Draining and Winterizing Your AquaTerra Spa: Water Changes, Cold-Weather Storage, and Spring Start-Up

Draining your AquaTerra spa is something you will do several times a year to keep the water fresh. Winterizing is something you may only do once a year, or never, depending on your climate and how you use the spa. Both jobs start the same way, but winterizing goes much further, because any water left in the pumps, heater, and plumbing can freeze, expand, and crack components. That kind of damage is expensive, and AquaTerra notes it is not covered under warranty when it results from improper winterizing.

This guide covers how often to change your water, how to drain an AquaTerra spa safely, how to winterize it for cold-weather storage, and how to bring it back to life in spring.

How Often to Change Your Water

AquaTerra's owner's manual says to renew your water every three to six months, depending on water condition. Heavy use, lots of guests, or water that has become hard to balance point toward the shorter interval. Signs it is time include water that stays cloudy after shocking, persistent foam, sanitizer that will not hold, or an odor that will not go away.

Before You Drain: Safety First

AquaTerra's manual lists a few precautions that matter every time:

• Cut the power first. Unplug the GFCI cord on a 110 volt spa, or turn off the subpanel breaker on a 230 volt spa. Do not restore power until the spa has been refilled with water. Powering an empty spa can damage the heater and pump.
• Watch the weather. In extremely cold conditions, draining an outdoor spa can allow water in the plumbing or equipment to freeze.
• Protect the shell. Do not leave the empty shell exposed to direct sunlight, which can damage the surface.

Step-by-Step: Draining an AquaTerra Spa

1. Find the hose bib. It is located in the recess under the spa, just right of and below the equipment access door. If you are draining for the first time, pull the hose bib out a few inches.
2. Remove the drain cap. Unscrew and remove it.
3. Attach a garden hose. Connect it to the hose bib and route it to an appropriate drainage area, keeping the hose below the water line so gravity does the work. Spa water with sanitizer can harm plants, so choose the spot carefully and follow local rules.
4. Clean while it is empty. Once the spa is empty, clean the shell with a mild detergent and water, avoiding solvents and abrasive cleaners, and clean the filter cartridge.
5. Close it up. Remove the garden hose, replace the drain cap, and push the hose bib back into the recess.
6. Refill. Follow the fill-up and start-up instructions in your owner's manual.

Do You Need to Winterize?

If you plan to keep using your spa through the winter, you generally do not need to winterize. A running AquaTerra spa has Smart Winter Mode, which automatically protects the plumbing when there is a risk of freezing and stays active until 24 hours have passed without freezing risk. As long as the spa has power, water, and a good cover, it is designed to handle cold weather.

Winterizing is for spas that will sit unused and unpowered through freezing weather, such as at a vacation home, or when you simply choose not to use the spa in winter. In that case, you must remove water from the interior plumbing, not just drain the shell.

Step-by-Step: Winterizing an AquaTerra Spa

AquaTerra's manual describes the full process. Plan on a helper for step 3.

1. Drain the spa completely using the steps above. All water must be removed from the interior plumbing.
2. Remove and store the filter. Take out the floating weir, basket, and filter cartridge. Clean the filter and store it somewhere dry. Then use a shop vac to thoroughly dry the filter compartment.
3. Vacuum the lines. Using the shop vac, remove water from the jets, starting at the top of the spa and working down. When you vacuum one jet, you may feel suction from another. Have a second person block that jet with a large rag or cloth, which helps pull out water trapped deep in the main line.
4. Dry the shell thoroughly with a clean towel.
5. Add antifreeze. Using a funnel, pour propylene glycol antifreeze into the filter suction fittings and jet outlets. Use only propylene glycol, which is non-toxic. Never use automotive antifreeze, which is toxic.
6. Drain the pumps. Remove the pump drain plug on the front of each pump housing and let the water drain out. Put the plugs in a resealable plastic bag and store them near the pump so they are easy to find in spring.
7. Loosen the unions. Unscrew the suction and discharge unions on the pump and heater, let the water drain, and leave the unions loose.
8. Close the compartment. Replace the equipment compartment door and secure it with its screws.

Finish by putting the cover on and securing it so snow and debris stay out and wind cannot lift it. If you are not confident about any step, AquaTerra suggests contacting customer service, or you can have a qualified technician winterize the spa for you. Given the cost of freeze damage, that can be money well spent.

Spring Start-Up After Winterizing

1. Retighten everything. Reinstall the pump drain plugs and hand-tighten all the unions you loosened. AquaTerra specifically notes that unions must be tightened before filling.
2. Flush the antifreeze. Many owners fill partway, run the jets briefly, and drain again to flush propylene glycol from the lines before the final fill.
3. Reinstall the filter, or better yet, start the season with a new one if the old cartridge is near the end of its six-to-eight-month life.
4. Fill and check for leaks. As the water rises, look inside the equipment compartment for drips at unions and fittings, and tighten as needed.
5. Restore power only after filling, then balance and sanitize the water following your owner's manual.

Cleaning Tasks to Do While the Spa Is Empty

An empty spa is the easiest spa to clean, so make the most of every drain. Beyond the shell and filter, a few other jobs are much simpler with the water out:

• Wipe the waterline. The ring of oils and residue at the waterline comes off easily with a soft cloth and a mild detergent solution, rinsed well.
• Clean the cabinet. AquaTerra recommends hot soapy water for the cabinet and warns against abrasive or harsh chemicals and cleaners with aromatic solvents.
• Clean the cover. Use a cover cleaner or warm, mild soapy water. Avoid silicone-based products, which AquaTerra notes can dry and eventually crack the vinyl.
• Check the jets and fittings. Look for debris in jet openings and the filter compartment, and note any loose or cracked parts to replace before refilling.
• Inspect the light. If the LED has been dim or out, the empty spa is a good time to plan a replacement. The LED board is accessed from the equipment compartment with the power off.

Rinse everything thoroughly before refilling. Soap residue left on the shell or in the filter is one of the most common causes of foam in fresh water.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Draining with the power still on.
• Using automotive antifreeze instead of propylene glycol.
• Losing the pump drain plugs over the winter.
• Forgetting to tighten unions before refilling.
• Leaving a drained spa uncovered in direct sun.
• Assuming a drained shell means empty plumbing. Water hides in pumps, the heater, and low points in the lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I drain my AquaTerra spa?

AquaTerra recommends renewing the water every three to six months, depending on water condition and how heavily the spa is used.

Where is the drain on an AquaTerra spa?

The hose bib is in the recess under the spa, just right of and below the equipment access door. Pull it out, remove the cap, and attach a garden hose.

Do I have to winterize if I use my spa all winter?

Generally no. A powered, filled spa uses Smart Winter Mode to protect against freezing. Winterize only if the spa will sit unused without power in freezing weather.

What antifreeze is safe for a hot tub?

Only propylene glycol, which is non-toxic and sold for RV and marine use. Never use automotive antifreeze.

Is freeze damage covered by the warranty?

AquaTerra notes that damage caused by improper winterizing is not covered, which is why careful winterizing or a professional service is worth it.

Draining keeps your water fresh, and proper winterizing keeps your equipment safe. Cut the power before you drain, clean while the spa is empty, and if the spa will sit unused through a freeze, take the time to vacuum the lines, add propylene glycol, and drain the pumps. Your AquaTerra will be ready to fill and enjoy when warm weather returns.