Sounds like a hot tub air lock. And no, we’re not talking about the air lock you’d find on a spaceship. You’ve got air in the plumbing lines. But that’s OK, because we’ve got a line on how to fix it so you can get back to soaking without all the swearing.

What Is a Hot Tub Air Lock?

To understand why your spa isn’t working, you first need to understand how it’s supposed to work. Very simply:

• The tub is full of water, and the water line is above the skimmer.
• The pump is on.
• The part of the hot tub pump called the impeller pulls water from the tub via the skimmer.
• The water passes through the filter and on to the pump.
• The water passes through the pump and is pushed into lines that lead to the hot tub jets.
• Water is pushed back into the hot tub via the jets, and continues to circulate through this process, as long as the pump is running.

If you turn on the pump, but little to no water comes out of the jets, you have a hot tub air lock.

The most likely time for this to happen is when you drain and clean your hot tub every quarter. You do, right? Right.

When you drain the spa, water doesn’t just come out of the tub. It also drains from the pump and the plumbing lines, which power the jets.

Then you refill the tub. As the water rises and reaches the jets, theoretically, it should run into the jets and refill the lines as well. But that doesn’t always happen.

Instead, the air that has replaced the water in the pump and jet lines creates a block, preventing the water from running into the lines. It’s a power struggle between air and water, and air often wins this one.

Once the hot tub is refilled and you turn the jets on, there’s no water in the pump or the lines, so there’s no water for the jets to push into the tub. This is bad because the water isn’t circulating the way it should.

But it’s really bad because you never want to run a pump with no water in it. Pumps are made to function with water. Without it, the pump’s motor could burn up, and it’ll cost you money to either repair or replace it.

But before it even gets to that point, you can easily fix a hot tub air lock yourself. All you have to do is prime the pump.

1. Burp Your Hot Tub Jets

Let’s start with the easiest of two methods. With just a few pushes of a few buttons, you can quickly fix a hot tub air lock. You won’t even need any tools for this one.

1. Find the priming mode on the control panel if your spa has one. If it doesn’t, that’s OK; you can still use this method.
2. Turn the jets on low for 10 to 20 seconds.
3. Switch the jets to high for another 10 to 20 seconds.
4. Repeat until the jets are working without any gurgling or air bubbles.

This is an easy fix, but it doesn’t always work. If, after trying this three or four times, the air lock still isn’t resolved, stop the procedure to avoid damaging the pump, and try the next fix.

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2. Expel The Air Directly From Your Hot Tub Pump

If burping the spa didn’t work, you can use the pump’s bleeder valve to expel the air and relieve the hot tub air lock.

You may need a couple of tools for this one:

• Screwdriver
• Angled tongue-and-groove pliers

1. Turn off the hot tub GFCI breaker. You don’t want to make accidental contact with electricity from your pump. Like we always say, electricity and water do not mix.
2. Open the access panel in the hot tub’s cabinet. You may need the screwdriver for this.
3. Locate the pump, and close the gate valve on the discharge side.
4. Slowly turn the bleeder valve until you hear air hissing out. You may need the pliers for this.
5. Once the sound stops, tighten the valve. If you don’t tighten it, water can leak from it and cause problems, so be sure to replace it properly. Note: A little bit of water may leak from the valve when you do this. That’s OK. This actually tells you all the air has been released. Just tighten the valve so no more water can escape.
6. Turn the breaker and spa back on to check the jets.

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More Hot Tub Air Lock Tips

If you’re still having problems after priming the pump, you can try a few other hot tub air lock remedies.

• Maybe it’s not air in the lines. Check for other things that can affect water flow such as clogs or leaks.
• Clean the filter. If it’s filled with gunk, water will have a hard time passing through it.
• Check the water level to make sure the tub is full. If the water level is below the skimmer, the pump may not be getting enough water.
• Don’t give up after one try. Sometimes it takes multiple attempts to clear a hot tub air lock.
• Never run the pump for more than 2 minutes if you aren’t absolutely positive it’s filled with water. If you see smoke, it’s too late. Don’t let it get to that point.

That oughta do it! But it still might not. In that case …

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Call a Professional

So this is actually the easiest method, but it’s also the most expensive one. But if nothing you’ve tried has fixed the hot tub air lock, or you’re just not comfortable doing it yourself, don’t hesitate to call in a pro.

