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Which Pump to Empty a Hot Tub?

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HPRifleman

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None of the local hot tub maintenance places will answer the phone. It's like they don't want our money. That means my wife will try to drain and clean our hot tub herself.

I just assumed that you open a drain at the bottom and let the water run out like a bath tub. But apparently you have to pump out the water from the top. So that means we need (I'm guessing) something like a sump pump.

Does anyone have any experience with pumps to get all the water out of a hot tub? Do I need an honest-to-goodness sump pump or some other type of submersible pump?
 
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LiketoFix

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Any sort of sump pump will work. As most have a water level float operated switch. Some will say if it's ran continuously it can overheat nut the cold water will keep it from overheating. It just takes time to drain it and a small inexpensive sump pump with a garden hose, like was recommended above, will do the job relatively inexpensive to clean and service it properly.
LtF
 
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P0234

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Drop your garden hose into the tub, wait till all the air bubbles out, hold your thumb over opening as you drag one end out to a point slightly lower than the tub.
 
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Shiftless

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Notgrownup said:
There has to be a drain somewhere but if not just siphon. I drain mine twice a year.
Click to expand...
This ^^^
We had a hot tub here for almost 15 years until it got too old and leaky. It had a drain with a garden hose fitting and a plastic valve.
Hot tubs should be drained regularly. After I drained ours, I removed the few up gallons left over at the bottom and the seats using a wet dry shop vac and then cleaned the fiberglass surfaces with baking soda or some Bar Keepers Friend gel for the tiles and the tougher stains.

Don't rent a pump. Buy a 1/4 horsepower pump and use it.

I recommend something like this one.

B26D7C7D-061B-43EA-9A29-70018085916C.jpeg
 
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P0234

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Notgrownup said:
There has to be a drain somewhere but if not just siphon. I drain mine twice a year.
Click to expand...
Mine has a drain, I still use a hose to siphon it out, its faster and I don't have to deal with the stupid drain plug that seems like it will surely break the next time it is used. Also twice a year.... ugh... if you use it regularly, I'd certainly do it more often.
 
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Packard V8

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All the hot tubs in my experience had a plastic drain with a male hose thread on it. The ability to use it depends on having an area below the tub water level to receive the water.

Only if the tub is in the lowest point should one need a pump to empty it.

jack vines
 
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Zeus36

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Ventura, California
All hot tubs have a drain. What is the make and model?

Some mentioned using a garden hose as a siphon. If you try this method, leave one end connected to the faucet, drop the other end into the tub. Turn on the water to fill the hose and purge any air. Then disconnect from the faucet and lay that end on the ground. Siphon should start and continue.
 
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Shiftless

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RAYJAY

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Notgrownup said:
There has to be a drain somewhere but if not just siphon. I drain mine twice a year.
Click to expand...
there is but it take forever to drain sump pump will drain it in 15 to 20 min when draining it a good time to purge all of you lines of grease and GOOP ....

 
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RTM

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I installed a block valve in my jacuzzi pump discharge, and tee’d in a hose Bibb before it. Turn thepump on, open the hose Bibb, and hose water somewhere safe. When the water got low, turn the pump off, and shop vac the rest.

My tub was sub grade, so no drain, and siphon only got rid of half the water, slowly.

Now I have two little giants, and a couple of aquarium drain pumps, and no jacuzzi to drain.
 
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volpster31

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i thought the same as you but didnt need one...i drained the tub and got the small amount left in it with a shop vac...after doing this i realised i didnt need a pump...just my opinion but its not needed
 
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djbmw

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I personally wouldn't use the 'pre-installed drain' as they are **** plastic and will break on you after a couple years. First, clean the tub with dishwasher detergent - pour in 1/2 a cup and run the jets for 1 hr. Then, shut off power to the tub. If your tub is outdoors and higher than where you want to drain the water, use the syphon method as others have said. If your tub is in an awkward space, any flat bottom utility or sump pump will do it - just keep in mind that the smaller the diameter of the hose, the slower it will drain. Our tub is indoors with a built-in drain in the wall. With a 1/2" hose hooked up it takes roughly 1.5 hrs. to drain. Once drained, wipe down the walls so its nice and clean and refill (into the filter hole/area).

