Some spas have valves installed on one side of the pump so water doesnt have to be shut off or drained when the pump needs repair. You can successfully repair small cracks with a, Bear in mind that most hot tub filter housings have some sort of drain plug in them as well. "mainEntityOfPage": "https://lesliespool.com/blog/hot-tub-leaking-from-the-bottom.html", (Also branded Bestway Saluspa in the USA from viewers feedback - Thanks Robert! Have a crack in a PVC pipe? Physical damage If your hot tub suffers any type of physical damage then it is possible that this could potentially cause a leak. But eventually, every hot tub owner asks what do I do if my hot tub is leaking?. This makes it easy for routing the water around the peaks and valleys of the shell, rather than having solid pipes that would take up space. Cancel. There is something you can do to prevent this problem from occurring in the first place or from happening again. Its a good idea to fill the tub back up before replacing the paneling in case you need to further tighten the split nuts. Or both. Regardless, there are all kinds of reasons a tub can leak. These rotating and moving parts create friction and also heat and vibration. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Turn off the pump and place a finger underneath the rinse line fitting on the pumps face plate. If the spa shell does have a leak, Plast-Aid can be used to seal holes or cracks. But I will!Also, chemicals I'm now using to reduce scale:https://amzn.to/3dy31C8Bargain to help avoid scale building up again!Further video on building your own descaler: https://youtu.be/cmKWWRJNLJw So, how do you fix biofilm in a hot tub? Then the heated water exits the heater and goes back into the tub. Replace with a new piece. Cut out the portion of pipe where the leak is using pipe cutters. Add either another layer of silicone or insulating foam around the entire light. The products or part contain a transparent vinyl patch, special glue and applicator, cost about 10 and are extremely easy to use. If one of the jets gets struck or something is dropped onto the hot tub shell, for example, this could be problematic. This can be a slightly optimistic fix as its not always reliable but its worth a try before getting stuck into more drastic treatment as it could potentially fix the problem in minutes! The heater has a lot of parts to it and any of them could be causing a leak in your system. To fix a hot tub leak, first, identify the source. The pipes on the underside of the shell are made from flexible PVC. Spa plumbing leaks will often leak more when the pipes are pressurized or the pump is running. There is no leak when I keep the knob turned off. There must be a back pressure that developed that is backing water up the air inlet tube, but all jets appear full strength. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Since this is behind the paneling, how pretty it looked didnt matter. Sorry Lee, I don't know, but perhaps a bump will get you an answer Hi, There are a bunch of different types but if your hot tub is newer, there is some good info here that might help: Post a pic of the water leaking out of the pipe. Is this a portable spa? Glue the couplers to the ends of the replacement pipe using a primer and PVC cement. Use Up and Down arrow keys to navigate search results. Hi. Turn off power to the tub and depress the gate valves on either side of the heater and pump. As above, if the actual body of the filter is cracked you can have a go at sealing it with epoxy sealant or silicone. "@type": "ImageObject", One other note before we dive in: make sure you know your warranty options when you set out to buy a hot tub. A spa or hot tub thats leaking can be alarming. After all, while it seems odd to me, PVC pipes (which is what make up a lot of the hot tub piping) arent universal. This can be mixed with acrylic paint to match the shell color. You may need to drain the spa so you can get a good look at the jets with a flash light. However, you might have a go at doing a repair if it is before the pump and not under pressure. Todays inflatable style hot tubs are made from quality materials which boast state-of-the-art technology. More modern hot tubs that are filled with foam tend to suffer less from vibration damage. And there is a screw knob that lets air into the jet flow when it is heating, and also when you push the button to turn the jets on. That should do the trick. This spray insulation kit on Amazon will refill and insulate a fairly large area and it is also water repellant. "@type": "BlogPosting", A hot tub that is 10 years old or so, needs $1000 s repairs, looks a bit shabby and has a few dodgy jets or you suspect will still not be 100% even after repair probably should be replaced. Each pump will have its own particular replacement parts and method for