Hot Tub Repair - How to Get Your Tub Up & Running in No Time
Hot tubs can bring a substantial amount of soothing relief, relaxation, and enjoyment into your daily routine. But when issues arise, they can quickly become stressful.
Hot tub repairs are inevitable. With their complex designs, various moving parts, and constant exposure to chemically treated water, there’s no escaping them.
The reality is you shouldn’t be facing issues too often, and if you are, it’s time to consider why your hot tub seems to be crying out for help so often.
Could it be because of your water quality?
Have you been skipping steps in your maintenance routine?
Issues arise for various reasons, but more often than not, it comes down to your water.
If you’ve been struggling with common issues and are looking for some easy DIY hot tub repairs you can tackle yourself, this article is for you.
Below, you’ll find a few of the most common hot tub repairs you can do yourself, five preventative steps you can take to reduce the risk of issues arising in the future and learn when it’s time to call in the professionals.
Let’s dive in.
Common Hot Tub Repairs
Depending on the issues you’re experiencing, there are some steps you can take to manage them yourself before resorting to scheduling a service appointment.
Many of the most common hot tub issues will come down to two things:
- Your filters
- Your water
Because of this, when issues arise, whether it be dirty water, temperature fluctuations, or even a sudden drop in water pressure, testing your water and checking your filters should be the first steps you take.
Now that you know where to start with any hot tub repair, let’s explore some of the most common issues and how you can handle them.
Low Jet Pressure
Nothing is more disappointing than settling in for a soothing massage, only to feel a weak flow of water coming out of your jets.
First things first, you’ll want to check your filters for any clogs or heavy debris.
Rinse them off as necessary, return them to your spa, then try your jets again.
If that doesn’t work, or you’ve changed your water recently, you may have an airlock.
This just means air is trapped in your lines and needs to be flushed out so your water can move freely again.
Follow these steps to fix an airlock:
- Open your jets, and check them for any debris that may have built up, cleaning any out that you see
- Alternating between high and low pressure, turn your jets on and off in 15-second bursts until your water pressure returns to normal.
If this doesn’t work, you can try releasing the airlock directly from your water pump.
To do this, slightly unscrew the fitting on your pump, listening for air to escape. Once you start seeing water come out from the crack you’ve created, re-tighten the fitting.
Retest your jets to see if they’re working again.
If not, it’s time to schedule a hot tub repair appointment.
A Loud Pump
If you’ve recently noticed your pump has gotten louder or is making some odd sounds, you may need to give it some special attention.
Typically, when your pump starts getting louder, you’ll notice it making one of two sounds:
- A high-pitched squealing sound
- A deep growling sound
If your pump is squealing, it’s usually because your bearings have gotten too dry. To fix this, you can lubricate them so they can move more freely again.
This should result in your pump returning to normal.
On the other hand, a growling pump is usually a signal of low water levels.
To fix this, you’ll want to top up your water and inspect your pump for any potential blockages that may be causing the low levels.
Cold Hot Tub Water
While ice baths may have become popular over the last couple of years, cold water is the last thing you want to discover as you step into your spa.
Cold water is generally a result of one of two things:
- Circulation issues
- A damaged heating element
Circulation issues can be the result of blockages in your pipes, clogged filters hindering water flow, or your pump not working properly.
As always, you’ll want to check your filters before anything. This will immediately tell you if your filters may be the cause.
The next thing you’ll want to do is inspect your heating element.
Your element is constantly surrounded by water, which can result in damage over the years, reducing its effectiveness when it comes to heating your water.
This generally occurs from frequently unbalanced water.
If your water is often too acidic, it will slowly eat away at your element.
If it’s too hard, however, you’ll discover scale buildup on your element, blocking its ability to properly heat your water.
While heating elements can be replaced, it can be a difficult job, and we don’t recommend it.
Your best option if your heater has been damaged is to simply buy a new one and be more careful with your water chemistry once it’s installed.
Error Codes
If your control panel has started displaying error codes, you’ll want to check your manual to see what your system is trying to communicate to you.
If you don’t have yours on hand, your dealership should have a section of online resources where you can find the manual for your model.
Once you know the code, you can follow the troubleshooting steps included in the manual or schedule a hot tub service appointment if it’s required.
