Nothing can ruin a hot tub owners' day faster than the realization that there is a leak in their hot tub.
Hot tub leaks can be extremely frustrating as they are often hard to track down especially if they are very small.
While it is impossible for us to cover every possible leak and repair guide in one single post, today we will take a look at several of the most common leaks that are found in hot tubs and how you can easily and (usually) cheaply repair them yourself without having to call in a plumber or hot tub expert.
-
Common leak Culprits
Some of the most common places you will find leaks are:Pump,Union Fittings,Heater,Valves,Connections,Shell.
This is by no means a complete list, but definitely a good place to start. In most cases, hot tub leaks will be found in these areas. Let's take a look at each of these components and how you fix water leaks on each one. When hunting down a leak, I would suggest that you start at the top of the list and then work your way down.
-
The Heater
Once you eliminate the pump as your leak cause, it is time to check the entire heat assembly manifold. This consists of the heater, pressure switch, and other components. If you find water leaking from any one of these parts, they will have to be ordered and replaced.
-
Union Fittings
The metal injection molding union fittings around both the pump and the heater are another common cause for leaks as they can easily become loose over time. If any of these fittings are loose, tighten them by hand. Do not ever use a wrench to tighten these fittings.
-
Valves
Inspect every valve on your hot tub. There are several style valves on hot tubs and this type of valve will determine what you need to do to repair it. Knife style valves, for example, have two halves that are bolted together. Between them is a gasket that is known to fail and cause a water leak. Some hot tubs have valves installed on either side of the pump so water doesn't have to be shut off or drained in order to repair the pump. These valves are also prone to leaks and will have to be replaced.
-
Connections
Check all the pipes, jets and any connections for leaks . In some cases, all you will need to do is tighten the connections or reseal them. If you find that you have a jet that is leaking, it is most often a failing gasket. That will need to be replaced. Check with your hot tub manufacturer on what type of gasket you should buy.
-
Hot Tub Shell
Most hot tub shells are made of strong fiberglass combined with other layers that make a leak almost impossible. In most cases, it is actually a problem with one of the jets or other components that attach to the shell, and not the shell itself. If you do have a shell leak though, Plast-Aid is will definitely do the trick.
-
Other leak Detection Methods
If you have inspected all of these components and still can't track down the leak, you could always dry putting a small amount of dark food coloring into the water and watch where it goes. It's a great way to find a leak in an area that is already wet.
-
Conclusion
Of course, if all else fails, you could always call a plumber or hot tub repair expert from your local hot tub shop.
