How To Lift A Hot Tub For Repair

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Hot tubs develop leaks as they age and experience irresolute temperatures. Handling a leak may seem intimidating at get-go, but most repairs are simple to complete with the right replacement parts. The near common spot for leaks is the pump, which can be repaired or replaced with new components. If the pump isn't the issue, bank check other components similar the heater and the jets. Rarely, PVC pipes need to be repaired or replaced instead of tub parts. Identify leaking components and supplant them equally soon as possible to go your hot tub upwardly and running over again.

1. one

   Disconnect the power supply to the hot tub using a excursion breaker. Walk to the circuit breaker in your home, which is usually in the garage, basement, or some other storage area. Flip the excursion decision-making power to the outdoor area. If you have a plug-in hot tub, besides pull its power cord out of the wall outlet. Test the hot tub before continuing by trying to turn information technology on.^[1]

   • If you're unsure which circuit or fuse switch controls the hot tub's electrical supply, flip the main switch. The main switch shuts off power to your entire home.
   • Notify anyone else in your home that you lot plan on working on the hot tub so they don't flip the power dorsum on by accident.

2. two

   Remove the side panels as needed to access the hot tub's underside. The way the panels adhere varies depending on the model of hot tub you own. Many of them apply screws. Look for the screws on the ends of the panels. Use a cordless screwdriver to plow the screws counterclockwise until you lot are able to slide the panels off the hot tub.^[2]

   • Some hot tubs, specially older models, may take stapled panels. Pull the staples out with needle-olfactory organ pliers to remove the panels.
   • If you lot tin't become the panels off after unfastening them, try prying them off. Slide the flat cease of a pry bar underneath the bottom corner of the panel, then lightly pry the panel upwards until you are able to take hold of it.

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3. 3

   Bleed the water in the hot tub to locate the leak. Find the drainage valve along the lesser edge of the hot tub. Attach a garden hose, then open the valve to drain the water. As the water drains, picket the hot tub's underside to place whatever noticeable leaks. Also, note any spots where the insulation inside the hot tub looks damp.^[3]

   • Use the garden hose to divert the draining h2o away from the hot tub. Keep the other finish situated in a big bucket or another container to forestall the water from spilling all over your lawn or patio.
   • You may need to refill and bleed the hot tub a few times to locate leaks. If you're having a hard time, try dyeing the water with a bright nutrient coloring to make the leaks more visible.

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1. one

   Tighten the unions on the pump if they are leaking. Locate the pump, which usually looks similar a 2-function black cylinder with a couple of white pieces attached to it. The white PVC pieces are the unions that connect the pump to the pipes. Look for the ring-shaped components over the unions. Twist the rings clockwise by hand as far as you lot can to tighten the connections.^[four]

   • The pump, particularly around the unions, is the most common cause of leaks. If you lot experience water effectually the unions when you touch them, the unions are the trouble and need to be tightened.
   • Every pump has two unions, 1 for each pipe it connects to. The kickoff union is on superlative of the pump and the second is on the forepart finish. Remember to check and replace both as needed.
   • Examination the unions past draining more water from the hot tub. If the unions continue to leak, you may need to supplant them or the pump.

2. ii

   Remove and replace the unions if they are broken. To remove the unions, plough the ring connectors counterclockwise with a wrench. Each union consists of 2 connecting pieces held in place by the band. After loosening the ring, slide the union off the pump and plumbing. Supercede the broken component or the entire union with an identical piece.^[five]

   • Union pieces, along with all other replacement parts, are available online and at pool and spa supply stores.
   • Measure out the diameter of the matrimony'southward opening to get a replacement. The hot tub's pipes demand to fit inside the matrimony.

3. 3

   Twist off the terminate of the pump if information technology is still leaking. A hot tub pump has a dry cease that houses the motor and a wet stop containing the water pump. The wet end slice, chosen a volute, is taller and much thinner than the horizontal chamber with the motor in information technology. Wait for a modest commodities near the bottom of the cover to plow clockwise. After removing the commodities, plow the cover counterclockwise by hand to pop it off of the dry finish of the pump.^[6]

   • The moisture end of the pump is the 1 with the unions on information technology. Remove the unions start to detach the pump from the hot tub's plumbing.

4. iv

   Replace any cracked components within the volute. Inspect the outer surface of the volute, then pull out the individual parts. Pull out the cover, the large, circular impeller, and the wet end housing fastened to the pump. Check each office for damage, including the black rubber rings waterproofing the inside of the cover and housing. Pull out the rings as needed with your fingers or the tip of a screwdriver.^[seven]

   • The volute separates into ii halves. Bank check both halves for cracks and parts to inspect.
   • Buy an identical replacement function online. Most pumps take a make and model number printed on them, assuasive you to track down exactly what you need from a supplier'south inventory.

5. 5

   Remove and supervene upon the shaft seal if you don't see any damage. The shaft seal consists of 2 parts, and then look for one-half inside both the circular impeller component and the base housing attached to the pump. Pry the parts out with a flathead screwdriver, then measure their tiptop and diameter. Store for an identical replacement part to slide back into the pump assembly.^[viii]

   • Keep in listen that shaft seal models differ between hot tubs. One type of shaft seal is a tall cylinder of rings and the other is an exposed rubber ring. They are not the same, so getting the correct type is of import.

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1. ane

   Supplant the union gaskets on the heater if they are leaking. Find the heater, which is an enclosed black box on height of 1 of the pipes under the hot tub. A couple of screws hold it to the piping, so plow the screws counterclockwise to remove the heater. And then, use a wrench to turn the ring-shaped connectors at the ends of the pipes counterclockwise. Supercede the black condom o-rings on the ends of the unions with new ones identical in diameter.^[9]

   • If yous demand to replace a cracked or broken union, measure its diameter showtime, then purchase an identical part. Consider replacing both gaskets at the same time.

