How do I keep my hot tub from freezing?

As we go into winter, and the holidays begin, it's very important to remember to keep an eye on your tub. With the weather getting colder, and power outages becoming more and more frequent, this is the time of year we see a lot of freeze fractures. 

A hot tub set for 100°F, powered off, can begin to suffer freeze damage in 48-72 hours, assuming the air temperature is around 25°F.

Confirming your tub is running throughout the winter is a simple step that can save you hundreds, or even thousands. While a lot of fractures are repairable, they come at a heavy cost. 

If you find that your tub is not heating, don't worry! As long as your pumps are running, the excess motor heat will keep your tub well above the freezing point. In this scenario, it is important to keep an eye on the tub to make sure it stays on, as the lower the water temperature is, the faster it will reach the freezing point.

If you do find your tub is powered off, and the breaker will not reset, this could be caused by many things. In the event that your tub can not be powered back on, a clean sump pump will solve this problem. Placing a clean sump pump (minimum 1/4 horsepower) in the center of your tub and leaving it running will keep the tub very warm. This is due to the excess motor heat that the sump pump gives off. We do not recommend leaving this setup unattended for extended periods (2+ weeks) without checking the temperature, as a sump pump is capable of heating the tub to 150°F. There is no "high-limit" on a sump pump.

If there is visible ice inside your hot tub...DO NOT POWER IT ON. Visible ice means that the water lines have already frozen. Trying to run the spa will result in equipment failure. Use a sump pump to raise the water temperature and thaw ice first. This may take 5-7 days, but will not result in a heater explosion, or pump motor failure. Read more about how to thaw your frozen spa here, on our FAQ page.

While these are not permanent solutions, if you do have an issue with your tub this winter, we try to get to all of our customers as efficiently as possible, but these few tips will keep your tub safe until it can be repaired.

We hope this helps you as we go through the cold season, and as always, feel free to call or text us with any questions, or view our "FAQ" page for answers to common questions. or schedule an appointment.