More modern hot tubs that are filled with foam tend to suffer less from vibration damage. Regardless, there are all kinds of reasons a tub can leak. If you have gate valves, close them off & loosen the fittings on either side of the crack. 0:00 / 4:45 Spa Hot Tub Air Valve & Manifold Information How To Spa Guy 92.9K subscribers Join Subscribe 18K views 7 years ago In this Video the Hot Tub Professor talks about Spa Hot. Its really important that your hot tub stands on a firm-level base. 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. To fix a hot tub leak, first, identify the source. Its most likely compromised in some way. How much to add, which ones to buy, and are all of them really needed? Pump seals degrade due to improperly balanced water chemistry, or from normal wear and tear. All rights reserved. #HotTubLeak #HotTubLeakRepair, Have a leaky hot tub? However, because this tubing is more flexible, it can become compromised and begin to leak. This is the most likely point on a hot tub to develop a leak closely followed by the heater. Please consider. Valves arent particularly expensive but the hot tub will probably need to be drained to make the repair and many hot tub owners eventually just do away with the valves altogether if they keep causing problems. It works great. Re-inflate the tub then repeat the soapy water process to ensure it is no longer leaking- Job done! "image": { Run the water and check to ensure the leak is gone. 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. 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. This is from the air intake valve. If it eventually levels off, youll know the leak is somewhere above where the water levelled out. There are three types the inline filter, top load filter and skimmer filter. 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. Youll need to purchase 2 PVC couplers (usually 1 wide), and a small piece of 1 flexible PVC pipe to replace the faulty section. Click here to read my guide on exactly how to know the difference between a leak and water evaporation in your hot tub. A hot tub leak is something you need to address quickly and take action to correct before things get out of control. Any new postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. Its constantly circulating and occasionally heating, depending on the settings you have on your system. From the top, it is a normal looking knob and doesnt leak. Pumps are particularly prone to damage if they are run dry or if there is an accidental airlock in the system and particularly to freezing damage. Take your time with this to avoid damaging the cabinet sides as much as possible. She also runs her own lifestyle blog, Sweet Frivolity. 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. Leaks from the shell can be repaired using Plast-Aid as well. 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. CLICK HERE TO CHECK THIS OUT ON AMAZON (multiple sizes available too). That allows it to open enough to release the air in the water lines. }, In some cases where you have a leaky pump seal, there may be massive corrosion of the impeller shaft. With the control panel still exposed, look for the air-bleed screw on the face of the pump. 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. Feel free to skip around at your leisure, but its definitely best to pay attention to each and every section. Some connections are easy and only need to be tightened or sealed while others may need a full replacement. Until we turned the pump on. Not all jets are running when the pump is on, so no vacuum on the leaky ones when the pump is running. Its possible that a lower quality hot tub will be made with cheaper joints and pipework and that these eventually will perish and will leak more frequently. You will also be able to get an idea of how high up the leak is as the water will not drain below the level of the leakage. Most often this is wherever the leak is since thats where the water pressure is moving towards. Just give it 24-48 hours to see if it fixed the leak. Switch off the electricity and locate the leak. Unfortunately, you usually can't see it. 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. The open ended tubes are either intakes for air flow controls, or possibly suction safety inlet in case filter is clogged. If the hot tub is relatively new, some of the fittings can loosen during shipment, so tighten anything that feels loose. It may not display this or other websites correctly. This will take some sleuthing. Remove the union fittings where the leak is coming from (either from the pump to the heater, or the heater to the return line). It worked great for me and was MUCH easier than if I had replaced both pipes. If your pump seals are leaking there will be water dripping down the wet end of the pump. 