Draining your Sundance 680 hot tub is a fundamental maintenance task crucial for ensuring water quality and the longevity of your spa. This process can be efficiently completed using either the hot tub's built-in gravity drain or a submersible pump.
Why Drain Your Hot Tub?
Regular draining and refilling are essential for several reasons:
- Water Quality: Over time, dissolved solids, chemicals, and contaminants build up, making it harder for sanitizers to work effectively.
- Chemical Balance: Old water becomes difficult to balance, leading to issues like cloudy water or skin irritation.
- Equipment Longevity: Fresh water reduces strain on components like heaters and pumps, which can be affected by scale buildup from imbalanced water.
- Deep Cleaning: Draining allows for thorough cleaning of the shell and jets.
Before You Begin: Preparation Checklist
Proper preparation ensures a smooth and effective draining process.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Disconnect Power | Crucial safety step: Turn off the power to your hot tub at the breaker. Never drain or work on the spa with the power on. |
| 2. Remove Filters | Take out your hot tub filters. This prevents debris from being sucked into the drain system and allows for separate cleaning or replacement. |
| 3. Clean the Lines (Optional) | Consider using a hot tub "purge" product before draining. Add it to the water, run the jets for 15-30 minutes, then drain to clear out biofilm and residue from the internal plumbing. |
| 4. Prepare Drainage Area | Plan where the water will go. Ensure it's a safe location, away from foundations, septic systems, or natural water sources, as the water may contain chemicals like chlorine or bromine. |
| 5. Gather Equipment | Collect necessary tools: a garden hose, potentially a submersible pump, towels, and cleaning supplies for after draining. |
Draining Methods
You have two primary options for draining your Sundance 680: the built-in gravity drain or a submersible pump.
1. Gravity Drain Method
This method utilizes the hot tub's integrated drain valve, which is usually located at the base of the spa cabinet.
- Locate the Drain Valve: Find the drain valve, typically a small cap or spout, near the bottom of your hot tub's cabinet. Refer to your Sundance Spas owner's manual for its exact location if needed.
- Attach Garden Hose: Remove the cap or pull out the spout, and securely attach a standard garden hose to the fitting.
- Direct the Hose: Route the other end of the garden hose to your designated drainage area. Ensure the hose has a continuous downward slope to allow gravity to do its work effectively.
- Open the Valve: Fully open the drain valve (turn it or pull it out, depending on the design). Water will begin to flow out of the hot tub through the hose.
- Monitor Progress: The gravity drain method can take several hours (2-4 hours or more) depending on the size of your tub and the hose length/diameter. You may need to tilt the spa slightly towards the drain end if it's almost empty to get the last bit of water out.
2. Submersible Pump Method
For a faster draining process, especially when a good downward slope for gravity draining isn't possible, a submersible pump is an excellent tool.
- Connect Pump to Hose: Attach your submersible pump to a garden hose or a larger diameter discharge hose.
- Place Pump in Spa: Gently lower the submersible pump into the deepest part of the hot tub.
- Direct Drainage Hose: Ensure the hose leads to a proper drainage area, positioned far away from your spa, home foundations, or any nearby water sources. The water will be expelled with force, so choose a location that can handle the volume.
- Activate Pump: Turn on the pump. It will quickly begin to draw water from the spa and discharge it through the attached hose.
- Monitor and Reposition: As the water level drops, keep an eye on the pump's progress. You might need to reposition the pump to ensure it continues to access the remaining water, especially as it gets shallow. Some pumps require a minimum water level to operate efficiently.
- Final Removal: Once the pump can no longer draw water, turn it off. You may need to use a shop vac or towels to remove any remaining puddles.
After Draining: Cleaning and Refilling
Once your Sundance 680 is empty, take these steps before refilling:
- Clean the Shell: Use a non-abrasive hot tub cleaner and a soft cloth or sponge to wipe down the interior shell, removing any residue, dirt, or waterline stains.
- Clean Jets: Wipe around the jets.
- Inspect Components: Briefly inspect the jets, covers, and other visible components for any signs of wear or damage.
- Rinse Thoroughly: After cleaning, rinse the interior of the spa with fresh water to remove any cleaner residue.
- Close Drain Valve: Ensure the drain valve is securely closed before you begin refilling.
- Refill with Fresh Water: Place a garden hose into the filter compartment (or directly into the footwell) to begin refilling with fresh tap water. Filling through the filter area helps to reduce airlocks in the plumbing.
- Reinstall Filters: Once the spa is refilled and the power is back on, reinstall your clean or new filters.
- Balance Water: After refilling, add your start-up chemicals and balance the water according to your regular maintenance routine.
Tips for Efficient Draining
- Choose the Right Time: Drain your hot tub on a dry, warm day if possible, to allow for faster drying and cleaning.
- Conserve Water (If Possible): If your drained water is free of harsh chemicals, consider using it to water non-edible plants or a lawn, provided local regulations allow. Always check chemical levels before doing so.
- Prevent Air Locks: When refilling, fill slowly and consider running jets with the air valves closed for a few minutes to help push air out of the plumbing lines.
Following these steps will ensure your Sundance 680 hot tub is drained safely and effectively, ready for its next fresh refill.
