Hot Tub Troubleshooting: 5 Common Issues and How to Deal with Them

We cover the possible reasons for breakdowns in detail and give advice on how to solve them.
By
Deborah Beams
Deborah Beams
Research Writer
Deborah is an incredibly talented journalist who's been working for numerous online magazines for over 8 years now. She's also our main research writer who can turn any bori read more
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Charles Eggleston
Charles Eggleston
Expert Consultant
Charles's been a plumber his entire life. Thanks to his vast experience we can always rely on Charles' expert opinion when creating any of our articles. He's also a fantasti read more
Last updated: August 24, 2023
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Installing a hot tub in your home is the perfect way to relax and retire from the problems of the day and reduce the level of stress in your daily life. These excellent units can be the perfect addition to any home, but knowing what to do when something goes wrong is important for hot tub owners. Professional hot tub repairs can be quite expensive. So, knowing how to solve common problems on your own can save you a lot of money. In this hot tub troubleshooting post, we’ll look into common problems and their solutions.

Issue #1: Water Leaks

If you notice that when you fill the bathtub the water level drops, it is because there is a water leak. The causes can be many. Check them out in the hot tub losing water troubleshooting tips below.

Hot Tub Troubleshooting: 5 Common Issues and How to Deal with ThemCrushed o-ring

Check the tightness of the pump joints if there are water leaks from the unit. If those joints have been too tight, the o-rings can become crushed and that could allow water to seep in.

How to Fix

  • To solve this simple problem, loosen the joints, reinsert the o-rings, and make sure they are not crushed or damaged.
  • Then tighten the joints but be careful not to over-tighten them.

Heating Assembly

The heating assembly can also cause the hot tub to heat up. This assembly consists of the pressure switch, heating element, thermostat, sensors, and other components.

How to Fix

  • Check the hot tub’s heating assembly. if you discover water leaking from many or all the parts, you may have to replace the hot tub heating assembly.
  • We recommend the BWG Careland M7 Hot Tub Heater Assembly. This OEM heater assembly comes with sensors and has a power capacity of 4.0kW at 240V and 1.0kW at 120V.

Joint Mismatch

Joints mismatch is not a common leakage problem, but if the pump unions have been tightened too much, the o-rings are crushed, allowing water to leak.

How to Fix

  • Check the joints and reduce the pressure.
  • Replace the o-rings, checking for damage.
  • Replace the joints avoiding too much tightening.

Crack

Whirlpool bathtubs are made of acrylic material, although it is very resistant, the layer is thin and a hit with an object can cause a crack. If this is small, repairing the hot tub is easy, but if the crack is very large, there is no choice but to change the bathtub.

However, to repair the crack in a hot tub, kits are needed. They typically include these materials: polyester resin, a hardener catalyst, a fiberglass mat, multi-grit sandpaper, resin thickener, protective gloves, a mixing bowl, and a stirring rod.

Prepare the components, work in a ventilated space, and put on protective gloves and a mask. Most kits come with dyes to change the color of the resin-based on the color of your bathtub.

How to Fix

  • Clean the area with rubbing alcohol and dry the surface.
  • Sand the damaged area gently and clean again.
  • Cut the fiberglass reinforcing sheet that came with the kit slightly larger than the size of the crack.
  • Mix the components of the resin to form the filler.
  • If necessary, add the dye at this time.
  • If the crack is in the vertical wall of the tub, add a thickener that will help the resin stay in the crevice without leaking.
  • Add the hardener in the amount indicated by the manufacturer.
  • Apply the filler to the crack.
  • Place the mesh patch on top.
  • Sand the hardened patch gently until the surface is level.

The video below covers most ways

Issue #2: Hydromassage System Does Not Work

When activating the hydromassage system of your bathtub, you notice it does not start. This is another of the most common breakdowns in hot tubs and it can be due to two causes.

Tube Disconnected

It may happen that the tube connecting the pulsator to the pump has become loose and the hydromassage system does not start.

How to Fix

  • Unscrew the push button.
  • Take out the piece and fix the tube that connects to the pump well.

