Jacuzzi repair: the causes of possible breakdowns, how to fix a hot tub yourself

Judging by the number of advertisements offering jacuzzi repairs, breakdowns of hot tubs are very common. Meanwhile, in no advertising they say that in most cases it is quite possible to identify and fix the problem without involving specialists.

The main thing is to at least approximately understand the design features of the system and be prepared to carry out simple locksmith operations. This is what will be discussed in our article, after reading which you will be familiar with the main breakdowns that are most often encountered when operating a jacuzzi. And also you can independently cope with most of the malfunctions.

We supplemented the stated material with visual photos and videos, in which the rules of operation and repair of the bathtub with hydromassage are stated in an accessible form.

Hot tub device

Jacuzzi is quite an expensive pleasure. Therefore so important choose the right bath with hydromassage and then install. And later use the equipment according to the manufacturer's recommendations and perform timely maintenance.

It is structurally different from a conventional bathtub by a set of nozzles and nozzles through which air and water jets are fed into the bowl under pressure. A continuous water circulation is provided by a hydraulic pump that draws water from an external pipeline and pumps it further through the internal pipes. The more powerful it is, the higher the pressure and more effective massage.

The compressor is responsible for the air supply, although in some types of jacuzzi the nozzle nozzles are equipped with magnetic valves supplying the air mixture due to water pressure.

With the correct number and location of the jets, the person taking the bath feels pleasant pressure on the body from the vortex flows of air and water bubbles. In more detail about the device of a hydromassage bath we spoke in this article.

Even with timely preventive maintenance, the jacuzzi bathtubs can fail, so every potential buyer and owner should understand their device and understand the causes of the most frequent breakdowns

To provide the most complete pleasure, manufacturers of Jacuzzi bathtubs offer various additional options.

Consider the main ones:

• aroma and chromotherapy - the ability to add aromatic compositions and highlight the water surface with colored LEDs;
• video and audio - provides for the presence of a built-in radio, TV, phone;
• cascade filling and automatic heating systems water during the SPA procedure, shutdown and disinfection after it.

Using the remote control or pneumatic or touch control panel, you can set a specific mode of operation and type of massage, after which you simply enjoy the work of the plumbing fixture.

The main types of malfunctions and their repair

As you can see, the jacuzzi is a fairly complex system. Therefore it is so important right install and connect hydromassage equipment for communications. And it is equally important to properly operate and perform regular maintenance.

The fact that it threatens to malfunction in the near future can be guessed by indirect signs, for example, difficulty draining the water from the bowl or an angry buzz of the pump.

Experts are unambiguous in their opinion: you can not save either money or effort on choosing a high-quality device and proper care for it. In addition, you need to repair even the most minor damage on time.

If you don’t start fixing defects in time, the problem may worsen. Therefore, carefully monitor the condition of the spa bath from the moment of its installation and note the slightest changes in its functioning.

Problem # 1 - water does not drain well

With careless operation and poor maintenance, debris begins to accumulate in the pipes of the bathroom, preventing the natural outflow of waste water.

To get rid of an undesirable phenomenon, use the chemical cleaning method. Its effectiveness is explained by the ability of chemicals based on alkali or acid to dissolve calcareous, biological and mud deposits.

It is very difficult to deal with them with ordinary hot water. Moreover, high humidity and optimal temperature for the development of bacterial colonies are constantly maintained in the internal water circulation system, so that an unpleasant aroma is emitted from the nozzles during bathing. This disadvantage is also eliminated with the help of correctly selected chemistry.

When choosing a chemical mixture, make sure that the label indicates that it can be used to clean the jacuzzi.

Similar tools are presented in the lines of many manufacturers:

• Mellerud (Germany);
• Teuco (Italy);
• Bagi Jacuzzi (Israel);
• Triton (Russia);
• Relisan (Poland).

If your spa has automatic cleaning, use the cleaning compound correctly.

