What Should I Do If My Hot Tub Is Leaking?

Hot tub with leaking water all around

Help! My Hot tub is leaking!

It’s not a great feeling realising that your hot tub is leaking water. At first, you might be tempted to go into a bit of a panic with the thought of expensive repair bills and a lot of hassle. But many hot tub leaks can be simple to find and cheap to correct. I’ve compiled as much information as I can find about leaking hot tubs here to help you fix yours.

So, what should I do If my hot tub is leaking? Switch off the electricity and locate the leak. Most hot tub leaks come from the pump, it might need a new seal or housing. Leaks from jets, unions and connectors might just need tightening or replacement gaskets. Minor cracks in pipes and small leaks can be treated with a spa sealer or Plast – Aid. Leaks from the shell can be repaired using Plast-Aid as well.

Before you decide to investigate a leak for yourself check to see if your hot tub is still under warranty.  If it is, then any leaks should be fixed free of charge by your hot tub hot tub supplier and it doesn’t make any sense at all to fix the leak yourself.

The only exception to this would be if there was a very obvious leak which required simply a union or connector to be tightened. Bear in mind that any other work that you might do on your hot tub could invalidate your warranty.  If in any doubt then call in your hot tub supplier.

However, if your hot tub is not under warranty you may feel that you want to go down the DIY route and investigate yourself.

Hot tub warranty reminder

Check your hot tub warranty!

How to find a hot tub leak

So far so good, but what about finding the actual leak? Very often fixing the leak is the easy part and finding it in the first place is like looking for a needle in a (very wet) haystack!

The first thing to do is to open the cabinet and have a look at the pump.  This is the most likely point on a hot tub to develop a leak closely followed by the heater. Check all of the visible components and also all of the plumbing that you can see to try to locate the leak.  If you can’t see it then we need to move on to Phase 2.

You have probably noticed that you have a leak due to the fact that the water level in the hot tub is falling quicker than usual.  If this is the case then dry up any spilt water around the hot tub. You can sweep up the water and towel dry the floor or, even better, use a leaf blower so that the area around the hot tub it is totally dry.

This leaf blower is a best seller on Amazon and will do a great job of drying out water and blowing leaves!

Water droplet leaking

Refill the hot tub and wait for the water level to lower. Hopefully, you will now be able to locate a wet patch on the floor by the side of the hot tub which will give you an idea of the location of the leak.

You will also be able to get an idea of how high up the leak is as the water will not drain below the level of the leakage. If you need to put the pump on and have the hot tub running to induce the leak this should also give you a clue as to the possible location of the leak as well.

If the leak isn’t in the equipment bay and isn’t easily accessible then you will need to remove the side of the cabinet where you think the leak is.  Some cabinet sides screw on and are easily removed, others may be stapled or glued on and you will need to be really careful when you remove them.

The sides are likely to be mounted on stud work around the hot tub so you will probably be able to work out where you need to apply pressure to prize them out. Take your time with this to avoid damaging the cabinet sides as much as possible.

 Once inside the hot tub cabinet you will probably be presented with a wall of foam and insulation.  Carefully pick out the installation with a large screwdriver again making sure that you don’t damage any parts of the hot tub.

Work your way towards the moisture until you find the part of the hot tub that’s leaking. Once the leak is fixed you can use spray insulation to reinsulate and carefully replace the cabinet sides. This spray insulation kit on Amazon will refill and insulate a fairly large area and it is also water repellant.

OK, so hopefully by now, you have found the exact part that is leaking. Here’s what to do!

My pump is leaking! Now what?

Hot tub pumps are especially prone to leaking as they have to work hard and as they pump the water the mechanism rotates around at several hundred times per minute.  These rotating and moving parts create friction and also heat and vibration. Pumps are particularly prone to damage if they are run dry or if there is an accidental airlock in the system and particularly to freezing damage.

