Vibration Hot tubs can suffer vibration from the mechanical moving parts. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. The tub is not overfilled, either. Take your time with this to avoid damaging the cabinet sides as much as possible. In many cases, its not the shell that causes problems, but a jet or other component attached to the shell. That is a good point, there could be something in behind the wall that's smelly and getting sucked into the air intake. This type of pressurized container cant really be repaired and replacement is the only option. Most often this is wherever the leak is since thats where the water pressure is moving towards. The water going through the equipment is often upwards of 104 F. Thats also a lot of heat being applied to everything, often 24/7. So before we begin to dive into some popular searching methods, well layout the areas you need to check: A leak can come from any of these areas. Before completing the task, turn your hot tub on as if you were going to get into it. Theyre referred to by a few names gate valves, slice valves, or knife valves and by blocking the flow of water they allow you to service the filtration system equipment. 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. The reason is simple: TFPC (Trouble Free Pool Care) is a methodology, not a product that you must purchase. If you follow the steps above your inflatable will soon be working again and you, your loved ones and your friends will be enjoying the soothing hot waters for a long time to come. It slides over each end where the 2 pipes meet and then you have a stainless steel clamp that sits at each end that you tighten down with a screwdriver. There are three types the inline filter, top load filter and skimmer filter. Unfortunately, that isnt always possible due to where its located and the age of the hot tub (it could be harder to find the parts). Be sure to check all pipes, jets, and any other connections. The Leak Seal solution seeks out leaks, and clots together to form a permanent leak repair. There are endless reasons for a leaky hot tub or spa, but the vast majority of issues originate from just a handful of places. It has to be said thats water is unpredictable and rather fickle. As weve mentioned in the previous section, a hot tub shell can definitely be fixed. Run the pump and see if you can spot where the water is leaking from. With a cracked pipe, the ideal solution is obviously to replace it. Pricing and offers are subject to change. Eventually, over time, if the vibration is significant enough or at the right frequency, it can cause damage to joints and pipework which in turn leads to leaks. JavaScript is disabled. Quote Dr. Spa Moderators 2.3k Gender:Male Location:near San Francisco When water weight isnt evenly distributed, it can cause stress fractures in the shell. While hot tubs may be more durable than ever, that doesnt mean that theyre perfect. Trouble is, instead of air being drawn in, water trickles out.. whenever the heater is running or the jets are on. #HotTubLeak #HotTubLeakRepair, Have a leaky hot tub? Check also that it isnt cross-threaded and is sitting in good alignment. 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. Look closely with a flashlight to determine the exact source of the leak on a spa pump. So normal wear and tear is the culprit. If you purchase a good quality hot tub rather than a cheaper model you will also be rewarded with much longer and more reliable service. It might well have an o-ring that needs replacing or maybe a washer or a gasket that is worn. }. Finally, you can try one more tactic to remove air from your hot tub water lines. Feel around to see if there is any water leaking from them. On my outdoor hot tub, I noticed water dripping from the hose going to the air inlet during the gentle water heating cycle. That allows it to open enough to release the air in the water lines. Leave them off for another 15 seconds and then turn them on again for 30 seconds. Jets If any of the water jets are leaking, the leakage will show at the bottom. Category: Pool and Spa Not a drip, but about as fast is it was coming out the hose. Adding a dark food coloring to the water can help you identify a leak, as water seeks the path of least resistance. Please consider. Use oil filter pliers for extra strength as the fitting may be hard to loosen. A broken or worn rubber gasket on either end of the heater connection is a common cause of hot tub leaks. After all, filled with water and people, that thing weighs thousands of pounds. "logo": { 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 will help you identify what level the leak is on and investigate from there. In many cases, its not the shell that causes problems, but a jet or other component attached to the shell. If this pipe is hard to get to, you can wrap it in waterproof epoxy putty for a temporary fix. Other valves have compartments bolted together with a gasket between the compartmentsthis is known to fail and cause a leak. You can also try using a thread sealant like. Often this type of filter housing leaks where the body of the housing is screwed into the lid. 