hot tub losing water overnight
Discovering that your hot tub is losing water can be shocking. What’s causing it? Is it easy to fix? Do I need to call a plumber? Here are the top solutions if your hot tub is losing water overnight.
Hot tub leaks often come from worn rubber gaskets at the union fittings on either side of the heater and the pump. First, cut off the power before doing any checks. Then, close the gate valves to stop the water from flowing, then remove the union fittings to check for worn gaskets.
But small leaks can be addressed with a product like Fix-a-leak by Marlig.
But there’s a lot more to learn. In this article, we’ll find out why hot tubs drain overnight and how often you should top off water in a hot tub. But we’ll also check out whether hot tub sealers work.
Let’s get started.
Gah!!!!! Please tell me the hot tub didn’t spring a leak in this weather 🤦 pic.twitter.com/muR7lpf8gl
— Jodi B (@lttlteapot) February 20, 2019
Why did my hot tub drain overnight?
If a hot tub drained completely overnight, there is most likely a cracked PVC pipe somewhere under the hot tub. Remove the panels and look where the most water has puddled on the ground, or look for an active drip or obvious crack.
Leaks at the jets or a worn rubber gasket wouldn’t cause it to drain completely overnight. So, the good news is this should be big enough and obvious enough to be easily spotted once the panels are removed.
Let’s take a closer look at the potential causes.
Plumbing leak
A cracked PVC pipe will be obvious IF it’s not embedded in the spray-on foam typically applied under the hot tub’s shell.
Assuming you can see it, follow these steps to fix it:
- Ensure the water is fully drained and power is off.
- Cut out on either side of the cracked PVC pipe with a hacksaw.
- If possible, replace it with a new PVC pipe of the same size and glue it into place.
- However, sometimes that is not easily done. In that case, it is possible to put what’s called a “PVC Flexible Coupling with Stainless Steel Clamps” on either side of the new piece and then fully tighten. I’ve done this myself, and it does work fine.
CLICK HERE to see what I’m talking about on the Home Depot website. Just make sure to get the right diameter for your pipe.
The other parts that could be responsible are those that use seals and gaskets, such as the heater, pressure switches, and gate valves. The pipe unions, elbows, connections, and tees.
Leaky hot tub jet
Jets and nozzles have their own connections and fittings too, and could be one of the reasons for the drain, especially if the drop in the water is restricted to a particular level.
In that case, the jet directly above the water line should be examined.
Cracked hot tub shell
It’s rarely the case that a crack in a hot tub shell would lead to leaks, especially if your hot tub shell is a modern model made of acrylic.
But it happens. So, after checking the aforementioned parts, that could be the reason. You may carefully run your finger over the shell to find out if there are cracks.
Luckily, this product on Amazon works great for patching cracks and holes in the hot tub’s acrylic shell! I’ve used it also, and it works great.
So, what can you do after discovering your hot tub is losing water?
That’s what I explored in a recent article I published. I started it off by looking at what causes a hot tub to leak and how to find a leak in a hot tub. But I also revealed why a hot tub could be leaking from the bottom.
Just click the link to read it on my site.
Oh dear ! Our second #Hydropool hot tub has sprung a leak ! pic.twitter.com/ol8c92aQdp
— Jean Christina Keen (@JeanChatterbox2) February 18, 2017
How often should you have to top off the water in a hot tub?
As a general rule, a hot tub will lose 1-2 inches per month and can be topped off about once per month. However, the water temperature and the temperature outside can both affect the evaporation rate.
So, if you’re seeing a significantly larger drop than that, you probably have a leak.
But if not, simply run the hose to the tub and fill it until the water reaches the desired level. Then check the water chemistry and adjust until the right balance is attained.
This has to be done because hot tub water evaporates over time.
Water naturally escapes through swimsuits and some splashes out with use. If it’s not topped off regularly, the hot tub would eventually run out of water!
I fill mine with a garden hose to the right level, treat it with the appropriate chemicals and test it with my test strips to ensure they’re properly balanced.
In addition to the aforementioned, it’s ideal to clean the hot tub thoroughly and change the water 3 to 4 times each year.
Suppose you’re in the market for a used hot tub, what are the things to look for?
