Download our FREE guides and receive new posts every week. This was written by my good friend Kaisa Williams from The Spa Depot, an online hot tub supply retailer. Through her experience and expertise, she compiled a list of common problems you might run into when taking care of your hot tub, and gives solutions on how to solve them. Hope you find this post helpful, and if you have any additional questions, be sure to ask in the comments below. From hot tub leaks to control pad error codes, trouble-shooting your own hot tub problems can seem like a daunting task. It’s important to know when it’s necessary to call on a licensed repair-man, or when you can make a simple repair and save yourself a bundle. Here is a list of some common hot tub issues and solutions. Sometimes a heating problem is as simple as replacing a heater element, however sometimes the problem can be caused by another component. The pump has to be running for your spa to heat, so if the pump does not come on the problem may be with pump itself.
Testing the components with a multi-meter, or hiring a repair-man is the most efficient way to diagnose the cause of the problem. “My hot tub is running, but there’s nothing coming through the jets. This is a common question and the answer is usually as simple as twisting the face of the jet to allow water flow. Most hot tubs come with adjustable jets that can be turned down for less water flow, or closed completely. If you recently refilled the spa, the problem could be an air lock. To remove an air lock, loosen either fitting on the pump to allow the air in the pipe to escape – water should flow for about 5-10 seconds before retightening. Modern hot tubs with electronic controls feature spa-side keypads with digital readouts. Hot tubs with these readouts will display an error code when something is wrong or malfunctioning. Wondering what your spa is trying to tell you? Flo or FLC = Improper flow or pressure switch malfunction. Solution: If there is no water flow, check the voltage going to the pump.
If the pump is getting proper voltage and not running, replace the pump. There are a number of other possible causes to this problem. Professional help is normally required if replacing the pump does not remedy the problem. OH = Over heat. The spa is at a temperature above 108° F. Do not use spa when temperature is flashing or the OH message is displayed. Solution: If the temperature of the water is actually 108° or hotter, the temp sensor should be replaced. If the water is cool, the high limit sensor is bad and needs to be replaced. Dr/Dry = Inadequate water flow detected in the heater. Solution: If hot tub is under-filled, add water to the normal fill line. Similar to the Flo error, there are a number of other possible causes to this problem. Professional help is required if filling the tub does not solve the problem. COOL = Spa water is more than 20° F cooler than the temperature set point. Solution: Place cover on hot tub and allow it to heat up. SnA or SnB = This means that sensor A or sensor B is bad or has a poor connection to the circuit board.
Solution: Check the connection or replace the sensor. If that does not work, the problem is in the circuit board itself.Get a comprehensive list of hot tub error codes and what they mean. If your pump is louder than it used to be, the bearings in the motor are going out and soon the motor will seize. Most often this will be caused by a leaking shaft seal, or it could happen from old age. Sometimes motors with bad bearings can last for months; however the loud noise will only get louder. Tip: Parts and labor from motor shops can be very close to the cost of a brand new pump with a warranty, so do yourself a favor and replace the pump instead of having it repaired. If your GFCI is tripping, it could be due to a bad heater element, pump, blower or ozonator. To determine which component is causing the problem, unplug the components one at a time and turn the breaker on. If the breaker does not trip after unplugging the pump, ozonator or blow, you’ve found the problem and you can now replace that component.
If you’ve unplugged all three components and the breaker still trips, it’s likely the heater element. Hiring a technician or replacing the heater is the next best course of action. Need additional help or have a hot tub issue that isn’t mentioned here? Tell us by commenting below! Turn off your hot tub’s aerator When it’s not needed, switch off your hot tub’s aerator, the device that adds bubbles to the water jets. An average aerator is 1-hp and costs about $.09* an hour to use. * Based on the following estimates: 746 watts = 1 horsepower; 746 watts = 0.746 kw; avg price of 1 kw = $0.12; 0.746 kw x 0.12 = 0.0895 = $0.09 per hour. To see more tips, click here. Hot tub troubleshooting, as far as heating issues are concerned, is something that can be easily performed. There are a few things that must be checked to find out exactly how serious the problem is and whether it is necessary to call a repairman. If the water isn't heating up but it is circulating, this means that there is a problem with the heating element.
But if the water gets too hot, some simple steps will lower the temperature. Disclaimer: Be sure to disconnect the hot tub before beginning to avoid accidents. It should be mentioned here that you shouldn't work with electricity unless you are comfortable with it, and may consider calling a repairman in this situation. Wear rubber-soled work boots if you are going to troubleshoot the hot tub yourself. If the water is heating up but too slowly, replacing or cleaning the filter cartridge will probably solve the problem. Also, if the heater keeps turning on then off, this is also an indication that the filter needs to be changed. The more often the hot tub is used, the more frequently the filter needs to be changed. To do this, consult the manufacturer's guide or find it online. Simple Measures if the Hot Tub is not Heating There are some simple things you could try if the hot tub does not heat the water. First of all, open and close the spa door on the spa cabinet, and see if it starts heating.
If the hot tub is gas-powered, you should check if the pilot light turned off and turn it back on. Another option is to replace the insulating cover, since a damaged cover will affect the heating of the tub. The High Limit Switch If the temperature exceeds a certain value, usually 120°Fahrenheit, the high limit switch turns off the heat. This usually occurs if the tub has been recently drained due to the air running through the system. If so, you should let the tub run a few times and it should come back to normal. Also, find a red button in your spa pack, which is the high limit switch, and reset it. If this switch is constantly tripping, even if you haven't emptied out the tub recently, you should get in touch with a repairman. If the water is too warm, check to see if the thermostat has been set too high. You probably have to calibrate the thermostat down. In most models this can be performed by turning the Allen screw on the thermostat 90 degrees clockwise. If the problem persists, you may have to replace the thermostat.