How to Dispose of an Old Hot Tub
Most bulk trash services nationwide do not list hot tubs. Before you arrange removal, the tub must be drained completely and its power disconnected. What happens next depends on whether you haul it yourself or hire a removal contractor.
Why bulk trash services will not take it
The first call most people make is to their city or county waste service, and hot tubs are rarely on their accepted list. Most bulk item pickup programs collect furniture, appliances, and metal items, but exclude anything classified as hazardous materials or items that once contained liquids. A hot tub, even when empty, is a shell containing wiring, a heater, a pump and a control system inside. Its weight makes curb pickup impractical, and its internal electronics and copper components make its disposal harder than simple trash hauling.
What landfills refuse, and why the tub must be drained
Your local landfill or disposal site will refuse to accept a hot tub that still holds water or contains liquid residue in its plumbing, jets or heating core. Water left inside can freeze during transit or storage, cracking the heater and pump. Most facilities list bulk liquids as prohibited materials, and the water in a hot tub is treated the same way as waste oil or septic tank discharge. An empty, drained tub that has been blown out to remove water from its lines is what a landfill will accept, and even then only if the electrical components have been properly disconnected or removed by a licensed electrician.
Draining it yourself, and where the water may go
Draining is the part most owners can do without hiring anyone, provided the water goes where your jurisdiction allows. A few rules apply nationally. The water must not contain hazardous chemicals in concentrations that will harm surface water or groundwater. Storm drains lead directly to streams and rivers in many areas, so discharging drained spa water into them is not allowed without a permit. Some towns allow spa water to be used for lawn and garden irrigation on your own property if the water is cool enough and any chlorine residual is minimal. Check your city or county stormwater code and your wastewater utility's rules before you drain. If you are unsure, contact them directly with the question: "Can I dispose of drained hot tub water into the storm drain or onto my property?" Getting that answer in writing is worth the call.
Disconnecting the power before it goes
A hard-wired hot tub (one connected to a home's electrical panel rather than plugged into an outlet) must be disconnected by a licensed electrician before anyone moves it. Depending on your state and local code, this may be required work with permits and inspections. The homeowner may be permitted to turn off power at the breaker and do some of the isolation work, but cutting the wire or capping a live circuit almost certainly requires a licensed electrician's sign-off. Because hot tubs typically require their own 240-volt dedicated circuit, an electrician can either remove the circuit entirely, cap it at the panel, or leave the disconnect switch in place for whoever might install a replacement tub later. Get an electrician's estimate before committing to removal, because electrical work adds to the total cost and timeline.
What decides how hard the removal is
The weight and the route out of the house decide the job more than the tub's condition. Hot Spring lists its Grandee at 790 pounds dry and 5,810 pounds filled with water. Arctic Spas puts its Summit at 935 pounds empty and its Ocean swim spa at 1,910 pounds dry. A tub that fits through the side gate on a dolly can leave whole; one blocked by fences, decks or patios built around it is usually cut into fiberglass sections on site. Where there is no way out but up or over a two-story roof, removal can require a crane lift. Crane costs are not cheap, and some tub warranties specifically disclaim liability for crane removal, so get at least two estimates before booking.
Before you book a removal at all
If the tub still works, removal may be the wrong choice. Moving it to your next house or selling it to someone who will use it keeps it out of the landfill entirely, and nobody needs to cut it up. If it is truly finished and you have decided to haul it for scrap or disposal, tell us where it sits, what is built around it, whether it is still wired to power, and when you need it gone. We will tell you what prep work has to happen first, then connect you with a vetted local removal contractor, licensed and insured, who will price the job and the haul.
Sources for this guide
Hot Spring lists its Grandee hot tub at 8 feet 4 inches by 7 feet 7 inches by 38 inches, holding 455 gallons, with a dry weight of 790 pounds and a filled weight of 5,810 pounds including water and a 175 pound adult in every seat.
Source: Hot Spring Spas
Arctic Spas lists its Summit model at 93 by 93 inches with 360 gallons and a dry weight of 935 pounds, and its Ocean swim spa at 172 by 93 inches with 1,347 gallons and a dry weight of 1,910 pounds.
Source: Arctic Spas
Arctic Spas' owner's manual disclaims liability for crane costs associated with removing the spa for service or replacement, and for removing a permanent sun deck, sunroom, gazebo or other custom fixture around the tub.
Source: Arctic Spas, Owner's Manual
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