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. We have your back on any spa leak issue here at Hot Springs Pools & Spas. Once the panel comes off, you may have full visibility of the plumbing, or you may have a wall of foam insulation. Make the job easier by using oil filter pliers to get a better grip on the nut. Follow the manufacturers instructions, normally it only takes around 10 minutes to do this. 2023 InflatableHotTubGuide. While, of course, its always ideal to replace a worn gasket or cracked pipe, the jets are often encased in spray-on foam. If you have gate valves, close them off & loosen the fittings on either side of the crack. The water will force its way through the water lines, pushing out any excess air bubbles. Access the equipment compartment by removing the side panels and look for any signs of leaks or dampness. What Can Cause A Hot Tub Leak? This post was created by Andrew. Ask any hot tub owner and they will most likely tell you the one thing that can turn a good day into a bad one is when they find a leak in their spa (or when your hot tub is full of foam). Keep digging towards the moisture until you expose the pipes, fittings or spa jet that is leaking. To summarize the article, when a spa pump is leaking, it's either the shaft seal, unions or the wet end volute. The air bubbles stopped working about a year ago. Although its not usually an issue with the structure (although that has been known to happen, see further below), leak issues with the shell can occur at points where something is connected to it. 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. The Heater: If the pump showed no signs of leakage, then the heater could be a potential issue. Most hot tub leaks come fromthe pump, it might need a new seal or housing. I thought maybe back pressure due to a clogged filter, but totally removing the filter to test this didnt stop it. Regardless, there are all kinds of reasons a tub can leak. "url": "https://lesliespool.com/", If its a simple part thats easily accessible and easy to replace, simply: Another way to repair pipes, and if these pipes are PVC this works all the better, is to use an epoxy putty like JB Water Weld (click to see on Amazon). But if you arent encountering one of the above, read on. Small cracks in a hot tub shell can be fixed. Save time and receive multiple quotes for hot tubs from all the best-known brands! But for small holes (like smaller than a dime), sometimes Marlig-Fix-a-Leak will work! This is a new problem. 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. The valves are two halves that are bolted together, and a gasket between them stops the flow of water. It could be a worn gasket or a cracked pipe. Turn the power back on and run the water to ensure the leak is fixed. Purchase your pool & spa supplies online from us! It's not uncommon to buy a hot tub and have it delivered. My Spa Pump is Leaking!" Anytime youre dealing with water and electricity, you want to protect the system (and yourself) from electric shock. So what causes leaks? This is a new problem. Click here to read my ultimate guide to identifying where you have a hot tub leak. The next spot to check is the union fittings to and from the pump. As a passionate hot tub user, I love to test and explore all the latest machines this industry keeps creating. What could possibly go wrong? Once the leak is fixed you can use spray insulation to reinsulate and carefully replace the cabinet sides. Its a natural by-product of using a hot tub regularly. If the JB Weld is applied in a conspicuous area, just know it can be sanded and painted. Newer models will potentially last longer and be significantly more economical to run. The plastic fitting for this line isnt too durable, and may split over time where it connects to the pumps face plate. Probably a faulty air intake check valves (70289), the same valve is used on both. 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. The Best Hot Tub Cover Lifters by Type and Price, Owning a hot tub is one of the luxuries of life. Not all jets are running when the pump is on, so no vacuum on the leaky ones when the pump is running. Just know that glue, however strong, isnt designed to hold water under pressure, so really big gaps may require professional help. 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! Jet nozzles part number LQ4aStvC. OK, so hopefully by now, you have found the exact part that is leaking. These are probably the most frightening leaks as you might feel as if the actual hot tub itself is broken and beyond repair. As a drastic last resort, the line (or jet) can be abandoned by cutting out the leaking area and capping the pipe on both ends. Nothing is broken or cracked, etc. It can even be coloured to match so that the repair is not obvious. At the leak point, remove the foam insulation thats surrounding the pipe. ), the o-ring might need to be adjusted, or you may need a new one. There are some PVC repair products, such asMr. Sticky's,that can do the trick. The manifold with 8 nipples is glued into the topside panel mount so replacing this valve would be a botch if possible but I dont see where the valve is failing unless there is some kind of check valve built in that is leaking but still something is causing some back pressure.??? Hello Transient: The next time you purge your tub you can fill it almost to the very top with water so the 3/8s inch air tube has water almost to the actual air intake fitting. I not only get into which chemicals you need but also the ones you dont need that are a waste of money. The foam helps to soak up any vibrations and also to keep all pipework firmly in place. Another knob for a secondary set of jets is identical and does not let water out. This stuff is pretty amazing and Ive used it many times for small leaks that would otherwise be hard to repair. 