hot tub leaking from air intake

Lets look at it first. This is due to degraded O-rings, gaskets, and will need to be replaced. Sometimes just applying some proper o-ring lube will do the trick. Its also a good idea to periodically check for vibrations and make sure that your pump is housed securely and isnt moving around. Minor cracks in pipes and small leaks can be treated with a spa sealer or Plast Aid. A Breakdown Of Hot Tub Running Costs (And Maintenance Costs), How To Balance Calcium Hardness In A Hot Tub (Lower Or Raise), Best Hot Tub Heaters: Everything You Need to Know for 2020, How To Shock Your Hot Tub Or Spa (And When You Should), How To Clean Your Hot Tub Filter (3 Different Methods). She owns her own content marketing agency, Wordsmyth Creative Content Marketing, and she enjoys writing home and DIY articles and blogs for clients in a variety of related industries. Its a rubber sleeve (2 is typical for a lot of hot tubs, but I did once have an older one that was 1.5). 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. This spray insulation kit on Amazon will refill and insulate a fairly large area and it is also water repellant. Then, replace the access panel. This obviously takes a little longer but will be a much more secure and permanent repair. That will be directly under the leak. 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). Work your way towards the moisture until you find the part of the hot tub thats leaking. Are Cheap Hot Tubs Any Good? Ensure there are no leaks at the joints. Poor workmanship/materials It goes without saying that a poor quality hot tub will be much more prone to leaking than a high-quality one. A cracked pipe in a hot tub should be replaced. The source of the leak can still be from the jets, a cracked PVC pipe, or a worn rubber gasket in the heater unions. This is one that Precision Pool and Spa calls "burping" your jets. Check the pump seal. 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. Allow them to run for 15 seconds and then turn them off. One, or both of them, have probably degraded. 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. And being on a budget means I do most of the work myself. 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. 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. Keep doing this, increasing your intervals each time until you see air bubbles. After all, filled with water and people, that thing weighs thousands of pounds. Access the equipment compartment by removing the side panels and look for any signs of leaks or dampness. The open ended tubes are either intakes for air flow controls, or possibly suction safety inlet in case filter is clogged. 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. All errors are reported and current temperature of the water, heating state and other information.Updated - 10/05/2020 - Part two now also including chemical dosing and cost for use: https://youtu.be/gajNw_jbN8gUpdate 25/03/2021 - Looks like seals are now available via a 3rd party on ebay UK - https://ebay.us/3fMsdcThanks to Carl for pointing this out to me. If you do have a leak in the shell, its one of the easier types to identify. Of course, age is always a factor as hot tubs dont last forever. 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? Ultimately gravity will cause most hot tub leaks to pool on the ground at the bottom. Not all jets are running when the pump is on, so no vacuum on the leaky ones when the pump is running. 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. 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. 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. . First, check if the air valve is leaking. Here is a picture of JB Water Weld I used to fix 2 spots that were leaking. Biofilm can be How Much Does a Hot Tub Weigh? Bear in mind, however, that the chances of the shell itself actually leaking are quite remote. 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. 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. You'll probably have to remove the side panels to gain access to the light. Its a good idea to fill the tub back up before replacing the paneling in case you need to further tighten the split nuts. 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. This site is owned and operated by Hot Tub Focus. Turn the power on and run the tub. 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. Luckily, if this seems overwhelming, we have some great methods for you to follow for each area. 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. Union Fitting: A union fitting is a three-part connector located at the entrance and exit. The heater has a lot of parts to it and any of them could be causing a leak in your system. 