When to winterize your hot tub
If you're not planning to use your hot tub through the winter, winterize it before the first hard freeze — typically October or early November on the North Shore. Some homeowners keep their spa running year-round (hot tubs are designed for it), but if you'd rather shut down, proper winterization is critical.
The alternative — leaving it half-filled or powered off without draining — is a recipe for frozen pipes, cracked plumbing, and a repair bill that makes winterization look like pocket change.
The complete hot tub winterization process
1. Turn off the heater and let water cool to safe handling temperature
2. Add a line flush product and run jets for 15–20 minutes to purge biofilm
3. Disconnect power at the breaker — never work on a hot tub with power on
4. Drain completely using the drain valve or a submersible pump
5. Open all unions, valves, and bleed fittings to release trapped water
6. Use a wet/dry vac or air blower on every jet, the drain, and all plumbing openings
7. Remove and clean the filter cartridge — store it indoors
8. Add pool-grade antifreeze to all plumbing lines as backup
9. Wipe down the shell and apply a UV protectant if recommended by manufacturer
10. Secure the cover tightly — use cover straps or locks to prevent wind lift
The most common winterization mistake
Not getting all the water out. Hot tub plumbing has loops, low spots, and dead ends that hold water even after draining. If you don't blow out every line and jet opening, that trapped water freezes and cracks your plumbing from the inside. A wet/dry vacuum on the blower setting pushed into each jet opening is the minimum — a professional air blower is better.
Should you winterize or keep running?
Modern hot tubs are designed to run in cold weather — that's half the appeal. If you enjoy using your spa in winter, keep it running. The heater and circulation pump prevent freezing as long as power stays on. Just make sure you have a plan for power outages (a freeze protection system or generator backup).
If you're not going to use it from October through April, winterize it properly. The cost of a professional winterization is a fraction of what frozen pipe repairs cost. Our hot tub maintenance service includes winterization, or we can do it as a standalone visit. If you need a repair before shutting down, our hot tub repair team can handle that too.
Need your hot tub winterized?
CPO-certified. All brands. Full drain, blowout, and antifreeze.