How to Properly Reactivate a Luxury Swim Spa Tub After Winter?

For many home users and fitness enthusiasts, the luxury swim spa tub has long been an indispensable piece of relaxation and therapy equipment in their daily lives.

However, during the cold winter months, many people choose to temporarily stop using it or put the equipment into "winter hibernation."

When spring arrives and temperatures rise, a common question arises:

"How do I properly reactivate my luxury swim spa tub after winter?"

Improper activation can lead to system blockages, pump overload, water contamination, and even damage to internal components.

This article will systematically explain the scientific methods for reactivating a luxury swim spa tub after winter, covering inspection, cleaning, filling with water, heating, debugging, and maintenance, ensuring the equipment resumes safe and efficient operation.

Why should you re-inspect your luxury swim spa tub after winter shutdown?

During the cold season, many users choose to turn off their luxury swim spa tub or reduce its usage frequency.

Even when not in operation, the equipment still contains moisture, deposits, or residual chemicals. These factors can cause the following problems under low-temperature conditions:

• Scaling and blockage in pipes;

• Aging or hardening of seals;

• Corrosion of the water pump and filtration system;

• Moisture in the control system.

Therefore, a comprehensive inspection before restarting the luxury swim spa tub is a necessary step to identify potential problems and avoid secondary damage.

Simply "adding water and turning it on" is often one of the most common mistakes.

What preliminary checks should be performed before starting the luxury swim spa tub?

After winter, the first step in starting the luxury swim spa tub is not filling it with water, but a systemic inspection.

Specific steps are as follows:

1. Inspect the appearance and power environment

• Check the tub casing for cracks, deformation, or signs of frost damage;

• Check that the power lines and plugs are dry and free of rust;

• Ensure the control box and control panel are not damp.

2. Inspect Internal Structure

Open the access panel and check the following:

• Loose or leaking pipe connections;

• Rust or cracks on the pump body and heater surface;

• Clean and intact filter cartridge;

• Clogged or scaled nozzles.

3. Inspect Seals and Gaskets

Low temperatures may cause rubber seals to lose elasticity. Before starting, you should:

• Gently rotate the valve to ensure smooth operation;

• Replace any hardened or cracked seals immediately.

Only after confirming there are no structural problems can you proceed to the next step of cleaning and filling with water.

How to clean the inside of a luxury swim spa tub after winter?

Many luxury swim spa tubs accumulate old scale, chemical deposits, or microbial residue during periods of inactivity.

If not thoroughly cleaned, these impurities will quickly contaminate the water after refilling.

1. Pipe Cleaning

Use a dedicated spa tub pipe cleaner (Spa Line Cleaner) and add a small amount of water according to the instructions. Circulate the tub for 10-15 minutes.

This step removes:

• Sludge and oil film inside the pipes;

• Microbial residue;

• Scale buildup.

After cleaning, drain thoroughly and circulate with clean water to rinse away any residue.

2. Filter Cleaning or Replacement

The filter is a key component for water quality management in a luxury swim spa tub.

• If there is visibly dirty surface on the filter, soak it in a neutral detergent for cleaning;

• If the filter is old, deformed, or hardened, replace it immediately.

3. Cleaning the Nozzles and Seat Area

Use a soft-bristled brush to clean the outer ring of the nozzles and around the massage inlets to prevent clogging.

For the acrylic inner wall, use a pH-neutral detergent to wipe it. Do not use products containing chlorine or abrasives, as these may damage the surface.

After completing the above steps, the inside of the tub should be clean, smooth, and odorless, ready for refilling.

What precautions should be taken when refilling a luxury swim spa tub?

1. Water Source Requirements

It is recommended to use clean tap water or softened water.

Hard water can easily cause scale buildup in the heating system and nozzles.

2. Water Filling Position and Height

Injecting water through the filter or designated filling point reduces air trapping.

The water level should be maintained approximately 5 cm below the nozzles to avoid overflow.

Remember: Do not overfill the tub to prevent overflow and moisture damage to the electrical controls.

