You have four realistic ways to get rid of an old hot tub: sell or give it away if it still works, scrap it, cut it up and haul it yourself, or pay a crew to drain, disconnect, cut and haul it. Whichever you choose, the first two steps are the same. Have an electrician disconnect the power if the tub is hardwired, then drain the water properly. After that it comes down to how much time, tools and lifting you want to take on.
Here is what each option involves.
What is the best way to drain a hot tub?
Turn the power off at the breaker first. Then drain the tub with its own drain valve and a garden hose, or with a small submersible pump if you want it done faster. Let the water sit for a few days with the cover off and no chemicals added, so the chlorine or bromine level drops before you drain it.
Can I drain my hot tub into the street?
Do not drain it into the street or a storm drain until you have checked the local rules. Storm drains in Bellingham run toward creeks, Lake Whatcom and Bellingham Bay, not to a treatment plant, so treated spa water is a concern there. Where drain water may go, such as a lawn or a sanitary sewer cleanout, depends on the city and county rules where you live.
Disconnecting the power
Most hot tubs are hardwired to a dedicated circuit with a disconnect box nearby. Taking that wiring apart and making the circuit safe is an electrician’s job. Plug in models just need unplugging. We do not do electrical work, so if the tub is hardwired, book the electrician first.
Sell it or give it away
If the tub still heats and holds water, someone may want it, especially if they are willing to move it themselves. Be honest about its age and condition, and expect the buyer to need a trailer, several helpers and a clear path out of your yard. A tub that has sat empty for a few winters, has a cracked shell or a failed pump is very hard to give away.
Are hot tubs worth scrapping?
Usually not for the money. A hot tub is mostly acrylic or plastic, foam insulation and wood or composite panels. The pump, heater and a little copper wiring have some scrap value, but rarely enough to cover the work of pulling them out. Scrapping makes sense mainly as part of breaking the tub down for disposal.
Can you cut up a hot tub to get rid of it?
Yes, and that is how most hot tubs leave a backyard. A reciprocating saw cuts through the cabinet panels, the frame and the shell, and the pieces then fit through a side gate, down a set of stairs or into a pickup.
If you do it yourself:
- Make sure the power is disconnected and the tub fully drained.
- Wear eye protection, ear protection, gloves and a dust mask. The foam insulation sheds everywhere.
- Plan on long blades and plenty of them.
- Lay a tarp down for the foam and the shards.
- Have a plan for the pieces. They are bulky, and the transfer station will charge to take them.
Can I take a hot tub to the dump for free?
Generally no. Transfer stations charge for bulky loads, and a hot tub, whole or cut up, is a lot of volume. Check the current rates before you load a trailer.
Having it removed
A removal crew drains what is left, cuts the tub down where it needs to be cut, carries the pieces out and hauls them away, then cleans up the foam and leaves the pad or deck clear. On a Sudden Valley deck surrounded by firs, or a backyard with a narrow side path, this is usually the only realistic way to get it out.
What does it cost to remove an old hot tub?
The price depends on the size of the tub, whether it sits on a deck, a patio or a sunken pad, how far and how many stairs the pieces have to be carried, whether it can leave whole or has to be cut, and whether the deck steps or a fence section have to come out of the way. Send us a photo of the tub and the path out, and we will give you a fixed price.
