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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Home and Garden
Swimming Pools
Hot Tubs
How to Drain a Hot Tub Easily Using a Drain Garden Hose Download ArticleExplore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Connect the Hose 2 Turn Off the Water 3 Stop Water Flow 4 Disconnect the Hose 5 Resume Water Flow 6 Remove the Water + Show 3 more... - Show less... Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Co-authored by Oz Tzalalihin
Last Updated: May 29, 2025 Approved
Download Article X
This article was co-authored by Oz Tzalalihin. Oz Tzalalihin is a Landscaping and Hardscaping Expert based in Calabasas, California. He runs Sundream Builders, where he manages quality control as their Project Coordinator. Sundream specializes in installing pools, and conducting hardscaping, landscaping & hillside design projects. Previously, Oz served as Project Manager for Vitoli Builders. He has a passion for working with sloped terrains and has shared his expertise through contributions to local publications. Oz holds a PMP (Project Management Professional) degree from Cornell University and specializes in building pools and structures on hillside properties. With his education and experience, he is a valuable asset and is dedicated to delivering quality results and smooth construction. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 157,496 times.
A hot tub is a relaxing way to wind down, but they also require a good amount of maintenance. Draining your hot tub doesn't have to be overwhelming. You can use a garden hose to do the job quickly and cleanly. This article explains how to drain a hot tub using a garden hose, with as little fuss as possible. The idea is to create a basic siphon, which will let gravity do the work for you.
Steps
1
Connect the Hose
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Connect the hose to the water bib (that's the faucet on the side of your house). Put the open end into the hot tub, and start filling the hot tub. The idea here is to fill the hose with water completely, with minimal air bubbles in the line.[1]XResearch source
Advertisement 2
Turn Off the Water
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Once you've got flow into the tub, turn off the water at the hose bibb. Keep the hose end in the hot tub submerged, or you'll have to refill the hose with water![2]XResearch source
3
Stop Water Flow
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Bend a kink into the hose a couple feet below the connection to the hose bibb. This seals the water inside the hose, more or less.[3]XResearch source
Advertisement 4
Disconnect the Hose
Download Article
Disconnect the hose from the faucet. You'll have to hold the kink in the hose until you get the tail end (the end you're holding) below the level of the hot tub. This is where gravity comes into play.[4]XResearch source
5
Resume Water Flow
Download Article
Once you've got the end you're holding (still kinked) below the level of the hot tub, and you're in your pre-selected location for where you want the water to go, let the end of the hose un-kink. The water will start flowing. You've just created a siphon![5]XResearch source
Water "seeks its own level", which is how this system works. The water pressure in the hot tub essentially pushes the water out the hose, because the open end of the hose is lower than the level of the water in the hot tub. Yes, the water has to go up and over the edge of the tub, but here's the neat part––because the hose was full of water, the water inside the hose creates suction at the end inside the tub, which pulls the water over the edge, and flows down the line.[6]X Expert Source Craig MortonAquarium Specialist, CEO of Aquarium Doctor Inc.Expert Interview
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Remove the Water
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Remove the water. Wipe down and dry the hot tub and store/cover as suggested by the manufacturer.
Community Q&A
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Question Do I have to unplug it? Community Answer In most cases you will not have to unplug anything. You can just drain it as is. It is best to drain it at least twice a year and after winter. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 11 Helpful 5
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Video
Tips
Don't water the plants with the hose. It's de-oxygenated and full of Chlorine! Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
The lower you can put the drain end of the hose, the faster the water will drain out. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Things You'll Need
Garden hose; any one will do, but about 20 feet long would be the minimum
Safe place for the water to drain
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↑ Craig Morton. Aquarium Specialist, CEO of Aquarium Doctor Inc.. Expert Interview
About This Article
Co-authored by: Oz Tzalalihin Pool Installation Expert This article was co-authored by Oz Tzalalihin. Oz Tzalalihin is a Landscaping and Hardscaping Expert based in Calabasas, California. He runs Sundream Builders, where he manages quality control as their Project Coordinator. Sundream specializes in installing pools, and conducting hardscaping, landscaping & hillside design projects. Previously, Oz served as Project Manager for Vitoli Builders. He has a passion for working with sloped terrains and has shared his expertise through contributions to local publications. Oz holds a PMP (Project Management Professional) degree from Cornell University and specializes in building pools and structures on hillside properties. With his education and experience, he is a valuable asset and is dedicated to delivering quality results and smooth construction. This article has been viewed 157,496 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 9Updated: May 29, 2025 Views: 157,496 Categories: Hot Tubs In other languages Russian Dutch
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 157,496 times.