3. Check for Air Venting

After filling, start the low-speed water pump to circulate for 2-3 minutes to ensure there are no air blockages in the system.

If uneven water flow from the nozzles or interrupted airflow is observed, vent the air immediately.

Proper filling and venting ensure smooth circulation and prevent the pump from running dry.

What safety tests are required before startup?

Before using the luxury swim spa tub, the following safety checks must be performed:

• Power supply check: Use a socket with leakage protection or a dedicated circuit breaker to ensure proper grounding.

• Control panel check: Gently touch each function key to confirm normal response and no key jamming or malfunction.

• Jet system check: Check if the water flow is uniform and there are no abnormal noises when running at low speed.

• Heating function check: Adjust the water temperature to approximately 37°C and observe the rate of temperature rise and temperature stability.

If any abnormal sounds, leaks, or current fluctuations are detected, immediately disconnect the power and investigate the cause.

Why is it crucial to focus on the filtration system before use after winter?

The filtration system is the "lungs" of the luxury swim spa tub, determining the cleanliness of the circulating water.

After the low temperatures of winter, the following problems commonly occur in the filtration system:

• Drying out of the filter cartridge;

• Deformed seals causing leakage;

• Sticky filter pump impeller.

Correct procedures before restarting:

• Disassemble and clean the filter cartridge;

• Check that the pump body can rotate freely;

• Check that the filter cover is tightly sealed;

• After reassembling, run the system at low speed for 10 minutes.

Only after the filtration system is operating normally can the entire spa cycle return to its ideal state.

Does the water and chemical ratio need to be recalibrated?

The answer is: Yes.

During the winter shutdown, the original water balance has been lost. Upon restarting, the chemical concentration must be readjusted to prevent bacterial growth and scale formation.

Water balance control includes:

• pH value: Maintain between 7.2 and 7.8;

• Total alkalinity (TA): Maintain between 80 and 120 ppm;

• Calcium hardness (CH): Controlled between 150 and 250 ppm.

If the water is too acidic or too alkaline, it will affect skin comfort and accelerate equipment corrosion.

It is recommended to use a dedicated water quality test strip to test and add balancing agent according to the test results.

In addition, an appropriate amount of disinfectant (chlorine or bromine) should be added immediately after restarting to maintain continuous sterilization capabilities.

How long should the jet system run upon restarting?

After restarting the luxury swim spa tub, a complete system operation test should be performed.

Recommended procedure:

• Turn on the jets for 20-30 minutes;

• Observe the water flow direction, bubble volume, and noise;

• Check the nozzles for any deposits being flushed out.

This not only helps to thoroughly flush the system internally but also checks the working status of all nozzles.

If any nozzle is found to have abnormal water flow or no bubbles, the system should be shut down immediately and a blockage checked.

How to safely start the heating system after winter?

Heats are most prone to scale buildup or air intake when shut down in winter. Extra care should be taken when restarting:

• Ensure the system is completely filled with water; otherwise, dry running will damage the heating element.

• When starting the heating function, set the target temperature to around 36°C and gradually increase the temperature; do not set it too high at once.

• Observe whether the heating indicator light is on normally. If it trips or the temperature does not rise, immediately disconnect the power and troubleshoot.

Heating Test Tips:

• Slow water temperature rise may be due to scaling or sensor aging;

• Rapid water temperature rise or large fluctuations may indicate a control module malfunction.

Proper heating testing can effectively extend the life of the heating system.

What role does R&D play in LOVIA SPA’s factory operations?

Research and development is central to LOVIA SPA’s growth. Our R&D department includes over 20 specialists dedicated to innovation, material improvement, and system optimization. They continuously design new models with better hydromassage systems, ergonomic seating, and smart control features. Buyers benefit from cutting-edge designs that attract customers in competitive markets.

As a manufacturer, we also welcome customized requests and OEM collaboration. Whether you buy for your brand or Wholesale network, our R&D-driven factory ensures you receive advanced, high-quality spas at attractive prices.