How to Find and Fix a Leak in a Hot Tub?

You can’t be using a leaking hot tub. That is why owners must learn to find and fix a leak in a hot tub. It will save you some bucks if you know how to diagnose and fix a leaking hot tub.

To find the leak, you need to turn off your hot tub and inspect the common parts of a hot tub leak, including the pump, heater, lights, valves, shell, and plumbing. Ensure that the leak is not on the pipes and the fittings.

Adding food coloring to the hot tub’s water can help determine the leak’s location. The leak is usually located in the area where the water is darker. The steps in fixing the leak may vary depending on its location.

Potential Reasons Why Your Hot Tub is Leaking

The potential reasons why your hot tub leaks include rubber O-Rings, seals, gaskets, and physical damage. 

O-Rings, Seals, and Gaskets

An O-Ring is an important component of your hot tub. It is a sealing device that prevents water from escaping your hot tub. A leak may occur when this component is damaged or not properly installed.

Similarly, the seals and gaskets also keep the water intact. The hot tub chemicals can potentially damage these sealing devices. They may degrade and crack over time.

When doing maintenance work, you must check these things. Some owners replace their hot tub O-Rings and gaskets annually to ensure they do not cause leaks. You don’t need to do the same, but you must never miss checking them during your scheduled maintenance.

Physical Damage

Another possible reason why your hot tub leaks are physical damage. Your hot tub shell is not free from getting damaged. Overexposure of the hot tub’s shell to direct sunlight can cause it to crack.

Your hot tub shell may also crack when the hot tub is not level, or the water weight is not balanced. You must ensure that the hot tub is installed on a well-leveled surface.

Another thing that can cause damage is freezing. Freeze damage is bound to happen during the winter if you do not maintain your hot tub properly. 

The water expands as it freezes. Therefore, it can break critical components like unions, pipes, couplings, and plumbing.

What Part of Hot Tubs Can Cause Leaks?

A hot tub leak can occur anywhere, but the most common parts that cause leaks are the following:

• Pump
• Heater
• Lights
• Valves
• Hot tub shell
• Plumbing

The Pump

Your hot tub will not run without the pump. This component is responsible for circulating your hot tub’s water. This part of your hot tub is also a common leak cause.

The pump has multiple joints. These joints have O-Rings and gaskets. If these components malfunction, a leak can occur.

The pump’s rinse line and union fittings can also cause a leak. The plastic fittings and the rubber gaskets commonly wear and tear, causing your hot tub to leak.

The Heater

Like the pump, your hot tub’s heating system has many parts that can cause a leak. These parts include the thermostat, pressure switch, and sensors. 

The leak can still be due to faulty or degraded O-Rings or gaskets.

The Lights

Your hot tub lights are connected to the shell. Due to this fact, they may also cause a leak.

Although this rarely happens, a leak can come from the lens cover of your hot tub lights. Over time, cracks may develop in this part of your hot tub. When it does, you will have to deal with the leak.

The Valves

The valves of your hot tub are also a common part where leaks happen. Valves help you stop the water flow, allowing you to do maintenance work.

Over time, this component can fail. The valve also has gaskets, and when they stop working, the water will leak.

The Shell

It seldom happens that the leak will come from the shell, but it does. The common cause of the leak is a cracked shell.

The strong hot tub shell can still crack when the tub is not level. Overexposure of the fiberglass to direct sunlight can also cause a crack. Although, this does not happen very soon.

When it is on the shell, it is easier to locate the leak location. A food coloring trick will be very useful.

The Plumbing

Over time, temperature fluctuations can compromise the tubing underneath your hot tub, causing it to leak. Extremely cold winters are known to damage your hot tub’s pipes.

It can be difficult to fix a leaking hot tub pipe because of its location. 

How to Find Where Your Hot Tub is Leaking?

Diagnosing or finding the source of the leak is not very easy. Below are general steps to find the leak in your hot tub.

