Author Topic: Am I screwed? (Winterisation gone bad) (Read 7542 times)

AAAAAAA · « **on:** March 11, 2007, 05:50:55 pm »

Well last fall I had my tub winterised. I just noticed recently when I opened it up to see inside that everything is frozen. I am wondering if any of you would know if damage is eminent... what could be damaged ...basically what's going to happen to my tub once it thaws?

I included pics of the ice.

The pink is the antifreeze they put in last fall, but everything is frozen now.

Hot Tub Forum · « **on:** March 11, 2007, 05:50:55 pm »

xrdirthead · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2007, 06:03:54 pm »

Thats too bad. Looks like the anti-freeze didn't do its job very well. I'm guessing you'll just have to wait for the thaw and hope for the best.

AAAAAAA · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2007, 06:09:32 pm »

I am thinking water must have leaked in.

stuart · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2007, 06:13:07 pm »

Don't freak until you fill it and fire it. Chances are if you did the rest of the winterizing correctly you just have a bit of seepage in the spa from snow melting on the cover.

Probably didn't get into the plumbing....

Wait for a warm day...fill it and give it a shot. You might even put a light in the equipment compartment for a few days prior and make sure you have no ice chips in the pump.

I see this all the time with no damage.

AAAAAAA · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2007, 06:25:30 pm »

^
The 3rd picture shows where water could have gone into the plumbing.
and by the way, I did not winterise it, the place where I baught my spa did it.

I am a bit reasured that you have seen this before numerous times.
It won't get fired up till jully so no ice would be left in it by the time I start it up.

Thanks so far.

hottub.pool_boy · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2007, 10:10:07 pm »

Email the pictures to the people who winterized it. If there's a problem they'll stand behind it. Any resptectful dealer would. Are spa covers waterproof? No. They let a certain amount of water in.

Brewman · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2007, 09:55:18 am »

Is it frozen solid or slushy. Propylene glycol (RV antifreeze) will slush up and even solidify if it's cold enough- that's normal. But when it freezes, it doesn't harm anything- it doesn't expand like freezing water does, which is what causes freeze damage. If your plumbing is full of the pink Koolaid you should be fine.

I use this stuff in my boat engine before winter storage, and I've got a couple gallons in the garage. It freezes but the contaner doesn't burst or swell up. You may be ok.

If not, then the place that winterized it should make it right.

Campsalot · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2007, 09:59:19 am »

I agree with Brewman! I use the the RV anti-freeze in my RV every year. I pump about 4 gallons into the water lines and into the sewer tanks and drain traps. The stuff is good to -50 F so I'm guessing you will be fine. I have never had a problem and we have gotten to -38 F.
Why do you only fire the tub up in July?

Reese · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2007, 01:04:34 pm »

Quote

...I use this stuff in my boat engine before winter storage...

I use the pink stuff for non-metallic applications like storage tanks, but use regular green automotive antifreeze for engines and pumps with metal housings. After dilution, the cost is about the same, and I figure the automotive corrosion inhibitors are a good thing in those situations.

AAAAAAA · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2007, 01:53:26 pm »

Thanks for the reply so far guys.

The liquid is frozen solid, not slushy.

And it won't get fired up untill July since that's when I move into my new place. I sold my house and left the tub there till my new house is ready. It's a long wait let me tell you!

Reese · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2007, 02:04:45 pm »

Quote

...The liquid is frozen solid, not slushy...

I think there is still hope, because the rain/snow that entered the tub may not have diluted the antifreeze all the way to the sensitive components, and as Brewman said, the antifreeze may have limited expansion. �It isn't like the tub and lines were full and everything froze solid with no room for expansion. Regardless, we are past the usual coldest part of the winter, and any damage has already occurred, so at this point you might as well wait -- although I'd put the dealer on notice, and document everything now. �If you do this again, I'd suggest covering the tub with a tarp or the blue shrinkwrap they use on boats, to try to keep any water/snow from seeping in.

stuart · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2007, 02:59:33 pm »

Just a thought, don't know if anyone has mentioned this but don't be tempted to leave the spa open on a sunny day to thaw it...you could have bigger problems if you do.

spiman · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2007, 11:10:47 pm »

After I got flooded out and my tub was still hung up on the porch at a goofy angle, I put a 500w set of halogen lights under the tub to keep the motors and pumps from freezing solid. I only had a little bit of water in the tub due to the severe angle it was on, but it all worked out. Nothing cracked, other than my head?!?!

spiman · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2007, 11:13:21 pm »

The other thing I can't figure out, why winterize a hot tub, that's the absolute best time of year to get into it?!

Brewman · « **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2007, 07:30:35 am »

Quote

The other thing I can't figure out, why winterize a hot tub, that's the absolute best time of year to get into it?!

That's the $1000 question.

Hot Tub Forum · « **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2007, 07:30:35 am »

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