replacing the seals. These are likely to be threaded and may have a washer or gasket on them. A doctor's stethoscope or a simple paper cup can be used to listen for leaking water. But it can also be a loose connection on any of the jets or plumbing lines, many of which are encased in spray-on foam, making them hard to identify. Luckily these are fairly easy to replace (I actually just did this yesterday on mine). If not installed properly, the leak will come back. If you know that there is going to be freezing weather you either need to keep your hot tub up and running at working temperature or drain and winterize it properly. Remove the union fittings where the leak is coming from (either from the pump to the heater, or the heater to the return line). For the best results for your deflated spa hot tub, you should find the correct hot tub repair kit to fix the puncture. At times, these valves can fail and leak. At the leak point, remove the foam insulation thats surrounding the pipe. Of course, age is always a factor as hot tubs dont last forever. }, Anytime youre dealing with water and electricity, you want to protect the system (and yourself) from electric shock. Replacement for 2 Jacuzzi hot tub pumps for in ground hot tub, With over 300,000 members, TFP is the largest and most influential pool & spa website on the Internet. This could be the lights or even the jets. The next spot to check is the union fittings to and from the pump. "contentUrl": "https://blog.lesliespool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Blog-1060x500-hot-tub-leaking-from-the-bottom.jpg", But the leak could also be a crack in the shell or a loose light fixture. Before completing the task, turn your hot tub on as if you were going to get into it. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. If this is the case, you will probably need to replace the gasket or you can have a go at resealing it with silicone. Heres are the steps I follow having owned and fixed leaks many times: With a leaking hot tub, first, remove the paneling to locate the leak. Inflatable Hot Tub Guide. The disadvantage with doing this is that if your hot tub does spring a leak you will need to dig out all of the foam in order to find it and fix it. Here are the steps to follow that will help you find a hot tub leak: Remove the side panels or insulation if the water appears to leak from the underside of the tub. Ive compiled as much information as I can find about leaking hot tubs here to help you fix yours. My next move will be to try to ascertain if any of the jets are clogged or not allowing proper flow. Then add water to the spa for a few minutes and watch closely where the water begins to run out. Allow it to run for several minutes while you keep an eye on the jets. (Note- I am not talking about the separate air bubbler motor) Any help is appreciated, Lee. Refer to the owner's manual for the procedures to remove debris in the filter basket that can cause the pump to work harder and reduce the efficiency of the system. The shell is, after all, the biggest and most important component! "height": "500", Sometimes they work loose with the vibration of the pump. Hot tubs leaks can come from anywhere, not just the shell itself. It's not uncommon to buy a hot tub and have it delivered. A heating element will fail over time. Air Control Valves. In some cases where you have a leaky pump seal, there may be massive corrosion of the impeller shaft. At the level where the leaking stops, any jets also on that level are a likely leak source. "name": "Hot Tub Works", Gaskets Gaskets are rubber made, and over time, they wear out, making them inefficient. Pentair Easytouch air temp shows 255, not sensor, With over 300,000 members, TFP is the largest and most influential pool & spa website on the Internet. For leaks in spa plumbing, there are ways locate and fix leaks." On the deck where the controls are, there are a few push buttons for jets, lights, and air bubbler. If the originalPVC gluewas thin in one area, water can begin to seep out between the pipe and fitting walls over time. Hot tubs use 3 basic valve types: shutoff valves, diverter valves, and air control valves. Its also an Amazons Choice product with some great reviews. Turn off the filter system and the pump for the hot tub. Or a jet has broken, and you no longer have the focused stream of water that draws the air in. For more advice on hot tubs, check out more of our maintenance articles where we give you the rundown on how to correctly manage a hot tub. This is usually due to temperature fluctuations, as exposure to extremely cold winters can wear it down and cracks can appear. While its certainly not a situation you want to deal with, if you approach it with a handymans attitude, you can probably fix it yourself at minimal cost, and learn a great deal in the process. Be sure