In extremely cold weather conditions, hot tub water can freeze if there's a power outage or if the tub has been drained but the pipes aren't cleared of excess water. Frozen pipes can lead to damage, so it's crucial to thaw the ice and empty the tub promptly until a qualified spa engineer can repair it.
Here are some steps to help you thaw your spa:
- If the tub is full of water and the electricity has tripped, causing the water to freeze, follow these steps:
- Obtain a 75-watt lamp and place it in the equipment area, ideally next to the pump that circulates the water for heating. Ensure heat reaches the cabinet to aid in thawing the pipes and pumps. Avoid placing the heater directly in front of pipes to prevent overheating and potential melting.
- The thawing process for pipes/pumps may take anywhere from an hour to several hours. Constantly monitor the heater and never leave it unattended for long periods as it poses a fire hazard.
- To expedite thawing, create a hole in the middle of the frozen water and pour in warm to hot water. Avoid pouring hot water directly onto the spa's shell to prevent surface damage or shell cracking.
- Once all water has thawed in the pipes and shell, open the drain valve and empty the water. Using a submersible pump can speed up the process. After emptying the spa, unscrew the pipework near the pumps/heater to release any residual water and prevent freezing. A wet & dry vacuum is useful for removing remaining water from the jets and pipes.
- If your spa sustains damage, contact our Service Department to schedule repairs.
If the power to the spa was accidentally turned off and freezing just started, you might be able to fix it without emptying the tub:
- Pour warm to hot water into the middle of the spa until the water thaws (avoid pouring hot water directly onto the shell to prevent damage).
- Turn on the spa's power and check each pump to ensure water circulation. If there's no circulation, follow steps 1 to 4 above.
- If water is circulating, the spa will run on HIGH speed, and IC or ICE will be displayed on the topside. Pump 1, 2, and the blower (if applicable) will run continuously until the water temperature rises above 7.5 degrees. Once this temperature is reached, pump 2 and the blower will turn off, and pump 1 and the heater will run on low speed.
- If your spa has only one pump, switch Pump 1 to HIGH speed to generate heat and warm the water as it passes through the pump.
Reminder: Never leave heating equipment unattended, as it poses a risk of fire or damage to plumbing/equipment.