Unlock More Hot Tub Enjoyment

We wish we could tell you how to keep a hot tub air lock from happening in the first place. But it’s just physics, and there’s no way around that. It will definitely happen to your spa at one time or another, or many times.

But now you know how to handle it so it won’t be so frustrating when it does occur. And as for the other possible water flow issues, just keep your hot tub clean and well maintained, and those things you should be able to avoid.

Happy Soaking!

The post How To Fix a Hot Tub Air Lock appeared first on Swim University®.

Your initial thought might be that you’re looking at a potentially expensive repair that will require an expert to locate and fix. While that may be true for some leaks, depending on your level of expertise and DIY skill, you may be able to fix some of the most common leaks yourself.

Find Where Your Hot Tub Is Leaking

The first step to fixing a leak is to locate it. Some of the most common places where you’ll find a hot tub leaking are:

• pump
• union fittings
• heater
• valves
• connections
• shell
• drains

This is by no means a complete list, but definitely some good places to start.

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Pump

Probably the most common location where you’ll find a leak is around the hot tub pump. Before checking the pump, turn off the power. Then look under the pump for leaking water. If you do find water, you check the pump seal first. If that’s the culprit, simply replacing it should take care of the problem.

If it’s not the seal, the pump itself may be malfunctioning. You’ll either need to repair it, or possibly replace the pump entirely.

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Heater

To determine whether this is why your hot tub is leaking, check the entire heating assembly. This consists of the heating element, pressure switch, sensors, thermostat, and all other components. If you find water leaking from any one of these parts, you’ll need to order and replace them.

If you find water leaking from many or all of those parts, it may just be time for a new hot tub heater.

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Union Fittings

Because they can loosen over time, the union fittings in both the pump and the heater are common hot tub leak spots. If any of these fittings are loose, tighten them by hand. Do not ever use a wrench to tighten these fittings. You may damage them, or the pump or heater itself.

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Valves

This troubleshooting will take a little time because hot tubs have numerous types of valves in several locations. You’ll need to inspect every one of them to ensure none of them are where your hot tub is leaking.

Knife valves, also called slice valves or gate valves, are used to block water flow. They consist of two halves bolted together, with a gasket between them. That gasket is known to often fail, so it’s a good bet a faulty valve is why your hot tub is leaking.

Some hot tubs also have ball valves installed on either side of the pump so water doesn’t have to be shut off or drained in order to repair the pump. These valves are also prone to leaks and may need to be replaced.

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Connections

Check all the pipes, jets and plumbing connections for leaks. In some cases, all you’ll need to do is tighten the connections or reseal them.

If you find that a jet is leaking, it’s most often a failing gasket. Replacing it should stop the leak. Check with the hot tub manufacturer to learn what type of gasket to buy.

You may also find a crack or even a hole in one or more of the PVC pipes. In that case, you can use a plastic repair kit to seal those breaches. This material hardens and is actually stronger than the PVC itself. Depending on the extent of the damage, though, it may be better to just replace the pipe altogether.

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Hot Tub Shell

Because they’re usually made of strong fiberglass combined with other layers, it’s not often that a shell will be the source of a hot tub leak. In most cases, it’s actually a problem with one of the jets or other components that attach to the shell, and not the shell itself.

If your hot tub is leaking through the shell, though, a plastic repair kit will do the trick there as well.

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Other Leak Detection Methods

If you’ve inspected all of these components and still can’t track down the leak, try putting leak-detecting dye (or a small amount of dark food coloring) into the water, and watch where it goes. This can help you track down a leak you may have missed during your visual inspection.

You can also try letting the hot tub drain. Then check and mark the water level each day. When the hot tub stops leaking, you’ll know it’s just above the water level at that point.

Call a Pro

If all else fails, or you discover repairing the hot tub leak is outside your skill level, don’t hesitate to call a hot tub professional. They should be able to find the leak, and then advise you whether it’s possible to repair it, or you need to replace a piece of equipment.

Yes, this will cost more than troubleshooting a leaking hot tub yourself. But it’ll be worth it to stop your hot tub from leaking, and possibly turning into an even bigger problem.

