Winterising a Lay-Z-Spa doesn't mean packing it away. Instead, it means making sure your water, pump and hot tub are properly prepared for colder weather.
Contrary to belief, you don't have to pack away your hot tub over winter. By winterising your hot tub, it can be ready for any moment you choose you want to use it over the colder months.
Here's how to get your Lay-Z-Spa winter-ready.
Start winter with your water in top condition
You might be using your hot tub less frequently during winter, but that doesn't mean you can forget about the water. Never leave old, unbalanced water over the whole of winter.
Before the colder weather arrives, test your water and make sure the chemical levels are properly balanced. Aim for:
- Total Alkalinity: 80–120ppm
- pH: 7.2–7.6
- Add a shock dose amount of Chlorine
If your water has already been in the hot tub for a long time and you know you've used a lot of chemicals in it, consider changing it before winterising.
Continue testing and treating the water throughout winter, even if the hot tub isn't being used regularly. Leaving water untreated for weeks at a time can quickly lead to cloudy water, bacteria and unwanted build-up.
Let Freeze Shield® do its job
One of the biggest advantages of leaving a Lay-Z-Spa set up throughout winter is Freeze Shield® technology.
When temperatures fall below 6°C, Freeze Shield automatically increases water circulation and heats the water up to 10°C. This helps prevent water from freezing inside.
Your Lay-Z-Spa pump must remain powered on for Freeze Shield to work, but you should not leave the heat on.
It's also worth checking the control panel regularly during particularly cold spells. If the pump displays an error or loses power, Freeze Shield won't be able to protect the hot tub.
Keep your Lay-Z-Spa covered
Keeping the lid and top cover securely fitted is especially important during winter. This helps to stop leaves, dirt, rainwater and other debris from getting into your hot tub.
For even greater protection, consider adding a Lay-Z-Spa Thermal Cover. The additional insulation helps retain more heat, which is particularly useful when outside temperatures start to fall, and is exceptionally good at repelling water.
Throughout winter, regularly check that:
- The inflatable lid is properly inflated
- Cover straps are secure
- Water hasn't collected on top
- Snow is removed rather than being allowed to build up
- The cover hasn't become damaged
A little maintenance here can make a big difference over several months of bad weather.
Don't forget about filtration
Even if nobody has been in the hot tub for a few weeks, the water still needs to circulate and filter.
Keep your filtration system running regularly and make sure the filter cartridge remains clean. A dirty filter restricts water flow and makes it harder for the pump to keep the water clean and circulating efficiently.
Check and rinse your filter regularly and replace it when necessary.
Check your Lay-Z-Spa regularly during winter
Freeze Shield makes winter ownership considerably easier, but your hot tub shouldn't be completely forgotten about until spring.
Every so often, take a few minutes to check:
- The pump is powered and operating normally
- No warning or error codes are showing
- The water level is correct
- The water chemistry is balanced
- The filter is clean
- The lid and cover are secure
- There is no unusual build-up of dirt or debris around the pump or liner
It's particularly worth doing a quick check after very cold weather, strong winds, heavy rain or snow.
Remember that Freeze Shield requires electricity. In the event of a power cut during freezing weather, the system won't be able to operate, so it's worth checking your hot tub once power has been restored.
Give your Lay-Z-Spa a fresh start in spring
Once winter is over and you're ready to start using your Lay-Z-Spa more frequently again, it's a great opportunity for a complete refresh.
Rather than trying to keep the same water going into another season, drain the hot tub and start again with fresh water.
Clean the inside of the liner, wipe down the pump and fittings and clean or replace the filter before refilling. Once filled, shock dose the fresh water and balance the Total Alkalinity, pH and chlorine before getting back in.
You'll then be starting the new hot tub season with everything fresh, clean and ready to go.