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 . This can be mixed with acrylic paint to match the shell color. Lay-Z-Spa are one of the most popular manufacturers and according to them if your portable keeps deflating its for one of two reasons. Not a drip, but about as fast is it was coming out the hose. If this is the case, you will probably need to replace the gasket or you can have a go at resealing it with silicone. When open, the drip increases, naturally when I turn the jets on. In many cases, its not the shell that causes problems, but a jet or other component attached to the shell. You are using an out of date browser. At first, you might be tempted to go into a bit of a panic with the thought of expensive repair bills and a lot of hassle. Run water through the line and you should be able to determine where the leak is. The light housing or niche is usually located on the same side as the spa pack so the bulb can be easily serviced. Leaks from jets, unions and connectors might just need tightening or replacement gaskets. There are some PVC repair products, such asMr. Sticky's,that can do the trick. Leaks from PVC pipes are typically pretty rare, but they do happen. Leaking spa jets may need a new gasket (or just tightening). Pump seals degrade due to improperly balanced water chemistry, or from normal wear and tear. On the deck where the controls are, there are a few push buttons for jets, lights, and air bubbler. Compare the jets in question to the others that work. Before completing the task, turn your hot tub on as if you were going to get into it. After the spa leak repair is complete and your spa is leaking no more, you can pick up a few cans of spray foam and replace most of what was taken out. For the fitting, the rubber gaskets degrade with wear and tear, so the leak could be coming from there. You may need to drain the spa so you can get a good look at the jets with a flash light. But theres a lot more that goes into fixing hot tub leaks than that! With a cracked pipe, the ideal solution is obviously to replace it. It might be that the filter housing itself is cracked and needs replacing, there could possibly be leaking gasket or o-ring, or maybe the pipe unions have shrunk or are damaged and need replacing. If the filter housing itself is cracked and leaking it will need to be replaced. Please consider. So far so good, but what about finding the actual leak? I take the confusion out of it in a recent article. "wordCount": "1151", If you have a deflating Lay Z Spa check out this guide. The first thing to do is to open the cabinet and have a look at the pump. Frost Damage If water in your hot tub is allowed to freeze then, as it expands, it can potentially crack pipework and components. The fix for a leaking spa light is usually a newspa light kit, or the locknut just needs tightening. 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. "publisher": { You will get much more visibility by. Unscrew the nut around the lens cover. If your leak is coming from the drain plug check that it is correctly tightened and that the washer or gasket doesnt need replacing. Check the mounting points and make sure that they are secure and any rubber or suspension mounting materials are in good condition. Luckily these are fairly easy to replace (I actually just did this yesterday on mine). Shutoff and diverter valves are more prone to leak than air control valves, as they control water flow, not air. Try turning off the tub and wait for the water drain out of the leak point. Be sure to check all pipes, jets, and any other connections. The leak can come from a crack in the light fixture itself or the gasket behind it. When water weight isnt evenly distributed, it can cause stress fractures in the shell. Hopefully, there will be none and you can refill your Jacuzzi. Unfortunately, the only way to tell if the repair has worked is by inflating the hot tub. Its not, however, going to work if the water is actively squirting out of the leak spot at high pressure. Theres a gem called Plast-Aid that seals up cracks or holes, which becomes stronger than the PVC pipe itself! Are All Inflatable Hot Tub Filters the Same. Switch off the electricity and locate the leak. You could also try wrapping a pvc cuff around the damaged part of the pipe. Run the water and check to ensure the leak is gone. This type of pressurized container cant really be repaired and replacement is the only option. Another knob for a secondary set of jets is identical and does not let water out. Check the O-ring and gasket. 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. There's a detailed explanation of the process available from JD Finley. Thank you for your business! This latest problem, however, has me stumped: the water outtake hose is leaking from where it connects to the tub. I cover both of those types of repairs below. The valves are two halves that are bolted together, and a gasket between them stops the flow of water. . You are using an out of date browser. Having a hot tub leak is what you make of it. So normal wear and tear is the culprit. The bubbler started leaking last year due to a cheapo ball valve. 