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WINTERIZING YOUR SPA
If you chose not to use your Saratoga Spa during the winter is it recommended to properly
winterize your spa. Any damage occurring due to accidental freezing of the spa is not
covered under warranty.
The following steps are designed to protect your spa from freezing if followed. For ultimate
protection against freeze damage to your spa, contact your local Saratoga Dealer to schedule
a winterizing service plan.
1. Turn power off to the spa. Trip RCI breaker.
2. Unscrew panel screws. Remove access panel.
3. Locate the drain valve and attach a garden hose to the drain valve.
4. Open the drain valve and allow the water to drain (Saratoga Spas will drain to the lower
suction fittings in the footwell of the spa).
5. Remove filter cartridges and screen adaptors. Clean and store in a dry place.
6. Using a wet/dry shop vac vacuum, soak up the water remaining on the bottom of the spa.
7. Open unions at the heater and at the pump(s). Remove pump(s) from spa. Vacuum up
water from return and suction sides of the plumbing on the pump(s). Vacuum any water
from heater housing. Leave unions at the heater and at the pump(s) open.
8. Reverse vacuum and blow out each line of the plumbing going into the pump(s).
9. Remove drain plug(s) from pump(s). Vacuum up any water. Leave drain plug(s) open.
10. Place three cups of antifreeze in wet end of pump(s). Reinstall pump(s) with unions loose
and drain plug(s) out.
11. Place the vacuum hose down the filter cartridge openings and vacuum up any water from
filter compartment.
12. Disconnect the unions at the circulation pump from both the return and suction side of
pump.
13. Remove hoses and circulation pump.
14. Vacuum up both suction and return side of the circulation pump.
15. Reverse vacuum and blow out each side of circulation pump. Also, blow out and vacuum
any water from the hoses coming into the circulation pump.
16. Re-attach circulation pump and leave hoses unattached.
17. With a shop vac, go to every jet in the spa (including suction fittings) and place vac hose
over the face of every jet and vacuum out any water left in the lines. Do the same to the
filter housing and filter cartridge openings. Continue to do the same to the heater and the
plumbing going into the pump(s).
18. Wipe down spa shell with a soft clean cloth.
19. Place spa cover over spa and lock into place.
20. To restart the spa, follow the normal fill-up procedures. Also, connect all hoses and close
all unions. It may be necessary to flush the spa depending on the amount of antifreeze used.
Note: In severe cold climates it may be better to leave pump(s) and circulation pump out of
the spa for the winter. Store pump(s) and circulation pump in a warm environment to
prevent from freezing.
Warning:
Do not use ethylene glycol based antifreeze. This type of antifreeze is toxic and can
damage the spa surface.
WARNING: IF THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT FOLLOWED, DAMAGE DUE
TO FREEZING WATER IN THE PLUMBING LINES MAY OCCUR AND
ARE NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY.