If your pump is leaking there are three probable causes:

Leaking seals – The seals wrap around the moving shaft of the pump allowing it to move freely but also keeping it watertight.  Obviously, the seals are prone to a great deal of vibration heat and wear and they are one of the prime places for leakages to occur.  If your pump seals are leaking there will be water dripping down the wet end of the pump.

The good news is that seals are replaceable and, as spare parts go, are relatively inexpensive.  Each pump will have its own particular replacement parts and method for replacing the seals.

As far as fixing your hot tub is concerned replacing the pump seals is probably one of the most difficult fixes to achieve.  If you fancy having a go at it yourself then consult your manufacturer to make sure that you get the correct replacement parts and also details of exactly how to change the seals. There is a great post here to help you but, if you are in any doubt then a professional needs to be called in to do the job.

Leaking pipe unions –  Luckily this one is much easier to fix.  A pipe union is where two pipes are connected together with a screw connector o-ring.  Sometimes they work loose with the vibration of the pump.

Hot tub pipes with O ring connector
A not great diagram of hot tub pipes connected by an O ring!

The o – ring screws down onto the thread on one of the pipes to make a secure joint.  This is very similar to how domestic plumbing joints are made and isn’t complicated to fix. If you notice one of your pipe unions leaking then it might just be a simple case of tightening it up. 

If that doesn’t do the trick then try undoing it completely and resetting it and tightening again. In some instances, a new piece of pipe or thread might be needed or possibly a new o-ring. Again the spare parts will be cheap and this is a relatively easy fix.

Leaking volute or wet end – This is usually caused by cracking caused by freezing.  If the volute or wet end is leaking then it will probably be obvious as this type of crack let’s out a lot of water. Again you can buy spares and just replace the parts of the volute that is leaking or you can actually buy a completely new wet and if you prefer.

Leaking filter housing

If your filter housing is leaking there are three probable problems.  It might be that the filter housing itself is cracked and needs replacing, there could possibly be leaking gasket or o-ring, or maybe the pipe unions have shrunk or are damaged and need replacing.

Firstly you need to identify which sort of filter housing your hot tub has. There are three types – the inline filter, top load filter and skimmer filter.

Inline filter leaks – An inline filter is usually plumbed in between the pump and the heater and the water enters through the top.  Because it’s after the pump, the water will be under pressure when the pump is switched on which can increase the amount of water leaking out of it if that is the problem. 

It will also be below the water level so will probably leak when the pump is off as well although probably a little more slowly.

If the filter housing itself is cracked and leaking it will need to be replaced.  This type of pressurized container can’t really be repaired and replacement is the only option.

 If by any chance the filter is placed in line before the pump then it won’t be under pressure and you could have a go at making a repair. You can successfully repair small cracks with a 2-part epoxy sealant but anything larger then a small crack will mean that the housing needs to be replaced.

Filter housing and hot tub pump diagram
Pressurized and non pressurized filter housings

Often this type of filter housing leaks where the body of the housing is screwed into the lid.  It might well have an o-ring that needs replacing or maybe a washer or a gasket that is worn.

Check also that it isn’t cross-threaded and is sitting in good alignment. Sometimes just applying some proper o-ring lube will do the trick. Remember that the canister and lid are only intended to be tightened by hand so don’t start hitting it with a hammer or gripping it with any other equipment as you may damage it further.

Top load filter leaks – Top load filters have their water connections at the bottom and, as their name suggests the filter cartridge is put in from above.  As with inline filters if there is a crack in the filter housing itself then the best bet is to replace it.

This is particularly true if it is pressurized and after the pump. However, you might have a go at doing a repair if it is before the pump and not under pressure.  Leaking problems can also occur from the lid due to a worn a ring or gasket and o-ring lube will help too. Again make sure that did the filter lid isn’t cross-threaded and is sitting properly on the filter housing.

Skimmer filter leaks –  most commonly skimmer filters leak where the filter housing connects to the shell of the hot tub.  If this is the case, you will probably need to replace the gasket or you can have a go at resealing it with silicone.

