Hot tub leaking

[blue8888]

I drained, cleaned, and refilled my daughter's 2011 Solana SX (285 gallon) five days ago. Because of electrical problems which I am in the process of trying to fix, it has not been powered up since the refill. Yesterday I saw that the water level had dropped to about an inch below the front left jets. Today the hot tub is virtually drained completely. It is located on a raised deck. The equipment compartment is dry. The only place on the deck where a small amount of water can be seen is at the drain outlet.

I am considering the use of FIX A LEAK (FAL) liquid to try to stop the leak before resorting to more expensive alternatives because I would not know how to do it myself and am a 75 years old geezer. The issues I see with this that I would like your opinions about include the following:

Any thoughts on the source of the leak?

At an apparent loss rate of nearly 2.5 gal per hour, 60 gal per day does it seem that the leak may be too big for the FAL to work?

I live in Michigan so should I wait until spring to try this to avoid freezing and poor curing of the product? The hot tub is one of the few joys that my severely disabled grandson has. It is not a problem until spring to add the well water daily from an inside faucet that allows it to be warmed up.

About no power the current plug is not gfci (outlet is gfci). I am replacing it with a gfci plug like the one recommended by the manufacturer (Watkins) but one for $20 by Superior Electric instead of the recommended one for $123. Does this seem reasonable?

Let me know of considerations I have not mentioned. Your assistance is most appreciated.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Where did the 285 gallons go?? Can you look under the deck where the tub is? Is the ground wet? Maybe you can fill up the tub with 25-30 gallons of water and look for the leak.

I would not use Fix-A-Leak … if it works at all it will be a very temporary patch that will just fail again at some point. It’s better to locate the actual source of the leak and determine how fixable it is.

Post pictures when you find it and there are a few spa repair guys on here that can give an assessment.

 

[blue8888]

Where did the 285 gallons go?? Can you look under the deck where the tub is? Is the ground wet? Maybe you can fill up the tub with 25-30 gallons of water and look for the leak.

I would not use Fix-A-Leak … if it works at all it will be a very temporary patch that will just fail again at some point. It’s better to locate the actual source of the leak and determine how fixable it is.

Post pictures when you find it and there are a few spa repair guys on here that can give an assessment.

Thanks for your response. I have to assume the water went under the deck through the spaces between the deck boards. I cannot see under the deck as it has vertical walls from the ground to the deck. Where else but through the drain could it have gone? With the drain pipe beneath the tub it would require raising the tub to view it, not something I would attempt. I will call a dealer I know and see what he recommends.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Thanks for your response. I have to assume the water went under the deck through the spaces between the deck boards. I cannot see under the deck as it has vertical walls from the ground to the deck. Where else but through the drain could it have gone? With the drain pipe beneath the tub it would require raising the tub to view it, not something I would attempt. I will call a dealer I know and see what he recommends.

Is the drain for the tub plumbed into a pipe that runs out from the deck area or is it simply a drain plug? Is there any way to access the drain from one of the tub side panels? Or can you get under the deck (by removing the vertical wall cover)?

Just trying to figure how you can easily view the drain area … no one would expect you to jack up tub to look under it.

Maybe you can post some pictures of the tub when you get a chance. Might be easier to visualize what’s going on.

 

[RDspaguy]

has not been powered up since the refill.

Has it gone below freezing outside?

The only place on the deck where a small amount of water can be seen is at the drain outlet.

Most leaks are in the equipment or drain. Did you use the drain to empty it? Post a pic of the drain fitting so I can see which one you've got.

am considering the use of FIX A LEAK

Don't. It's a messy band-aid at best. Works great on rigid pool pipes, as it was made for, but with all the movement that spa plumbing gets it usually just cracks out almost immediately. Won't help at all with a leak that big.

live in Michigan so should I wait until spring to try this to avoid freezing and poor curing of the product

Unfortunately, I am expecting to hear that you had freezing temps then a partial thaw, resulting in freeze damage. I would not put any more water in it until temps will remain above freezing until all repairs can be completed. Use a shop vac on each jet and suction to remove as much remaining water as possible, and disconnect the pipes from the pumps and heater.

the current plug is not gfci (outlet is gfci). I am replacing it with a gfci plug like the one recommended by the manufacturer (Watkins) but one for $20 by Superior Electric

You do not need 2 GFCIs on the circuit. I usually recommend using a receptacle rather than a cord-end. Make sure it is the right amp rating for the wires and spa.

Where else but through the drain could it have gone? With the drain pipe beneath the tub it would require raising the tub to view it,

Are we talking about the spa drain or a floor drain beneath the spa in the wood deck?

I will call a dealer I know and see what he recommends

no one would expect you to jack up tub to look under it.

No jack needed, but blocking up a spa is a common and often necessary method for locating leaks, especially low or footwell leaks. Hopefully it won't come to that, but raised decks allow for freezing along the bottom that you won't see on a slab, and give the water plenty of places to go that aren't readily apparent from on the deck.

Maybe you can post some pictures of the tub when you get a chance. Might be easier to visualize what’s going on.

This. If you think all spas are the same then you are mistaken. To offer any useful help we will need to see what you have.