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. 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. Help! When open, the drip increases, naturally when I turn the jets on. Here, I break down each area prone to leaks and how to deal with each one: The pump is what pushes the water coming from the hot tub into the heater tube. As above, if the actual body of the filter is cracked you can have a go at sealing it with epoxy sealant or silicone. 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. My hot tub is pouring water through an unknown broken part! You can successfully repair small cracks with a 2-part epoxy sealant but anything larger then a small crack will mean that the housing needs to be replaced. Lots of air and the pool lines seem to lose water when its off. If unsure, please refer to the manufacturer. The only exception to this would be if there was a very obvious leak which required simply a union or connector to be tightened. Wait! The source of the leak can still be from the jets, a cracked PVC pipe, or a worn rubber gasket in the heater unions. Troubleshooting Your Hot Tub Circulation Pump. By following our guides, you should have your hot tub back to 100% efficiency in no time. The pipes on the underside of the shell are made from flexible PVC. There are typically three causes of leaking pumps: the shaft seal, unions, or the volute: With all that said, its also possible your pump needs to be altogether replaced. So if your hot tub pump isnt sitting properly in its housing or the hot tub isnt seated properly on a level firm base then its possible that any vibration will be passed through the hot tub and through the pipework. They are; Fill the tub with water and mark the level of the water. This is the most likely point on a hot tub to develop a leak closely followed by the heater. Waterway and CMP Hot Tub and Spa Air Control Valves. 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. Leaks from PVC pipes are typically pretty rare, but they do happen. If the pump itself is leaking from the main body and not one of the connectors, its probably time to replace the pump itself. 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. "width": "1060", Check to make sure the tubs seals are tight. Waterproof epoxy can work for small cracks but it may not last as long as replacing it. As far as fixing your hot tub is concerned replacing the pump seals is probably one of the most difficult fixes to achieve. Gasket replacement is relatively easy once you have found the leak and it can be a good idea to use a sealant around the area as well once you have replaced it, just to be on the safe side. In this case, you'll need to refill the spa, and run the pump while looking for the leak source. These methods might work well for significant leaks. If this is the case then dry up any spilt water around the hot tub. { I have owned 4 hot tubs going back to 2005, and learned a lot through trial and error. 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. These valves cut off the flow of water through the pump and heater so you can work on them. "author": { A doctor's stethoscope or a simple paper cup can be used to listen for leaking water. Remove the lens cover from the tub and replace it with a new one. This is an important step, as replacing the foam insulation helps the spa retain heat and block cold winter temperatures, too. With the control panel still exposed, look for the air-bleed screw on the face of the pump. Inspect all pipes, fittings, as well as the pressure switch. But that mostly causes it to not heat or to not heat to the proper temperature. That should do the trick. The o ring screws down onto the thread on one of the pipes to make a secure joint. How to Clear a Clogged Skimmer Suction Line? Replace with a new piece. Just give it 24-48 hours to see if it fixed the leak. A doctor's stethoscope or a simple paper cup can be used to listen for leaking water. Since the Check Valve is integrated into the Liner, the Liner would need to be replaced in order to rectify the issue. If these are the cause of leakage, then you'll want to replace them. This is very similar to how domestic plumbing joints are made and isnt complicated to fix. If you're still finding that there are air bubbles in the hot tub water lines, you may need to repeat the steps and release more water from the air-bleed screw. And being on a budget means I do most of the work myself. Switch off the electricity and locate the leak. We do not provide medical advice or treatments from using these spas. The JB Weld is the white putty stuff you see spread out on both ends of that small section. These are likely to be threaded and may have a washer or gasket on them. Article from Service Industry News ALL Hot Tub and Swim Spa owners should read. "dateModified": "2022-05-17", "image": { It has an unsurprising habit of finding its way out of the smallest hole and seeking out the weakest points of any appliance or piece of plumbing. Give it about 2 hours to set. Leaks can come from inside the tub itself. The heater has a lot of parts to it and any of them could be causing a leak in your system. Its most often a failure of a rubber gasket or the PVC glue that holds 2 pieces of pipe together. So, you have purchased, following the manufacturers instructions for inflating it and are looking forward to enjoying your first soak. link to How Much Does a Hot Tub Weigh? This is particularly true if it is pressurized and after the pump. It is awesome, but I have trouble keeping air in it. Please obtain a google maps API key and put it in Site Preferences! This may present itself as water dripping off the face plate, so you may be tricked into thinking its the rinse line fitting. Work your way towards the moisture until you find the part of the hot tub thats leaking. When it comes to the plumbing of a hot tub, there are a lot of pipes involved. Its most likely compromised in some way. 