How To Repair Hot Tub Leak

When it comes to relaxing, a hot tub is pretty difficult to shell. The jets and cozy temperature soothe aching bodies and create a comforting temper. Simply, if that hot tub starts leaking, it can exist the beginning of a major headache—though non if you know how to fix it.

Once you know what to look for, you can locate your leak, seal it, and get back to kicking dorsum. It'due south non always an easy job, but it tin save your hot tub from a slow, leaky death.

On the outside, a hot tub doesn't seem all that complicated. Just peel back that skirting (which you'll probably have to do to fix information technology), and you'll notice a network of piping and mechanical components. Don't let them intimidate you lot; to fix your hot tub leak, only follow these steps.

How to Fix Pocket-sized Hot Tub Leaks

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There'due south a chance your leak is small and piece of cake to fix, so don't kickoff ripping things out from under your hot tub without taking a moment to investigate. Pinholes and pocket-sized cracks caused by age, cold temperatures, or manufacturing flaws are sometimes conquerable with a fix in a bottle. For that reason, it'due south worth trying this step first.

With a bottle of leak-sealing production on paw, remove your hot tub filters. With the pump running, follow the leak-sealer manufacturer's instructions and pour ¼ to 1/3 of the bottle (this will depend on bottle size) directly into the filter area, which is also where your suction intake is located.

Take note of the water level and allow the hot tub to run for 24 hours. If the water level doesn't drop, you lot've stock-still the leak, and then put your filters back in. If the water loss slowed, repeat the procedure with more than leak sealer.

How to Fix a Leaking Hot Tub Pump or Heater

A common expanse for leaks is on either side of the pump or heater, and to access this area, you'll take to remove the hot tub's side panels. Typically, this just takes loosening a few hand-turned fasteners and some shuffling. With the console removed, have a look at the pump and heater. If water is dripping, spraying, or puddling around the pump or heater, you've establish your leak. Normally, cracked fittings or worn-out O-rings are to arraign. Follow these steps to correct the issue:

1. Offset by powering off the unit and closing the gate valves on either side of the pump.
2. Using the screwdriver and pump pliers, remove the leaky fittings and take them to your local pool supply shop to find a replacement.
3. Finally, reinstall the new part in the reverse social club, then open the gate valves, turn the pump on, and check for leaks.

How to Ready Leaks Around the Light

Another common expanse for leaks is the spa low-cal. If the water level drops to around the height of the light, it could be to blame. The leak can come up from a crack in the calorie-free fixture itself or the gasket behind it. You lot'll probably have to remove the side panels to proceeds admission to the light. Follow these steps to correct leaks around a hot tube lite:

1. Start past shutting off the ability to the hot tub and removing the side panels one at fourth dimension.
2. From under the hot tub, check each calorie-free for water to locate the suspected leaking light. If the leak isn't axiomatic, remove the next panel and continue checking lights for moisture.
3. With the leaking light located, remove the bulb by carefully twisting and pulling information technology from the fixture.
4. Use a big pair of water pump pliers to remove the plastic retaining nut that holds information technology the fixture in place. You may accept to cut away insulation foam for access.
5. Button the lens from the back, then information technology drops into the hot tub.

Spa lights come in dissimilar styles and sizes, and then it's best to accept the fixture to a puddle supply store and let them to either lucifer information technology with a new light or provide a replacement gasket. To reinstall a new light, simply clean any gasket rest from the inside, slide the new gasket onto the new lens, place the lens into the hole from inside the tub, and tighten the plastic retaining nut in the access area.

Notation: If you take several lights, information technology'south best to supersede all of them at once. They're most likely the same age and liable to leak shortly.

Other Common Hot Tub Leaks

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Insulation Leaks

The about challenging leak to locate is ane coming from a jet, pipe, or hose buried inside the insulation. Finding a leak within the insulation takes quite a bit of detective work. With as many admission panels removed as possible, let the hot tub to run similar normal. Lying on the ground, use a flashlight to detect whatsoever drips or wet foam, which will give you lot a full general idea of the leak's location. Using a metal spackle knife or similar tool, cut away at the foam effectually the baste, checking for water every and so often to ensure you're still on course (and the water isn't coming from somewhere else).

Hot tub jet leaks

If the leak is from a jet, you'll need to remove the hoses attached to information technology. Using the pump pliers, squeeze the metal tabs on the clench and slide it to the side. If the hoses are difficult to remove, utilize a oestrus gun to warm them up a chip (don't melt them). So, remove the plastic retaining nut that holds the jet in place.

Take the jet to the spa store for a replacement if information technology's croaky, or simply buy a new gasket if that was the culprit. To reinstall the jet, slide the gasket over the back of the jet, place it into the hole from the inside of the tub, and tighten down the plastic retaining nut from inside the access area. Reattach the hoses, heating them if necessary, and slide the hose clamps back over the fittings. In one case you test the repair by running the hot tub, embrace the repair area with a can of spray foam.

Hose and pipe leaks

If it's a hose or pipe that'south leaking, you lot'll need to remove the foam to find the croaky section. Using a tubing cutter or hacksaw, cutting out the croaky section of pipage or hose. Friction match that section of pipe or hose with replacement material at a local abode center and pick upwardly a few couplings meant for PEX/PVC pipe or hose.

To supersede the pipage or hose, install the fittings onto the existing department on the hot tub and cut a replacement section to fit. Then it's simply a matter of sliding ane stop of the replacement into or over the plumbing equipment (depending on the blazon) and then into or over the other plumbing fixtures. One time you exam the repair by running the hot tub, replace the insulation with a can of spray foam.

Your hot tub should exist back up and running, leak-free. Finding and accessing the leak is almost ever the hardest function of repairing a leaky hot tub, and then take your fourth dimension and be prepared to cut away a lot of foam. The end result is worth it.

Tools and Materials

There are a few different means in which a hot tub can leak, and the cause will determine which tools and materials you'll demand. Your best resources for replacement parts and materials will exist a local pool supply shop, but you may exist able to order parts online. Let the post-obit list serve as a guide to what you might need, not a definitive shopping listing:

• Screwdriver
• Water pump pliers
• Spackle knife
• Tubing cutter
• Hacksaw
• Flashlight
• Heat gun
• Spa fittings and couplings
• PVC pipe or hose
• Leak-stopper liquid
• O-rings
• Various gaskets
• Spray foam insulation

Source: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pools/22675584/how-to-fix-a-hot-tub-leak

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