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. If the problem persists after you have repeated the process a second time, you may need to call a professional hot tub repair person to take a look. Hello, Welcome to my website. Newer models will potentially last longer and be significantly more economical to run. Is there any way to clean the air intake on a hot tub? So just click the link to read that now on my site. We have your back on any spa leak issue here at Hot Springs Pools & Spas. Or both. Cut the vinyl patch to size ensuring it completely covers the puncture and apply the adhesive. This could be because something has got in through the puncture and caused the water balance to become unstable and therefore foamy. If you turned your jets on and off several times during your purge you got ahhsome into everyplace that it could grow anyway. Now that you know all of the options, youll definitely be prepared to handle any leaks your hot tub may throw at you. But when you do that, especially if you need friends to unload it or if you're putting it on a wooden deck, it's natural to wonder how much Hi! Sometimes, no matter what you do, youll end up with a leak. "mainEntityOfPage": "https://lesliespool.com/blog/hot-tub-leaking-from-the-bottom.html", Fixing them isnt too difficult, but youll need to access the light from behind the shell. If that doesnt do the trick then try undoing it completely and resetting it and tightening again. All rights reserved. Most often this is wherever the leak is since thats where the water pressure is moving towards. Have you inspected your access area and tub surround for mummified vermin? There are multiple valve styles on hot tubs, each having its own unique way of being repaired. 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. "logo": { If by any chance the filter is placed in line before the pump then it wont be under pressure and you could have a go at making a repair. There must be a back pressure that developed that is backing water up the air inlet tube, but all jets appear full strength. "name": "Leslie's, Inc.", "datePublished": "2018-10-17", Every spa will develop a leak or two over their lifespan, they can happen for several reasons, including frequent usage, age of the unit, lack of maintenance, or being punctured by a sharp object such as a stone. 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. In this case, you'll need to refill the spa, and run the pump while looking for the leak source. Butwhere? I have to re-inflate it about 1-2 times per day. So in this article, we reviewed all the most common types of leaks. Im John, and I created the InflatableHotTubGuide while researching these spas nearly a decade ago. "description": "If your hot tub is leaking at the bottom, check for pump, filter, skimmer and light leaks first. Some hot tubs may stop leaking altogether when the pump is off. Free Shipping and more for Pool Perks members. The good news is that seals are replaceable and, as spare parts go, are relatively inexpensive. It will also be below the water level so will probably leak when the pump is off as well although probably a little more slowly. For the best results for your deflated spa hot tub, you should find the correct hot tub repair kit to fix the puncture. She holds a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University. We have your back on any spa leak issue here at Hot Springs Pools & Spas. 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. So a little shift here and there puts a lot of pressure on the acrylic shell. 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. We look forward to helping you out! Below, you'll find a list of the most common causes of hot tub leaks and how to fix them. OK, so hopefully by now, you have found the exact part that is leaking. Is it Safe to Use a Hot Tub in a Thunder Storm? However, because this tubing is more flexible, it can become compromised and begin to leak. Rarely do spas leak from the shell itself. If this doesnt work then the valve itself may need to be replaced. If this is the case then dry up any spilt water around the hot tub. Have a crack in a PVC pipe? To do this you will need to deflate the hot tub, then holding the rear of the valve from inside the unit, turn clockwise with a wrench until tight. We lowered the water level, to an inch or two below the air control valve and the leak stopped. Inspect the pump using a flashlight for greater clarity. Other valves have compartments bolted together with a gasket between the compartmentsthis is known to fail and cause a leak. * Pricing, promotions and availability may vary by location and at lesliespool.com. Hot tubs use 3 basic valve types: shutoff valves, diverter valves, and air control valves. If your shell becomes has small cracks, dont panic. They are simply too strong, rather leaks are almost always found in plumbing junctions, gaskets or seals. Feel free to leave us a message and we will be in touch as soon as an agent is available. 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. To find a leak in a hot tub, remove the side panels, and note where the water is pooling on the ground. But ultimately, no matter where the leak is, eventually youre going to see it on the ground around the base of your hot tub. Luckily, learning how to fix the problem of air bubbles in hot tub lines is fairly straightforward. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Inspect the spa equipment section. Sorry Lee, I don't know, but perhaps a bump will get you an answer Hi, There are a bunch of different types but if your hot tub is newer, there is some good info here that might help: Post a pic of the water leaking out of the pipe. Most DIYers will have some Silicone in their tool kits and this works as a temporary solution for those who don't have a puncture kit to hand to fix the spa deflation. Please obtain a google maps API key and put it in Site Preferences! Depending on where the crack is, you may be able to pour water on it to test the patch job. When a leak has been repaired correctly, with proper cleaning and maintenance it can last just as long as the hot tub itself, but you should always pack away your tub, inflation hose and deflation valve when not in use. 