then follow one of the two strategies below.
Attach a Garden Hose Valve Adapter
If your hot tub has a drainage valve at the bottom, you can attach the garden hose using a hose pipe adapter. Find an adapter that fits the circumference of your hot tub’s drain valve, and then follow these steps:
- Screw the adapter into the hot tub’s drainage valve.
- Screw on the garden hose and place the other end where you’d like the water to drain.
- Open the drainage valve, and the water should begin flowing through the hose.
Siphon with a Garden Hose
If you don’t have an adapter or a drain valve, you can use a garden hose spigot to create a siphon. Here’s how:
- Place one end of the hose in the water, weighed or tied down, so it rests on the bottom of the inflatable tub.
- Turn on the spigot until water is flowing steadily into the spa.
- Turn off the faucet and quickly unscrew the spigot end of the hose, kinking it, so the water stays inside the hose tube.
- Release the kinked end of the hose in your drainage location. The tub should now empty through the hose.
If you have a wet or dry vac handy, you can replace steps #2 and #3 of this method by suctioning the water through the hose with the vac to create a siphon.
So, if you’re asking yourself, “are inflatable hot tubs worth it?” the answer is yes––as long as you know how to maintain and drain your unit. With proper maintenance, you can enjoy all the hot tub benefits your model has to offer.
And once you’ve fully drained your inflatable hot tub, you can clean it for storage. Discover our expert tips on how to clean inflatable hot tub units.
ALEKO Delivers Portable Luxury Anywhere
A well-crafted inflatable hot tub can give you a luxurious spa experience without breaking the bank. And with these simple steps, you never need to worry about draining your inflatable tub safely and effectively for lasting hot tub use.
Transportable and easy to maintain, ALEKO hot tubs are perfect for rental properties and smaller outdoor spaces. Our inflatable hot tubs are built to last—in fact, a well-maintained ALEKO tub can give you over a decade of relaxation.
With our wide range of products and passionate, knowledgeable staff, our team at ALEKO is proud to bring you high-quality products backed by stellar service. For all your home and garden needs, trust your partners at ALEKO to provide the best-in-class outdoor entertainment experience.
Sources:
Hot Tub Focus. How Do You Drain an Inflatable Hot Tub? https://www.hottubfocus.com/how-do-you-drain-an-inflatable-hot-tub/
Hot Tub Focus. Where Should I Drain my Hot Tub Water? https://www.hottubfocus.com/drain-hot-tub-water/
Hunker. How to Drain a Hot Tub with a Hose. https://www.hunker.com/12002448/how-to-drain-a-hot-tub-with-a-hose
State of Oregon Department of Environmental Equality. Disposing Chlorinated Water from Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjyyc6V4JX7AhU_MEQIHfNCD2QQFnoECBkQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.oregon.gov%2Fdeq%2FFilterDocs%2Fbmpchlorwaterdisp.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3Dm8el6a6taN6LizuEAwef
Swim University. How to Drain and Clean a Hot Tub. https://www.swimuniversity.com/drain-clean-hot-tub/
Swim University. How to Drain a Pool of Any Kind. https://www.swimuniversity.com/drain-pool/
This Old House. How to Drain a Hot Tub. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pools/21357245/how-to-drain-a-hot-tub