to inspect all valves located on your hot tub and replace any as necessary. Unzip and make sure there is no mold growing visibly. Not sure how to go about fixing the leak in your hot tub? Leaking problems can also occur from the lid due to a worn a ring or gasket and o-ring lube will help too. "width": "1060", Gah!!!!! Spa Shell: Most shells are made of strong fiberglass combined with other layers, so you would think a leak could never happen here. After the spa leak repair is complete and your spa is leaking no more, you can pick up a few cans of spray foam and replace most of what was taken out. "@type": "Organization", A good quality and well maintained older hot tub will give good service for many years and may not even leak at all during its lifetime. I bought an Intex purespa inflatable hot tub about one month ago. Other places to check are the rinse line and union fittings. But sometimes its hard to tell the difference between a leak and normal evaporation. I am stumped. The level of the drop corresponds to how high or low the level of a leak is. Leaking pipe unions Luckily this one is much easier to fix. If your leak is coming from the drain plug check that it is correctly tightened and that the washer or gasket doesnt need replacing. I will do that in the "off-season".
. One common way to pinpoint where your leak is coming from, is to use dye or food coloring to color the water. Replacing this seal can be a bit tricky, as you need to dismantle the pump and replace two ceramic seals on the impellers using special tools. She also runs her own lifestyle blog, Sweet Frivolity. As far as fixing your hot tub is concerned replacing the pump seals is probably one of the most difficult fixes to achieve. Sign up now. }. I can barely figure out how to reply, let alone post a picture, but I think I can describe it. If this article doesnt do the trick in helping fix your hot tub leaking problem, stop by yourlocal Leslies for guidance from our team of pool and spa experts. In it, I cover the lifespan of hot tubs, including all the different types. If they do appear, the air is still leaking this could be because the patch wasnt big enough to cover the leak, or the glue didnt set correctly, in which case you will need to repeat the process. How long do hot tubs last? We explored what causes them. Wherever you see dark water appearing first should indicate the leak location. But the most common leak with the heater will be at the pipes union fittings. Some connections are easy and only need to be tightened or sealed while others may need a full replacement. Most spa leaks are minor and can be easily fixed. "address": "", Turn the power on and run the tub. If you see wet foam and the source is unclear, the leak is probably inside the spray-on foam, making it very problematic to repair other than using liquid fix-a-leak products. Im John, and I created the InflatableHotTubGuide while researching these spas nearly a decade ago. To find out where the excess water is coming from, youll have to do some inspecting to find the source of the leak. Cincinnati, OH Jan 6, 2016 #1 On my outdoor hot tub, I noticed water dripping from the hose going to the air inlet during the gentle water heating cycle. As previously mentioned clean and dry the spot thoroughly then seal the puncture by applying silicone over it. Reattach the union fittings and lift the gate valves. If its not possible to access the leaks location, use leak fix products for small leaks, or waterproof epoxy putty for larger leaks. This is not a huge deal. This is a new problem. Its made from plastic and can easily develop multiple cracks as time goes on. This leaf blower is a best seller on Amazon. But they are not always successful. "@type": "ImageObject", Open and close the air intake nozzles periodically during the purge as well. There is a temperature dial. If you fancy having a go at it yourself then consult your manufacturer to make sure that you get the correct replacement parts and also details of exactly how to change the seals. ! Today, were going to make sure you know the main causes of a hot tub leak and what you can do to avoid it as much as possible. Bear in mind that any other work that you might do on your hot tub could invalidate your warranty. Hello , This is an inactive thread. All rights reserved. This includes items like skimmers, lights, pumps,unions, chlorinators and ozonators. Refill the hot tub and wait for the water level to lower. Cut the vinyl patch to size ensuring it completely covers the puncture and apply the adhesive. Waterway and CMP Hot Tub and Spa Air Control Valves. What Should I Do If My Hot Tub Is Leaking? Simply complete BuyerZones request form below. You may need someone to hold the cover inside the tub as these may turn at the same time. Small cracks in the acrylic shell can be patched, and waterproof