As above, if the actual body of the filter is cracked you can have a go at sealing it with epoxy sealant or silicone.  If this doesn’t work, or the crack is rather large than a replacement housing will be needed.

Bear in mind that most hot tub filter housings have some sort of drain plug in them as well.  These are likely to be threaded and may have a washer or gasket on them. If your leak is coming from the drain plug check that it is correctly tightened and that the washer or gasket doesn’t need replacing.  You can also try using a thread sealant like Teflon tape.

Leaking valves

Valves are the little tap – like contraptions that you will find in the pipework either side of main components like the heater or pump. They are there so that you can shut off the water to an individual component whilst you replace it or work on it and don’t have to drain the whole hot tub of water.

In reality, they are a common area of leakage and, if you do have a leaky valve (which does in all fairness sound like a medical issue rather than a hot tub problem!), the chances are you will simply need to replace one of the gaskets on it.

valves in a pipeline image

If this doesn’t work then the valve itself may need to be replaced. Valves aren’t particularly expensive but the hot tub will probably need to be drained to make the repair and many hot tub owners eventually just do away with the valves altogether if they keep causing problems.

Leaking jet housings

Hot tub jets are yet another area prone to leakage. They basically just screw into the shell of the hot tub with a locking ring system and, most importantly a gasket.

Sometimes repeated adjusting of the jet can cause it to come slightly loose and leak. The gaskets are also prone to wear and become damaged over time. Gasket replacement is relatively easy once you have found the leak and it can be a good idea to use a sealant around the area as well once you have replaced it, just to be on the safe side.

Leaking hot tub pipework

Your hot tub will have a lot of pipes so, if you do manage to locate a leak you are doing a good job! In many ways, a large leak from the pipework is easier to fix and find than a small leak. Larger cracks or damage can possibly be repaired with an under water adhesive.

You could also try wrapping a pvc cuff around the damaged part of the pipe. Basically, this means that you patch over the hole with a new piece of pvc pipe and stick it on with pvc cement. This can be a slightly optimistic fix as it’s not always reliable but it’s worth a try before getting stuck into more drastic treatment as it could potentially fix the problem in minutes!

If you are unlucky and the cuff method doesn’t work then you will need to get a replacement pipe. This obviously takes a little longer but will be a much more secure and permanent repair.

burst and leaking pipes and valves
ID 158632427 © Olga Kurbatova | Dreamstime.com

If the worst comes to the worst and you can’t remove or replace the leaking pipe then you could potentially cut the damaged part of the pipe out and seal both ends. This will cure the leak but it will mean that you will lose a jet. This type of fix won’t work on pipes that feed any of the main components of the hot tub so just be careful what you remove!

If you have a small leak, or one that you can’t accurately locate, you could try using a Pool/Spa Sealer. This will potentially seal small leaks in the hot tub plumbing and shell although it won’t seal up larger leaks.

Basically, you dose the water with the solution, run the hot tub until the leak stops, drain it to let the sealer harden and then refill and carry on as normal leak-free. It’s vital that you remove the filters when using the Pool/Spa Sealer as if you don’t the filters will just clog up with the sealer and the leak won’t get fixed!

Leaks from the hot tub shell

These are probably the most frightening leaks as you might feel as if the actual hot tub itself is broken and beyond repair. The shell is, after all, the biggest and most important component! Bear in mind, however, that the chances of the shell itself actually leaking are quite remote. Modern acrylics are incredibly strong and the chances are that your leak is actually coming from a jet or other fitting rather than the shell itself. Having said that you can repair cracks in the shell with Plast – Aid. It can even be coloured to match so that the repair is not obvious.

Why do Hot Tubs Leak?

It has to be said that’s water is unpredictable and rather fickle.  It has an unsurprising habit of finding its way out of the smallest hole and seeking out the weakest points of any appliance or piece of plumbing. If you add to this the fact that water from your hot tub is often under pressure and is also been transported around and a large array of pipework inside your hot tub then it isn’t really surprising that occasionally leaks do occur.

So what are the main reasons that a hot tub might spring a leak?

