Frozen Hot Tub? (Part 2 of 2)
In the unfortunate event that you find yourself with a frozen hot tub, you don’t have to and shouldn’t wait until spring to wait for it to thaw. A frozen hot tub can be a catastrophic failure, sometimes resulting in thousands of dollars in damage. However if taken care of soon enough or if you have a little luck on your side, a tub can survive sometimes without any damage at all. There are several possibilities for why a tub froze in the first place, so be prepared for repairs of some sort regardless. Need Help? Contact Water Works Pool & Spa Service.
To thaw a frozen hot tub, take 1 of the following 2 steps:
1. Install a small electric space heater in the compartment (Pictured).
A small electric space heater 350-1500 Watt is the cheapest insurance you can purchase for your hot tub. The compartment where your pumps, heater, and electrical controls are is the least protected with insulation and will freeze first. By carefully placing a small electric space heater on medium heat in the compartment (furthest away from any objects), it will prevent freezing. Or if the hot tub plumbing is already frozen, it will allow for a gradual thaw within a few days. It is only once the ice has thawed that service can be performed or the hot tub evaluated to determine if any damage was caused as a result of freezing.
2. Install a small electric space heater in the compartment AND a tank heater in the main body of water (Pictured).
If you find the main body of water frozen, even with a small layer of ice on the surface, the compartment is certainly frozen, and I recommend using a tank heater in the main body of water, along with a small electric space heater in the compartment. Between the two types of heaters, your hot tub will gradually thaw within a few days. When using both types of heaters, you will need to use a 350 Watt space heater in the compartment, and use a minimum 14 gauge cord to power both heaters from the same electrical outlet. It is only once the ice has thawed that service can be performed or the hot tub evaluated to determine if any damage was caused as a result of freezing.
One other thing to consider is making a claim with your insurance company and advising them of your situation if your hot tub is covered by your homeowner’s policy. As mentioned earlier, sometimes the damage can be extensive and they may cover the cost of repairs or even replacement.
Hopefully you never have to experience a frozen hot tub; it takes the fun out of relaxing! However if you do, you can always contact Water Works Pool & Spa Service with any service or maintenance needs, we’re here to help!