2. 2

   Get a new heater if the old one continues to leak. In rare cases, the heater may be the problem instead of an easily-replaced component like the gaskets. Purchase a replacement heater and fit the new pipe in place past threading it into a pair of unions. Screw the new heater to the elevation of the pipe, then begin attaching the electric wires every bit needed. Match the wires with same-colored wires in your home's electrical excursion, twisting the ends together and holding them in place with safety estrus shrink tubing.^[10]

   • Bank check the heater for a manufacturer's make and model number printed on it. If the numbers are there, use them to purchase an exact replacement. Otherwise, search for your hot tub's make and model online to detect identical heaters.
   • Electric work can be dangerous, so consider calling a professional electrician or hot tub installer for aid.

3. three

   Audit all of the valves around the pipes nether the hot tub. The valves, especially the ones around the pump, ofttimes come loose and leak. Most valves consist of 2 halves held together by screws. Push aside the insulation in the way, so plough the screws counterclockwise. Fit a new valve in place between the pipes to command the water flow.^[11]

   • The water valves generally look similar white squares of PVC pipes. They are situated all throughout the plumbing where pipes connect.
   • If you can, become an identical valve component. Measure the valve's diameter or take it with you to a home improvement or spa supply store.

4. 4

   Install new jets if the one-time ones feel loose or leaky. Dig through the foam insulation with a spoon or screwdriver to expose the jets. The jets look like white spouts on the hot tub's underside. Twist the jets counterclockwise by manus to remove them. Then, fit a new, identical jet into the groove, turning it clockwise to lock it in place.^[12]

   • Jet installs are pretty simple and don't require much in the way of tools, only consider spreading a little silicone sealant nether the new jet to waterproof it. Get a tube of sealant from your local habitation improvement store.
   • For an easy style to find a leaky jet, look for moisture spots on the cream. Follow the moisture toward the jet.

5. v

   Repair the frame if you detect cracks in it. Hot tub frames are very stiff, but they do cleft and leak on occasion. Utilize a tube of a store-bought PVC bonding agglutinative. Fill the crack with the liquid adhesive, then let it dry for at to the lowest degree fifteen minutes earlier filling the hot tub again.^[13]

   • Utilise a liquid adhesive so y'all tin can mix some waterproof latex pigment in with information technology to hide the crack.

6. six

   Tighten the locknuts around any leaking spa lights you take. Push the foam insulation out of the way to admission the lights on the underside of the tub. Wait for a couple of basics positioned on bolts holding the lights in place. Turn the nuts clockwise with a wrench until they begin to resist turning. And then, test the hot tub by filling it with h2o once more.^[14]

   • If the lights still leak, turn the nuts counterclockwise to remove them. Purchase a light kit from a hot tub supplier to replace the leaky low-cal. Employ your hot tub's make and model number or the light itself to notice a replacement slice.

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1. one

   Fill small-scale cracks in leaky pipes with a bonding adhesive. Purchase a liquid bonding agglutinative, and then utilize it to the scissure with a brush applicator or your fingers. Make sure the gap is well-filled before yous let the agglutinative cure for at least 15 minutes. The adhesive expands and solidifies over fourth dimension and is stronger than the PVC pipes, so it resists water well.^[15]

   • Bonding adhesives work well on hot tub frames as well as PVC pipes.
   • Great is rare in hot tub pipes, simply it does happen from time to time due to water freezing and issues. If you lot can't discover a problem in the hot tub'southward parts, check the pipes.

2. 2

   Place a repair cuff or compression coupling to block larger pipage cracks. These components are almost like bandaids for PVC pipes. Measure the bore of your pipe beginning, then get a repair piece that fits over it. If you lot're using a repair cuff, merely push the cuff onto the pipe, covering the crack. Fit the cuff tightly on the pipe to keep it in identify without having to use PVC cement.^[16]

   • Compression couplings are slightly more complicated only withal don't crave cement. Take the pipe autonomously, then fit the coupling'south gaskets on the pipes. And so, fit the coupling over the ends of the pipes to bind them together.

3. 3

   Cut out and replace broken parts if y'all demand a more than extensive repair. Use a PVC ratchet cutter or a like tool to disconnect the damaged pipage from the rest of the plumbing. Mensurate the pipage'south length and bore to purchase a replacement. Then, spread some PVC cement on the exterior edges of the previously installed pipes. Fit the new piping in place, letting the adhesive cure for xv minutes.^[17]

   • Cut is just recommended for extremely damaged pipes. The repair isn't too difficult to do, but using a bonding adhesive or compression coupling is much simpler.

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• Always plow off the hot tub's pump earlier draining it. Operating a dry pump is a sure mode to cause estrus harm and additional leaks all over your hot tub.

• If yous're having a hard time identifying or fixing leaks, call a professional hot tub installer for help.

• Hang onto whatever parts you remove during the repair process. You may need them to track downwardly and size identical replacements.

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• Attempting to fix a leak tin cause additional damage to your hot tub if you aren't careful. The electrical components in particular are tricky to handle if you're unfamiliar with them.

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Things Y'all'll Demand

• Garden hose
• Buckets
• Spoon or screwdriver
• Flashlight

• Cordless screwdriver
• Wrench
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Replacement unions
• O-rings
• New wet stop
• New pump if needed

• Wrench
• Screwdriver
• Union gaskets
• Replacement heater if needed
• Replacement valves if needed
• Replacement jets if needed
• Replacement low-cal kit if needed
• Silicone sealant
• PVC bonding adhesive

• PVC bonding adhesive
• PVC repair cuff or compression coupling
• PVC ratchet cutter
• New PVC pipage
• Measuring tape or ruler

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