Leaking Hot Tub? A Guide to Locating the Fault

In the event of a sudden or gradual leak in your spa, don't panic. There are some factors to consider that can help us address the situation, and a few common leak points you can check yourself before calling us out.

First, tell us about the leak

• What is the rate of water loss?

Is water gushing everywhere? Switch the spa off at the isolator and please call us immediately on 01293 824 094.

• Is it a slow drip that took some time to be noticed?

Please call or submit a service ticket online with your name, address, a contact number, and photos of the leak.

• How and when did you first notice any indication of a leak?

If you can obtain photos of where you first noticed the water loss, it will provide us with important information on what might be causing the leak.

• Can you investigate more precisely?

Even once we know a spa is leaking, we can't determine the necessary parts to stop the leak in a specific situation without your help.

Note: Removing the siding panels to try to locate and photograph the leak site is the best way to provide us with the information we need to ship parts and send a technician (if necessary) to resolve the issue.

Common leak points to check

Before you remove any panels or touch anything inside the cabinet, switch the spa off at the isolator. Then work through the checks below. Wiping surfaces dry first makes fresh drips much easier to spot.

• Check the drain valve. Ensure that the drain valve on the side of the spa is fully closed (pushed in is open, pulled out is closed). If it's partially open or leaking, you may need to tighten or replace the valve. Our guide to operating your drain valve explains how it works.
• Check for visible leaks. Inspect the pipes, plumbing lines and connections around your hot tub for any signs of leaks. Look for dripping water or wet spots that could indicate a leaky pipe.
• Check the pump and heater unions. These are the two large nuts that hold the pipework to the wet end of the pump and to the heater. Vibration can work them loose over time.
• Tighten fittings. If you notice any loose connections, use large grips, a wrench or pliers to carefully tighten them. Sometimes, loose fittings can cause water to leak out of the tub. Take care not to overtighten plastic fittings, as they can crack.
• Check the controls on top of the spa. If a waterfall or diverter control has been unscrewed too far, water can pour over the side or run down between the valve and the shell. The waterfall control is often unscrewed fully when only half a turn is needed. With the power off, unscrew the waterfall valve and check that its O-ring is still in place.
• Check the jet bodies. Jet bodies can work loose during transport and delivery. As with the plumbing, look around the nut on the back of each jet body for a drip or a build-up of water.
• Check the ozone unit. If water is coming from the ozone, the return (non-return) valve on the ozone line may have failed, letting water flow back into the unit.
• Listen to the pump. If the motor sounds noisier than normal, the pump seal on the wet end may have failed and need replacing. Our noisy hot tub guide explains how to tell a worn seal or bearing from an airlock or low water.

Preventing leaks

• Keep the water well maintained and balanced as part of your regular routine.
• If you drain the spa before winter and it is sited outdoors, make sure no water is left in it. Any remaining water can freeze and expand in the manifolds and pipework, causing them to crack. Freezing damage to pipes is not covered under the warranty.

What happens next

Once the Support Agent has worked out the area and fault, they will then be able to either give you advice/guidance on repairing the issue or quote you for the cost of the part needed plus call out if required.

Submit a support ticket

Is it a leak or evaporation?

Before you take panels off, make sure the water is actually leaking. Warm water evaporates, especially in cold, dry weather or if the cover is left open, and some always leaves on swimsuits. A simple bucket test helps tell the difference.

1. Fill a bucket with spa water to about 10 cm from the top and stand it on the spa step or next to the spa, so it is at a similar temperature.
2. Mark the water level inside the bucket and on the spa shell with a strip of tape.
3. Keep the cover on and do not use the spa for 24 hours.
4. Compare the drop. If the spa has lost noticeably more than the bucket, you probably have a leak.

Narrowing it down, step by step

Work through these questions in order. Each one points you towards a smaller area of the spa.

1. Does the level drop with the pumps off? Turn the spa off at the isolator for 24 hours and watch the level. If it keeps falling, the leak is in the shell, a jet body, a fitting below the waterline or the drain valve. If it only falls when the pumps run, the leak is likely on the pressure side: pump unions, heater unions or a pump seal.
2. Where does the level stop falling? If it stops just below a row of jets, the waterfall or the filter, look closely at the fittings at that height.
3. Where is the water collecting? With panels off, follow the wet trail upwards. Water runs down, so the source is usually above the wettest point.
4. Is it worse on one side? That can point to a particular jet line or the side with the equipment bay.

Common leak points and what usually fixes them

Where	Typical cause	Usual fix
Drain valve	Not fully closed, or cap missing	Close it fully and refit the cap; replace the valve if it still drips
Pump or heater unions	Nut worked loose, or a worn O-ring	Hand-tighten; if it still leaks, replace the O-ring or gasket
Pump wet end	Failed shaft seal	Seal replacement by an engineer
Jet body	Loose back nut after delivery	Tighten carefully, or reseal the jet
Waterfall or diverter	Valve unscrewed too far, or missing O-ring	Refit the valve with its O-ring and tighten half a turn
Ozone line	Failed non-return valve	Replace the check valve
Pipework	Frost damage or a cracked joint	Repair by an engineer

Many of the seals and unions are available in our spare parts and plumbing collections. Send us a photo first if you are not sure which part you need.

When to call an engineer

Switch off and call us on 01293 824094 straight away if water is getting near the control pack or electrical connections, if the leak is fast, or if you cannot find it after working through the steps above. Leaks from a pump seal, cracked pipework or the shell itself need an engineer. Our hot tub servicing team can find and repair them.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep using the spa while it leaks?

Only if the leak is slow, away from anything electrical and the water stays well above the minimum level. If in doubt, switch it off.

Do leak sealant products work?

They can sometimes slow a very small leak, but they do not fix a loose union, a failed seal or a cracked pipe. Find the cause first.

Why is there water under my spa after rain?

Rain running off the cover or the patio can collect under the cabinet. Check whether the area is wet even after a dry spell before assuming a leak.

Is leak damage covered by the warranty?

Faults in parts and workmanship are covered by the spa's warranty terms, but frost damage to pipework is not. See our warranty page.

Need a part or a repair?

Find replacement parts for your hot tub, or book one of our engineers.

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• Servicing and repairs