Pressure Leak in a Hot Bath
Hot tubs include a pump and pipes to filter , heat and recirculate water. In a typical hot tub, water is sucked in the tub through a filter by an electric pump, heated and returned into the tub under pressure. The pressure side pipes runs from the pump via the water heater, then in the heater into your water manifold that distributes the water through smaller tubes into your jets. A pressure-side leak could happen at several factors.
Pump Problems
To look at the circulating pump for leaks, open the equipment compartment. With a flashlight, examine the seals where piping leaves and enters the pump, along with the gaskets of the pump housing. On some pump models, you may replace leaky seals or gaskets yourself, however, on other models you must replace the whole wet end of this pump. Also check the marriage fittings on each end of the pump where the pump connects to your spa’s pipes. They could come loose. If you find a leak at a marriage, tighten the marriage by hand. Do not use a wrench.
Heater Inspection
The heater assembly generally is set up on the pressure side close to the pump. It can be a source of leaks. Water may leak from across the terminals of the electric heating element. Replacement of this element is the only remedy. Spa heaters also have pipe marriages where the ends of the heating chamber associate to the spa pipes. Pressure leaks at the marriages may require only simple tightening, or replacement of the marriage nuts, gaskets and perhaps piping. The heater manifold containing the heating element can start leaking under pressure due to damage from heat, heat or corrosion. Replacement is the only alternative.
Damaged Valves
The valves in your spa’s plumbing can be a source of pressure leaks. Some valves have a two-part housing bolted together about a gasket that may be the origin of leaking. If tightening the bolts does not stop the leak, replace the gasket. Some hot tub models have shutoff valves on both sides of the pump so the tub does not have to be drained in the event the pump needs repair or replacement. These valves are a frequent source of leaks. If these valves are leaking, then you can replace them with fresh ones or replumb the pump lines to eliminate the valves.
Jets and Piping
If you still haven’t discovered the reason for your pressure leak, check the jets, pressure-side piping and plumbing connections. Leaks at the jets can indicate a failed gasket from the jet body or wear and damage to the jet. A neglected gasket or a broken jet has to be replaced with brand new parts. Leaks from pipes usually happen where pipes link to one another. If the leak is at a marriage, try tightening the union. Leaks in plastic piping at pasted connections could be resealed with PVC glue. Minor plumbing leaks may also be repaired with liquid stop-leak products invented for hot tubs. These products are poured into the skimmer with the pump operating and seams removed and circulated for as many as eight hours.