Draining a SaluSpa isn’t complicated, but there’s a right way to do it and a few things that catch people out if nobody’s told them beforehand. Most owners figure out fairly quickly that the water doesn’t last forever somewhere between 3 and 4 months of regular use, it needs a full drain, clean, and refill to keep everything hygienic and running properly.
If you’ve been putting it off because you’re not sure how it works, here’s the whole process laid out properly so you know exactly what you’re doing before you start.
When Should You Actually Drain Your SaluSpa?
This is the question nobody asks until the water starts looking a bit off and they’re not sure what to do about it.
- Every 3-4 months under normal use that’s the standard guidance for most SaluSpa models
- Sooner if you’ve had a lot of people using it regularly, since more bathers means more contaminants building up faster
- After any significant water problem persistent cloudiness, foam that won’t clear, or a strong chemical smell that doesn’t shift with treatment
- Before storing the tub away for an extended period, like over winter if you’re not planning to use it
| Situation | When to Drain |
|---|---|
| Regular household use | Every 3-4 months |
| Heavy use / multiple bathers | Every 6-8 weeks |
| Persistent water quality issues | Immediately, regardless of last drain |
| Before winter storage | Before first frost |
| After chemical overdose accident | As soon as possible |
A lot of people try to stretch it past 4 months by throwing more chemicals at cloudy water. That’s just adding cost without solving the underlying problem at some point the water’s simply too far gone to balance properly, and draining is the only real fix. For more on keeping water quality right between drains, the water maintenance blog covers the full chemical routine.
What You Need Before You Start?
Nothing specialist here most of this you’ve probably already got:
- Garden hose (for the refill after, not the drain itself)
- Submersible pump or the tub’s built-in drain valve check which your model uses
- Bucket if you want to bail the last bit of water that doesn’t drain fully
- Soft cloth or sponge for wiping the interior down while it’s empty
- Mild surface cleaner nothing harsh that’ll damage the liner
- Towels for around the drain area if it’s near a wall or fence
- Somewhere for the water to actually go a drain, a lawn area that can handle it, or a storm drain if local rules allow
Worth checking: if you’ve recently added a lot of chemicals, particularly shock treatment, let the water sit for 24-48 hours before draining onto grass or plants, since concentrated chlorine will kill them. The chemicals section has guidance on what’s in the products if you’re unsure what you’ve recently added.
Step-by-Step: How to Drain Your SaluSpa?
Switch everything off first
Power off the pump completely and unplug it from the mains. Don’t try to drain while the pump’s running some models will throw error codes or damage the heating element if run without water. Give it a few minutes after switching off before doing anything else.
Locate the drain valve
On most SaluSpa models it’s a small valve on the lower side of the tub wall, often covered by a cap when not in use. The Miami replacement parts page and Laguna replacement parts page can help identify specific drain components if you’re struggling to find it on your model.
Attach a hose or direct the drain
Connect a hose to the drain valve outlet if your model supports it, or position the tub so the valve outlet directs water to where you want it to go. Opening the valve without thinking about where 177+ gallons is going is how people end up with a flooded patio.
Open the drain valve and let gravity do the work
Unscrew or flip the valve open and let the water drain out. This takes longer than most people expect anywhere from 30 minutes to well over an hour depending on model size and how much pressure the water’s under. Don’t leave it unattended for the first few minutes until you’re sure the flow direction is going where you planned.
Remove the last stubborn water
The valve won’t get every last drop there’ll always be a few inches sitting in the bottom that won’t drain by gravity alone.
