A Hot Spring spa is designed for year-round use, even when the mercury drops below zero. In most situations, therefore, the best protection is to keep it filled, heated, filtered, and properly maintained. Active circulation protects the plumbing, while a properly fitted cover limits heat loss.
If you are leaving for an extended period, if the property will be inaccessible, or if the spa must remain out of service during the winter, complete winterization becomes necessary. Simply draining the shell is not enough: several liters of water may remain trapped in the pipes, pumps, heater, jets, and water-system accessories. In Quebec, this residual water can freeze, expand, and cause costly damage.
Need a Risk-Free Closing? Piscine Hippocampe offers seasonal spa opening and closing, maintenance, repairs, and water analysis. Call 450 632-8680 or request a quote before the first freeze.
Table of Contents
Do You Really Need to Shut Down Your Hot Spring Spa?
| Situation | Recommended Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You Are Present and Use the Spa | Keep It Running | Filtration, heating, and circulation protect the circuits while allowing you to enjoy the spa during the winter. |
| Absence of One to Two Weeks | Leave It Running and Have It Monitored | Clean the filters, adjust the water, lock the cover, and ask a trusted person to check the water level and alerts. |
| Extended Absence or Entire Season | Winterize Completely | The property will not be monitored, and a failure could go unnoticed. |
| Spa Failure in Cold Weather | Emergency Intervention | Do not simply drain the shell. Immediately protect the circuits in accordance with the manual and contact service without delay. |
Hot Spring also recommends: For a short absence, leave the spa running, sanitize the water, clean the filters, and secure the cover. A remote monitoring app can help on compatible models, but it does not replace a physical inspection.
Why the Procedure Varies by Model
The Highlife, Limelight, Hot Spot, and Freeflow collections do not all have the same plumbing, number of cartridges, electrical connection, or accessories. The manufacturing year also matters. A Moto-Massage®, waterfall, SilentFlo circulation pump, multiple filter columns, or FreshWater® salt system creates water pathways that must be treated individually.
Before you begin, record the model, year, and serial number. Then download the corresponding manual. The steps below are a general professional method; the manual for your Hot Spring model and your dealer’s instructions always take priority.
When to plan winterization
Choose a dry day when the temperature remains above 0 °C. Start early enough to repeat a purge or obtain a replacement part if needed. Waiting until the first freezing night greatly increases the risk: a thin line can freeze before the shell is completely cold.
Schedule the service several weeks before the first freezes.
Allow sufficient light and time to inspect every circuit.
Make sure the area where the water will be discharged can accept the volume and complies with local regulations.
Keep the spa powered and heated until draining and purging can be completed on the same day.
Materials and products to prepare
Products and tools for winterizing a spa
| Need | Product or tool | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing cleaning | Minéraluxe Cleanse & Drain | Breaks down oils, organic residue, and biofilms before draining. |
| Draining | Submersible pump and hose | Speeds up water removal; the gravity drain can supplement the process. |
| Purge | Powerful blower and wet/dry vacuum | Allows you to blow out, then vacuum, hidden water from the lines and cavities. |
| Filters | Minéraluxe Filter Revive | Cleans the cartridges before they dry and are stored. |
| Surfaces | Dazzle Surface Cleanse, soft cloths, and towels | Cleans the shell, waterline, and underside of the cover. |
| Additional protection | Propylene glycol pool and spa antifreeze | Use only according to the label and model; never use automotive antifreeze. |
| Winter protection | Protection designed specifically for spas | Secure the cover against the weather without creating point loads. |
Electrical safety: Never work on the spa while it is energized. A plug-in model must be unplugged according to the manual; a hardwired model must be switched off at its dedicated GFCI breaker. Never energize an empty spa.
Winterizing a Hot Spring spa in 12 steps
1. Identify the spa and photograph the installation
Record the model, year, serial number, power supply type (115 V or 230 V), and installed options. Photograph the position of the valves, equipment compartment, filters, and accessories. These images will make recommissioning easier.
