Spa Repair - How to Repair Your Own Spa or Hot Tub;
Part 2- My Spa Pump Is Not Working
A modern hot tub consist of a least one pump, and in many cases up to 5 different pumps. Most spas today have 2-3 pumps.
The spa pump performs the following functions:
• It circulates the water over the heater in order to heat the water
• It circulates the water over the filter in order to keep the water safe and clean
• It provides the hydro therapy functions
• It provides mist (if a mister is installed)
• It distributes ozone throughout the spa water
• It distributes the spa chemicals in the water
The pumps, being mechanical pieces of equipment, will be repaired more than any other piece of equipment on your spa . Most of the pump troubles and failures are due to the following reasons
1. Poor water chemistry
2. Failure to early detect signs that the pump is breaking.
What do I mean with that? Well, inside the pump between the "dry end" of the pump, the motor, and the "wet end" of the pump, the wet end, is a small ceramic seal. That seal is always in contact. And it is therefore susceptible to the condition of the water.
If the spa water pH is to low (below 7.0 pH) the acid in the water will start to eat on the seal. And if that situation continues undetected the seal will develop a small leak. That leak will be a trickle at first and very difficult to detect.
Slowly but surely you will start to see a little steady stream of water appear from the bottom (=you have trouble).
If you are able to catch the leak at this stage, your spa repair will most likely consist of simply replacing the seal. It will cost you under $200. But, if this leak goes undetected, your will most likely get into a situation where water is starting to leak in to the motor. The motor will then stop working.
The point of this story is; If you see [just a trickle| just a little bit} of water coming out from underneath you spa. Turn off the spa, turn off the circuit breaker feeding the spa and call you Spa Repair Company.
What can you as a home owner do yourself to avoid costly spa repairs?
1. Maintain the water pH in the jacuzzi every week. If you cannot keep that schedule, then hire Hot Tub Service Company. It will safe you lots of money down the road.
2. Empty, clean and refill the spa at least two times twice per year, more frequently depending on usage
3. Hire a spa service business that will come to your house once per year and do a preventative maintenance checkup. This will cost you around $100, but it is money well spent.
Warning signals to pay attention to;
1. Small trickle of water coming out from under the spa.
2. The sound from the pump is "funny"
3. The jet's areis sluggish
Preventative Maintenance WILL safe you money. Spa repairs can quickly become very costly