Reader Success Stories
Bo Dolen
Oct 19, 2016
"Thank you for teaching me how to syphon my hot tub. I tried the mouth method and this other method but your's was the best and worked the first time. Thank you. Goes to show, you're never too old to learn new things. "..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Oz Tzalalihin Pool Installation Expert Click a star to vote Co-authors: 9Updated: May 29, 2025 Views: 157,496
Bo Dolen
Oct 19, 2016
"Thank you for teaching me how to syphon my hot tub. I tried the mouth method and this other method but your's was the best and worked the first time. Thank you. Goes to show, you're never too old to learn new things. "..." more
Jennifer
Jun 18, 2017
"I've been siphoning scum water out of my spa. Thank you very much for your insight, it's very appreciated. Now I can get my hot tub cleaned without getting a virus."..." more Rated this article:
Jojo Walnut
Aug 30, 2016
"This was not in the owners manual--how to drain a hot tub. I tried it thinking it wouldn't work and it was simple and worked immediately. Thank you."..." more
Anonymous
May 20, 2023
"I wanted to do this job, started on my own and the instructions very easy to follow with great success. Thank you, and my husband thanks you too."..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Connect the Hose 2 Turn Off the Water 3 Stop Water Flow 4 Disconnect the Hose 5 Resume Water Flow 6 Remove the Water + Show 3 more... - Show less... Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Co-authored by Oz Tzalalihin 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Oz Tzalalihin Pool Installation Expert This article was co-authored by Oz Tzalalihin. Oz Tzalalihin is a Landscaping and Hardscaping Expert based in Calabasas, California. He runs Sundream Builders, where he manages quality control as their Project Coordinator. Sundream specializes in installing pools, and conducting hardscaping, landscaping & hillside design projects. Previously, Oz served as Project Manager for Vitoli Builders. He has a passion for working with sloped terrains and has shared his expertise through contributions to local publications. Oz holds a PMP (Project Management Professional) degree from Cornell University and specializes in building pools and structures on hillside properties. With his education and experience, he is a valuable asset and is dedicated to delivering quality results and smooth construction. This article has been viewed 157,496 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 9 Updated: May 29, 2025 Views: 157,496 Categories: Hot Tubs In other languages Russian Dutch 
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Connect the hose to the water bib (that's the faucet on the side of your house). Put the open end into the hot tub, and start filling the hot tub. The idea here is to fill the hose with water completely, with minimal air bubbles in the line.[1] Advertisement 
Once you've got flow into the tub, turn off the water at the hose bibb. Keep the hose end in the hot tub submerged, or you'll have to refill the hose with water![2] 
Bend a kink into the hose a couple feet below the connection to the hose bibb. This seals the water inside the hose, more or less.[3] Advertisement 
Disconnect the hose from the faucet. You'll have to hold the kink in the hose until you get the tail end (the end you're holding) below the level of the hot tub. This is where gravity comes into play.[4] 
Once you've got the end you're holding (still kinked) below the level of the hot tub, and you're in your pre-selected location for where you want the water to go, let the end of the hose un-kink. The water will start flowing. You've just created a siphon![5] 
Remove the water. Wipe down and dry the hot tub and store/cover as suggested by the manufacturer. 
Community Answer In most cases you will not have to unplug anything. You can just drain it as is. It is best to drain it at least twice a year and after winter. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 11 Helpful 5 
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