Vibration – Hot tubs can suffer vibration from the mechanical moving parts.  So if your hot tub pump isn’t sitting properly in its housing or the hot tub isn’t seated properly on a level firm base then it’s possible that any vibration will be passed through the hot tub and through the pipework. 

Eventually, over time, if the vibration is significant enough or at the right frequency, it can cause damage to joints and pipework which in turn leads to leaks. 

It’s really important that your hot tub stands on a firm-level base.  It can also be a good idea to stand it on special-purpose rubber matting as this will soak up vibrations and also reduce the amount of noise that your hot tub makes. 

Hot tub vibrations video

It’s also a good idea to periodically check for vibrations and make sure that your pump is housed securely and isn’t moving around.  Check the mounting points and make sure that they are secure and any rubber or suspension mounting materials are in good condition.

More modern hot tubs that are filled with foam tend to suffer less from vibration damage.  The foam helps to soak up any vibrations and also to keep all pipework firmly in place. You might find that an older hot tub without a full foam filling is more susceptible to vibration damage.

Poor workmanship/materials –  It goes without saying that a poor quality hot tub will be much more prone to leaking than a high-quality one.  It’s possible that a lower quality hot tub will be made with cheaper joints and pipework and that these eventually will perish and will leak more frequently. 

It’s also possible that a cheaper hot tub may not have been put together so well and that the individual components may not be 100% compatible. Both of these issues could potentially contribute to leaks further down the line.

Age –  The older the hot tub gets the more prone to  leakage it becomes. Old pipes are much more prone to cracking and old gaskets become brittle and less effective with age.  

That’s not to say that an older hot tub is always going to leak though. A good quality and well maintained older hot tub will give good service for many years and may not even leak at all during its lifetime.

Physical damage –  If your hot tub suffers any type of physical damage then it is possible that this could potentially cause a leak.  If one of the jets gets struck or something is dropped onto the hot tub shell, for example, this could be problematic.  Also it’s possible that other parts of the hot tub might be damaged during repair if tools are dropped or slip in the service cabinet. 

Frost Damage – If water in your hot tub is allowed to freeze then, as it expands, it can potentially crack pipework and components. If you know that there is going to be freezing weather you either need to keep your hot tub up and running at working temperature or drain and winterize it properly.

Can I prevent leaks from my hot tub?

To a certain extent, there is not a lot you can do to prevent your hot tub from leaking.  However, it makes sense to try to minimize the amount of vibration as much as possible by standing your hot tub on thick rubber and also to check the pump mounting periodically as well as the mountings for any other moving parts.

Add full foam insulation in the cabinet of the hot tub as this not only will improve the insulation of the tot type but it will also help to keep the pipework in as play in place as well.  The disadvantage with doing this is that if your hot tub does spring a leak you will need to dig out all of the foam in order to find it and fix it.

It also goes without saying that you should try to minimize physical damage to your hot tub and make sure that it is moved carefully  and installed properly. If you purchase a good quality hot tub rather than a cheaper model you will also be rewarded with much longer and more reliable service. 

Related Questions

How long do hot tubs last? – This depends on the quality of the hot tub. Hot tubs are designed to be used continuously and cheaper models will last around five years. Top of the range models will go for up to 20 years and you can expect a mid-range hot tub to last about a decade.

When is a hot tub not worth fixing? – This will depend on your attitude to money and your need to have the most up to date gadgetry …… or not. A hot tub that is 10 years old or so, needs $1000 ‘s repairs, looks a bit shabby and has a few dodgy jets or you suspect will still not be 100% even after repair probably should be replaced. Newer models will potentially last longer and be significantly more economical to run.

However, you could theoretically use the same shell for decades and just replace the spa pack every decade or so, smarten up the exterior and buy a new cover to keep it looking spic and span. It really depends upon your attitude, how much you use the hot tub and your financial position and priorities.

This post was created by Andrew. Enjoyer of hot tub soaking, fine cheese, music and photography.

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