How to Prepare Your Jacuzzi for the Cold Months Posted by in Fun Facts Most people consider the winter months to be the ideal time to use a Jacuzzi to warm up when the temperature drops. While this is an ideal way to combat cold, you should be aware that frozen water inside your Jacuzzi’s pipe lines can cause some major damage throughout the winter season. Here are a few helpful tips to help you protect and maintain your hot tub during the coldest months. Keep it Warm and Toasty If you have a hot tub Jacuzzi, don’t close it down during the winter. You can protect it from the elements by maintaining a safe temperature that won’t allow the water to freeze. Most hot tub systems have a control box that sets the time to automatically switch on the water heating system and keep the heat level properly maintained throughout winter. When the air is colder, the heating time will take longer than it would during the warmer months. By programming the heat control to be activated for at least 15 minutes each hour, this will allow ample heated water to flow through the Jacuzzi’s water system and prevent any ice from forming.

To reduce energy consumption, use a trusted insulating cover or a thermal blanket. To keep yourself warm as you get out of the hot tub during icy weather, run your spa towel in the dryer on hot for a couple of minutes. Then roll it up and put it into a cooler, which will keep the towel heated for at least twenty minutes. Bring your warm towel out to the hot tub with you, and wrap yourself up in it as soon as you exit the water. Drain and Clean Your Jacuzzi Flush out your hot tub to avoid any frost and freezing damage when the cold temperatures peak. Here are a few steps to help you prepare your Jacuzzi or spa for the cold season: Clean and drain plumbing. Other than draining the water, you will also need to remove build up and debris that can impair the jets. Use a cleaning solution or a whirlpool tub rinse to help dissolve any accumulation. Clean or replace the filter cartridge. Submerge your filter cartridge in water mixed with cleaning solution to help remove debris and  grease.

Dry out the whole Jacuzzi or spa, including the jets. Keep in mind that all water pipe lines need to be dry in order to prevent cracks or leaks. Use a shop vacuum, alternatively sucking then blowing all the jets, until completely dry. Return the filter, and ensure all power is turned off to the Jacuzzi. Cover with a hard top lid or a thin wooden board, then cover with a protective cap, to protect the tub from damage throughout the winter. Keep your Jacuzzi hot tub safe and cozy this winter with these quick and easy tips from Backyard Ocean! Photo by Erik Eckel via flickr. Photo by Jen R via flickr. Photo by Andrew McDaniel via flickr. CC BY NC-SA 2.0 Photo by Selbe and Lily via flickr. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 You can leave a response, or trackback.Need a Hot Tub Repair Pro Near You? Find Local Hot Tub Experts & Get Free Repair Price Quotes. No Obligations & No Credit Card Needed. Find Us on Facebook

Browse through our complete library of hot tub related articles. Home > Home Improvement > Hot Tubs > Two Person Hot Tub How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Hot Tub? Hot Tub Repair Prices A hot tub is a great place to relax or entertain a few friends. When something goes wrong with the tub, however, you’re basically left with a glorified kiddie pool. Hotels In Atlanta With Private Hot TubsThere are a number of issues that can cause a hot tub to malfunction. Hanging A Mirror Above A BuffetWhile some can be tackled by the average homeowner, others are best left to a professional.Hotel Linen Trade Shows DIY Hot Tub Repairs & Maintenance Even if you are mechanically inept, there are a few basic things you can do to keep your hot tub in good working order.

Before you pick up the phone and call a repair service, be sure to check the following: Filter: Dirty filters can not only negatively affect a hot tub’s water quality, but also its jets and heating capabilities. Keeping filters clean (according to the manufacturer’s specifications) is one of the most basic aspects of hot tub maintenance. Water Quality: Incorrect pH and sanitizer levels in hot tub water can lead to corrosion, scaling, and mineral buildup, all of which can be a drag on tub performance. Ensuring correct water chemistry through regular maintenance, including adding sanitizer, foam reducer, and a de-scaling agent, will help to keep your hot tub in peak mechanical condition. Also be sure to replace the water from time to time. Leaks: The older the hot tub, the more likely it is to leak. If a simple patch isn’t enough to solve the problem—i.e. there are numerous leaks or a large leak—consider replacing the entire liner. Professional Hot Tub Repairs

If your hot tub still isn’t working correctly after you’ve addressed the condition of its water and filter, it’s probably best to let an expert look things over. Depending on the nature of the problem, however, you might need an electrician rather than a hot tub service technician. At any rate, because a hot tub involves the potentially-deadly confluence of water and electricity, the issues described below should be dealt with by a pro: Tripped breaker: When activating the hot tub causes the breaker to flip off, it often signals a wiring (electrical) problem. This isn’t always the case, however; a faulty pump, heater, or ozonator could also be to blame. Heater: A broken heater—which you’ll be able to identify by water that’s too cold or too hot—can usually be fixed by replacing the heating element. Other potential trouble spots include the thermostat, fuses, circuit board, and hi-limit switch. Pump: A bad pump will often make unusual noises. It will cost less to rebuild, rather than replace, the pump or its electrical motor.

Pump seal: Water accumulating under the hot tub’s equipment area could indicate a bad pump seal. Be sure to address this promptly, as the water could cause the motor to short. Jets: Poor jet pressure or may be the result of hard water, although the filter and/or pump might also be to blame. Structural damage: A broken hot tub frame should be fixed by a carpenter or handyman before the problem leads to a broken shell. Please note that the above list only addresses some of the more common hot tub problems and repairs. For any given problem, there are several potential causes, each with an appropriate fix. Only a professional can accurately diagnose and repair a hot tub issue. Hot Tub Repair Costs Depending on the nature of the problem, you should be prepared to spend anywhere from $500 to $5,000 for a hot tub repair. Again, without knowing what the problem actually is, predicting the repair cost can be difficult. There may be a minimum service charge of $150 to $200 even for the most basic repair.