Have you been topping off your spa more frequently? Noticing a wet spot around the foot of your hot tub?
An unidentified and untreated leak in your hot tub can cause a significant increase in chemical usage due to extra balancing needed from new water. Depending on where the leak is, it can also cause damage to electrical components in the spa. Fixing a spa leak can be costly and may be avoided by trying Fix-A-Leak first with small leaks. If the leak is somewhere in the plumbing and not in any of the mechanical components (Eg, pump and heater unions, o-rings and gaskets, mechanical seals, etc), this may solve the problem.
Hot Tub and Spa Leaks
- Determine water loss in a 24-hour period. Fill spa to the original water level.
- Immerse bottle in hot water for 15 minutes. Shake well before use.
- Remove all the cartridge filters.
- Pour the entire 8 oz bottle into the filter intake or directly into the spa.
- Day One: Run the spa for 4-6 hours alternating between the low and high-speed jets. This step requires supervision. If the spa has only one speed, run the jets in 15-minute on/off increments for a total of 4-6 hours.
- Day Two: Brush the bottom of the spa before following the same steps as Day One.
- Once comfortable the leak has stopped, leave the spa off for 48 hours to confirm no further water loss or dripping.
- Drain the spa after 48 hours as long as night temperatures remain above 40°F . Rinse and wipe down the sides with a warm soft cloth to remove any residue that may be present on the spa surface. If not done properly a white residue will remain. Allow the spa to sit empty for 4-7 days. The draining process allows air to get to the inside of the plumbing helping the product to cure and creating a longer-lasting seal.
- Reinstall filters, refill spa and resume normal operation.
Cold weather precautions
Do not use more than 16 oz of Fix A Leak if the outdoor temperature is near or below freezing. The draining method is not suitable for this scenario and the remainder of the product will have to be filtered out. Follow the instructions above, but instead of draining reinstall the filters and run all of the jets for 2-4 hours. Remove the filters and clean thoroughly with warm water while still wet to remove the product. The cleaning process can be repeated if necessary. The filters can then be reinstalled and normal operation resumed. This application should get the spa through the winter season. Another application may be required once the outdoor temperatures are above freezing.