The cleaning algorithm is as follows:

1. Fill the bathroom with water at a temperature of 40–50 ° C so that it overlaps the nozzles by 7–10 cm.
2. Pour or pour the amount of concentrate specified in the instructions into a special tank.
3. Turn on the cleaning function and, when complete, drain the water.
4. Repeat the procedure with clean, cool water to remove any chemical residues.

The second disinfection method is used when the bathtub is not equipped with an auto-cleaning option.

In addition to the surface cleaning of the bowl, the hot tub requires an internal disinfection of the pipes, which must be carried out with the hydromassage system turned on using special means

In this case, it is necessary to collect hot water and add the composition directly to the jacuzzi, then turn on the device at full power and wait 15-20 minutes.Then, turning off the jacuzzi, you need to leave the water for another half hour. Having released the spent liquid, it is necessary to pour a clean and restart the hydromassage function.

Problem # 2 - the pump has stopped functioning

The hydraulic pump is the “heart” of the jacuzzi, and in the event of a malfunction in its operation, it becomes impossible to use the device. However, there are situations when the pump starts, but either stalls immediately, or creates excessive noise.

The action plan becomes clear after a short diagnosis:

• the pump does not work after switching on - check with a multimeter the presence of voltage in the network and make sure that its value is sufficient for the operation of the unit;
• when trying to start, the pump makes a rattle - most likely, engine damage has occurred, and specialist advice on the possibility of its restoration is required;
• pumping equipment is too noisy or stops working immediately after starting - this happens when the engine overheats, when a little water is drawn into the bowl of the hot tub;
• when the pump is on, water is not pumped - air pumping occurred in the pump system, which can be eliminated by loosening the connection of the pump with the bowl and releasing air;
• the pump works, but the water is supplied at minimum pressure - if some nozzles function normally, while others do not, the reason lies in the contamination of the nozzles themselves and they need to be cleaned (see below for how to do this).

It happens that the intensity of the water supply weakened simultaneously in all nozzles. In this case, check water pressure throughout the house, after which pay attention to the cleanliness of the cartridge in the filter: most likely, it's time to change it.

O-rings in the place of the fitter's connections to the jacuzzi also require timely replacement, otherwise you will encounter water leakage in this area.

The more nozzles installed in the jacuzzi, the higher the load on the hydraulic pump, so its power should be at least 100 watts per jet

To remove debris that has accumulated in the nozzle, unscrew the outer cap of the lining and manually or using improvised tools remove the dirt. In the process, be careful - this spare part is delicate, it is easy to break it, and replacement requires the dismantling of the entire bath (unless, of course, repair holes are provided for in its body).

Problem # 3 - cracked or worn acrylic

One of the most common problems in using a jacuzzi is surface or through damage to the bowl. However, acrylic is considered to be an easily recoverable material, therefore it is quite possible to remove a crack or a hole without involving service center employees.

Before you try to fix the hot tub yourself, determine the magnitude and nature of the damage and stock up on a set of the following tools and materials:

• gloves, respirator, drill with a thin drill, putty knife, hair dryer, construction or household;
• waterproof sandpaper with a granularity of 60-100 microns, fabric for finishing polishing and polishing compound (abrasive and wax);
• acrylic reducing agent and hardener - depending on the size of the surface to be repaired, 20–40 ml of materials are required;
• epoxy glue and a piece of fiberglass - you will need it if there are holes in the body that are subject to external reinforcement;
• any organic solvent - alcohol, acetone, solvent, white spirit or baking soda.

Be careful with the chemical solvent: limit the surface of its application with masking tape, otherwise an aggressive composition may leave stubborn stains in undamaged areas.

Also keep in mind that tanning marks may remain on the acrylic after machining, therefore it is recommended to sand the surface of the bathtub for best adhesion with the applied composition only by hand.

Before polishing the jacuzzi, wash it thoroughly with detergent, apply polish and rub it with a prepared piece of cloth (you can use a clean rag, gauze or medical bandage)

Minimal defects like tarnishing, surface scratches and roughness can be eliminated with just one operation - polishing. To do this, apply a paste-like polishing mixture to dull areas and evenly distribute it over the entire surface. Wait about 20-30 minutes until it dries and rub the bowl with a cloth until it shines.

