Whether you’re considering buying a hot tub, have been a longtime owner, or just purchased your first one, it’s important to be aware of the potential hot tub repairs you may encounter in the future.
This isn’t as scary as it may initially seem. No matter what you purchase, there is always going to come a time when it needs repairs. Some may be small, while others could be more extensive.
The fact of the matter is repairs are a natural part of owning a hot tub, especially when it’s been well used over the years. However, if it’s well-loved and you stick to a well-rounded hot tub maintenance routine, those repairs should be few and far between!
You may be wondering how to know if your hot tub needs repairs and what you should be watching for to catch them early.
If so, you’re in the right place!
In this article, you’ll find the most common issues, some DIY hot tub repair solutions, and how you can make repairs easier than ever!
How Do I Know If My Hot Tub Needs Repairs?
Knowing your hot tub needs to be repaired is as simple as including a thorough hot tub inspection as part of your hot tub maintenance routine.
This includes inspecting items like the:
- Heater
- Hot tub pump
- Shell
- Jets
- Cabinet
- Pipes
Often, issues with these components are easy to spot (or feel in the case of a broken heater)!
The good news is many issues you discover have fairly simple fixes you can do yourself, or you can schedule a service appointment to have it managed for you by hot tub professionals.
Many of the most common issues will be caught by your system and automatically notify you, making it easy to catch any issues your hot tub may be experiencing. If you have any codes show up on your control panel, check your hot tub’s manual to discover what they mean.
Others, however, will be strictly discovered by simply paying attention to your spa.
Some common signs your hot tub is in distress and may need repairs include:
- Foul smelling water
- Cloudy or foamy hot tub water
- Fluctuations in water temperature
- Changes in jet pressure
- Any strange or loud noises from your pump
- Changes in your water levels
- A tripped GFCI breaker
6 Common Hot Tub Problems and How To Repair Them
While there can be some more obscure repairs you might encounter throughout your spa’s lifetime, here are the six most common issues and the steps you can take to repair them yourself.
1. Low Jet Pressure
If you’ve settled into your hot tub for a relaxing massage only to discover your jet pressure is nothing more than a subtle stream or completely non-existent, you may have an airlock in your system.
This often happens after a water change, so if you’ve done one recently, this is likely the culprit.
Essentially, an airlock is caused by air becoming trapped in one of your lines.
Luckily, it’s often a fairly easy problem to solve!
To flush an airlock from your system,
- open your jets as far as possible,
- turn your jets on full power for 10-15 seconds at a time,
- Watch for bubbles beginning to come out of your jets,
- set them to full pressure, letting them run until your jets are working at full strength again.
2. Off-putting Water
If you’ve lifted your cover only to discover cloudy or foamy hot tub water, your plans to soak will need to be put on hold while you fix the problem.
Dirty water is typically caused by an overload of organic matter or chemicals.
To fix this,
- test your water,
- treat it with your water treatment products,
- add an oxidizer to your water to help break up any oils.
This can also be caused by dirty filters, causing dirt, grime, and bacteria to reenter your water as it passes through them. Clean your filters by rinsing them off with gently flowing water from your hose or faucet. Ensure you inspect them for any damage during the process.
If you’re unable to get your water clean, you’ll want to do a full water change and perform a deep clean of your shell and system before refilling it.
3. Too Hot or Too Cold
Keeping your water at the proper temperature is essential. If you’ve noticed your control panel is displaying the code COOL or OH, it’s a surefire sign there’s something wrong with your water temperature.
COOL often triggers when your water temperature is too low, while OH occurs when your water temperature is too high.
Too Hot
If the temperature of your hot tub water seems to have skyrocketed, there could be a few reasons why.
- The outside temperature has risen
- You have dirty filters
- Your pump is running too often
If it’s been particularly humid outside, your water temperature may have risen alongside it. To combat this, simply reduce the temperature of your hot tub. Try reducing it to 98°F.
You should also check your filter and clean them if necessary. Dirty filters can make it difficult for your water to flow through them, leaving it sitting stagnant and causing its temperature to rise.
Lastly, an overactive pump, especially during summer, can cause heat fluctuations. As the pump works, it produces heat, resulting in your water temperature rising. If the previous steps have failed to solve the problem, try adjusting the duration or time of day your pump is running.
Too Cold
If your water is getting too cold, it may mean
- Your heater is damaged
- You have an airlock
- You have a clog in your circulation system
The most common cause of cold water is a damaged heating element. Because your heating element is constantly surrounded by water, it can become corroded, or suffer damage over time, especially if your water is left unbalanced too often.