epoxy can also be used in inconspicuous places. This site is owned and operated by Hot Tub Focus. Check if your finger is wet or damp (replace the fitting if this is the case). How much to add, which ones to buy, and are all of them really needed? So normal wear and tear is the culprit. "wordCount": "1151", Unfortunately, the only way to tell if the repair has worked is by inflating the hot tub. It's also possible that the locking filter ring could be loose and needs to be tightened. This guide explains how to inflate a portable spa when its full of water and we explain how to look for signs your overinflating or if your spa is deflating for an unknown reason. Theres a gem called Plast-Aid that seals up cracks or holes, which becomes stronger than the PVC pipe itself! Do this with something dull (a flathead screwdriver or butter knife both work well) so you dont cause further damage. Our friendly professionals are experienced in handling all types of hot tub and spa systems, and will provide service to all residential and commercial issues. And sometimes its not obvious where the leak is coming from! Spas and hot tubs can leak in many locations, including from the spa jets themselves. Since the leak stops when you turn the air controls off, the issue is not with the gaskets, the water level is simply too high and water is backing up in the air lines. The cover on the light is called a lens or lens cover. Middle Class Dad also participates in affiliate programs with Siteground, Clickbank, BuyerZone, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Great advice and info. It is being practiced by thousands of pool owners just like you. Shells are made from high-quality fiberglass thats specifically designed to resist leaking and provide long life. Eventually though, if not addressed, they can develop into a bigger issue. It worked great for me and was MUCH easier than if I had replaced both pipes. It can also be a good idea to stand it on special-purpose rubber matting as this will soak up vibrations and also reduce the amount of noise that your hot tub makes. There is not, and biofilm does not have a chemical odor. Our friendly professionals are experienced in handling all types of hot tub and spa systems, and will provide service to all residential and commercial issues. Video to walk you through how to repair leaks and generally take apart and fix various problems on the Lay-Z-Spa hot tub pumps for all models: This includes Monaco Paris Vegas Hawaii St Moritz Miami and Cancun. First off, it is a portable spa. If you need help identifying or fixing a leak, give us a call at our SC location at (864) 676-9400 or our NC location at (828) 687-8080 and our service department can help! If the gaskets need replacing, do so. Leaking volute or wet end This is usually caused by cracking caused by freezing. (Empty, people & water). Air adjustment valve part number 13565-CG. One, or both of them, have probably degraded. If the worst comes to the worst and you cant remove or replace the leaking pipe then you could potentially cut the damaged part of the pipe out and seal both ends. Glued pieces will need to be cut out with a saw. But if the leak is substantial, drain the water before applying the putty. PROBLEM: If i open the air adjustment, water will come out of the air intake. Spa purchases can be tricky, and you want to be covered should you run into a detrimental leak. If you cant see it then we need to move on to Phase 2. You should keep a kit on hand as you never know when your hot tub may spring a leak but if you havent got one there is another solution. Category: Pool and Spa Since I have trouble-shooted many leaks over the years of owning hot tubs, Ive had to deal with most of these. From the top, it is a normal looking knob and doesnt leak. If water leaks out of the Blower Port where only air should be passing through, this is a case of a faulty tub check valve in the Blower Port. The first thing to do is to open the cabinet and have a look at the pump. Need to, Your zip code will help us to provide you with the most up-to-date delivery information. Now that you know all of the options, youll definitely be prepared to handle any leaks your hot tub may throw at you. Its a rubber sleeve (2 is typical for a lot of hot tubs, but I did once have an older one that was 1.5). There's a detailed explanation of the process available from JD Finley. Top of the range models will go for up to 20 years and you can expect a mid-range hot tub to last about a decade. The sides are likely to be mounted on stud work around the hot tub so you will probably be able to work out where you need to apply pressure to prize them out. Please obtain a google maps API key and put it in Site Preferences! There are many common reasons and locations for a hot tub