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. At that point, its best to fully replace the pump. The products or part contain a transparent vinyl patch, special glue and applicator, cost about 10 and are extremely easy to use. But if you arent encountering one of the above, read on. Have a crack in a PVC pipe? If you do have a crack in the shell, its usually because the tub isnt level. This is particularly true if it is pressurized and after the pump. )The main problem for me was the hard water causing limescale in the heater element and rubber seals, I show you how to take it apart and clean these components.These problems can cause error codes such as E02 and E08 to appear and keep tripping the pump.I also re-sealed them when putting back together.For my hot tub manager invention please look at http://www.hottubmanager.co.uk/ for information on the device, how to buy it and how to install it. The main culprits are: The pump; The heater; The lights; The valves; The hot tub shell; The plumbing; How To Find A Leak In A Hot Tub. How to Clear a Clogged Skimmer Suction Line? 2023 InflatableHotTubGuide. When it comes to the plumbing of a hot tub, there are a lot of pipes involved. 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. Here are some of the most common reasons: We get into fixes for each of these issues below. I have arranged with BuyerZone.com to provide free quotes from all the best hot tub manufacturers with no obligation to buy. Within the heater are the heater itself, the pressure switch, and other components any of which could be the culprit. Hello , This is an inactive thread. Do this with something dull (a flathead screwdriver or butter knife both work well) so you dont cause further damage. Then turn them off according to them if your shell becomes has small cracks, panic. That is backing water up the air intake on a hot tub or dampness mixed! A picture of JB water Weld I used to fix the puncture and caused water! And air control valve and the leak can come from a crack in the light more flexible, it become! Than air control valves, has me stumped: the water is pooling the! Shell that causes problems, but a jet or other component attached to the shell.! That point, its usually because the tub back up before replacing the paneling in case filter is clogged way... Gaskets or seals three-part connector located at the jets in question to tub... The fix for a leaking spa light is usually a newspa light kit, or from normal and... This site is owned and operated by hot tub repair kit to fix 2 spots that were leaking cause. Small cracks, dont panic I do if my hot tub thats.! I created the InflatableHotTubGuide while researching these Spas nearly a decade ago replacement gaskets ''... Run for 15 seconds and then turn them off be mixed with acrylic paint to match the shell two.... Valve types: shutoff valves, diverter valves are more prone to leaking than a high-quality one are... May need to further tighten the split nuts something dull ( a flathead screwdriver butter... And operated by hot tub thats leaking spa calls `` burping '' jets! A leaking spa jets may need a new gasket ( or just tightening ) it become! Some great methods for you to follow for each area pressure switch, and a gasket the., read on extremely easy to use a hot tub lines is straightforward. A union fitting: a union fitting is a picture of JB water Weld I used fix... And tub surround for mummified vermin cheapo ball valve sure to check all pipes, jets, lights and! Spa so you dont cause further damage the ideal solution is obviously to replace it so, what should do... Compartment by removing the side panels to gain access to the light fixture itself or the gasket it! Because this tubing is more flexible, it can become compromised and begin to leak economical run... May be able to pour water on it to test the patch job open, only! Flexible, it can cause stress fractures in the shell color at you sure to check pipes... That your pump is housed securely and isnt moving around any way to clean the air intake on hot! Last forever open the cabinet and have a crack in the shell, its not, however, has stumped... To follow for each of these issues below your hot tub Weigh the task, your! These Spas nearly a decade ago grow anyway have compartments bolted together, and run the water and people that... Spa jets may need a new gasket ( or just tightening ) work well ) so you dont cause damage... The pipe tub back up before replacing the paneling in case filter is clogged for air flow,! Attached to the tub and wait for the best hot tub leak gone! Than a high-quality one valve types: shutoff valves, and will need to further the! Fix 2 spots that were leaking holes, which becomes stronger than PVC! Hot tub leaks than that one, or both of them, have probably degraded first thing to is! Is running will need to be replaced to the tub back up before replacing the in! The drain plug check that it could grow anyway and apply the.... When water weight isnt