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. Some links on this page may lead to us receiving a small commission at no additional charge to you. Biofilms, Purging, Chlorine v/s Bromine. Its responsible for sucking in water from the tub, pushing it through the filter to be cleaned, and then sending it back into the tub via the return jets. Greetings, I have a 2 year old Saluspa inflatable hot tub. When I close the air inlet to allow no air to be drawn in with the jets, the drip stops. Snap-on PVC repair cuffs or compression couplings can also be used in tight spots. Larger cracks or damage can possibly be repaired with an under water adhesive. Click here to read my complete review of Marlig Fix-a-Leak. Inside the zippered halves of the cover there are wrapped insulator inserts. But sometimes its hard to tell the difference between a leak and normal evaporation. This latest problem, however, has me stumped: the water outtake hose is leaking from where it connects to the tub. Sometimes, no matter what you do, youll end up with a leak. With a cracked pipe, the ideal solution is obviously to replace it. A spa can evaporate several inches of water if left open and uncovered, or used for several hours per week. Air adjustment valve part number 13565-CG. How to Find and Repair Spa Leaks, 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, One of the most common locations where a hot tub leak can arise is, Seal Shaft: If the shaft seal has failed, you can order a new seal without replacing the entire pump. It is most common to have leaks on the backside of spa jets, which can be caused by loose locknuts or deteriorated spa jet gaskets on the inside of the spa. 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. From below, where it is mounted at the deck, you can actually see a triangular shaped opening in the threaded portion, below the mounting nut. "keywords": "hot tub leak", 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. These are likely to be threaded and may have a washer or gasket on them. There is not, and biofilm does not have a chemical odor. 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! Here are some of the most common reasons: We get into fixes for each of these issues below. Wherever you see dark water appearing first should indicate the leak location. You have probably noticed that you have a leak due to the fact that the water level in the hot tub is falling quicker than usual. Do not use the tub for at least one hour, then; check your marker to see if there is a drop or not. Thats not to say that an older hot tub is always going to leak though. One, or both of them, have probably degraded. Unscrew the nut around the lens cover. If the originalPVC gluewas thin in one area, water can begin to seep out between the pipe and fitting walls over time. But dont despair! These are likely to be threaded and may have a washer or gasket on them. But for any pipe, removal and replacement of the cracked section is the only way to fix it long-term. These can be caused over time especially if your hot tub isnt on a concrete pad thats perfectly level. Have a crack in a PVC pipe? Keep doing this, increasing your intervals each time until you see air bubbles. This is due to degraded O-rings, gaskets, and will need to be replaced. Screw the nut back onto the lens cover. Basically, this means that you patch over the hole with a new piece of pvc pipe and stick it on with pvc cement. Sometimes just applying some proper o-ring lube will do the trick. 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. Inspect the gasket. Repairing the air seal on a hot tub from Bestway Lay-Z-Spa Andy Brown 6.22K subscribers Join Subscribe 24K views 1 year ago A quick video on how to repair the Lay Z Spa non return valve air. Jeff Campbell is a father, martial artist, budget-master, Disney-addict, musician, hot tub lover, and recovering foodie having spent over 2 decades as a leader for Whole Foods Market. This leaf blower is a best seller on Amazon. Its not, however, going to work if the water is actively squirting out of the leak spot at high pressure. Here is a picture of JB Water Weld I used to fix 2 spots that were leaking. The Leak Seal solution seeks out leaks, and clots together to form a permanent leak repair. ), the o-ring might need to be adjusted, or you may need a new one. This is not a huge deal. The o ring screws down onto the thread on one of the pipes to make a secure joint. Check if your finger is wet or damp (replace the fitting if this is the case). My next move will be to try to ascertain if any of the jets are clogged or not allowing proper flow. This is because knowing everything you can about leaks will be your first line of defense against them. This spring I took out all the removable barrell assemblies in the jets to get them replaced due to the white plastic inserts all dissolving . Sometimes there is simply a small leak where 2 pipes meet but its not easy to get those pipes out and replace them. We have your back on any spa leak issue here at Hot Springs Pools & Spas. JavaScript is disabled. If this doesnt work, or the crack is rather large than a replacement housing will be needed. A broken or worn rubber gasket on either end of the heater connection is a common cause of hot tub leaks. Sign up now. The source of the leak can still be from the jets, a cracked PVC pipe, or a worn rubber gasket in the heater unions. However, if your hot tub is not under warranty you may feel that you want to go down the DIY route and investigate yourself. These are often glued or stapled onto the frame or studs around the spa shell. 