Submersible Pumps: The Fastest Way to Drain Any Hot Tub
By Jennifer Rhodes · Updated
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Are you sick of waiting for hours every time you need to drain your hot tub? Well, there's actually a way to drain your hot tub much more quickly and efficiently than the built-in drain that most of us use.
A submersible pumps can drain a hot tub in just 10-20 minutes on average, with minimal effort involved.
Keep reading to find out more about why a submersible pump is the way to go for draining a hot tub fast, and how to use one correctly—as well as a few recommendations at the end.
What is the fastest way to empty a hot tub?
If you own a hot tub, you know how much of a hassle it can be to actually empty all the water out when it’s time to clean or repair it.
The fastest way to empty a hot tub is to use a submersible pump or 'sump pump'—and trust me, you won't want to go back to the built-in gravity drain, or the siphon method after trying one.
Those other methods can take hours, whereas a sump pump can have the hot tub emptied out in 10-20 minutes, tops. It's definitely worth the investment to make your life a whole lot easier.
How submersible pumps work
A sump pump is a device used to pump water out of an area where it has collected—typically a basement or crawlspace—but they can also be used to drain ponds, pools, and hot tubs.
The pump is installed in the area where the water is collecting (so in this case, the deepest part of the spa). It's usually activated by a float switch, which senses when the water level is high, and turns on the pump. Once the water is pumped out, the float switch turns off the pump.
How do you drain a hot tub with a submersible pump?
The pump works by drawing in water from the bottom of the tub, pushing it out through a hose, and sending it away from the tub to a suitable drain. This all happens inside the pump itself, so there's no need to install any extra hardware in or on your tub.
The process is simple and straightforward; here's what you'll need to do:
- Assemble the submersible pump. Make sure that you have all the right pieces–the pump body, power cord, hose, and any necessary adapters–and make sure they're connected correctly and securely.
- Place the pump in the hot tub. Ensure that the pump is securely in position in the deepest part of the spa, with the hose attached at the pump end, and directed toward your chosen drain at the other.
- Plug in the pump. Plug the pump's power cord into an appropriate power source.
- Start the pump. Turn the pump on, and let it do its job! You should begin to see the water beginning to drain right away.
Once the water has drained, unplug and remove the pump. That's all there is to it! You've successfully drained your hot tub using a submersible pump.
What are the disadvantages of a submersible pump?
One downside of using a submersible pump to drain your hot tub is that they will still leave 1-2 inches of water in the bottom that you will have to soak up or bail out manually. This is not a big deal though, and can be the case with the regular drain in many spas anyway.
You also have to take into account the type of hose you’ll need to connect to the pump. Using a standard garden hose is not recommended as the water will take too long to go through, and you won't get the full benefit of the pump.
This is why some people report taking hours to drain their spa, even with a sump pump, and others report 20 minutes or less.
So, make sure to pick up a suitable hose at the same time:
Some pumps do not even have the correct fittings for a regular garden hose, so you would need to buy an adapter anyway. Better to just get a wider hose and reap the full benefits of ultra-fast draining.
3 sump pumps suitable for hot tub use
You can use most sump pumps to drain a hot tub, but there are differences in power which will affect how many gallons they can drain per hour. If you have a smaller spa, you'll be fine with a smaller pump, but might want to go larger otherwise.
Here are three sump pumps that are all great for hot tub use:
Best value: Superior Pump 91250 1/4 HP
The Superior Pump 91250 is an ideal choice for a hot tub. It is a reliable and durable pump, constructed from corrosion-resistant thermoplastic, and will pump up to 1800 gallons per hour.
It has a 1/4 HP motor and 10-foot power cord, which is fine as long as your spa is not too far away from a power source. Plus, it's very affordable as sump pumps go, so will give you great bang for your buck.
Most powerful: Green Expert 1.5HP High Flow Sump Pump
If you need a sump pump that's more powerful than average, then you should check out the Green Expert 1.5HP High Flow Pump. With its powerful motor and rugged construction, this sump pump is designed to run smoothly and efficiently even in the largest spas.
Its 1.5HP motor enables it to move up to 5000 gallons per hour, which is considerably more than the others I'm featuring here. If you want a sump pump for a larger spa, then this is one worth considering.
Hose included: Professional EZ Travel Collection Submersible Drain Pump
The Professional EZ Travel Collection Pump is a fantastic choice for those looking for a sump pump with everything you need in one. This pump is portable, lightweight and powerful, so you can easily take it with you wherever your spa is located.
It's also incredibly easy to use, and comes with a conveniently long 25-foot hose included, so you don't have to worry about buying any extras—this pump is good to go. Overall, it's an all-around great choice.
Closing thoughts
I hope this post has helped you make the right choice when it comes to selecting a submersible pump for your hot tub, if you decide to go that route.
While one of these pumps won't completely clear your spa, I still think it's still worth it in most cases for the amount of time you save. Getting back those hours you used to spend on draining means you can get back to using your spa faster.
My main piece of advice is just to get a proper high-flow hose to go with it. While you can technically use a garden hose, you won't see the benefits of fast draining this way—even with a sump pump.