Some error codes you may see include:
COL or COOL: your water temperature dropped below your set temperature by 11℃.
OH or H-OH: Your spa temperature is too hot and is not safe to soak in.
SN-1 or SN-2: Your temperature sensors are not working properly, and you need to call your dealer.
FL-1 or FL-2: Your flow switch is malfunctioning and will need to be addressed by a technician from your dealer.
5 Preventative Hot Tub Maintenance Steps
How often you’re faced with hot tub repairs ultimately depends on how well you have cared for your spa over the years.
If your water is often left unbalanced, it can quickly wreak havoc on your system, resulting in various repairs needing to be made in the future.
To minimize the number of hot tub repairs your spa will need over its lifetime, here are some easy preventative maintenance steps you can take.
1. Stick To a Routine
Maintaining a well-balanced care routine for your hot tub will ensure you’re giving it the best care possible and taking the necessary steps to keep all its working parts in optimum condition.
Some of the most vital aspects to include in your regular routine are:
- Monthly inspections
- Test and treat your water
- Use the right chemicals
- Maintain your filters
- Quarterly water changes and deep cleans
- Professional maintenance or inspections
2. Maintain Your Water Chemistry
As we’ve mentioned throughout this article, your water chemistry is significantly important and can easily cause expensive hot tub repairs over the year.
Keeping your water properly balanced and treated with the right chemicals is the best way to protect your system.
For balanced water, you’ll want your pH and alkalinity levels to be as follows:
pH: between 7.2 and 7.8
Alkalinity: between 80 and 120 ppm
Your sanitizer levels will depend on the type you use, with the most common being chlorine, which would require levels of 1-3 ppm, with three ppm being the most ideal.
3. Keep Your Filters Clean
Your filters play a significant role in keeping your water clean, and if they get clogged, can result in various problems occurring.
To keep your filters clean, you’ll need to include:
- A weekly rinse
- A monthly chemical rinse
- A quarterly soak
This multi-step process will ensure you can easily maximize the life of your filters (up to one year) and that they are able to effectively and efficiently keep your water clean and clear.
4. Don’t Forget Your Cover
Your cover protects your water from every outside element when you’re not using your spa, so it’s vital you keep it on any time you’re not in the water.
A well-fitting cover will also maximize your spa's heat retention, reducing the stress on your heater over the years and keeping your energy bills low.
5. Schedule Professional Service
Professional hot tub service is a powerful asset to your regular maintenance routine.
Small issues can quickly spread, causing extensive damage to your system and becoming more expensive to repair.
Including professional service, even once every quarter will help catch issues early, protecting your spa and keeping it in its best condition for years to come.
When To Schedule a Professional Hot Tub Repair Service
Knowing when to schedule professional hot tub service is essential.
Some warning signs that it’s time to schedule a service appointment include:
- An unexpected puddle around your cabinet
- Wet insulation
- Frequently dirty water
- Quickly dropping water levels
Additionally, if you can’t diagnose the problem during any other hot tub repair, calling in the professionals can help you find the culprit and repair the issue faster.
Most important of all, if your hot tub is still under warranty, have the professionals take care of it.
Not only will they be able to ensure your warranty isn’t voided by their repair steps, but they’ll know exactly what's included in your warranty, saving you money and valuable time.
Hot Tub Repairs Don’t Have To Be Hard
Some hot tub repairs are easy to tackle yourself, like dirty water, clogged filters, or airlocks in your system.
Others, however, require expert care from professionals who have been trained to diagnose and repair even the most complex problems, such as a leaking hot tub.
Knowing which problems you can handle yourself and when it’s time to call in the professionals can save you both time and money over the years, so it’s important to be well aware of any changes in your hot tub.
Hot Tub Repair Service in Victoria, BC
Whether you’ve been struggling with perpetually dirty water, want to include professional hot tub service in your regular routine, or need to schedule a hot tub repair appointment, the experts at Vintage Hot Tubs can help.
With over 40 years in the industry, we’ve seen everything and can easily diagnose and repair any issue you may be facing with your hot tub, getting your spa up and running again in no time.
Contact us at your nearest location today, or request a service appointment online to get started.