Water, Water Everywhere

And not enough to soak in. If your hot tub is leaking, you’re being deprived of the spa experience, which is why you bought your hot tub in the first place. Don’t wait. As soon as you notice a leak, find it and repair it. Then you can get back to carefree enjoyment of your spa.

Happy Soaking!

The post How to Fix a Hot Tub Leak appeared first on Swim University®.

Don’t worry. You can easily do some hot tub repair yourself with just a few materials and a little hard work on your part. While you may think you need to call in the professionals, I’m here to tell you that you can do this. So, let’s gather what we need to fix those cracks and scratches once and for all so you can restore your hot tub to its former glory.

What You Will Need

Before we begin, gather all the materials you will need to perform this small repair on your hot tub. Don’t worry, you won’t need too much for this repair. Collect the following:

• Hot Tub Cleaner
• Soft Cloth
• Plastic Repair Kit or Car Scratch Remover
• Extra Fine Grit Sandpaper

They do make great hot tub repair kits perfect for acrylic hot tubs. But if you can’t find one in your area, many of the car scratch repair kits will do a great job as well. Just make sure you grab one that is made to be used with your hot tub’s material.

Once you have picked up everything you need for this hot tub repair, it’s time to get started.

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Before You Begin

Before we get started it will help to know what kind of material your hot tub is made of. In most cases, the shell will be acrylic with a fiberglass backing. Luckily, this is relatively easy to fix, as acrylic is relatively easy to work with. That’s one of the reasons it is such a popular material in hot tubs today.

Repair Cracks and Scratches

Fixing cracks and scratches in your hot tub may sound like something that should be left to the professionals, but truthfully it is easier than you think. Anyone can do it with just a little bit of time and hard work.

Step 1: Drain Your Hot Tub

Obviously, you can’t work on the surface of the hot tub if it is filled with water. Drain all the water from the hot tub and allow the surface to dry or use a towel to speed up the process.

Step 2: Clean Your Spa

The water is already drained, so why not give the hot tub a good cleaning? Take special care to clean the cracks and scratches to make sure there is no debris lodged in them that could prevent a proper patch job.

Step 3: Examine the Crack

Take a closer look at the crack or scratch. Determine if it is a large crack or just a small scratch before moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Small Scratch

These are the easiest to fix. Simply apply a little patch material from your kit. Let it dry then sand it down and buff it out.

Step 5: Large Cracks

If the crack is larger, you may need to use a rotary tool to grind the crack into a V shape. Once that is done, apply the patch material and then sand it down. Once it is sanded, buff it out so it shines.

Step 6: Clean and Refill Your Hot Tub

Once the patching process is complete, be sure it dries completely. Once it is dry, clean the area gently and go ahead and go over the rest of your shell while you’re at it. Then refill your hot tub and check the crack or scratch for any leaks.

Do You Need the Pros?

As you can see, DIY hot tub repair isn’t all that difficult. However, larger cracks can be a bit more problematic than small scratches. If you are aren’t sure if you can patch your hot tub properly after you get it drained, you may want to call in a professional to have a look before you continue. Remember, a bad patch can end up being worse for your hot tub than doing nothing at all. So, if you don’t feel comfortable doing it, call in someone that knows that they are doing.

Conclusion

Hot tub cracks and scratches not only look bad but can get worse over time if you aren’t careful. That’s why you should fix them as soon as possible. Overall, hot tub repair isn’t too difficult as long as you have the right materials, so you shouldn’t have a tough time doing it yourself. Once complete, you will have restored your hot tub to the way it was meant to be so you can go back to enjoying a warm soak in a tub that looks great.

Happy Soaking!

The post Hot Tub Repair: How To Quickly Fix Cracks and Scratches appeared first on Swim University®.

By performing this little bit of home improvement yourself, you can increase the value of your hot tub and, in turn, your home without having to invest a huge amount of money by hiring a professional.   Ultimately it doesn’t matter if you paint or stain your hot tub, the important thing is that choose what works best for your hot tub and what you think looks the best.

Why Paint or Stain

There are many reason for you to paint or stain your wooden hot tub cabinet. Some of the most reasons are:

• Improve the look of the wood.
• Alter the look of your hot tub.
• Better match your patio furniture.