In a recent article, I considered whether it’s a good idea to buy a used hot tub and what questions you should ask when buying one. But I also shared info on how to move a used hot tub after purchase.
Just click the link to read it on my site.
16yr old hot tub We got for free .. 2 leaks fixed.. new shroud was $1000.. No!… $200 in Pt, saved the corners and I think it’s gonna look fine.. I completely underestimated the amount of spray foam needed to fix it.. 10 more cans should do it.. 😬.. and some trim and we good.. pic.twitter.com/whK15oFMd8
— Mark McLean (@MdMcLean1) October 12, 2021
Do hot tub leak sealers work?
Hot tub sealers such as Fix-a-leak work very well on small cracks or leaks that are up to 1/8 inch in diameter. So, it won’t work for a cracked PVC pipe.
CLICK HERE to check it out on Amazon.
Marlig Fix-a-leak works because it is heavier than water. And there’s no draining before or after you use it!
So, it sinks to the weakest place in the hot tub, where the leak is. There’s no need to empty the hot tub before using it.
Simply remove the filter and pour it in and wait for 24-72 hours before using the hot tub.
In my experience of using other leak products, Fix-a-leak by Marlig is the best, and I’ve used it several times. Don’t, however, use it if the outside air temp is below 40° F.
About 48 hours after you’ve applied it, you can replace the filters and adjust the water chemistry as needed, and you’re good to go. It’s ideal for small leaks. If you have giant cracks in your PVC pipes, you’ll have to consider other solutions. It’s got well over 2,000 reviews on Amazon, and almost all of them are 5 stars.
CLICK HERE to check it out on Amazon.
Found the hot tub leak. Needs a new gasket. pic.twitter.com/CLWnO6R5tV
— Kent Jackson (@kjax) January 11, 2020
Why does my spa drain when the pump is off?
The most likely cause of a hot tub leaking only when the pump is off is a worn rubber gasket on either side of the pump’s union fittings. With the pump on, the suction likely prevents most of the water from leaking.
Luckily replacing those rubber gaskets is easy, and, in most cases, you won’t need to drain the tub.
Just follow these steps:
- Turn off power to the spa at the disconnect.
- Close the gate valves on either side of the pump and heater (these are rectangular-shaped PVC parts with a chrome handle protruding from the top; closed the prevent water from the hot tub from flowing.)
- With a large wrench or curved vice grips, unscrew the union fittings on either side of the pump. In some cases, the fitting is in 2 pieces with 2 Phillips screws connecting them. Remove the screws to separate the 2 pieces.
- Inside will be 1 rubber gasket. Inspect it for any signs of wear or an actual tear.
- Replace them if worn or torn. They are likely under $3.00 at your local hardware store. Take the old gasket with you for a perfect match.
Other possible reasons your spa drains when the pump is off are issues with the check valves, spa return line check valves, diverter valves, and valve actuators.
Let’s check them out.
Gate valve
A gate valve prevents water from flowing in both directions. If it is working well, it prevents water from the spa from draining off.
But if one of its parts is bad or the whole valve is defective, it won’t be able to stop water from draining when the pump is off.
Depending on the model of your gate valve, you may be able to replace the part that’s faulty, or you may have to replace the whole valve.
Spa return line check valves
These are smaller check valves that bring water back to the spa. Over time, chlorinated water could corrode its metal parts. If that’s the case, they need to be unthreaded and replaced.
Diverter valves
As their name suggests, they are for controlling the direction of the water flow. They have gaskets and seals that could go bad. The diverter assembly has a gasket that seals water flow from which side you have in the off position.
Valve actuators
Some diverter valves have actuators mounted on them.
These automatically rotate or close certain ports on the valves. But there are times they get stuck on the “on” position, allowing water to drain from that line. Fortunately, valve actuators can be easily replaced.
Now draining the old hot tub water, with the base sitting in a lower part of the garden than the drain but not the drain plug itself my son & I have had to improvise to help Newton along. Still going to take hours to drain all 1400 litres out! pic.twitter.com/Ofte4sNtz1
— Gav Mac (@Gavarnos) September 23, 2021
Is there a drain plug on a hot tub?
