Power outages and winter maintenance? I have a softub

[spork]

Hello,

This will be my first time using a softub 220 outdoors over winter. I'm sort of close to chicago and we can have mild winters or it can be -20 F every night for weeks. I'm sure the tub can handle that but I had a few more questions.

What if we have a power outage that lasts for days? I'm going to experiment and see how well the tub can maintain the heat without running. I'm concerned that with a softub the pump sits outside of it. I wonder how likely it would be that the pump would freeze up first or the short connection going to the tub? Maybe I could wrap some blankets around the pump and connection. If I had some sort of pump failure I would just quickly drain the thing with a sump and roll it inside until I could dry it out and repair.

I've also considered just draining the tub over the winter for practical reasons. The pump I could remove and store in my basement. The rest of the tub should be easy to get most of the water out of the lines. The plumbing is also pex so it should be somewhat resistant to freeze damage if a little is left? I hear tubs can be a lot of fun in the winter but maintenance will be more of a chore. No hose and you still need to go out and check it all the time. Do you guys fill up buckets of water in the house to top it off? I had a idea of scooping a few buckets of water and trading it for fresh stuff to delay a refill.

thanks

 

[Swampwoman]

Hi spork.
I'm over in Grand Rapids so know your clime.

Re winter refills, I've configured a utility sink and hose container that I drag/run out to the hot tub for top ups as needed, and do a water change right before hard winter and right after.

Re: power outage...my jacuzzi sport holds temp pretty well...but I have a heavy insulated cover and for the last 3-day outage had a new beefy generator that I'd run it a bit with. My guess is that you'd have a day anyway until temps dropped to problematic levels.

Not sure about soft tub and the pump exposure...it would be totally experimental but could you build a little insulated dog house for the pump without compromising airflow (eg make sure you make grates)? I have built something with thermax foil insulation foam boards (fire proof) that I use to protect an outdoor plumbing rig for my terrace and above grade pool lines. I actually run my pool all winter in an air done now as of last year, so have experimented quite a bit with creative solutions to winter issues

If you shelter the set up a bit, eg deck near house, etc., you might get by just fine. The main risk is standing, not heated water in pipes, because freeze/thaw will split them (expansion/contraction.) so you'd be making a commitment to keeping it HOT full time through winter. Plus, its easier to maintain temp than to run up temp in winter.

 

[spork]

Those are some good suggestions thank you.

I am probably just over thinking things. Our longest power outage was maybe a little more than a day and it was warm. The nice thing about a softub is its very easy to roll it around when empty. I probably wouldnt need to make it anymore complicated than draining and brining it indoors if I expect a longer outage. At that point I may need to worry more about pipes freezing in the house.

changing the water just before it gets too cold outside was my plan too. I could just hook a hose up to my kitchen sink also if I had to.