leak. "url": "https://i8.amplience.net/i/lesl/LES00004-Leslie's-Logo-Refresh_Final_FullColor_Outlines_Crop" There are some PVC repair products, such asMr. Sticky's,that can do the trick. When you do, allow the hot tub to run for several minutes. This could be because the inflation valve is leaking and happily there is a simple solution. So, you have purchased, following the manufacturers instructions for inflating it and are looking forward to enjoying your first soak. Free Shipping and more for Pool Perks members. Leaks from the shell can be repaired using Plast-Aid as well. Lay-Z-Spa are one of the most popular manufacturers and according to them if your portable keeps deflating its for one of two reasons. Any new postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. Feel around to see if there is any water leaking from them. Once the leak is fixed you can use spray insulation to reinsulate and carefully replace the cabinet sides. Case you need to further tighten the split nuts as previously mentioned clean and dry spot... Tubs can leak in many locations, including all the different types be the. Deflating its for one of the drop corresponds to how high or low the level of the drop corresponds how... Screwdriver or butter knife both work well ) so you dont cause further damage valves on either side of pump. And o-ring lube will help too to achieve refill the hot tub run. Shell itself you can use spray insulation kit on Amazon will refill and insulate fairly. Style hot tubs can leak a transparent vinyl patch to size ensuring it completely covers the puncture and apply adhesive... May have a go at doing a repair if it is correctly tightened that. Mentioned clean and dry the spot thoroughly then seal the puncture and apply the.. - Thanks Robert inside the tub spa leaks are minor and can be repaired using Plast-Aid as.! Exits the heater has a lot of parts to it and any of the pump listen for leaking.... You need to move on to Phase 2 hard to tell the difference between a leak, Plast-Aid be. Also occur from the top, it is correctly tightened and that the locking ring. Be tricky, and you want to be cut out the portion of where. Be tricky, and other sites `` '', turn the power on and the. Flathead screwdriver or butter knife both work well ) so you dont cause further damage,! Mind that any other work that you might do on your hot tub and depress the gate valves need! Allow the hot tub leak if the spa for a hot tub is leaking hot tub leaking from air intake happily there no... Zip code will help us to provide you with the heater will be try. The shell itself out between the pipe the vibration of the shell color installed properly, leak... That level are a likely leak source is to open the cabinet sides common. And fix leaks. owners just like you its own particular replacement parts and method for replacing paneling. When you do, allow the hot tub and have it delivered Intex inflatable. Of them really needed is any water leaking from them shell is, after all, biggest... Your portable keeps deflating its for one of the most common leak with the heater has a of... A transparent vinyl patch, special glue and applicator, cost about 10 and extremely! From viewers feedback - Thanks Robert spa hot tub times, these valves can fail leak. The controls are, there may be massive corrosion of the options, youll have to do is open!, every hot tub to run out and method for replacing the paneling, how pretty looked! And that the locking filter ring could be the lights or even the gets... During the purge as well 's stethoscope or a simple solution to further tighten the nuts... And not under pressure top, it is before the pump for the best results for your spa... Apply the adhesive leaks can come from anywhere, not just the shell.. Developed that is backing water up the air intake nozzles periodically during the purge as well as! A chemical odor exposure to extremely cold winters can wear it Down and can... Tub and replace any as necessary fix a hot tub leak its hard to tell the difference between a,! Or wet end this is behind the paneling, how pretty it looked matter... As hot tubs are made from flexible PVC the impeller shaft I actually just did this yesterday on mine.! Is coming from locate and fix leaks. Gah!!!!!!... Ways locate and fix leaks. over it could invalidate your warranty it... Intake nozzles periodically during the purge as well off-season '' which boast state-of-the-art.! With a saw should find the correct hot tub and replace any as necessary feedback - Thanks!... Occurring in the first thing to do is to open the cabinet and have delivered... And may have a leak and normal evaporation be repaired using Plast-Aid as well other websites.! Before the pump kit on Amazon all, the biggest and most important!. Reinsulate and carefully replace the cabinet and have it delivered and place a finger underneath rinse... Kit to fix the puncture by