d78f4471-d5c5-444e-8506-587c26ea0c0b.jpg
 
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gravelydude

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Ft. Myers, FL Franklin, NC
I have had 4 different hot tubs the last 20 years. I have never seen a hot tub that didn’t have at least 1 garden hose thread drain. It has never taken me longer than an hour to drain a hot tub if the garden hose you are using doesn’t have a kink. I have not really had any trouble with any of the drain valves. I have pumps, but I don’t see a reason to use them on my hot tub. If my hot tub was inside, then I would probably use a pump to empty it.

Jack
 
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H

HPRifleman

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After further investigation it turns out our hot tub did have a drain so we connected a hose and let gravity do it's thing. The downside is it was a slow process. Plus there was still an inch of water in the bottom since the drains don't reach the very bottom of the tub.

So I bought this at Harbor Freight:
https://www.harborfreight.com/plumbing/pumps/16-hp-submersible-utility-pump-1600-gph-63319.html

We used that to drain the remaining water as well as the water we used to rinse the insides. Not much usage but at least we are ready for next time.
 
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sagheer

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HPRifleman said:
None of the local hot tub maintenance places will answer the phone. It's like they don't want our money. That means my wife will try to drain and clean our hot tub herself.

I just assumed that you open a drain at the bottom and let the water run out like a bath tub. But apparently you have to pump out the water from the top. So that means we need (I'm guessing) something like a sump pump.

Does anyone have any experience with pumps to get all the water out of a hot tub? Do I need an honest-to-goodness sump pump or some other type of submersible pump?
Click to expand...
First off, kudos to your wife for taking on this task! It’s not as daunting as it seems, and with a bit of know-how, you’ll have that hot tub sparkling clean in no time.

Now, about draining the tub: You’re right that it’s not as straightforward as pulling a plug at the bottom. Hot tubs are designed to keep water in, so you’ll need a pump to get it out. Here are a couple of options:

  1. Submersible Pump: This is your go-to solution. Submersible pumps are like the unsung heroes of hot tub maintenance. They’re designed to handle water (and sometimes debris) and can be submerged directly into the tub. Just drop it in, connect a hose, and let it work its magic. Make sure the pump is rated for the volume of water in your hot tub.
  2. Sump Pump: While sump pumps are typically used for basements, they can also do the job. They’re powerful and efficient, but keep in mind that they’re not specifically designed for hot tubs. If you have one lying around, it’ll work, but I’d recommend a dedicated submersible pump.
Pro Tips:

  • Safety First: Always unplug the hot tub before starting any maintenance. Water and electricity don’t mix well.
  • Hose It Out: Attach a garden hose to the pump’s outlet and direct the water away from the tub. You don’t want it flooding your yard or patio.
  • Gravity Helps: If your hot tub is on an elevated surface, position the pump lower than the tub. Gravity will assist the flow.
Remember, you’re not alone in this adventure. Many hot tub enthusiasts have faced the same situation. So grab that pump, channel your inner DIY spirit, and soon enough, you’ll be soaking in blissfully clean water.

Disclaimer: Always follow manufacturer guidelines and consult a professional if you’re unsure.
 
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four.cycle

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Tacoma, Washington
HPRifleman said:
Does anyone have any experience with pumps to get all the water out of a hot tub?
Click to expand...
Yes.
My oldest sister had a big one out on her deck. Not sure if was a 6-man or 8-man.
I used my Craftsman 16-gallon wet-n-dry shop vac. Took about 15-20 minutes to completely evacuate the water from the tub.
She got rid of that hot tub and bought a smaller one - a "soft sided" job that was big enough for her alone.
I got rid of that old Craftsman and bought a "Ridgid",
Still took about 15-20 minutes to empty it out.
The vacuum wasn't slower - I was.
 
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