What Happens If You Never Drain Your Hot Tub? (Hint: It’s Gross)
Brian was proud of his hot tub. It sat under the pergola, bubbling away like a backyard oasis. But here’s the thing—Brian hadn’t drained it once in over a year. He just kept adding chemicals and hoping for the best. One night, a friend hopped in and hopped right back out, saying, “Dude, it smells like a gym bag in July.” That was the first clue.
The second clue? Foamy water, itchy skin, and a gray film that wouldn’t go away. The third clue was a $500 repair bill after the jets clogged with slime.
If you're a hot tub owner in Northern California, here’s why draining your spa regularly matters—and what can happen if you skip it.
The Water Doesn’t Just Disappear
Your hot tub might look clean, especially with a functioning cover and a daily chemical toss. But the truth is, warm water is a breeding ground. Over time, it builds up invisible gunk—stuff you can’t see, but your nose, skin, and wallet will eventually notice.
Every person who gets in leaves behind oils, sweat, lotions, and other... “contributions.” That all stays behind unless you clean it out.
Signs It’s Time to Drain and Refill
Don’t wait for the water to turn cloudy or green. Here are some earlier red flags:
Foamy water that doesn’t go away, even after shocking
A strong chemical smell or “gym sock” odor
Cloudy water that stays murky, no matter how many test strips you dip
Itchy skin or red eyes after use
Slower water flow from the jets
A white film on hot tub surfaces
These aren’t just cosmetic issues. They’re signs that the chemical levels and water balance are way off.
What Builds Up in Old Hot Tub Water?
Biofilm
This is the gross stuff. It’s a slimy layer of bacteria that clings to pipes, jet heads, and the filter compartment. It’s not just hard to clean—it resists most sanitizers once it forms.
Contaminated Water
Even with hot tub chemicals like chlorine or bromine, old water becomes harder to keep clean. Over time, the sanitizer level drops faster, and the chemicals can’t keep up.
Calcium Hardness and TDS
Hard water isn’t just tough on hair. High calcium hardness and total dissolved solids (TDS) can damage heaters, clog filters, and mess up water flow. The result? Costly repairs—or needing new hot tub filters entirely.
How Often Should You Drain Your Hot Tub?
A good rule of thumb? Every 3 to 4 months, or more often if:
You use your spa daily
You entertain guests regularly
You’ve added a lot of chemicals to fix issues
You notice water quality changes
It’s part of the regular maintenance every hot tub owner needs to stay on top of.
How to Drain and Refill Your Hot Tub the Right Way
Turn off the power. Never drain a spa while it’s still on.
Use a garden hose connected to the drain spout—or a submersible pump if you want to speed things up.
Clean the surfaces with a safe cleaning solution. Don’t forget the filter compartment.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Refill using fresh water from your home’s water supply.
Balance the water chemistry: check sanitizer level, pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness.
Clean or replace the hot tub filters with filter cleaner if needed.
Doing this on a regular basis keeps your spa water clean, your equipment healthy, and your guests happy.
Why Hot Tub Maintenance Isn’t Just Optional
Skipping this kind of proper maintenance isn’t just a gamble on water quality—it can lead to expensive repairs. Pump failure, heater burnout, and clogged pipes all come from lack of maintenance. And while chemical levels might keep things looking okay for a while, they can’t fix the root problem of old, contaminated water.
Plus, it’s harder to correct water balance or bromine levels once things spiral. Prevention is way cheaper than repair.
We’re the Professionals Hot Tub Owners Trust
At American Dream Pool & Spa Service, we help homeowners from Lincoln to Loomis keep their hot tubs clean, safe, and comfortable. Whether you need routine service, water samples tested, or a full clean-out and refill, we’ve got you covered. Don’t wait for foamy water and funky smells to tell you it’s time. Get ahead of it.
Reach out today to schedule hot tub maintenance or repair. We serve Northern California communities like Rocklin, Penryn, Granite Bay, and Roseville—and we’re ready to help your spa feel like a dream again.
American Dream Pool and Spa Service is a trusted provider of pool and spa maintenance, repair, and cleaning services. They serve the areas of Lincoln, Rocklin, Roseville, Granite Bay, and Sheridan, CA, offering comprehensive care for both residential and commercial pools. Their services include everything from routine maintenance to specialized repairs for pool and spa equipment, ensuring that every pool owner enjoys a clean, safe, and well-maintained pool or spa throughout the year. With a focus on customer satisfaction, American Dream Pool and Spa Service strives to keep pools in top condition, regardless of the season.