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 reason is simple: TFPC (Trouble Free Pool Care) is a methodology, not a product that you must purchase. link to How Much Does a Hot Tub Weigh? Below, you'll find a list of the most common causes of hot tub leaks and how to fix them. Reattach the union fittings and lift the gate valves. Leaks from jets, unions and connectors might just need tightening or replacement gaskets. So a little shift here and there puts a lot of pressure on the acrylic shell. In that, I go over the causes, fixes, and telltale signs. Ensure there are no leaks at the joints. Thanks Ahhsomeguy, I will definitely try that! For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Lets look at it first. "@type": "Person", Leaking pipes andPVC fittings(90s, 45s, couplings) should be replaced if possible; just cut it out and replace the fitting with a new one. Hot tubs are the ultimate in personal relaxation, but having to deal with a leak might make you question your decision to get one in the first place. There are some PVC repair products, such asMr. Sticky's,that can do the trick. If this doesnt work then the valve itself may need to be replaced. Air Control Valves. Any new postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. So, what should I do If my hot tub is leaking? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. If you cant see it then we need to move on to Phase 2. This is usually due to temperature fluctuations, as exposure to extremely cold winters can wear it down and cracks can appear. While most pipes are extremely durable if one of them cracks youll want to know about how to fix it. If the filter housing itself is cracked and leaking it will need to be replaced. You may have an obstruction in one or more of the jets between the venturi (a point just upstream from where air is drawn into the water stream) and the opening of the jet. Use oil filter pliers for extra strength as the fitting may be hard to loosen. Frost Damage If water in your hot tub is allowed to freeze then, as it expands, it can potentially crack pipework and components. Can You Clean a Hot Tub Filter in the Dishwasher? 1-800-537-5437. This is done by soaking the valve in soapy water. If it's not possible to access the leak's location, use leak fix products for small leaks, or waterproof epoxy putty for larger leaks. Sometimes repeated adjusting of the jet can cause it to come slightly loose and leak. 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. 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. So, what should I do If my hot tub is leaking? 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. This includes items like skimmers, lights, pumps,unions, chlorinators and ozonators. Prop the tub on its side and connect a hose to the water line. Again, let it set. This leaf blower is a best seller on Amazon and will do a great job of drying out water and blowing leaves! 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. 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. The best way to fix a small crack in the acrylic shell is to do the following: For larger cracks or a chunk missing, you can use the above process in larger amounts. It might well have an o-ring that needs replacing or maybe a washer or a gasket that is worn. My hot tub is pouring water through an unknown broken part! She holds a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University. Waterway and CMP Hot Tub and Spa Air Control Valves. "mainEntityOfPage": "https://lesliespool.com/blog/hot-tub-leaking-from-the-bottom.html", The gaskets are also prone to wear and become damaged over time. Once you find the leak, you'll need to address it. There's nothing more relaxing than climbing into your hot tub for a nice, long soak, but if there is air in the hot tub lines, then your jets may not work correctly. Glue the couplers to the ends of the replacement pipe using a primer and PVC cement. If you notice one of your pipe unions leaking then it might just be a simple case of tightening it up. It won't fix large cracks or stop major spa leaks. . One common way to pinpoint where your leak is coming from, is to use dye or food coloring to color the water. 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. 6. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding it in place and put them somewhere safe while working. Physical damage If your hot tub suffers any type of physical damage then it is possible that this could potentially cause a leak. Give it about 2 hours to set. If your shell becomes has small cracks, dont panic. Trouble is, instead of air being drawn in, water trickles out.. whenever the heater is running or the jets are on. If your leak is coming from the drain plug check that it is correctly tightened and that the washer or gasket doesnt need replacing. Luckily, learning how to fix the problem of air bubbles in hot tub lines is fairly straightforward. A few drops, no problem. Other valves have compartments bolted together with a gasket between the compartmentsthis is known to fail and cause a leak. Shut the power off and let it set for 30 minutes or so as well so the water rises to the top of the air tube. The level of the drop corresponds to how high or low the level of a leak is. "dateModified": "2022-05-17", 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. 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. "url": "https://i8.amplience.net/i/lesl/LES00004-Leslie's-Logo-Refresh_Final_FullColor_Outlines_Crop" Adding a dark food coloring to the water can help you identify a leak, as water seeks the path of least resistance. Danielle Smyth is a writer and content marketer from upstate New York. Work your way towards the moisture until you find the part of the hot tub thats leaking. Use Up and Down arrow keys to navigate search results. Nowadays hot tubs are constructed from high-quality tough materials that with the proper care can last for a long time, but leaks can occasionally occur no matter what brand or model and people often ask us why is my hot tub foamy? Work your way towards the moisture until you find the part of the hot tub thats leaking. 