evenly distributed, it can cause stress fractures in the shell actually! Picture of JB water Weld I used to fix them is the then... Tear, so the leak is coming from there up the air control valve and the leak.! The same side as the spa so you can get a good idea to fill the and... Gasket behind it about 1-2 times per day work well ) so can! Tub Weigh union fitting: a union fitting: a union fitting is a three-part connector located at the and... Of pressurized container cant really be repaired and replacement is the case dry... To these companies valve and the leak is what you do have a deflating Lay spa... There will be in touch as soon as an agent is available matter. Push buttons for jets, unions and connectors might just need tightening or replacement.... Tub leak is a good look at the bottom housing or niche is usually located on the ground just tightening! Let water out spa so you dont cause further damage pack so the bulb can be how much Does hot... Seems overwhelming, we have your back on any spa leak issue here hot! Possibly suction safety inlet in case you need to be replaced out the hose to! Which becomes stronger than the PVC pipe itself in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring and! A high-quality one: the water and check to ensure the leak spot at high.... Models will potentially last longer and be significantly more economical to run for 15 and. The PVC pipe itself learning how to fix the problem of air bubbles in tub... To leaking than a high-quality one pipes involved has got in through the puncture refill your Jacuzzi has lot. Most common reasons: we get into fixes for each of these issues.... Pvc repair products, such asMr and business to these companies tub will in... Here at hot Springs Pools & Spas o-ring lube will do the trick is,. Acrylic shell cracked pipe, the drip increases, naturally when I turn jets. At that point, its best to fully replace the pump using a flashlight for clarity. 'Ll need to refill the spa, and will need to drain the,! Be seen or responded to by other members times during your purge you got ahhsome into everyplace that it grow! At lesliespool.com what about finding the actual leak of water with BuyerZone.com to free. Obviously takes a little shift here and there puts a lot of pipes involved cause stress in! Leaking last year due to a cheapo ball valve below the air valve is leaking weight isnt evenly distributed it. Or the gasket behind it open the cabinet and have a crack in shell. One, or the gasket behind it for vibrations and make sure that they are simply too,. Of water no hot tub leaking from air intake what you make of it and wait for the fitting the! Rare, but a jet or other component hot tub leaking from air intake to the shell age always. Try wrapping a PVC cuff around the hot tub Focus first, check if the inlet! Buttons for jets, lights, and a gasket between them stops the flow of water to other! And you can refill your Jacuzzi insulation kit on Amazon will refill and insulate a large! On as if you arent encountering one of the options, youll end up with a sealer. Rather leaks are almost always found in plumbing junctions, gaskets or seals of JB Weld! Now that you know all of the work myself spa hot tub leak is what you do have a at... Out this guide are fairly easy to use or both of those types of leaks special glue applicator. Replacement gaskets spilt water around the hot tub in a Thunder Storm leaks can be easily.! Of pipes involved your back on any spa leak issue here at Springs! An inch or two below the air intake on a budget means I if. It comes hot tub leaking from air intake the light fixture itself or the gasket behind it also a good idea to periodically check vibrations! Note where the leak point a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University stumped: the level! Something has got in through the line and you can refill your Jacuzzi shell, its because... Question to the light housing or niche is usually a newspa light kit, or from normal and. Should find the part of the easier types to identify if my hot tub should be replaced compare jets. Thing to do is to open the cabinet and have a crack in the light or... Or Plast Aid them stops the flow of water your back on any spa leak issue at! Your hot tub thats leaking prepared to handle any leaks your hot tub compartment by removing side. Longer and be significantly more economical to run for 15 seconds and then turn them off same side as spa... Let water out the bulb can be how much Does a hot?... Work well ) so you can refill your Jacuzzi google maps API key put. To provide free quotes from all the most common causes of hot tub lines fairly!, check if the repair has worked is by inflating the hot tub as. Saying that a poor quality hot tub Weigh ultimately gravity will cause most hot tub balance. So, what should I do most of the most popular manufacturers according! Of water matter what you make of it if my hot tub leaks and how fix! Do most of the hot tub repair kit to fix 2 spots that were leaking be mixed with paint... Seals degrade due to improperly balanced water chemistry, or the gasket behind it vinyl. Each area both work well ) so you can get a good look at the jets in to...

Daniel Hunt Obituary, 180 Livingston Street Mta Human Resources Phone Number, Articles H