A leaky hot tub requires immediate repair and maintenance. The good news is that every hot tub crack or leak is repairable.
If you have cracks or leaks in the hot tub o-rings, gaskets, valves, or pumps, repair them promptly to prevent significant damage.
This blog covers hot tub leak repair solutions, their causes, and how to identify them. It also explains different tips for repairing leaks in the hot tub parts and how to avoid them in future.
Let’s explore more!
What is a leaky hot tub?
Does your hot tub water level keep decreasing without any apparent reason? You might also see water dripping from the plumbing valves.
Whatever the case, your hot tub is leaky and needs immediate repair. Various factors, such as age, freezing, or ground movement, can cause leaks in a hot tub.
What causes a hot tub to leak?
The following are the major causes of a leaky hot tub.
- Damage to the hot tub’s parts or water pipes.
- Worn-out or faulty valves.
- Degradation of o-rings, gaskets, and seals through hot tub chemicals.
- Extreme cold can cause pipes and components to crack.
- If your hot tub is not installed correctly, it might develop leaks over time.
What are the typical hot tub leaks?
The places where leaks can be commonly found in a hot tub are:
- O-rings
- Gaskets and Seals
- Pipe Connections
- Valves
- Pumps
- Shell Cracks
- Jet Fittings
- Heater
- Ozone Generator
How do you detect hot tub leaks?
To detect hot tub leaks, you must inspect the areas where they are most likely to occur. Here is how to do it.
- Inspect the hot tub shell, valves, gaskets, etc., and look for apparent leaks.
- Turn off the power and fill the hot tub.
- Add food coloring to the hot tub water and check if the color is visible on the shell or in other areas.
- Use a flashlight to check for any water or leaks in the equipment area and cabinet.
What are the necessary tools for repairing a leaky hot tub?
You will need the following tools to repair a hot tub leak.
| Tool | Function |
| Plunger | Clears blockages in pipes and fittings. |
| Epoxy | To fill hot tub surface cracks. |
| Spa patch kit | For shell leaks |
| Silicone | To fix leaks around pipes and parts. |
| Foam | To fill more significant gaps and cracks. |
| Putty knife | For applying sealants |
How to fix a leaking hot tub?
Here is how you can repair a leak in different hot tub parts.
1. Repairing Leaky Seals
Most hot tub water leakage occurs due to leaking seals. Find the leak sealer, tighten the clamps or unions, and apply silicone.
If the seals need replacing, replace the old o-rings and seals to prevent water loss.
2. Filter Leak Repair
Here is how you can fix a usual spa filter leak:
- Locate the exact location of the leaky filters.
- If the canister is cracked or damaged, replace it with a new one.
- Check and change any old or broken seals and gaskets.
- Ensure all pipe connections are tight. If necessary, use pipe sealant to prevent leaks.
- Tighten the drain plug and replace the gasket if needed.
3. Pump Leak Repair
A faulty seal or a worn-out o-ring mainly causes a leak in the hot tub or spa pump.
Here is how to fix this.
- First, turn off the malfunctioning pump.
- Disconnect the pump from the power source.
- Disassemble the pump components and check the shaft seal, damaged o-rings, or loose connections.
- You should replace the damaged parts, and if the pump has too many cracks, you will need to replace the whole pump.
4. Skimmer Leak Repair
A leak or faulty skimmer can disrupt the overall function of your hot tub.
If you are facing a leaky skimmer issue, here is what to do.
- Look for cracks, damage, or worn gaskets.
- Small cracks in the skimmer body can sometimes be repaired with a two-part epoxy designed for underwater use.
- For larger or multiple cracks, replacing the skimmer might be necessary.
- If the rubber seal is old or broken, add a new one.
- Tighten any loose or leaking pipe connections.
5. Hot Tub Jets Leak Repair
Hot tub jets expel water with intense pressure onto the user’s body, providing a soothing water massage.
A hot tub isn’t complete without jets. If there is any issue with the jets, you need to repair it instantly.
Follow the tips below to learn how to do it more effectively.
- Remove the jet carefully.
- Check the jet body, gasket, and threads for damage or wear.
- Thoroughly clean the jet and remove any debris or old sealant.
- If the gasket is damaged, replace it with a new one.
- Apply waterproof silicone sealant around the jet’s base.
- Lastly, reinstall the jet and tighten it securely.
6. Shell Leak Repair
Hot tub shells may also leak due to age, maintenance conditions, and material.
Here is how to repair a leak in the hot tub or spa shell.
- Small cracks can often be repaired with acrylic repair kits. These kits typically include resin, hardener, and sandpaper.
- For any significant damage, professional repair or replacement might be necessary.
- A specialist should assess the situation to determine if underlying structural problems have caused the leak.
7. Fitting Leak Repair
The following tips will help you repair any leak in the fitting.
- Isolate the leaking part to prevent water from flowing.
- Clean the area around the leak thoroughly to remove any debris or contaminants.
- Apply a leak sealant or Teflon tape on the cracked area for minor leaks.
- If the fitting is damaged beyond repair, replace it with a new one.
- If a worn gasket causes the leak, replace it with a new one.
8. Hot Tub Plumbing Leak Repair
Here is how to repair hot tub or spa plumbing leaks:
- Turn off power to the spa and drain the water to access the leak.
- Locate the leak by inspecting the spa plumbing for cracks or damage.
- Tighten loose fittings in the spa plumbing to fix minor leaks.
- Apply sealant to small cracks or gaps in the plumbing joints.
- Replace damaged parts like hoses, pipes, or fittings.
- Test the repair by refilling the hot tub and checking for any remaining leaks.
9. Hot Tub or Spa Light Repair
Follow the tips below to fix a hot tub light:
- Turn off the hot tub or spa power.
- Carefully remove the light fixture from the hot tub or spa.
- Check if the bulb is burned out or damaged.
- If necessary, replace it with a new bulb from a spa light kit.
- Inspect the wiring for any loose connections or damage.
- Reconnect the light fixture, turn the power back on, and test the light.
- If the light still doesn’t work, consider replacing the entire fixture with a new one from a spa light kit
How do I prevent hot tub leaks in the future?
Timely hot tub servicing and maintenance saves you from future damages and costly repairs.
Promptly repairing minor cracks or other issues in the hot tub shell, equipment, and other parts can ensure an uninterrupted hydrotherapy at your home.
Here is how you can avoid future hot tub leaks.
- Keep the water level right. Too little water can hurt the pump.
- Check for broken parts.
- Fix things that are loose and change parts that are damaged.
- Examine the shell for cracks or areas where water might be seeping out.
- Proper water balance helps prevent damage to the hot tub’s components. Monitor pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels using test strips or a digital meter.
- Dirty filters can restrict water flow and put extra strain on the pump.
What are the most common hot tub leak issues?
The most common leaks occur due to rubber O-rings, seals, gaskets and freeze damage.
Is it safe to use a leaking hot tub?
There are no safety concerns related to a leaking hot tub. However, you will need more water and maintenance chemicals than usual.
Wrapping Up
The hot tub requires routine maintenance and inspection. A neglected or old hot tub may experience leakage or other equipment issues that must be addressed immediately.
A crack or leak may drain the hot tub water, causing more chemical demand.
Find the exact location of the crack or leak and repair or replace the faulty area accordingly.
Minor hot tub repairs are DIYable, but calling Silverline Pools will save you money and time for any extensive damages.