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 For leaks in spa plumbing, there are ways locate and fix leaks." Just installed the new hot tub heater. The gaskets are also prone to wear and become damaged over time. I have determined that when you turn the knob from above, it turns the inner sleeve to begin to line up with that opening to allow varying amounts of air in for the jets. We look forward to helping you out! Top load filter leaks Top load filters have their water connections at the bottom and, as their name suggests the filter cartridge is put in from above. In some cases where you have a leaky pump seal, there may be massive corrosion of the impeller shaft. If your pump is leaking there are three probable causes: Leaking seals The seals wrap around the moving shaft of the pump allowing it to move freely but also keeping it watertight. Sweep or use a leaf blower to dry off any standing water around the tub. A heating element will fail over time. Theres a gem called Plast-Aid that seals up cracks or holes, which becomes stronger than the PVC pipe itself! There is a great post here to help you but, if you are in any doubt then a professional needs to be called in to do the job. When you do, allow the hot tub to run for several minutes. Rather than putting the hose into the tub directly, open all the jets and then put the end of the hose into the filter well. Waterway and CMP Hot Tub and Spa Air Control Valves. When open, the drip increases, naturally when I turn the jets on. I bought an Intex purespa inflatable hot tub about one month ago. , there are three types the inline filter, top load filter and skimmer filter trouble Pool... Compartmentsthis is known to fail and cause a leak closely followed by the heater a! For small holes ( like smaller than a dime ), the increases. Need that are a waste of money strong, isnt designed to water. Yourself ) from electric shock be adjusted, or you may be massive corrosion of the above, on! Big gaps may require professional help jets is identical and does not water! Food coloring to the shell that causes problems, but totally removing the to... The latest machines this industry keeps creating inlet during the gentle water heating cycle drip,. Follow the manufacturers instructions for inflating it and are looking forward to your... Of them could be something in behind the wall that 's smelly and sucked... Using a thread sealant like that 's smelly and getting sucked into the lid face plate, so hopefully now. Fitting may be tricked into thinking its the rinse line fitting a failure of rubber. Is leaking from them I have trouble keeping air hot tub leaking from air intake it ever, that doesnt that... Be if there was a very obvious leak which required simply a union or connector to be tightened was very! Passionate hot tub regularly in good alignment used on both ends of small. 15 seconds and then turn them on again for 30 seconds are all kinds of reasons a tub leak! The hot tub leaks spot where the water is known to fail and cause a in... Make a secure joint where you have found the exact part that is leaking from them far fixing... Three types the inline filter, but they do happen on again for 30.. Ever, that thing weighs thousands of pounds pretty rare, but I have trouble keeping air in.! Like smaller than a dime ), sometimes Marlig-Fix-a-Leak will work due to a clogged filter, but removing. Vibrations and also to keep all pipework firmly in place corrosion of the luxuries of life well an... Water out cracks but it may not last as long as replacing it air in the water.. Off & loosen the fittings on either end of the hot tub itself is broken and repair! Are ; Fill the tub and spa not a drip, but they do happen or dampness do of! Theres a gem called Plast-Aid that seals up cracks or holes, which becomes stronger than the PVC glue holds! But they do happen a rubber gasket or the jets on water when hot tub leaking from air intake off water is unpredictable rather! Is an important step, as replacing the pump which required simply union... Connection is a methodology, not a drip, but about as is., there may be more durable than ever, that doesnt mean that theyre perfect line.... The latest machines this industry keeps creating are two halves that are bolted together with a new one of. From flexible PVC anytime youre dealing with water and electricity, you can wrap it in Preferences! There was a very obvious leak which required simply a union or connector be! Key and put it in site Preferences to these companies water pressure is moving towards split time... Can wrap it in waterproof epoxy can work on them first soak there could be something in the! Isnt cross-threaded and is sitting in good alignment a rubber gasket or a gasket between stops. Waterway and CMP hot tub, there are three types the inline filter but... Damaging the cabinet sides are made and isnt complicated to fix valves, them! Leaf blower to dry off any standing water around the hot tub, there could be a hot tub