2. Clean the plumbing before draining
Add Minéraluxe Cleanse & Drain to the still-warm water, following the label exactly. Circulate the product through every pathway: jets, waterfall, diverters, and massage functions. Open circuits that are usually closed so the cleaner reaches stagnant areas. Remove the cartridges only if the label indicates it, and do not use the spa during treatment.
Why this step matters: a spa may appear clean even when oils and biofilm are present in the pipes. Removing them before closing prevents these deposits from remaining there for months.
3. Stop the functions and turn off all power
When cleaning is complete, stop the functions using the control panel, then switch off the dedicated ground-fault circuit breaker. For a 115 V model designed to be plugged in, disconnect the cord according to the manual. Verify that the power is off before proceeding. If you are unsure about the connection, have a technician intervene.
4. Drain the shell
Connect the spa drain or use a submersible pump. Direct the water to an approved location, away from foundations and where there is no risk of flooding. Keep the submersible pump underwater while it is running and stop it as soon as it can no longer draw water. Then open the gravity drain, if applicable, to complete draining.
5. Remove, clean, and store the filters
Remove all cartridges, including those behind a cap or suction tube, depending on the model. Clean them with Minéraluxe Filter Revive according to the label, rinse them thoroughly, let them dry completely, and store them in a clean, dry, frost-free place. Replace cartridges that are cracked, crushed, or whose pleats remain oily.
Tri-X® cartridges require proper maintenance. Avoid high pressure, abrasive tools, and unapproved products; consult the Hot Spring manual.
6. Remove visible water
Vacuum water from the bottom of the shell, filter well, drains, seats, Moto-Massage conduits, and accessible cavities with a wet/dry vacuum. Finish with sponges and absorbent towels. However, a dry shell does not prove that the plumbing is empty.
7. Blow out and vacuum each circuit
This is the decisive step. Set the blower or vacuum to blow mode at each opening, then use suction mode to collect the water that returns. Work circuit by circuit and repeat until you achieve a steady airflow, without splashing or mist.
filter columns and compartments;
therapy jets, foot jets, and suction fittings;
waterfall and other water features;
Moto-Massage conduits and bypass circuits;
bottom drain, drainage points, and accessible low points;
circulation circuit, water heater, and pumps, only according to the model manual.
Good practice: Renting a powerful blower from Piscine Hippocampe makes an effective purge easier. A small household vacuum may not have enough airflow to move water through long lines.
8. Check the equipment compartment
Open only the panels intended for maintenance. Check the low points, drain plugs, union fittings, and visible hoses by following the Hot Spring manual. Collect any remaining water. Do not disassemble a sealed component or loosen a fitting at random: some models require a specific sequence to prevent a leak or improper reassembly.
9. Use antifreeze only as supplemental protection
After a complete purge, a non-toxic propylene glycol-based pool or spa antifreeze may be added to the circuits specified by the manual or technician. Follow the label and account for the actual volume of the lines. There is no universal amount that applies to all Hot Spring spas.
Never do this: Never use automotive antifreeze containing ethylene glycol. It is toxic. Spa antifreeze also does not replace draining and mechanically purging the lines.
10. Clean and dry the shell
Clean the shell and waterline with Dazzle Surface Cleanse and a soft cloth. Rinse according to the label, then dry the shell, cup holders, niches, and underside of the cover. Remove the headrests and removable accessories, clean and dry them, and store them indoors to limit staining, mold, and premature aging.
11. Protect the spa cover and exterior cabinet
Replace the drain plug according to the manual and check that the panels are properly closed. Place the clean, dry rigid cover on the spa and lock the fasteners, then add winter protection designed for a spa. Avoid makeshift objects that concentrate weight on one point of the cover. A protective cover does not make the cover weight-bearing: remove snow regularly, especially after freezing rain.
12. Document the shutdown
Keep the plugs, screws, and small parts in a labeled bag. Note that the circuit breaker must remain off, the filters are stored, and antifreeze was used, if applicable. Take photos of the equipment compartment, dry shell, and final cover. This sheet helps prevent errors when reopening the spa.