Faulty Pushbutton

Hot Tub Troubleshooting: 5 Common Issues and How to Deal with ThemDue to the wear of parts due to use, the pneumatic or electronic pushbutton of the motor’s electrical system can be damaged. Fixing the hot tub pulsator is easy.

How to Fix

  • Unscrew the button that does not work.
  • Check the part of the damaged part, sometimes it can be the entire component, buy one of the same models.
  • Install the new button by tightening the connecting tube with the motor.

Faulty Water or Air Pump

The use of some products can cause breakdowns in the motor of the whirlpool. The pumps have a ceramic seal at the ends where the water circulates. If we use unsuitable products, the acidity of the water causes corrosion of this seal and causes damage to the pump.

How to Fix

  • Disconnect electrical power to your hot tub.
  • Take the pump out and check for damaged parts that can be replaced.
  • When many years have passed, the pump has a greater risk of breakage, in this case, it is better to completely change the part.

Issue #3: Error Code E90 on Intex Hot Tub

The Intex hot tub troubleshooting e90 is one of the most common problems encountered in the hot tub industry. If the error code E90 appears on the screen of your Intex hot tub, it is mainly due to water that is not circulating correctly, i.e., with too low flow.

As Intex Inflatable Spas have a water circulation detector, this will trigger a safety alert for the user as soon as it notices an insufficient flow rate compared to the standards provided.

Hot Tub Troubleshooting: 5 Common Issues and How to Deal with ThemCauses and How to Fix

The filter cartridge or the cartridge housing is clogged:

  • Unscrew the casing, clean the folds of the cartridge and the filtration casing with a water gun.

The pipes are clogged:

  • If the water in your home is hard, the build-up of lime in the pipes disrupts the circulation of the water.
  • It is important to regularly use an anti-limescale product.

The pipes are crooked:

  • If the connection pipe between the technical unit and the spa is twisted, it will have to be replaced.

There is air in the pipes:

  • Always turn off the spa when replacing the cartridge so as not to suck in air.
  • If air is present, it will be necessary to turn off the control panel and unplug the spa.
  • Reconnect the spa and turn the control panel on again. Press the button to reactivate the filtration and cover the water inlet with your hand. If the water does not come out, the pump makes more noise than normal.
  • Turn off the filter pump within 3 seconds.
  • Wait 5 seconds and reactivate it.
  • Repeat these instructions until water comes out and air bubbles come out of the system.

Issue #4: The Jets Are Not Working

Check nearby jets if the pump is running but jets are not working. If they are not fully open, rotate them to the left and see if they start to operate. If the jets are still not working properly, check for a clogged suction cover.

Hot Tub Troubleshooting: 5 Common Issues and How to Deal with ThemHow to Fix

  • To check it, turn off the engine and remove the safety cap.
  • Check for accumulated dirt.
  • Remove the dirt, and replace the safety cover.
  • Then, start the engine again and check the jets.

Issue #5: The Pump Has No Power

Keep in mind that the pump is at the heart of any hot tub and if it is not working, the bubble action is lost. If the pump is not running, the first and most obvious thing is to check the power to the outlet.

How to Fix

  • To test it, you just have to connect another device to make sure there is power to it.
  • If there is no power, a fuse may have blown or the circuit breaker may have tripped.
  • If the outlet is hot, be sure to check that the air tubing is firmly connected to the pump. If it is not properly connected to the pump it will not be able to work well.

When Do You Need to Call a Professional Technician?

Hot Tub Troubleshooting: 5 Common Issues and How to Deal with ThemIf all else fails, or if you find that repairing the hot tub problem is beyond your skill level, don’t hesitate to call in a hot tub professional. They should be able to find the leak and then advise you if it is possible to repair it or if you need to replace a piece of equipment.

Yes, this will cost you more than troubleshooting a leaking hot tub yourself. But it will be worth it to prevent your hot tub from leaking or developing other problems and possibly becoming an even bigger problem.

Hot Tub Maintenance: Tips and Tricks

You have renovated the bathroom by installing a hydromassage bathtub and the moment of enjoying the spa at home has become a routine.