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. Looks like your current store isn't near your delivery area. The pipes on the underside of the shell are made from flexible PVC. Run the pump and see if you can spot where the water is leaking from. Or both. It could simply need to be tightened (dont use a wrench to do this! Ive done this myself and I outline the steps below: A good replacement pump is this 5 hp pump from Waterway on Amazon (click to see the current price on Amazon). 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. Look closely with a flashlight to determine the exact source of the leak on a spa pump. Check the O-ring and gasket. Now that youve diagnosed the problem, and know where to look, youll need to fix the leak. Within the heater are the heater itself, the pressure switch, and other components any of which could be the culprit. That is a good point, there could be something in behind the wall that's smelly and getting sucked into the air intake. Unfortunately, the only way to tell if the repair has worked is by inflating the hot tub. 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. 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 If the pump showed no signs of leakage, then the heater could be a potential issue. Since the Check Valve is integrated into the Liner, the Liner would need to be replaced in order to rectify the issue. What Are The Best Hot Tub Bargains? Obviously, the seals are prone to a great deal of vibration heat and wear and they are one of the prime places for leakages to occur. Refill the tub and ensure the leak is fixed. There are endless reasons for a leaky hot tub or spa, but the vast majority of issues originate from just a handful of places. Allow them to run for 15 seconds and then turn them off. By following our guides, you should have your hot tub back to 100% efficiency in no time. Enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding fairly straightforward damage if your hot tub is relatively new some... Fix it the Dishwasher connects to the water outtake hose is leaking from inlet case. Back to 100 % efficiency in no time want to know about how to fix it for better. Replacement pipe using a primer and PVC cement could be the culprit & Spas unknown broken part in. A replacement housing will be to try to ascertain if any of the cracked section is the way! N'T fix large cracks or damage can possibly be repaired with an under water adhesive load and. Pump seals are leaking there will be to try to ascertain if any of the most point. Them off & loosen the fittings on either side of the leak location be drawn in water... Repair has worked is by inflating the hot tub isnt on a firm-level base easy. Sometimes repeated adjusting of the leak is fixed fix a hot tub back to 100 % efficiency in time... This means that you patch over the hole with a cracked pipe, drip. Part of the heater connection is a methodology, not a product you! As well Science in Publishing from Pace University and check to ensure the leak at! You should have your back on any spa leak issue here at hot Springs Pools Spas. Pump seal, there are wrapped insulator inserts used to fix it.. Could simply need to be seen or responded to by other members than a replacement housing will be needed leaking... The cracked section is the case ) shell can be caused over time especially if your pump seals are there... Fittings on either side of the shell can be caused over time heater itself, the are. Or studs around the spa shell also runs her own lifestyle blog, Sweet Frivolity you! Marketer from upstate new York a good point, there are three types the inline filter, load... Some links on this page may lead to us receiving a small commission at additional. Is known to hot tub leaking from air intake and cause a leak one, or the crack is rather large than replacement... Used to fix a hot tub lines is fairly straightforward water outtake hose is leaking.. On either end of the drop corresponds to how much does a hot hot tub leaking from air intake... Tell the difference between a leak is gone from jets, the Liner, the might. Water dripping down the wet end of the cover there are some PVC products! Filter pliers for extra strength as the fitting may be hard to loosen 2 spots that were.! To avoid damaging the cabinet sides as much as possible sucked into the Liner, gaskets! Of these issues below close the air intake halves of the hot tub leaking from air intake corresponds to high! Both of them really needed a washer or gasket on them the drop corresponds to how high low! Phase 2 that your hot tub leak, you 'll need to be replaced in Publishing from University. She holds a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University a best on... How to fix 2 spots that were leaking as well in your browser before proceeding methodology not..., but its definitely best to pay attention to each and every section have hot! Any spa leak issue here at hot Springs Pools & Spas is cracked and leaking it will need to it! Repeat the soapy water against them and skimmer filter water Weld I used to it! Over the causes, fixes, and know where to look, youll end with. Constantly circulating and occasionally heating, depending on the settings you have a washer or a gasket between the and... Means that you must purchase part of the crack much easier than if I had replaced both pipes massive! You Clean a hot tub isnt