Whatever your reason may be, it is important that you do the job right the first time. If you don’t, you could actually do more harm than good forcing you to do even more work on it in order to restore it to the look that you want.

Materials You Will Need

Once you decide it’s time to refresh the look of your cabinet, it is time to head to the store to pick up a few supplies. Below you will find exactly what you will need in order to paint or stain your cabinet.

• Turpentine
• Boiled Linseed Oil
• Painters Tape
• Drop Cloth
• Paint
• Lint-free Rag
• Rubber Gloves
• A Mask
• Protective Eyewear
• Sand Paper
• Hot Tub Cleaner
• Wood Stain

It should be noted that if you plan on staining your cabinet, you won’t need to buy paint, although you will need the rest of the supplies on this list. You can substitute wood stain for the boiled linseed oil if you prefer. If you are painting your cabinet, you won’t need to pick up the turpentine or linseed oil, as that can be used for the staining process.

Let’s Get Started

Now that you know what you need, it’s time to get down the business.  First, we must get the wood ready to receive either the paint or the stain.

Prepare the Wood

Before you can paint or stain your wooden hot tub cabinet, you need to prep the wood to receive either the paint or the stain. While it may seem like a small step, this can be the most important part of the process. Improperly prepared wood won’t accept the stain or paint as well meaning that your end result could look blotching or uneven.

1. First, wipe away the surface of the cabinet with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or debris that has attached itself to the wood.
2. Sand the wood carefully removing any of the old paint or sealant that is present on the wood.
3. Once the sanding is complete, spray the wood with a hot tub cleaning spray such as CleanAll, and wipe the surface with a damp lint-free cloth. This will remove any remaining debris and dust leftover after you sand the wood. Once complete, allow the wood to dry.

Staining Your Cabinet

Now that the wood is prepared, it is time to begin staining your cabinet. Follow these steps carefully and you can easily create a naturally looking wood cabinet for your hot tub.

1. Remove your hot tub cover and place it to the side.
2. Carefully tape off the top of the hot tub shell and around any other hardware on your hot tub.
3. Put on all your safety gear and get ready to mix the stain.
4. Using a large measuring cup, mix 2/3 boiled linseed oil and 1/3 turpentine. Mix them well.
5. Using a lint-free cloth, apply the mixture to the wood by dipping the cloth into the solution and rubbing it into the wood in the direction of the grain.
6. Add multiple coats to reach the color of your choice. Depending on the fade of the wood and the darkness you are trying to reach, you may have to apply as many as four coats to your cabinet.
7. All the cabinet to dry then remove the tape and replace your cover.

There are alternatives to using boiled linseed oil. Instead, you can purchase many different types of wood stain of a color that you desire. The process, however, remains the same. Just replace the linseed oil steps with the wood stain of your choice.

Painting Your Cabinet

If you have decided to paint your cabinet instead of staining it, all you have to do is follow these easy steps carefully.

1. Using your painters tape, carefully cover the edges of your hot tub’s shell and any hardware attached to it that you don’t want to accidentally paint.
2. Follow all the steps above to prepare the wood.
3. Once the wood is dry, begin applying the paint to your hot tub using up and down strokes that follow the grain of the wood.
4. Apply additional coats as necessary. In most cases, you will probably need 2 coats of paint for it to properly cover the wood evenly. In more extreme cases, you may need to add one extra coat to give it the proper look.

If you happen to be unsure of the color you should use, you could always paint just one small corner with different colors to see which one you like the best. These areas should easily be covered with the multiple coats of the color that you choose.

Conclusion

Remember, just because your hot tub has begun to show its age doesn’t necessarily mean that is has come to the end of its life. As long as the internal components and the shell of your hot tub are in good working order, your hot tub should last you for quite some time, no matter how bad the wooden cabinet is beginning to look.

With just a little bit of work on your part, you can easily refresh the look of your wooden hot tub cabinet and make it look like it is brand new again. Whether you choose to stain the wood on your cabinet or paint, remember to take the proper precautions to protect both yourself and your hot tub during the process.

Happy Soaking!

The post How to Paint or Stain A Wooden Hot Tub Cabinet appeared first on Swim University®.