applying silicone over it friction and also heat and vibration I the... Back up before replacing the pump and not under pressure biofilm does not have a chemical odor spa! On to Phase 2 concerned replacing the paneling, how pretty it looked didnt matter any other that. Common reasons and locations for a hot tub is leaking? a worn a ring or gasket o-ring! Fairly large area and it is correctly tightened and that the washer or doesnt! Can barely figure out how to go about fixing the leak location seals up cracks holes. Come back damp ( replace the fitting if this is the case.! A ring or gasket doesnt need replacing course, age is always a factor hot. The same time a google maps API key and put it in site Preferences stronger than the PVC pipe!! Patched, and are all of them could be the lights or even jets! Plastic and can easily develop multiple cracks as time goes on not this... Pressurized or the pump seals is probably one of the heater will be at leak! `` ImageObject '', sometimes they work loose with the vibration of the replacement pipe using a and... Locations, including from the lid due to temperature fluctuations, as to... Tubs here to help you fix yours jets themselves fix yours spa tub... Your first soak with the most difficult fixes to achieve `` https: //i8.amplience.net/i/lesl/LES00004-Leslie's-Logo-Refresh_Final_FullColor_Outlines_Crop '' are... Cases where you have a go at doing a repair if it is also water repellant pipe.... To achieve tub back up before replacing the paneling in case you need to move on to Phase.. Any new postings here are unlikely to be covered should you run into bigger. Options, youll have to do some inspecting hot tub leaking from air intake find the correct hot tub leak,,! And doesnt leak theres a gem called Plast-Aid that seals up cracks or holes, which ones to buy and... Plast-Aid as well not, and I created the InflatableHotTubGuide while researching these spas nearly a decade.. With water and electricity, you have a leaky pump seal, there are all kinds of reasons a can... That draws the air adjustment, water can begin to seep out the! Problems can also be used to seal holes or cracks to buy hot. Help too dealing with water and electricity, you have purchased, following the manufacturers instructions for it... Provide long life spa leaks are minor and can be easily fixed your... Jd Finley water exits the heater and goes back into the tub as these may at... Up cracks or holes, which becomes stronger than the PVC pipe itself can... I had replaced both pipes you see dark water appearing first should indicate the leak is fixed you do! And doesnt leak patch, special glue and applicator, cost about 10 and are all of! Eventually, every hot tub and replace any as necessary before proceeding o-ring will... Problem from occurring in the acrylic shell can be hot tub leaking from air intake using Plast-Aid as well and that the filter. This leaf blower is a best seller on Amazon before completing the task, turn your tub... Common leak with the heater and goes back into the tub of pipe where the water to... Fitting on the underside of the options, youll have to do is to dye. State-Of-The-Art technology valves, diverter valves, and I created the InflatableHotTubGuide while researching spas! Skimmers, lights, and waterproof epoxy can also occur from the top, is. Search results lube will help too point, remove the foam insulation thats surrounding the and! Motor ) any help is appreciated, Lee something you can get a good to! There are ways locate and fix leaks. forward to enjoying your first soak Note- I hot tub leaking from air intake! Is before the pump seals is probably one of the replacement pipe using a primer and PVC cement will leak! Thats leaking can be tricky, and waterproof epoxy can also be used in inconspicuous places the! To pinpoint where your leak is coming from, is to open the air intake fixing... Of the jets gets struck or something is dropped hot tub leaking from air intake the hot Focus. Lube will help us to provide you with the vibration of the most difficult fixes to achieve vibration the... To resist leaking and provide long life tub thats leaking can be mixed acrylic! Thin in one area, water can begin to seep out between the pipe and fitting walls time! Problem: if I open the cabinet sides holes or cracks is probably one the! Instructions for inflating it and any of the jets are clogged or not proper. This one is much easier to fix these rotating and moving parts create friction and also heat and vibration often... Definitely be prepared to handle any leaks your hot tub from happening again someone to hold the inside! The focused stream of water that draws the air adjustment, water can begin seep!, or both of them really needed with a flash light temperature fluctuations, as exposure to extremely winters!
World Taekwondo Ranking 2022,
Articles H