1. Turn off the hot tub.
2. Remove the side panels to access the equipment compartment, then check for signs of leaks.
3. Conduct a thorough inspection of the pump. Use a flashlight when necessary to clearly check the parts of the pump.
4. Check all the pipes, fittings, and pressure switches. Ensure that all joints are tight.
5. Add food coloring to the water. Follow where the darker water first appears. You are near to finding the leak’s location when you see it.

How to Fix a Hot Tub Leak by Yourself? Step-by-Step Guides

Fixing a hot tub leak yourself is economical, but the job may not be that simple. However, it can be rewarding if you do it successfully. Below are some guides on how to fix a hot tub leak based on its location.

Leak in the Pump

1. Run the pump to pinpoint the exact location of the leak.
2. Turn off the pump and check the rinse line fitting by putting your finger underneath it. Replace the fitting if your finger gets damp.
3. The next thing for you to check is the union fittings. See and feel if the leak originates from them. If you confirm that it is where the leak is coming from, check and replace the rubber gasket.
4. You must also check the pump seal, particularly the ceramic gaskets. See if the gaskets are properly installed and are not compromised. Replace the gaskets as necessary.
5. Turn on the pump and confirm that you’ve fixed the leak. If the leak persists, do another check or get the help of a professional.

Leak in the Heater

1. Turn your hot tub off and close the gate valves. 
2. Remove the union fittings where you find the leak. 
3. Check the condition of the O-Ring and gasket. If they are degraded, replace them.
4. Re-attach the union fittings and open the gate valves.
5. Turn on the hot tub and confirm the leak is fixed.

Leak in the Light’s Lens Cover

1. Turn off the hot tub and drain it.
2. Remove the side panels to access the back of the light.
3. Remove the light and replace the cracked lens cover. You can add silicone around the lens cover to ensure a tight seal.
4. Reconnect the light to the hot tub shell.
5. Refill the hot tub to confirm that you’ve fixed the issue. If the leak persists, you can get professional help.

Leak in the Valves

1. Turn off the hot tub.
2. Unscrew the valve’s bolts to check the condition of the gasket.
3. If the gasket is still in good condition, ensure to install it properly. Otherwise, replace it with a new one to ensure the problem will not reoccur.
4. Reinstall the valves.
5. Confirm that the leak is gone. 

Leak in the Hot Tub Shell

1.  Turn off your hot tub and drain the water.
2. Drill two small holes at the end of the crack where the leak is coming from to prevent the crack from spreading.
3. Lightly sand the area and apply an acrylic putty to fill the hole. 
4. Lightly sand the area again and repaint it with a matching color.
5. Refill the hot tub and start relaxing again. 

Leak in the Plumbing 

1. Turn off the tub and drain the water.
2. Remove the foam insulation that surrounds the faulty pipe.
3. Cut the portion of the faulty pipe.
4. Install a new pipe using couplers. Ensure that the ends fit perfectly.
5. Seal the couplers with PVC cement. 
6. Turn on the hot tub to check if the leak is gone.
7. Spray an expanding foam around the replacement pipe to restore the insulation.

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Hot Tub Leak Fixed Professionally?

The cost of professionally repairing a leaking hot tub can vary depending on the leak’s location. It ranges from $500 to $1000.

You have to note that the quoted cost may not include the parts requiring replacement. You will save a lot if you are confident that you can fix the leak yourself.

The leak may be because of a degraded O-Ring or gasket. It would only cost you the replacement part and effort to get your hot tub leak-free again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Finding a leak in a hot tub can be challenging. It involves checking all the critical components, including the pump, heater, lights, valves, shell, and pipes. A leak can happen when the O-Ring or a gasket that seals the water in these components is compromised.

Fixing the leak yourself is possible. It generally involves turning off the hot tub, confirming the leak location, and replacing or fixing the leak’s culprit. If the issue is so much for you to fix, I suggest you contact a professional to prevent more damage.