Do You Drain the Hot Tub?

Do You Drain the Hot Tub?

Last updated: October 2026

No. Your hot tub needs to be drained and electrically disconnected before we arrive. Once it's ready, we handle the move from there.

It's the first thing to put on your list when you book a hot tub move, because nothing else can happen until it's done.

Why the tub has to be empty

Water is heavy. Even a small hot tub holds a lot of it, and moving a full tub isn't possible. But it's not just the water you can see. Water left in the shell or the plumbing adds weight and throws off the balance when the tub is tipped onto a dolly.

In a Chicago winter, there's one more reason. Water left in the lines can freeze during the move, and frozen water cracks pipes.

When to drain it

Drain the tub completely and let it dry 24 to 48 hours before the move. Open the drain valve, let the water fully empty, and give the inside time to air out. Starting early means the tub is dry and ready when the crew shows up, and nothing holds up the day.

The electrical side

The tub also has to be electrically disconnected before we arrive. For hardwired models, that means your electrician. If the tub has a gas heater, a licensed gas fitter disconnects it and caps the line. We don't do plumbing work, and we don't do electrical work. Read do you disconnect the electrical and water lines before moving a hot tub.

What happens after it's drained

Once the tub is drained and disconnected, it's our turn. How we move it depends on the path. If nothing is blocking the way, we move it on dollies. If it can't fit through the backyard gate or door, we use a crane through our hoisting and crane service.

Send us the spa dimensions and the narrowest point on the path, and we'll tell you which one yours needs. Chicago gangways and side yards can be tight, so that narrowest point matters more than you might think.

A quick checklist

Drain it. Completely, 24 to 48 hours ahead.

Dry it. Let the inside air out.

Disconnect it. Electrician for hardwired power, gas fitter for a gas heater.

Measure it. The tub and the narrowest point on the path.

Clear the path. Patio furniture, planters, and anything along the route.

Moving a swim spa?

Swim spas follow the same rules. Drain it, disconnect it, and send us the dimensions. Read do you move swim spas.

For a deeper look at how hot tubs move without cracking the shell, read our guide on how to move a jacuzzi in Chicago.

Pricing

Hot tub moves are hourly like our other moves, with a 2-hour minimum. Moving companies in the Chicago area charge at least one hour for travel. A crane, if the path needs one, gets planned into the estimate up front.

Getting the tub ready is covered on our jacuzzi moving service page, one of our moving services.

Call (773) 275-4100 or email info@wcmoving.com with the spa dimensions.