A leaking pump can case many problems with your spa. A small drip or any sort of leaking should never be permitted to continue. Leaking pumps can cause a humid environment inside the cabinet. This can rot out the frame and the floor of the spa.
Motors, circuit boards, and other equipment can become corroded and inoperable. Even a small leak on a pump can end up infiltrating the motor and resulting in the pump needing to be replaced.
How to determine the cause of your hot tub pump leak?
1. Start by removing the paneling that covers the equipment/pump(s) area of your hot tub.
2. Use a flashlight to find any pooling water or moisture, attempt to follow it back to the source.
3. Sometimes leaks only occur when a pump is running, other times only when in the off position. If you are having a hard time locating leaks, try to find it when the pump is engaged and then try again when turned off.
4. Be sure to check plumbing, unions, drain plugs, etc.
5. Once you have located the source of the leak, the location can help lead you to which part has failed.
6. Leaking at unions can be as simple as tightening the union. Be careful not to overtighten.
7. If you attempt to tighten the union and leaking persists, you may need to replace the O-ring or gasket inside the union. (Fig.1)
Fig. 1: Checking Pump Unions for Leaks
8. In some extreme cases, the union itself may have a small crack or damage that may be hard to see. If this happens, you must replumb a new union on to the plumbing. (Fig.2)
Fig. 2: Replacement Pump Unions
9. If leaking is found beneath the pump between the motor and wet end, you may have a leaking shaft seal. (Fig.3)
Fig. 3: Shaft Seals
Shaft Seals
10. Leaking shaft seals must be repaired right away. This is the leading cause of failing pump motors.
11. In many cases, (especially if the pump is over 5-6 years old) replacing the whole wet end or the entire pump is preferable to making repairs.
Tech Tip
Inspect your hot tub weekly. Keep an eye out for any moisture accumulating around the outside. Every 2 months, open the cabinets and use a flashlight to check the interior and all equipment for leaks. Finding new leaks fast can help to prevent costly repairs.
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