You’ll want to check your heater element for any damage and replace it if necessary.
If this is the case, you have two options.
First, you can replace the unit as a whole. This is the most common and easiest solution.
Second, you can replace just the element itself. This is a more challenging repair and should only be taken on if you’re confident you can do so without causing additional damage to your spa.
If your element seems to be in good condition, you can follow the above-mentioned procedure to flush an airlock out of your system to rule out this being the cause of your icy water.
Lastly, you can clean your filters and inspect your pipes for any clogs. Flushing your pipes with pipe cleaner during your regularly scheduled deep clean can help combat this issue and prevent it from occurring in the future.
4. A Loud Pump
If you’ve noticed your water pump has begun making weird noises, it’s time to inspect it for any damage. Generally, your pump will either begin squealing or making a deep grumbling sound.
If it’s squealing, it likely means the bearings are crying out for help. Try treating this first by lubricating them. If this doesn’t take care of the noise, it’s time to consider replacing your circulation pump.
If your pump has developed a deep grumbling or growling sound, it’s likely caused by a lack of water. This can be caused by blockages or your water level being too low. Check your water levels and top them up if necessary, and inspect your pump, clearing out any blockages that may have built up.
5. Consistently Low Water Levels
Low water levels are often caused by one of three things.
- Leaking pipes
- A crack in your shell
- A leaking water pump
If your pipes or water pump is leaking, it’s usually a fairly easy issue to diagnose. During your regular inspections, look for any puddles of water or dampness in areas that should be dry. If you discover any puddles, you likely have a leak nearby.
If you discover one, you’ll likely need to call in the professionals to repair it for you. This will ensure no additional damage is done to your system or connecting parts.
A crack in your shell, on the other hand, is a much more difficult issue to diagnose. Even the smallest crack can cause BIG issues, and they can be incredibly hard to spot. If you can’t seem to find the reason for your hot tub water continually having low water levels, it’s time to drain it and thoroughly inspect its shell.
If you can’t seem to find a crack or have found one and it needs to be repaired, it’s time to schedule a service appointment to have a tech inspect your shell and make the necessary hot tub repairs.
6. A Tripped GFCI Breaker
According to regulation, your hot tub needs to be connected to a GFCI breaker. This is essential in keeping your spa safe for use.
If your breaker seems to keep getting tripped and cutting your hot tub off from its power source, you likely have a damaged electrical part, such as your heater or pump.
The easiest way to diagnose this is by unplugging every part of your hot tub and plugging each one in one at a time until one finally trips the breaker. The part that causes it to trip is likely the culprit and will need to be replaced.
Be careful when doing this! If you’re not comfortable with this step, schedule a service appointment as soon as possible!
Do I Need a Professional to Repair My Hot Tub?
Hot tubs are fairly resilient and shouldn’t be causing you too many headaches.
If you find you’re struggling with regular issues arising or can’t seem to diagnose or repair the problem, it may be worth scheduling a service appointment. This way, a technician can come out to inspect your hot tub, test the water, and take the challenge off your hands.
Hot tub repair professionals, like our team here at Eden Spas, are a tried and true way to diagnose and repair your specific hot tub issue.
They’ll perform a thorough inspection of our spa, diagnose the issue, order the parts, and make the repair for you so you can get back to soaking up your hot tub benefits worry-free!
Better yet, some hot tub repairs can be made on the spot, ensuring your repair takes as little time as possible.
Scheduling a professional service isn’t only for when you are having issues with your hot tub, though.
When added as part of a regular hot tub maintenance routine, these professionals can catch problems early, ensuring they don’t cause further damage to your spa.
Additionally, they’re able to better help you manage your hot tub day-to-day, giving you suggestions based on their observations of any recurring issues or treatments they perform during their visits.
Professional Hot Tub Repair Services in Prince George, BC
If you’re experiencing hot tub issues and need professional service, Eden Spas is here to help! We offer a range of hot tub services, from inspections and repairs to full winterizations.
Our team of experienced hot tub repair technicians is ready to help when you need it, whether that be part of your routine maintenance schedule, or to manage the more stressful problems when they arise.
If you’re struggling with a stubborn issue, give us a call, or book a service appointment online.
Searching for your dream hot tub? Our showroom is stocked with the highest performing Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs that can transform your backyard and support your health with ease. Visit our showroom to explore your options today!
