Knowing how to empty Lay-Z-Spa hot tubs is important, not only for hygiene but to maintain the longevity of the unit. I cover when, why, and how with my easy step-by-step guide.
It’s not just Lay-Z-Spa hot tubs that are warm and humid environments where bacteria and viruses thrive, but all brands, making hot tub maintenance and the use of chemicals key to keeping it safe for you, your family, and friends safe to enjoy the benefits they offer.
But, I’m afraid it doesn’t matter how well you have kept your chemical levels and water balance all hot tubs need to be drained and refilled with fresh water on a reasonably regular basis.
Follow the steps below and you will be relaxing and enjoying your clean lay-z-spa in no time.
How Often Do you Need to Empty a Lay-Z-Spa?
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Although there is no strict schedule for when and how to empty a lazy spa. Generally speaking, you need to drain your tub between two and four times per season (approx every 8-12 weeks) or before you deflate it.
One thing you rarely hear mentioned is TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), this includes everything from chemicals to organic matter from bathers. If you are gradually finding it harder to achieve a good water balance then TDS is likely to be the reason.
Don’t worry, test strips for this are readily available online and in tub retailers. Here is a good example of the TDS test strips.
Signs your Lay-Z-Spa Hot Tub Needs Draining
Knowing how to drain a lazy spa is one thing, but knowing when to drain is even more important. A build-up of body oils, soap, rainwater, and other contaminants can make the water dirty. In some cases, this can even become a health hazard.
As I mentioned earlier, the main sign that your hot tub water needs to be changed is that you are having difficulty getting the pH balance correct and that you are having to use more and more chemicals to correct it. Here are some more signs that are a little more obvious to notice.
- Foam comes back after using de-foamer
- Cloudy water even after adding cleaners
- Strange smell
If you notice any of these effects of unsanitary water it is time to drain, even if it is earlier than the regular cleaning schedule. When it comes to hot tub water it is always better to be safe than sorry.
How to Drain Lazy Spa Hot Tubs (Step by Step)
It’s important to keep your hot tub clean, not only for hygiene and health purposes but also to prolong the life of your spa.
For an in-depth guide on the best way to clean your portable spa, please read our comprehensive hot tub cleaning guide here.
How to empty a Lazy Spa Miami, Hawaii or Paris is essentially the same, as it is for most other major brands. If you are draining the hot tub for storage, my detailed step-by-step guide on how to deflate a lazy spa will help you once you have drained the water.
Note: Ensure you have all of the stop-caps and the hose pipe adapter (supplied with your lay-z-spa) at the ready.
Step 1
Disconnect the Lay-Z-Spa from the power supply.
Step 2
Remove the filter housing and place the larger cap in its place. (This will stop the water from draining while you carry out the next 2 steps).
Step 3
Close off the water inlet (heating pipe) by placing the smaller cap over the debris screen.
Step 4
You’re now ready to disconnect the pump. Undo all fittings and lift the pump away. Now place on the caps and hose adapter. (You will always have some water leak out, so if you need to protect your floor do so before removing the pump)
Step 5
Now you can simply attach the garden hose to the lower water pipe using the hose attachment.
Step 6
Always place the other end of the hose so that the water will flow into a drain and not a lawn or flower bed as there are chemicals in the water.
Step 7
You can now remove the cap that you placed over the filter and the water will drain through the hose. (Some models of hot tubs will also have a drainage valve that will need to be opened)
Step 8
Once completely empty, close off the valve and remove the garden hose, and clean thoroughly.
Tips for Keeping your Lay-Z-Spa Safe & Clean
It is important to keep a hot tub clean for sanitary reasons and to prevent skin irritations. A build-up of certain chemicals may also damage the vinyl lining of the hot tub.
Make sure you have the right chemicals for water treatment. Some of the products that you need to keep the water clean and fresh include:
- De-foamer
- Chlorine or bromine
- pH increaser/decreaser
- Alkalinity increaser/decreaser
Other tips for keeping the hot tub water clean include keeping the tub covered whenever it is not in use, changing/cleaning the water filter very regularly, and cleaning the piping with a suitable spa pipe cleaner, such as the Pro-Kleen Hot Tub Cleaner fluid.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
I hope you have found my guide useful. Below I will answer a few questions that I get asked a lot and cover points that I mentioned in the blog.
How do you clean a hot tub without draining it?
To clean your hot tub without draining it you can use a soft cloth or soft bristle brush to gently scrub away any dirt that may have collected. The base of the tub may have some sediment, for this, it is best to use a hot tub vacuum BEFORE draining it.
What is the fastest way to clean a hot tub?
There is no fast way to clean a hot tub thoroughly. Therefore the best way is to maintain a good water balance, keep it covered when not in use, and give it a wipe regularly.
Is it OK to leave your hot tub empty?
A hot tub should not be left empty for more than a couple of days. The water is necessary to prevent a build-up of bacteria and calcium in the pipes and also prevents the smaller parts such as gaskets and seals from drying out.
Conclusion
Draining your Lay-Z-Spa is part of regular maintenance. Try to keep the water balanced at all times and use the hot tub cover when nobody is using it to help keep it clean.
Remember to drain the water every 2 months or more often if you notice any of the signs that it needs refreshing.
