How Can I Fix a Noisy Hot Tub Pump?

When I was using my hot tub yesterday, I noticed an unusual noise. At first, I tried to overlook it and just enjoy my bubbly soak, but after a while it started to irritate me so I decided to investigate the source of the sound. I soon realized that it was coming from the pump. This worried me as I was concerned that the pump was about to fail. I decided to do some research to find out more about what could cause the noise and how I could fix it myself.

So, how can I fix a noisy hot tub pump? The first step to take is to check for obstructions in the hot tub system that could be the source of the sound. If this fails to work, check the pump impeller for loose bearings is the next step. Low water level, a clogged filter, an airlock or closed valves could all cause the hot tub pump to be noisy.

A noisy hot tub can be wearing and irritating. In fact, it might even be annoying your neighbors as well as causing you to worry. Let’s have a look in more detail at what could be causing the problem.

What Causes A Noisy Hot Tub Pump?

Before you can fix a noisy hot tub pump you need to know why it’s making a noise in the first place. There are various different noises that a hot tub pump can make, although the most common are humming and grinding sounds. Depending on the sound that your hot tub pump is making, the cause can be something different and the various causes must be investigated in order to resolve the problem.

Humming hot tub pump – If your pump is making a loud, humming sound but the pump is still functioning, the chances are that the fix is a relatively simple one since the cause is likely to be a fairly obvious one. An airlock in your hot tub system is one of the most common causes of a humming yet still working spa pump.

This may occur if you haven’t drained the hot tub correctly and tiny pockets of air have become trapped in the pipes of the tub. When an air pocket is present, the pump cannot push water effectively and, if allowed to continue in this way, eventually the pump could break. You need to purge air pockets in order to return the pump to full working order and to get rid of the irritating humming.

If your pump is humming but isn’t functioning, there could be more serious causes that need investigating. The source of the issue could be a broken motor capacitor, a break that needs replacing, incorrect input voltage, a lock-up in the motor shaft or a leaking mechanical seal.

Screeching/grinding hot tub pump – If your hot tub pump is making a loud screeching or grinding sound, the source of the problem is probably a different one. It’s likely that the culprit is the bearings in the motor which could be wearing out. It may also indicate an obstruction somewhere inside the system which would need to be cleared.

Whatever the cause of the noise, it’s extremely important to investigate what is making the pump so loud and to take steps to rectify the issue. If you continue to use your hot tub despite the loud sound, not only will your soak be disturbed, but you could end up with a broken pump that requires a complete replacement.

How Can I Fix An Airlock In a Hot Tub System?

If your hot tub is making a humming sound, the chances are that there is an airlock somewhere inside the system. Fortunately, this is a relatively simple fix that you can often carry out yourself.

Make sure you’ve switched off the power to your hot tub at the mains before you start working on the system. Take the filter out and make sure that nothing has been sucked into its housing. Next, find the pump then loosen its collar. You can do this with pliers, channel locks, or a screwdriver and hammer. Make sure to take extra care though that you don’t accidentally cause damage to the pipes or overtighten the union through the application of excess force.

This measure will release the trapped air and, hopefully, eliminate the noise from the pump. Before you replace the filter, switch on your hot tub then allow it to run for 5 minutes before replacing the cleaned filter and running the tub as normal. This will ensure that the airlock has gone.

Has My Hot Tub Pump Seized Up Due To A Blockage?

If there isn’t an airlock in your hot tub’s system, it’s possible that the pump has completely seized up. If this has occurred, there will be other symptoms alongside the humming or buzzing sound that you can hear. Not only will your pump be noisy but the tub won’t heat up or circulate and there may be an error code on the control panel.

Commonly, hot tub pumps seize up because there is debris or foreign objects trapped somewhere inside the system. To check whether a blockage is the cause of your hot tub pump seizing up, you need to follow these steps:

• Check your system’s ideal pressure in your owner’s manual then switch on the tub’s filter system and look for the indicated pressure on the gauge. If the reading is much higher than it should be, this is an indicator that there is an obstruction somewhere in the system.
• Switch the filtration system off and switch the breaker off too so that there is no risk of an electric shock while you’re working on the system.
• Open the filter’s pressure-relief valve so pressure inside the system may escape then close the valve once more.
• Take off the filter basket lid and lift the filter out of the basket. Check if there are any obstructions. These could include fabric, leaves or other debris at the outlet and intake ports in the basket’s housing. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers or a small screwdriver to remove the obstruction.
• Clean any debris or leaves from the filter basket then put the basket back into the filter housing. Carefully secure the lid then switch the breaker back on so that electricity can run to the system.
• Start up the pump. If it’s still noisy, the cause of the problem isn’t an obstruction.

Are my HoT Tub Motor Bearings At Faulty?

If your hot tub pump is making a screeching or loud grinding sound, this could be a sign of bad bearings in the pump’s motor. Over time, bearings go bad because of general wear and tear. If your hot tub pump is making this type of noise, it’s best to avoid using the hot tub until you’ve been able to rectify the problem since using a hot tub with damaged motor bearings can cause a complete breakdown that will be expensive to rectify.

