Subject: Frequency of draining spa

Q. How often should I drain my spa and put new water in it?

A. Spa water that has reached its chemical saturation point needs to be drained. The chemical saturation point of spa water is measured as Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Total Dissolved Solids of 1500 ppm or higher inhibit the ability of water maintenance chemicals to maintain clean, clear spa water. Properly maintained spa water can last up to four months before reaching 1500 ppm TDS. If your spa water has reached a level of 1500 ppm TDS, it is time for a Drain, Clean and Fill or a Water Change to be performed. Refer to the SpaCare™ section for step-by-step instructions for these procedures. After re-filling, follow the Start-Up instructions found in the water treatment section.

Q. When it is time to change the water and clean the interior surface of my Coleman brand spa, how should I do it?

A. Drain Clean and Fill

Drain your Spa and Clean its Interior Surface according to the following instructions.

Draining, Cleaning, and Refilling your spa is a periodic maintenance procedure that includes changing the water and cleaning the spa interior. It should be performed on an "as needed" basis. When it is time to Drain, Clean, and Refill your spa, carefully follow the steps below.

1. Turn heater off by reducing the temperature set point to the lowest possible setting. Wait three minutes before proceeding to step 2.

2. Turn off all electrical power to the spa.

3. Locate the external drain valve at the base of the spa below the front right or front left corner post. Remove the outer black cap and connect a garden hose to the fitting. Turn the ring on the back of the valve counter-clock-wise until it stops, then pull out to open the valve. Water will begin to flow.

4. NOTE: Chemically treated water may damage plants. Therefore, avoid discharging spa water onto lawns, gardens, or shrubbery. Do not allow discharge water to erode soil areas. If need be, diffuse discharge water from hose-end to help prevent erosion.

5. Clean spa interior according to the Surface Care instructions found in this section.

6. NOTE: To drain 100% of the spa water and to remove all rinse water from the footwell, a small submersible pump should be used. If a submersible pump is not available, a wet/dry vacuum may be used.

7. Clean all bottom suction covers by removing and rinsing them with water at maximum garden hose pressure. Replace bottom suction covers.

8. After the spa interior has been cleaned, thoroughly rinsed, and wiped dry, disconnect the garden hose from the external drain valve. Then push valve in, turn ring on the back of the valve clockwise until it stops, and replace the cap.

9. Begin filling spa.

10. Install new or clean filter cartridge. Replace skimmer basket; make sure it is properly seated into position.

11. Place new or clean Coleman First Filter™ on top of skimmer basket and press into place.

Q. I need to change the water in my Coleman brand spa but do not need to clean the interior surface. What should I do?

A. Changing Water

Perform a Water Change according to the directions that follow.

Regular draining and refilling is a normal part of spa maintenance. Over time the water dissolves and absorbs minerals, chemicals, and other soluble material. This can make the water look dull, become foamy, and develop an odor. How often you drain and refill your spa depends on how often you use it. Aqua Vita Spas can perform a test to help determine if it is time to replace your water. When it is time to replace your water, carefully follow the steps below.

1. Turn heater off by reducing the temperature set point to the lowest possible setting. Wait three minutes before proceeding to step 2.

2. Turn off all electrical power to the spa.

3. Locate the external drain valve at the base of the spa below the front right or front left corner post. Remove the outer black cap and connect a garden hose to the fitting. Turn the ring on the back of the valve counter-clock-wise until it stops, then pull out to open the valve. Water will begin to flow.

4. NOTE: Chemically treated water may damage plants. Therefore, avoid discharging spa water onto lawns, gardens, or shrubbery. Do not allow discharge water to erode soil areas. If need be, diffuse discharge water from hose end to help prevent erosion.

5. When flow stops, disconnect the garden hose from the external drain valve. Then push in the valve, turn ring on the back of the valve clockwise until it stops, and replace the cap.

6. NOTE:Some water will be left in the bottom of the spa. This small amount of water can be mixed with fresh water without consequence. If 100% draining is required, a small submersible pump should be used.

7. Begin filling spa.

8. Install new or clean filter cartridge. Replace skimmer basket; make sure it is properly seated into position.

9. Place new or clean Coleman First Filter™ on top of skimmer basket and press into place.

10. Fill spa to level indicated on skimmer door.

11. Turn spa power on.

12. Set heat to desired temperature/

13. BE ABSOLUTELY sure all pump(s) are circulating water. Water flow can be verified visually or by placing a hand in front of a jet. Verify flow, one pump at a time, for spas with multiple pumps. If water is not flowing from jets, an airlock has developed. To break an airlock, remove the skimmer basket and filter cartridge. Insert a garden hose into the center hole of the filter housing as far as possible without using force. Hold hose in place and turn on water. Turn on pump. This should break the airlock, and as a result, water flow from the jets should be obvious. Replace filter cartridge and skimmer basket.

14. Take a sample of the water used to refill the spa to Aqua Vita Spas for a complete AnalyzePlusTM analysis.

15. Add the recommended SpaGuard products in the order and amount determined by the AnalyzePlusTM analysis.

NOTE: If pump(s) are not circulating water, the plumbing and equipment may be subject to damage and/or freezing.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT leave a spa that has NOT been winterized, (Seasonal Shut-Down) empty overnight. Residual water in pipes and equipment can easily freeze and cause damage.

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