If you are hot sure that your hot tub is leaking or are sure but need to do a little homework before making a decision on the next steps, here are some steps to take:
1. Open your equipment area, run all your spa pumps for 20min and check for visible water pooling around the pumps, heater, control area, and topside massage selector and air control areas. If you have a waterfall remove the skirt panel closest to the waterfall and place your hand through the foam-filled area near the waterfall checking for moisture. Check your LED light fittings that they are tight and not loose against the spa shell by gently tugging on them.
2. If you see no water pooling in the equipment area shut your hot tub off and mark the water level in two spots on the spa shell. We like to use duct tape stuck to the spa shell. One near a head cushion and one on the weir gate assembly. If you don’t have a weir gate go ahead and place one near a head cushion at water level and one directly opposite on the other side of the spa at water level. Take a picture of both marks you have made for a visual reference for day 1.
3. Cover your spa with a spa cap. If you don’t have a spa cap you can buy one at Aqua-Tech. Alternatively, cut an 8 x 8 section of poly vapor barrier and place it over the top of the spa (it is ok if the barrier is touching the water but you also want some overlap of the barrier over the edge of the spa shell.
4. Install your hot tub cover onto the spa over the vapor barrier and lock the cover down.
5. Do not use the spa for 24 hours. After 24 hours, open the spa cover and peel back the vapor barrier at your marked areas and measure with a ruler any water drop at your marks and record this on a notepad. Also, take a picture so you have a visual reference for day 2.
6. Close and lock down the cover again for 24 hours. Do not use the spa for another 24 hours. After 48hrs open the spa cover and peel back the vapor barrier at your marked areas and measure with a ruler any water drop at your marks and record on a notepad. Also, take a picture so you have a visual reference for day 3
7. Close and lock down the cover again for 24 hours. Do not use the spa for another 24 hours. After 72hrs open the spa cover and peel back the vapor barrier at your marked areas and measure with a ruler any water drops at your marks and record on a notepad. Also, take a picture so you have a visual reference for day 4
8. If your water has dropped from your mark on day 1 fill the water back up to your mark. Turn on the spa. Close and lock down the cover again and repeat the sequence again in three 24-hour intervals for a total of 72 hours. Set your spa for 24-hour circulation
9. If your water has not dropped from your mark on day 1. Turn on the spa. Close and lock down the cover again and repeat the sequence again in three 24-hour intervals for a total of 72 hours. Set your spa for 24-hour circulation.
If your spa or hot tub is losing water and you cannot see areas of the leak, contact Aqua-Tech for the pricing to remove your hot tub from your home for professional leak location services. Alternatively, now might be a great time to look at new models and get into some hot water that has a full warranty.
Want some extra help or advice? Reach out at www.findmyanswers.ca
