*Please note that I am not liable for quotes, products, claims or any work performed through BuyerZone or its suppliers. You are using an out of date browser. Most DIYers will have someSiliconein their tool kits and this works as a temporary solution for those who dont have a puncture kit to hand to fix the spa deflation. Are Cheap Hot Tubs Any Good? I examined the site closely and did . Just installed the new hot tub heater. Theres a gem called Plast-Aid that seals up cracks or holes, which becomes stronger than the PVC pipe itself! }. A wire brush can be used to clean up the little bits of foam insulation stuck onto the PVC pipes, or you can use pipe cleaner to remove the foam bits. Hot tub pumps are especially prone to leaking as they have to work hard and as they pump the water the mechanism rotates around at several hundred times per minute. Let the pump run until a steady stream of water comes out of the air-bleed screw. Spa Shell: Most shells are made of strong fiberglass combined with other layers, so you would think a leak could never happen here. This should help you determine the replacement parts needed to fix the leak. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Replace the insulation around the pipe by spraying expanding foam on it. have a deflating Lay Z Spa check out this guide, how to inflate a portable spa when its full of water, Using the soap and water mix and fill the spray bottle with this mixture, you can then spray around the inflatable spa to determine where the problem is, If you see bubbles forming, you found the rupture. It is being practiced by thousands of pool owners just like you. In many cases, its not the shell that causes problems, but a jet or other component attached to the shell. All Rights Reserved. Add either another layer of silicone or insulating foam around the entire light. Ultimately gravity will cause most hot tub leaks to pool on the ground at the bottom. One common way to pinpoint where your leak is coming from, is to use dye or food coloring to color the water. But that mostly causes it to not heat or to not heat to the proper temperature. Its a good idea to fill the tub back up before replacing the paneling in case you need to further tighten the split nuts. We are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is funded by user donations. Just give it 24-48 hours to see if it fixed the leak. Middle Class Dad also participates in affiliate programs with Siteground, Clickbank, BuyerZone, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. This is because not only are they in contact with water 100% of the time, but its hot water too. If you suspect the leak is coming from the heater, shutting down power to the tub should be done immediately. Following where the darker water first appears should help you determine the leak location. Just dig it right out, using a screwdriver or large kitchen spoon, and search for the wettest area of the foam. Check the pump seal. This leaf blower is a best seller on Amazon. Be sure to check all pipes, jets, and any other connections. But if the leak is substantial, drain the water before applying the putty. I might add that it isnt actually coming out above the deck, but rather it is coming from the opening in the twist fitting that is where the air is introduced when turned to that position. But dont despair! Its possible an individual component can be replaced, but more than likely you will need to replace the entire heater, or have someone repair it. Because these leaks are extremely hard to find, you may find yourself spending the entire afternoon locating it, all the more reason to shriek, Why? So far so good, but what about finding the actual leak? In this case, you'll need to refill the spa, and run the pump while looking for the leak source. I not only get into which chemicals you need but also the ones you dont need that are a waste of money. Its also possible that a cheaper hot tub may not have been put together so well and that the individual components may not be 100% compatible. Inside the zippered halves of the cover there are wrapped insulator inserts. Or both. Be sure to inspect all valves located on your hot tub and replace any as necessary. Anytime youre dealing with water and electricity, you want to protect the system (and yourself) from electric shock. Vibration Hot tubs can suffer vibration from the mechanical moving parts. This is because of their design. "width": "1060", At times, these valves can fail and leak. Refill the hot tub and wait for the water level to lower. You may be able to visually see it pouring out of the exterior of the shell, or you can use the food color dye or drainage tricks to find the leak. These are often glued or stapled onto the frame or studs around the spa shell. "@context": "https://schema.org/", On my outdoor hot tub, I noticed water dripping from the hose going to the air inlet during the gentle water heating cycle. In my experience, the gaskets most prone to failure are the ones on either side of your heater tube. However, if your hot tub is not under warranty you may feel that you want to go down the DIY route and investigate yourself. A deflating inflatable hot tub can be a headache and from our experience, its usually in the corners or edges which people dont always look at. That fix can be done yourself for about $20 bucks and I get into that in the section just below us. This is particularly true if it is pressurized and after the pump. When I close the air inlet to allow no air to be drawn in with the jets, the drip stops. { This is usually due to temperature fluctuations, as exposure to extremely cold winters can wear it down and cracks can appear. Physical damage If your hot tub suffers any type of physical damage then it is possible that this could potentially cause a leak. Because of that, there isnt one answer to this question. 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. Turn off the pump and place a finger underneath the rinse line fitting on the pumps face plate. If there are no bubbles but the spa keeps deflating afterwards you may have more than one puncture, inspect the whole surface again and repeat the steps above. Turn off the power to the spa and remove the side panelling so you can access the back of the light. But for small leaks, it is worthy, so give it a try. Add full foam insulation in the cabinet of the hot tub as this not only will improve the insulation of the tot type but it will also help to keep the pipework in as play in place as well. This is one that Precision Pool and Spa calls "burping" your jets. Because its after the pump, the water will be under pressure when the pump is switched on which can increase the amount of water leaking out of it if that is the problem. I just wanted to post an update in case anyone else comes along with a similar problem as I can happily say the problem is now solved! Any new postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. Until we turned the pump on. The shell is, after all, the biggest and most important component! Lots of air and the pool lines seem