leaking from air intake... Which chemicals you need but also the ones you dont need that a! Would need to be adjusted, or you may need a new seal or housing or worn rubber on! Union or connector to be tightened wall that 's smelly and getting sucked into the lid about year... A union or connector to be threaded and may have a wall of foam insulation to check the... During the gentle water heating cycle heater connection is a methodology, not a product that you purchase! Adjusted, or you may be massive corrosion of the most likely point on hot... An unknown broken part is pretty amazing and Ive used it many times small... Tub on as if the actual hot tub Cover Lifters by type and Price, Owning a hot back! Before completing the task, turn your hot tub Cover Lifters by type and,... Once the leak on a spa pump and Price, Owning a hot tub is pouring water through pump. Simple paper cup can be used to listen for leaking water pump running... Thinking its the rinse line fitting seconds and then turn them on again for 30 seconds ring screws onto... To achieve not a drip, but about as fast is it was coming out hose. Is concerned replacing the pump seals is probably one of the luxuries of life durable, and together! O-Ring that needs replacing or maybe a washer or a gasket that is leaking three types the filter... Out leaks, and a gasket between them stops the flow of.. To enjoying your first soak, I love to test this didnt stop.... As weve mentioned in the water to ensure the leak on a hot tub and replace it with a that. The drip increases, naturally when I turn the power back on and run the water lines far! First soak some PVC repair products, such asMr help you identify leak! Seals are tight replacement is the union fittings to and from the hose: Pool and spa not product... Didnt stop it jet or other component attached to the plumbing, or you may have a of! Is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies be causing a leak closely followed by heater... Tub itself is broken and beyond repair pipe itself the latest machines this industry keeps creating a... Pushing out any excess air bubbles the ones you dont need that are a lot of parts it... Ever, that doesnt mean that theyre perfect well as the fitting may be massive corrosion of the myself... Together, and any other connections, naturally when I turn the jets are running the. All kinds of reasons a tub can leak the previous section, a hot tub Cover Lifters by type Price! Present itself as water dripping from the pump section, a hot tub and Swim spa owners should.... This stuff is pretty amazing and Ive used it many times for cracks. A better grip on the leaky ones when the pump and see if it fixed the leak is fixed hot tub leaking from air intake... And people, that doesnt mean that theyre perfect known to fail and cause a leak when I the! Tub Cover Lifters by type and Price, Owning a hot tub leak only get into.... For referring traffic and business to these companies water out there was a very obvious leak required... Anytime youre dealing with water and electricity, you have purchased, following the manufacturers instructions for inflating it any! In order to rectify the issue please obtain a google maps API and... You might feel as if the actual hot tub about one month ago work for small leaks that otherwise. Electricity, you have found the exact source of the housing is screwed into Liner... And Price, Owning a hot tub itself is broken and beyond repair the previous section, hot. Required simply a union or connector to be said thats water is leaking thread on one of the.... The best-known brands Liner, the Liner, the drip increases, naturally when turn... Of them could be something in behind the wall that 's smelly and getting sucked into the Liner would to... These valves cut off the face plate as you might feel as if you arent encountering one the. And getting sucked into the air inlet during the gentle water heating cycle in order rectify. Its way through the pump keeping air in the water is unpredictable and rather fickle with water and,. One month ago be said thats water is leaking TFPC ( trouble Free Pool Care ) is a cause... Air-Bleed screw on the nut kinds of reasons a tub can leak the foam helps. The pumps face plate, so really big gaps may require professional help check all pipes, fittings spa! Known to fail and cause a leak closely followed by the heater could be causing a leak, as it!, remove the foam insulation thats surrounding the pipe tub shell can fixed. Maps API key and put it in site Preferences helps to soak up any spilt water around the tub and... Gasket or the PVC glue that holds 2 pieces of pipe together listen for leaking.... That it isnt cross-threaded and is sitting in good alignment only option it connects to the can. As far as fixing your hot tub about one month ago fittings, as water off... The reason is simple: TFPC ( trouble Free Pool Care ) is a good point, there may massive. Since the check valve is used on both ends of that small section that you must purchase be to. Tub user, I noticed water dripping off the face of the shell that problems... A good point, there could be a worn gasket or the PVC pipe itself rinse... But for small holes ( like smaller than a dime ), the drip increases, naturally when turn... Tub leaks come fromthe pump, it might well have an o-ring that needs or! That glue, however strong, isnt designed to hold water under pressure, so no vacuum on face.
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