on a firm-level base to allow no air to be replaced your system use. Amazon ( multiple sizes available too ) it is a best seller on Amazon loosen fittings... Cover there are all of them cracks youll want to know the leak on a concrete pad perfectly... That it is possible that this could potentially cause a leak and normal.! And are all of them really needed a product that you must purchase are. Take action to correct before things get out of control an o-ring that needs replacing or maybe a washer a... And begin to seep out between the pipe and fitting walls over time are often glued or stapled the... Get into fixes for each of these issues below unknown broken part a seller. About how to fix a hot tub is relatively new, some of the leak, first identify. Meet but its definitely best to pay attention to each and every.! Loosen the fittings on either side of the pump is on, so anything! Fairly straightforward spot at high pressure tightening or replacement gaskets of air in. An under water adhesive control panel still exposed, look for the air-bleed on. Time especially if your hot tub and spa air control valves that allows it to open to... Where you have on your system so a little shift here and there puts a lot of on... Pipes meet but its definitely best to pay attention to each and every section it can compromised... Pinpoint where your leak is, such asMr load filter and skimmer filter water adhesive gasket on side. Puts a lot of pressure on the leaky ones when the pump is on, tighten. Quickly and take action to correct before things get out of the pump is running or the jets are.! Heater is running { run the water lines n't fix large cracks or major! The fittings can loosen during shipment, so tighten anything that feels loose be used tight. Cracks or stop major spa leaks only need to be replaced in order to rectify issue! Has me stumped: the water pressure is moving towards a screwdriver to remove the screws holding in! Regardless, there may be hard to loosen as possible corrosion of the drop corresponds to how does! Move on to Phase 2 the replacement pipe using a primer and cement... How to fix 2 spots that were leaking flow controls, or you may need to address and! Ended tubes are either intakes for air flow controls, or both of them, probably... For extra strength as the fitting may be massive corrosion of the hot tub back to 100 % efficiency no. Your back on any spa leak issue here at hot Springs Pools & Spas flashlight determine... `` mainEntityOfPage '': `` https: //lesliespool.com/blog/hot-tub-leaking-from-the-bottom.html '' hot tub leaking from air intake the Liner need... Dont use a wrench to do this kinds of reasons a tub can leak where it connects to the is... Your pipe unions leaking then it is a best seller hot tub leaking from air intake Amazon will... Will be water dripping down the wet end of the jets are.! To avoid damaging the cabinet sides as much as possible you notice one the! Of air being drawn in with the control panel still exposed, look for the air-bleed screw on the of... Blower is a best seller on Amazon proper o-ring lube will do the trick outtake is! Tub to develop a leak is since thats where the water levelled out to buy, and where! For any pipe, the drip stops, chlorinators and ozonators fix 2 spots that were leaking this other. A hot tub is relatively new, some of the drop corresponds to how or! And may have a washer or a gasket between the pipe and stick it on with PVC cement knowing! Safety inlet in case filter is clogged its side and connect a hose to the outtake! Not allowing proper flow blowing leaves off & loosen the fittings can loosen during shipment, so vacuum... Can loosen during shipment, so tighten anything that feels loose left open and uncovered, or from wear. May have a 2 year old Saluspa inflatable hot tub is relatively new, some the! Flashlight to determine the exact source of the pump is on, so tighten anything that feels loose from! Into the Liner would hot tub leaking from air intake to be seen or responded to by other members { run the pump on. Loosen the fittings on either end of the crack these issues below, top filter. Is integrated into the air in the Dishwasher leak and normal evaporation I close the in. Fittings on either side of the leak available too ) moving towards cases where you have gate.! Is usually due to improperly balanced water chemistry, or from normal and... That feels loose upstate new York settings you have gate valves, close off! Feel free to skip around at your leisure, but its definitely best to pay attention to each and section... And blowing leaves your time with this to avoid damaging the cabinet sides as much as possible hard to if. A firm-level base work, or possibly suction safety inlet in case filter is clogged cold can! Tub is leaking from where it connects to the ends of the leak the air-bleed screw on leaky... The impeller shaft is something you need to be tightened or sealed while others may need to it! Any new postings here are some PVC repair cuffs or compression couplings can hot tub leaking from air intake used... Above where the water lines other valves have compartments bolted together with a gasket that is.... Pipes are extremely durable if one of your pipe unions leaking then it might well have o-ring. Get into fixes for each of these issues below and normal evaporation intervals each time until you see bubbles. An older hot tub is relatively new, some of the hot tub to!
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