5 Common Hot Tub Problems and How to Fix Them

Having a hot tub in your home is an undeniable luxury. But when you decide to make this purchase, it’s important to be familiar with common maintenance issues and other problems that may arise. Staying on top of repairs can help ensure that you’ll be enjoying your hot tub for years to come.

1. Poor Water Quality

Ensuring that the water is clean is an important part of hot tub safety and sanitation. Test your water regularly as recommended by the manufacturer; chemicals may be required if the pH becomes unbalanced. Ineffective filters can also be the culprit, so take note of the maintenance schedule and replace them periodically. The good news is that this problem can usually be effectively remedied with the use of chemicals. Correcting the imbalance often takes care of problems with skin irritation, an unpleasant odor, cloudiness in the water, corrosion, and mineral build-up. If you have any questions about the ideal pH or anything else, consider asking a company like Robert Allen Pools and Spas for help.

2. Water Doesn’t Get Hot Enough

If you find that the water in your hot tub is heating slowly or not at all, a number of potential issues could be at play. First, make sure the heater hasn’t tripped by pressing the heater reset button according to the instructions for your model. This is quite common and simple to fix. In some cases, the heater element needs to be replaced, while in other cases a problem with the pump could be preventing the heater from running correctly. Testing each component with a multi-meter is a DIY method of diagnosing the problem. Other issues may include a faulty heater that needs to be replaced, burnt wires, a fuse issue, or a faulty thermostat. Another common issue occurs when the water gets too hot. This can be caused by running the jets for too long, or it can signify a thermostat that needs to be replaced.

3. Jets Aren’t Working

Problems with jets often occur after the hot tub has been drained and refilled. This is attributed to an issue called air lock, in which excess water gets trapped in the plumbing. It can be fixed by loosening either fitting on the pump, then tightening it again once the water flows out. If this doesn’t solve the problem, a mechanical issue with the jets could be to blame.

4. GFCI Is Tripping

A bad heater element, pump, blower or ozonator could all cause this relatively common issue. Unplug each component individually to determine which may be causing the breaker to trip. If none of those elements is the culprit, it’s likely the heater element which can be either repaired or replaced by a professional.

5. Leaks

A leak in a hot tub is a serious issue that can lead to substantial damage to your home and mold growth, particularly if the spa is indoors. First, check all the equipment to make sure none of the components, such as the pump seal or loose connection, is the source of the leak. Although it can be almost impossible to find a leak in some types of modern spas, it’s not always necessary to remove the hot tub to resolve the issue. Commercial leak fixing solutions can be added to the water in your spa safely and will fill any hole up to 1/8″ in diameter. In most cases, this is a permanent solution to water woes.

By being prepared for the most common problems that can befall your hot tub, you can ensure that this will be an investment in fun for your family and friends for generations.