For those yet to make the investment but are looking at the ability to maintain the tub by yourself, buying a good and popular product guarantees durability and the ability to troubleshoot whatever problem that arrives.

The benefit of choosing a popular product is you’ll easily find troubleshooting tips and tutorials online from users like you.

As for outdoor hot tubs, the most popularly purchased product online is the Coleman SaluSpa Inflatable Hot Tub. It’s a portable hot tub with a heated water system and bubble jets. It is ideal for up to six people.

So, if you are ready to start or continue enjoying those moments of relaxation and well-being, take into account some tips for use to avoid breakdowns in your hot tub.

Tips for Good Use of Your Hot Tub

  • Avoid using bath salts Trusted Source How to Use Bath Salts: In the Shower, for Conditions, and to Exfoliate If you have dry skin, stress, arthritis, or other common conditions, you may wonder how to use bath salts to ease your symptoms. We’ll tell you several ways you can create a soothing bath, and even how you can use bath salts in the shower or as a foot soak. See how well bath salts can help you unwind and exfoliate. www.healthline.com , their corrosive effect can cause problems in the hot tub.
  • Use specific products and fragrances for hot tubs.
  • When using therapeutic herbs, connect only the air pump.
  • If you use the water pump, do not add products or fragrances that can damage the mechanism.
  • Fill the bathtub with the amount of water necessary for good use of the hydromassage.

Tips for Cleaning the Hot Tub

Once you have achieved your dream of having a bathroom with a hot tub Trusted Source Hot tub - Wikipedia en.m.wikipedia.org , there are a series of measures to ensure that the hydromassage bathtub lasts a long time.

First, you should have it covered with a hot tub cover when not in use.

Cleaning a bathtub is simple. A soft sponge is passed with mild soap and rinsed. As time passes, traces of dirt remain embedded both on the surface of the bathtub and in the water and hydromassage jets.

It is advisable to carry out a more specific cleaning from time to time to avoid breakdowns in the hot tub. The quality of cleaning products is essential.

  • Fill the bathtub with hot water a little above the jets.
  • Pour in some non-detergent bleach.
  • Run the hydromassage bath only with the water jets for approximately 5 minutes.
  • Empty the bathtub.

If the jets are very dirty, you can rub each outlet with a toothbrush.

Refill the bathtub and turn on the water jets again, the dirt will come out immediately.

If you want to use a less aggressive product, a mixture of baking soda and white cleaning vinegar replaces the use of bleach, the procedure is the same.

A commercial hot tub cleaner can also be an option. One of the most used hot tub and jet cleaners is the Ahh-Some Hot Tub Cleaner. It’s ideal for cleaning pipes and dislodging gunk build-ups in Jacuzzis and jetted tubs.

If the metal jets are blackened, try giving them a gentle pass with steel wool, they will be shiny. If they are plastic or similar, make a mixture with water and white vinegar, rub and leave for a few minutes, then rinse and dry.

Final Thoughts

You love to take a relaxing bath at the end of the day to relieve tiredness and relax your muscles in your hot tub. Repair whirlpool tub

The benefits of a spa session at home are numerous and increasingly necessary in our day-to-day life. You should decorate the bathroom with a style that invites relaxation and good bathroom lighting to create the perfect atmosphere. If you don’t have a hot tub yet, choose from among all the models of hydromassage bathtubs out there, the one that best suits your available space.

However, over time, it is normal to encounter some problems due to wear and tear. The first step is to identify the problem. Many breakdowns in hot tubs can be solved by some of the hot tub troubleshooting tips offered in this article.

References

1.
How to Use Bath Salts: In the Shower, for Conditions, and to Exfoliate
If you have dry skin, stress, arthritis, or other common conditions, you may wonder how to use bath salts to ease your symptoms. We’ll tell you several ways you can create a soothing bath, and even how you can use bath salts in the shower or as a foot soak. See how well bath salts can help you unwind and exfoliate.
2.
Hot tub - Wikipedia
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