Hot tub problems - and how to fix them
If you’re having hot tub problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but my hot tub’s not one … because I know all these handy tricks from Atlas Spas & Swim Spas. And now you can, too!Seriously, though. Today’s hot tubs are complicated pieces of equipment, and sometimes, things do go wrong. But with the right knowledge and maintenance, you can keep your hot tub running in top condition. Leaving you plenty of time to focus on all of those OTHER problems, whatever they may be.
Clogged Filter
Stay on top of your filter maintenance, and you’ll avoid a host of issues. After all, a clean filter is the key to clean spa water. Keeping your filter free of dirt, grime and other material may sometimes require a degreasing agent as the filter gets clogged with body oils and other residue. Removing this will allow water to again freely flow, and you’ll avoid water chemistry issues that could damage your pump and cover. Your best bet? Set a schedule for cleaning your filter, and stick to it. Eventually you’ll need to replace your filter, but keeping it clean will greatly extend its life.
Poor Water Circulation
If the water in your spa isn’t circulating well, you probably aren’t running your pumps long enough. You should run them one hour for every 10 degrees of temperature to achieve optimum flow. Plus, good water circulation means cleaner water, so this is important. You can also help keep the water clean by checking the filter regularly (see above), and wiping down the walls of your spa to keep biofilm from developing. One other thing that can keep water from circulating well are issues with water chemistry. If you have a pH imbalance, it can corrode the pump seals and this can affect circulation, too. So if you’re running the pump long enough but still having issues, be sure to investigate this.
Water Chemistry Maintenance
Speaking of water chemistry, it’s one of the most common issues with hot tubs - and it’s usually the easiest to correct. To avoid big issues in the first place, test your water often. 4-in-1 strips are easy to use - with these, you can quickly identify the issue and take steps to correct it. Keeping your spa water healthy is important for a few reasons. First of all, no one wants to sit in water that’s cloudy or full of algae, mold or bacteria (not to mention the fact that it’s dangerous to your health!). Second, it can also harm your cover and filters - and those aren’t cheap to replace. If your spa water does by chance get out of hand, don’t worry. Usually the issue can be corrected if you drain the spa completely and sanitize it before you refill it.
Line Leaks and Weak Jets
Surprise, surprise - or maybe not - line leaks and weak jets are most often due to issues with water chemistry. If the pH balance in your spa water is off, the silicone will corrode and weaken these components. Beyond keeping your water chemistry in check, you can keep this issue at bay by fully winterizing your spa before you close it for each off-season.
Tripped Breakers
Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and residual current device (RCD) breakers shut your spa off when they detect electrical current that’s flowing unsafely. Sometimes, they’re set so sensitively that they trip unnecessarily, for example, if there’s water in the ozonator. If yours trip, investigate. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that something is seriously wrong.
Malfunctioning Pump
If your pump is making loud new noises - there’s an issue. And it’s not one that you want. Broken seals, leaking water and worn bearings are also signs that your pump has seen better days. Pump replacement is pricey, so your best bet is to stay ahead of these issues with regular pump maintenance.
Heater Failure
It won’t come as a surprise that if your spa is having trouble getting warm, it’s probably an issue with the heater. It may come as a surprise that heater issues are often caused by … poor water chemistry. When your pH runs too low (under 7.0) for an extended time, it will damage the heating element. Keep on top of your water chemistry, and you can avoid most heater problems. You can also troubleshoot heater issues by examining the filter and thermostat.
Leaky Seals
Leaky seals can cause a host of troubles, from water chemistry problems to electrical shorts and wasted money. Replace old seals, keep your filter clean and replace old o-rings, and you’ll avoid most leaks - and save yourself a ton of headaches.
Circuit Board Malfunction
If the circuit board on your hot tub burns out, the repair will be expensive. Typically, though, it’s avoidable if you conduct good, routine maintenance on your spa. When the circuit board is damaged, it’s pretty easy to tell - you’ll see cracks, melting or even burn marks on the components, and your hot tub will generate error codes. Just … try to avoid this. Follow the steps above and keep this from becoming one of your problems, OK?As you can see, routine maintenance - including good water balance - is key to keeping your hot tub in tip-top shape. And as always, our service team is available to handle service requests if something comes up that you can’t handle yourself.