The errors that cause the most damage
| Error | Risk | Best practice |
|---|---|---|
| Drain only the shell. | Trapped water may freeze in the pipes. | Blow out and vacuum each circuit several times. |
| Wait for a night below freezing. | Freezing is possible before the work is complete. | Perform the shutdown on a dry day when the temperature remains above 0 °C. |
| Restore power to the empty spa | Possible damage to the heater and pumps. | Label the circuit breaker and leave it off until the spa is put back into service. |
| Use automotive antifreeze | Risk of toxicity and contamination. | Use only propylene glycol-based antifreeze intended for pools and spas. |
| Provide a universal antifreeze dosage | Incomplete protection or an excessive amount that is difficult to rinse. | Follow the instructions specific to the model, manual, technician, and product label. |
| Store filters while they are still wet | Odors, mold, and cartridge deterioration. | Clean, rinse, and dry the filters completely, then store them in a warm, dry place. |
| Place a load on the cover | Deformation or breakage of the cover core. | Use winter protection designed for the spa and regularly remove accumulated snow. |
How to put the spa back into service in spring
- Remove the winter protection and inspect the shell, cover, cabinet, and equipment compartment.
- Remove all temporary plugs and confirm the position of the fittings, valves, and drain plugs according to the photos and manual.
- If there is antifreeze, recover it and rinse the circuits according to the label. One or more sequences of filling, circulating with the power off, draining, and rinsing may be necessary; do not dispose of the product just anywhere.
- Reinstall clean filters in good condition. For several Hot Spring models, filling through the filter compartment helps remove air; follow the model’s manual.
- Fill to the indicated level and visually check for leaks before turning the power back on.
- Restore power, prime the pumps according to the manual, and check the heater, jets, waterfall, and circulation.
- Balance the water and activate the approved sanitation system. For a FreshWater saltwater model, follow Hot Spring’s procedure for the cartridge and settings.
- Bring a water sample to Piscine Hippocampe for a complete analysis and precise adjustment.
Beware of air in the lines: If a pump does not prime or the flow remains low, turn off the power. Do not let a pump run dry. Consult the manual or call service.
FAQ — Winterizing a Hot Spring Spa
Is it better to close the spa or use it all winter?
When it is functioning, monitored, and properly maintained, keeping it filled and heated is generally the best choice. Hot Spring emphasizes that winter is an excellent season for use and that complete winterization is complex.
At what outdoor temperature should it be closed?
Plan ahead of the first freezes and work on a dry day above 0 °C. Do not wait for a cold snap.
Can I simply drain the spa and turn off the power?
No. The plumbing, pumps, and heater may retain water even when the shell is empty.
Is a Shop-Vac enough?
It is useful for removing visible water and working on openings, but purging is more reliable with a blower that has sufficient airflow and a method suited to the model.
How much antifreeze should I add?
There is no universal amount. After purging, use only a propylene glycol pool/spa product, in the specified circuits and according to the label, manual, or technician’s instructions.
What should I do with Tri-X filters?
Clean them using an approved method, rinse without high pressure, let them dry, and store them away from freezing temperatures. Consult the model manual.
Should I remove the FreshWater salt cartridge?
The procedure depends on the system and the year. Turn off the power and follow the Hot Spring manual or Piscine Hippocampe’s instructions; do not leave a consumable in an unprepared circuit.
Can snow be left on the cover?
No. Remove it regularly with a non-abrasive tool. Ice and wet snow create a significant load that the cover is not designed to support.
Can I close a Hot Spring spa myself?
Yes, if you know your model, have the required equipment, and follow its manual. If a line is inaccessible, the spa has multiple plumbing options, or freezing weather is approaching, professional service reduces the risk.
Does Piscine Hippocampe offer this service?
Yes. The team offers seasonal spa opening and closing, maintenance, repairs, and water analysis. Contact us to confirm availability and get a quote.
Entrust your Hot Spring spa to a team that knows the product
Piscine Hippocampe has been assisting Hot Spring spa owners on Montreal’s South Shore from its Delson location. Our team can confirm the method suited to your collection, provide Mineraluxe products, rent the necessary equipment, perform winterization, and assist you with reopening.
Request your quote: Call 450 632-8680, visit us at 59A, Route 132 in Delson, or use the service form. Book early: appointments before the first freezes fill up quickly.
