If you were careful with the steps to winterize your hot tub in the fall, then it shouldn’t take long to get your spa back up and running in the spring. Your bathtub has been waiting patiently for you all winter and is now ready to give you a warm and satisfying bath.

• Remove the special winter hot tub cover or tarp if placing one on top of the foam core hot tub cover. This should have protected your expensive spa cover from the winter elements.
• If there is water inside the tub, you may need to use a “shop vac” to suck it up or suck it up with towels. If the water froze in the spa during the winter, it could have damaged the acrylic structure of the hot tub. Cracks may not be visible, but they will become apparent when you begin to fill the spa with water.
• Find the filter you saved in the fall. If you didn’t clean it, you should take the time to do it now. There are special filter cleaners that you can get from your local spa dealer or buy online. If you’re in a hurry, you can spray it down with a garden hose by directing the water at an angle and dislodging any dirt caught between the folds. Reinstall the filter.
• Most hot tub covers have a foam core with a vinyl outer shell. Now is a good time to clean and condition the spa cover. There are specialty cleaners and conditioners that you can buy online or at your local spa dealer. You’ve made a significant investment in your hot tub cover, so now is not the time to skimp $20 on the chemicals needed to help protect the top from cracking and fading.
• Inspect the pipe and look for obvious signs of broken pipes. If you do find one, unless you are very handy, you may want to call in a professional to do the repair work.
• Shut off any drains you opened in the fall and reconnect all lines to the heater and pump.
• Take out the garden hose and start filling! As the water level rises, keep an eye out for any leaks or other signs that the spa has been damaged over the winter. If you see leaks, stop filling until you can fix them.
• If you fill the tub and everything looks good, then you can turn on the power. Before turning on the pump or heater, make sure all valves are set to allow water to circulate through the pipe network. If so, it’s time to turn on the pump and heater.
• Check other items, like the fan and lights, to make sure everything is working properly.
• Balance your chemicals.

Now he dances anxiously waiting for the water to heat up. When it reaches that magical temperature, it’s time to enjoy!