You can check the bearings by taking the following steps:

• Find the bleeder screw at the pump’s front. Typically, it will be located under the outlet pipe which enters the hot tub. Switch the system on then turn the screw several times anti-clockwise using a screwdriver. Water should start spraying out of the bleeder. When this happens, close the screw. Should the noise continue, check the impeller.
• Switch the filter system off as well as the breaker. Open the filter’s pressure-relief valve so that any pressure inside the system can escape before closing the valve once more.
• Open up the ring nut where the filter’s outlet pipe is attached to the pump with a pair of adjustable pliers. Carefully, move the pipe’s end to the side and loosen up the bolts which secure the pump’s cover before removing them.
• Take off the cover and put it to one side before pulling the cover gasket off the pump’s face. Take the impeller off, sliding it by hand off the pump’s shaft.
• Inspect the impeller’s blades. If they look undamaged, it’s likely there is damage to the bearings and you’ll need to arrange for the pump to be serviced by a professional hot tub engineer. On the other hand, if the blade’s ends are badly pitted or if the blade itself is broken, it will need to be replaced. Again, a professional engineer can do this for you.

What Are The Other Causes Of A Noisy Hot Tub Pump?

Although the above causes are the most common for your hot tub pump to be noisy, there are some other potential causes that could be the reason for the irritating sound you can hear. These are all relatively simple fixes.

One reason is that the water level in your tub is too low. Spas have to be filled up to a specific level in order to work properly. The water has to cover both the filter housing and the jets if the system is to function correctly. Some models even feature a sticker inside them which shows the level to which the water has to be filled.

Should the water level not be high enough, air can get sucked into the spa pump and this can result in an airlock which makes the pump noisy. You can follow the steps outlined above to release an airlock in the system before topping the water back up to the correct level.

Another reason for a noisy pump which can easily be fixed is a dirty filter. Keeping the filter of your spa tub clean is vital for a number of reasons, not least because it can help to keep your pump working properly for longer. If the filter is dirty, water flow can be restricted and the pump will be put under excess pressure. This is what causes the noise. Clean the filter regularly, rinsing it in clean water and using filter cleaner so that any trapped stubborn dirt can be effectively removed. This should resolve the issue.

One further problem that could be causing the pump noise is a closed air valve. Hot tubs have air valves so that you can control the amount of pressure that comes from the jets. If you open the air valves, more air is added to the jets and therefore, you’ll feel more pressure. If noise is occurring whenever your hot tub runs, there may be restricted air flow because of a trapped air jet. Making sure that they’re all completely open could resolve the issue.

As you can see, there are many reasons why your pump may be making an unwanted noise, so you will need to determine the cause so that you can fix the issue. Check the pump before you do anything else, remove any debris from the system, check the impeller and tighten up any loose screws or nuts on the pump then check to see if the noise has resolved itself. If the pump is still very noisy, you should call out a professional hot tub engineer who will be able to pinpoint the source of the problem and carry out repairs or part replacements on your behalf.

Related Questions

How can I stop my hot tub pipes from being noisy? It isn’t only the pump that can be noisy, your hot tub pipes can also make noises that you don’t want to hear. If you think that your spa’s piping system is too noisy, you can take some steps to address the problem.

Firstly, you can use some soundproofing material to insulate the pipes. There are spray foams available that have been designed specifically to deaden sounds. These can be used on the pipework to reduce the sounds you can hear. If the pipes are loose, make sure that they have been fully tightened or braced in place so you cannot hear any rattling and, above all, make sure that you’re using the correct pump pressure for your hot tub model so that the pipes won’t be put under any undue strain.

These techniques should reduce the majority of noises that you experience when using your hot tub, but if the pipes are still noisy you may need to consider changing your piping system from plastic pipes to metallic ones since they are quieter.

Is It Possible To Soundproof Hot Tub Enclosures? Hot tubs shouldn’t be excessively noisy, but there are some sounds that will naturally occur due to the fact that your hot tub has moving parts. Luckily, there are ways that you can reduce the noise that your spa produces.

One option is to put some insulation inside your hot tub. Fibreglass is an ideal material to use and if you opt for boards or panels, they can easily be cut to size and fixed to the hot tub’s underside and side panels. You can also soundproof the motor itself by making a box to fit over it and muffle its sounds.

Make sure, though, you don’t make the box too tight since air must circulate around the motor to avoid overheating. The box can be made from fibreglass too which has been cut to size and taped with construction seaming tape with acoustical caulk inside it.

You should also consider the surface on which you’ve placed your hot tub. For example, if yours is on a wooden surface such as decking, this could be causing the sound of the pump to amplify due to vibrations. You can reduce the noise caused by these vibrations by placing a hot tub mat beneath the tub to absorb them. You can also set up a privacy screen around your hot tub which will reduce the level of noise that you can hear outside the immediate area of the tub.

How long will a hot tub pump last and can I make mine last longer? If your hot tub pump is noisy, it may have reached the end of its useful lifespan and may require replacement. The average hot tub pump is designed to last for a period of between 5 and 10 years. Nevertheless, there are ways to prolong the lifespan of any spa pump.

Firstly, you can carry out regular maintenance to ensure there is no build up of scale that could cause damage to the pump. Make sure that the water has been correctly sanitised so that the pump doesn’t have to overexert itself, and make sure the tub is kept free of any debris and dirt as this could block the motor and prevent it from functioning properly.

Blockages that are allowed to persist over time will probably result in a complete pump breakdown, so it’s important to take steps quickly to remove them. You should always take care to listen out for any unexpected noises from your hot tub pump and check out the cause straight away so a rapid solution can be found. This will ensure your hot tub pump lasts for as long as possible.