A hot tub drain plug is typically located behind one of the removable panels and may be at one of the corners. It usually has a removable cap and is designed to have a garden hose connect to it for easy draining. It will pull out to drain and can be pushed back in to stop the flow of water.
Some hot tub models come equipped with two drain plugs. One is the primary drain plug; the other is the auxiliary drain plug. The former is used for draining the hot tub, while the latter is for bleeding the internal lines.
But how do you actually drain the water?
It’s a fairly simple process. Let’s check it out. First off, you’ll need a garden hose, submersible pump, wet/dry vacuum, and clean rags.
If the drain plug is located just above the drain, simply open it to allow the water to flow into the drain. But if it’s a bit far from the drain, attach a garden hose to the drain plug, then place the other end above the drain, and open the valve.
What if the drain or sewer is located uphill to your hot tub? You’ll need a submersible pump to ensure that the water is drained off.
Depending on the size of your hot tub, this could take up to an hour or two. Even after you’ve drained the tub, there could still be remnants of water left at the bottom.
A wet/dry vacuum would help, but if you don’t have one, you could use your hand or a brush to shift the water toward the interior drain. Then, you could use clean rags to wipe down the interior of the tub to ensure the water has been drained completely.
But if you have one, a submersible pump is ideal because it’s a lot faster. But you want to keep an eye on it to ensure that it’s only drawing in water. It could overheat if it starts drawing in the air.
Just installed the new hot tub heater. Hoping for no leaks! pic.twitter.com/KlRY1TNC53
— Chip Fox 🦊 (@chipfoxx) January 24, 2016
Hot tub losing water troubleshooting tips
Some hot tub troubleshooting tips when losing water include:
- Remove the panels on the hot tub to look for signs of water pooling on the ground
- Then look to see what is directly above the water
- Look for signs of leaking around the pump and heater connectors
- Look for any fiberglass insulation that appears wet
- With the panels off, turn on the jets and see if that creates a noticeable flow of water (in which case a jet may be loose or cracked).
If you had to get started by checking only two places, I’d suggest you check the union fittings on either side of the heater and the pump. Worn rubber gaskets, as I addressed above, wear out or break easily but can be quickly replaced.
The first thing before you get started checking these different parts is to cut off the power to the hot tub.
Then, remove the panels on the side of the tub and look at the spot where the water is dripping or pooling the most. I know one of the tips I listed called for running the jets, so turn it back on for that step.
Now, let’s check out some of the most common culprits.
The Pump
The pump is the first place to check if you suspect that your hot tub is leaking. Check under it to see if there’s leaking water.
The Union Fittings
The union fittings are found around the heater and the pump.
They typically come in two pieces. They screw into each other and are designed to screw onto the opposite fitting. Over time they can become loosened. If that’s what you found out, simply tighten them by hand. Do not use a wrench to tighten them, as this can cause damage.
The Heater
You have to check the entire heat assembly manifold for a leak. That’s a fancy way of referring to a long silver tube that’s usually located on the underside of your control box.
The heater has many parts, and each one could be the culprit. So, they have to be checked. The parts include the heating element, thermostat, pressure switch, and sensors.
If there are leaking parts in the heater, they would need to be replaced. One of the common leaks occurs with the pipe’s union fittings, a result of degraded gaskets and O-rings, which need to be replaced.
Curious about how long an outdoor hot tub lasts?
That’s the theme of a recent article I published. In it, I shared how long hot tubs last and how long should a hot tub pump last. But I also shared how long should a hot tub heater last.
Just click the link to read it on my site.
Conclusion
In the article, we found out why hot tubs drain overnight and how often you should top off water in a hot tub.
But we also checked out whether hot tub sealers work. Then, we looked at why spas drain when the pump is off and if there is a drain plug on a hot tub.
Lastly, we wrapped things up by looking at some troubleshooting tips when your hot tub.
Photo that requires attribution:
101/365: Spa repair. by David Mulder is licensed under CC2.0 and was cropped, edited, and had a text overlay added.
A lawyer never retires. So I would just say that I am not as active as I used to be. Now I simply dedicate myself to fishing, my hobby, and my grandchildren. For Business Finance News I write about legal aspects of mortgage policies, mostly regarding the rights of policyholders. I also have articles about personal injuries.
