Starting Up Your Hot Tub for the Year

If your hot tub’s been sitting dormant since the first leaf fell last year, it’s time. Spring is here. Your spa cover is covered in dust, the water’s long gone, and your jets haven’t moved in months. Time to wake everything up without screwing it up.

Step 1: Clean the shell before you fill

If you drained your tub last season (good), it probably still has some grime around the edges (not good). Wipe down the inside with a spa-safe cleaner or just diluted white vinegar. Avoid anything that suds up or leaves residue. Don’t make your first soak a bubble bath disaster.

Step 2: Rinse and install the filter

If your filter’s been sitting in a garage all winter, rinse it thoroughly with a hose before putting it back in. If it looks like it’s seen better days—or smells like it has—replace it. Filters don’t last forever, especially when neglected.

Step 3: Fill it the right way

Use a hose with a pre-filter if you have hard water. Drop the hose directly into the filter compartment to avoid air pockets in the plumbing. Fill it until the water hits just above the highest jet. Don’t try to multitask while it’s filling. Everyone forgets and floods their patio once. Only once, if they’re smart.

Step 4: Power it up and run a clean cycle

Once full, turn it on and let it run a full cycle with the jets. Watch for airlocks or strange noises. If something sounds wrong, power it off, bleed the air from the pumps, and try again. Hot tubs are picky after sitting cold and dry for months.

Step 5: Test and balance your water

Even if it’s a fresh fill, your water chemistry won’t be right out of the gate. Test for:

• pH
• Total alkalinity
• Calcium hardness
• Sanitizer level (chlorine or bromine)

Adjust in that order. Alkalinity first, then pH, then sanitizer. Don’t just dump in chemicals because the bottle said “spa.” Know your numbers.

Step 6: Shock it before you soak

Yes, even new water. Shocking clears out anything leftover from the fill and gives your sanitizer a clean slate to work with. Use a non-chlorine shock if you’re planning to use it the same day. Give it at least 30 minutes with the cover off to let gases escape.

Final checks before you hop in

• Make sure your jets work properly
• Check the water temperature after at least an hour
• Ensure the cover fits tight and isn’t waterlogged

That’s it. You’re back in business. Don’t overthink it, but don’t wing it either. A little setup now means more relaxing and way less troubleshooting later.