- Tilt the tub gently if it’s manageable to push the last water toward the valve
- Use a submersible pump for the final inch or two if you have one
- Otherwise a bucket or large sponge finishes the job
Clean the interior while it’s empty
This is the bit people skip, and it’s actually one of the most important steps. While the tub’s empty:
- Wipe down the interior walls with a soft cloth and mild spa surface cleaner
- Pay attention to the waterline area where oils and residue build up most
- Check the air jet openings for any blockage or buildup
- Rinse the interior thoroughly before refilling leftover cleaning product in the water causes foam issues
| Area to Clean | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Interior walls | Waterline residue, body oil marks |
| Base/floor | Sediment, debris, discolouration |
| AirJet openings | Blockage, mineral buildup |
| Drain valve area | Residue around the valve fitting |
Check and replace the filter cartridge
Draining is the perfect time to fit a fresh filter rather than putting the old one back in with fresh water. A drain-and-refill with a clogged filter defeats half the purpose of the water change. Pick up a Type VI filter cartridge or check the full range on the filter accessories page if you need to stock up.
Close the drain valve and refill
Double-check the valve is fully closed before adding water obvious, but it’s been done. Fill via garden hose to the marked fill line inside the tub wall, aiming for the 80% mark rather than completely full. Once filled, reattach the pump and filter before switching back on.
After the Refill — Getting the Water Right
Fresh water needs balancing before the tub’s really ready to use don’t just fill it up and jump in.
- Test alkalinity first and get it into the 80-120ppm range before touching pH
- Then test and adjust pH to sit between 7.2 and 7.6
- Add your sanitiser chlorine or bromine and let it circulate for at least an hour before testing levels
- Target chlorine/bromine at 3-5ppm before the first soak
| Task | Order | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Test and adjust alkalinity | First | 80-120ppm |
| Test and adjust pH | Second | 7.2-7.6 |
| Add sanitiser | Third | 3-5ppm |
| Test everything again | Before first soak | All in range |
The pH and alkalinity guide explains exactly how to balance fresh water step by step, including how much of each product to add for your tub’s specific water volume. Getting this right from the first fill means you won’t be chasing water problems for the next few weeks. For chlorine tablets, 1-inch chlorine tablets work well in the ChemConnect dispenser that comes with most SaluSpa models.
Draining for Winter Storage — Extra Steps
If you’re draining to store the tub through winter rather than refilling straight away, a few extra things apply:
- Drain completely, including using a sponge or submersible pump on the last inch
- Clean the interior thoroughly and let it dry fully before deflating mould grows fast on a damp liner that’s been folded up
- Remove and rinse the filter cartridge separately and let that dry too
- Deflate slowly and fold without forcing creases into the same spots each time
- Store the pump unit somewhere frost-free a garage or shed works, just not outdoors where temperatures drop below freezing
| Storage Step | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Full drain including last water | Remaining water freezes and damages the liner |
| Dry before deflating | Mould and mildew develop in damp folds |
| Pump stored frost-free | Frost cracks internal pump components |
| Gentle deflation and folding | Repeated hard creases weaken the material over time |
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions given below:
How often should I drain my SaluSpa?
Every 3-4 months under normal household use, sooner if the tub gets heavy use or water problems won’t clear with chemical treatment.
Can I drain the water onto my lawn?
Only if you haven’t added chemicals recently wait 24-48 hours after any shock treatment before draining near grass or plants.
Do I need to clean the inside when I drain it?
Yes, this is the best opportunity to wipe down waterline residue and check jet openings while the tub’s fully accessible.
Should I replace the filter when I refill?
Yes draining is the ideal time to fit a fresh filter cartridge rather than putting a worn one back in with clean water.
How long does refilling and reheating take after a drain?
Refilling via garden hose takes 20-40 minutes depending on tub size, then heating from cold takes 24-48 hours depending on season and model.
Conclusion
Draining your SaluSpa properly is one of those jobs that sounds more involved than it actually is switch it off, drain it, clean the inside while you’ve got access, fit a fresh filter, refill, and balance the water chemistry before using it again.
Do it every 3-4 months and you’ll avoid the water problems that come from letting it go too long. Get the refill chemistry right from the start using the pH and alkalinity guide, stock up on filter cartridges and water care chemicals so you’re not caught short mid-process, and the whole thing becomes a straightforward part of your regular hot tub routine.