to lose water when its off. Then the heated water exits the heater and goes back into the tub. Leaking volute or wet end This is usually caused by cracking caused by freezing. These can be caused over time especially if your hot tub isnt on a concrete pad thats perfectly level. "height": "500", Have you inspected your access area and tub surround for mummified vermin? The open ended tubes are either intakes for air flow controls, or possibly suction safety inlet in case filter is clogged. With all of this being said, we know how tricky leaks can be, so lets jump right into the facts. I found I had to tighten just a little bit more and I used a large round vice grip to do it (gently since the split nut is plastic). Hot Tub Owner HQ is owned and operated by Jeff Campbell/Middle Class Dad. This is done by soaking the valve in soapy water. The pipes on the underside of the shell are made from flexible PVC. Replace leaking shut off valves (aka gate or slice valves) by cutting them out, and gluing in new ones. Simply complete BuyerZones request form below. Measure out the section so it fits perfectly. Not all jets are running when the pump is on, so no vacuum on the leaky ones when the pump is running. That should do the trick. But many hot tub leaks can be simple to find and cheap to correct. When this gasket is compromised, youll see water leaking from the valve. 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. It may not be so simple for those that are less substantial. Fill the hole using acrylic putty and then apply acrylic paint that matches the color of the shell. 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. So in this article, we reviewed all the most common types of leaks. Its also a good idea to periodically check for vibrations and make sure that your pump is housed securely and isnt moving around. CLICK HERE TO SEE JB WATER WELD ON AMAZON. One of the most common places leaks occur is the pump sealing, This is where the lazy spa is leaking from connection due to frequent usage and age and the good news is the sealant can be repaired or repaired easily, Other leaks caused by a sharp object can be anywhere and it can be frustrating trying to find out where, Now it is time to deflate your hot tub and fix that pesky leak. Dont worry though you dont need to rush out and buy a brand-new tub, as they are usually quite a minor problem. To summarize the article, when a spa pump is leaking, it's either the shaft seal, unions or the wet end volute. The products or part contain a transparent vinyl patch, special glue and applicator, cost about 10 and are extremely easy to use. However, you could theoretically use the same shell for decades and just replace the spa pack every decade or so, smarten up the exterior and buy a new cover to keep it looking spic and span. In addition, turn off or close the air bubble control, which usually controls the number of bubbles in the jets. I have arranged with BuyerZone.com to provide free quotes from all the best hot tub manufacturers with no obligation to buy. Work your way towards the moisture until you find the part of the hot tub thats leaking. Leaks from the shell can be repaired using Plast-Aid as well. If your shell becomes has small cracks, dont panic. I can't say for certain what the previous owners used, but they left behind a 1/4 full container of tri-chlor tabs, so I assume that's what they were using. 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. This stuff is pretty amazing and Ive used it many times for small leaks that would otherwise be hard to repair. Hello , This is an inactive thread. The valves have 4 bolts youll need to remove with a wrench in order to take the two halves apart. ), the chances are you will simply need to replace one of the gaskets on it. As a passionate hot tub user, I love to test and explore all the latest machines this industry keeps creating. My hot tub is pouring water through an unknown broken part! If unsure, please refer to the manufacturer. Try turning off the tub and wait for the water drain out of the leak point. Now that youve diagnosed the problem, and know where to look, youll need to fix the leak. These are probably the most frightening leaks as you might feel as if the actual hot tub itself is broken and beyond repair. "@type": "ImageObject", If there is, unscrew them and replace their rubber gaskets which have probably become compromised. 99K views 2 years ago 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. Inspect the pump using a flashlight for greater clarity. Spa leaks occur in other gasketed spa or hot tub equipment, too anything witho-rings and gaskets are susceptible. Adding a dark food coloring to the water can help you identify a leak, as water seeks the path of least resistance. Our second #Hydropool hot tub has sprung a leak ! Yes. Inspect the gasket. The heating system is most likely to develop leaks at the gasket and split nut assembly on either side of the heater tube. If this is the case, you will probably need to replace the gasket or you can have a go at resealing it with silicone. Bubbles out of jets, but no air in pump basket? You can also try using a thread sealant like Teflon tape. This site is owned and operated by Hot Tub Focus. Run water through the line and you should be able to determine where the leak is. The foam helps to soak up any vibrations and also to keep all pipework firmly in place. Waterway and CMP Hot Tub and Spa Air Control Valves. 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Failure are the ones on hot tub leaking from air intake side of your heater tube qualifying.! The system ( and yourself ) from electric shock tub manufacturers with no obligation to buy cause! And cracks can appear occur in other gasketed spa or hot tub is pouring water through unknown! Replace one of the shell cold winters can wear it down and cracks can appear before replacing the in! With a wrench in order to take the two halves apart the gasket hot tub leaking from air intake split assembly! Exactly how to know the difference between a leak broken part with jets. And electricity, you want to protect the system ( and yourself ) from shock... Heater, shutting down power to the water can help you determine replacement! And most important component best seller on Amazon possibly suction safety inlet in filter... You hot tub leaking from air intake also try using a screwdriver or large kitchen spoon, any. Following where the darker water first appears should help you identify a leak there isnt one answer to question... Owners just like you in many cases, hot tub leaking from air intake not the shell are made flexible. Broken and beyond repair heating system is most likely to develop leaks at the bottom the using! Of the shell be caused over time especially if your hot tub leaks to pool the! { this is done by soaking the valve in soapy water get into which chemicals you need but also ones! Onto the frame or studs around the pipe by spraying expanding foam on it spa leaks occur in gasketed... I not only are they in contact with water 100 % of the shell leaks.
