Gravitational Flow My #$%

[Brookenstein]

It was a crisp Southern California morning.  I got the kid of to school bright and early.  Between the mans 'wake up call' and making his latte I decided to drain the tub for the first time.  WTH was I thinking?  I read the little blurb on page 46.  Attached the hose, turned the knob... the hose started to feel warm... went to the other end of the hose, nothing.  I started to unscrew the hose, steam, then water, screwed it back on... made sure the knob was unscrewed even more, nothing.  What am I doing wrong?  Am I too stupid to live?

[East_TX_Spa]

Which drain valve were you using?  There are 2.  One primary, one for longterm storage.  The one on the left side as you're facing the controls is the correct one to use.  Also, be sure and push the toggle lever to the open position.

Terminator

[Brookenstein]

I was using the left one I assume I was going to the open direction since the hose got warm and when I started to unscrew it water started coming out of it.  At this point I don't remember which direction I was turning it though.

[East_TX_Spa]

When the toggle lever is in the vertical position, it is closed.  When it is pushed to the horizontal position, water should flow.  Also, make sure the hose is running downhill as this will help.  I step on the hose a couple of times to create a siphon.  It will drain.

Terminator

[Brookenstein]

I got it draining, but 30+ minutes later it is only about 4 inches down or so.  There is a constant, good stream of water coming out of the hose... I'm just surprised the water line is moving so slowly.  Oh well, by the time it is empty I will have hosed off, cleaned, then ran the filters through the dishwasher and be ready to refill.

[Brewman]

That drain rate is slow.  
You can get a relatively inexpensive electric pump for future draining if you want to speed things up.  
Takes our Optima about 45 minutes to drain, using a 3/4" garden hose.  
They also offer a rapid drain kit, which I didn't purchase.
Anything like that available for your spa?

[Dr. Spa™ Ret.]

Sounds like the spa may need a 'wake up call' of it's own.

[Brookenstein]

Sounds like the spa may need a 'wake up call' of it's own.

 

And how would one do that to a hot tub?  Nevermind, don't want to know.  

Anyway, we are now at the words Moto Massage.  At this rate it won't be empty till after I get back from picking the kids up from kindergarten.  Good thing I started at 8 am.

[ssbraun]

Got another hose?  Get a syphon going and it should cut the time in half for this time, until you get a pump...

Steve

[Bonibelle]

Brooke, I know this won't help now but my tech told me that when I empty, I should use one of the jets to get a flow started in a hose, that way I could also use the hose to suck out anything that may be in the footwell. Packrat that I am, I have hose from my pool vacuum and I will see if that works, I think the large diameter hose should empty the tub in a flash.  But I haven't tried this yet ,so I am just assuming that it will work.

[Brookenstein]

Thanks Steve!!!  You ROCK!!!  Wish someone woulda suggested that 2 hours ago.

[tonyp]

Brooke, I know this won't help now but my tech told me that when I empty, I should use one of the jets to get a flow started in a hose, that way I could also use the hose to suck out anything that may be in the footwell. Packrat that I am, I have hose from my pool vacuum and I will see if that works, I think the large diameter hose should empty the tub in a flash.  But I haven't tried this yet ,so I am just assuming that it will work.

I use sump pump hose from Home Depot (~$10).  Same as pool hose if you have some of that handy.  Use a jet to prime it, weight it down and drain.  Be aware that you will have water in the seat wells left, which I shop vac out.

[Dr. Spa™ Ret.]

Thanks Steve!!!  You ROCK!!!  Wish someone woulda suggested that 2 hours ago.

"Get another hose"

"Get a syphon going"

"Sounds like the spa may need a 'wake up call' of it's own."

Is this not what I suggested?

[ssbraun]

Sounds like the spa may need a 'wake up call' of it's own.

 

Maybe I'm missing something??

[Brookenstein]

Maybe I'm missing something??

Little inside joke of how my husband gets woke up in the morning.  Its not an alarm clock.