AquaTerra Benicia, Owner'S Manual

18

DRAINING OR WINTERIZING

Every three to six months, depending upon the water condition, you need to renew your water.  

CAUTION:

 READ THIS BEFORE DRAINING YOUR SPA

•  To prevent damage to the spa’s components,

 TURN OFF SUBPANEL BREAKER

BEFORE 

DRAINING.

Do not power back up until your spa has been refilled with water.

•  There are certain precautions to keep in mind when draining your spa. If it is extremely cold, 

and the spa is outdoors, freezing could occur in the plumbing or the equipment. 

•  Do not leave the spa's shell (inside surface) exposed to direct sunlight.

DRAINING YOUR SPA 

•  If draining for the first time, pull the hose bib out a few inches from the spa (located in the 

recess under the spa, to the side of the equipment access door).

•  Unscrew and remove the drain cap.

•  Attach hose bib to a garden hose and direct to an appropriate 

draining area, keeping the hose below the water line. 

•  After your spa is empty, clean the shell and filter cartridge. See 

“Spa Maintenance” section.

•  After cleaning, remove garden hose, replace drain cap and 

push the hose bib back into the recess. 

•  Follow the “Fill-up and Start-up Instructions” on page 14.

WINTERIZING YOUR SPA

If you plan to store your spa for the winter, you must also use a wet-vac to clean out the water 

lines to ensure they are free of any water.  Water left in the lines might freeze and damage the 

lines and jets.  

1.  It will be necessary to remove all water from the interior plumbing. 

2.  Remove the floating weir, basket, and filter cartridge. Clean the filter cartridge and store in a 

dry place. Attach the vacuum hose to the 

vacuum side

 of the shop vac and thoroughly dry the 

filter compartment. 

3.  Using the shop vac, remove the water starting with the jets at the top and moving to the ones 

at the bottom of the spa. 

NOTE: 

When removing the water from jet openings, you may notice 

suction coming from another jet. With the help of a second person, block off any suction from 

the other jet using a large rag or cloth. This will help pull out the water that is trapped deep 

inside the main line.

4.  Thoroughly dry the spa shell with a clean towel.

5.  Using a funnel, pour Propylene glycol

anti-freeze into the filter suction fittings and jet outlets.  

CAUTION: Use only Propylene glycol as your anti-freeze. This is non-toxic. NEVER use 

automobile anti-freeze since it is toxic.

6.  Remove the pump drain plug located on the front of the pump housings. Allow all water to 

drain out. Place the drain plug in a reclosable plastic storage bag and store near the pump. 

Replace the drain plugs on start-up. 

7.  Unscrew the suction/discharge pump and heater unions and allow the water to drain. Leave 

union loose.  

NOTE:

 Tighten unions before filling spa.

8.  Replace the equipment compartment door and secure with screws.

Note:

 Damage caused by improper winterizing will not be covered under warranty.  You may want 

to contact Blue Wave Spas Technical Support for proper winterizing.