As a result of your efforts, microdefects will be filled with polish, and acrylic will shine in all its pristine beauty.

The presence of visible cracks, deep chips and scratches causes the use of a more thorough repair technology, consisting of several steps:

1. Cover all unscathed areas of the bathtub with old newspapers and limit the treatment area with masking tape.
2. Drill any existing cracks around the edges so that they do not spread further.
3. With a spatula and a knife, slightly expand the damage and remove the gloss with sandpaper.
4. Rinse off the dust from the treated area, carefully dry it with a hairdryer and degrease it.
5. Mix the restoring composition according to the instructions attached to it and apply with a spatula to the places requiring repair.

Now all you have to do is to glue the areas with tape for 5-6 hours, remove the excess acrylic with sandpaper and apply a polish to get a beautiful shine.

If the entire inner surface of the bath is covered with spots, cracks and other types of damage, you can do it yourself bath restoration liquid acrylic or invite experts.

For reliable waterproofing of holes, use high-strength fiberglass with a density of 100-140 g / m. square, laid in several layers and impregnated with epoxy glue

The sealing of the through hole differs from the crack repair algorithm only in that after preparatory treatment from the inside, it is necessary to restore the reinforcing layer of the body from the outside. To do this, alternately attach 3-4 layers of dense fiberglass fabric onto the damaged area using polyester or epoxy resin (the latter option is preferable).

For the best sealing, lay each subsequent layer of glass mat on the previous one with a 2 cm overlap. As soon as the fiberglass overlay cures and the integrity of the jacuzzi body is restored, fix the internal defective surface according to the plan presented above.

Problem # 4 - mixer fails

Even the best quality crane can break after a certain period. But not the fact that its functionality is lost forever, it is likely that the mixer can be disassembled and repaired.

So, if you notice that the device began to buzz after closing, moisture began to ooze from it, or the pressure of the water weakened, start dismantling it and finding out the cause of the breakdown.

The popularity of cartridge faucets is easily explained: replaceable units are inexpensive, and the ordinary user who owns an adjustable wrench and a screwdriver will cope with their replacement

Disassembly technology depends on the type of mixer. Most often, a single lever equipment with a ceramic cartridge is used for a jacuzzi. In the event of a breakdown (and this often happens due to the ingress of sand and other small particles contained in tap water), the replacement unit is not subject to repair.

You can replace it like this:

1. Turn off the hot and cold water supply.
2. Use a knife or screwdriver to remove the decorative cap with a red-blue pointer.
3. Remove the locking screw located under the plug.
4. Remove the mixer handle from the stem of the stop valve.
5. Remove the decorative ring and unscrew the compression nut.
6. Remove the broken cartridge.

Take the removed part with you to the plumbing store and, guided by it, get exactly the same.It is very important that when installing the mounting pins on the plug-in unit coincide with the protrusions on the mixer, otherwise the assembly will leak. Next, assemble the mixer according to the inverse algorithm.

The interior of the ball mixer is a hollow ball with holes - this design is vulnerable to water of high rigidity, and it will have to be cleaned much more often than cartridge

If you have a single lever ball mixer installed on your bathroom, and at some point you need to disassemble and clean it, do it according to the instructions:

1. Turn off the water.
2. Take out a decorative cap.
3. Remove the screw that holds the rotary knob.
4. Remove the control handle from the housing.
5. Unscrew the protective cap with a key and pull out the ball mechanism by hand.
6. Carefully to prevent damage to delicate parts, remove the valve seats and springs.
7. Remove the swivel spout.
8. Replace or remove and clean the 2 o-rings.

Ideally, when dismantling, it is necessary to replace not only the gaskets, but also the locking mechanism itself, however, you can establish the need for such a replacement yourself after inspecting the removed part. To accurately understand the causes of the malfunction after disassembling, you can briefly turn on the water and observe where it will flow.

Overview of popular faults and detailed repair instructions for a single lever mixer are given by us in the next article.

It happens that the crane does not work well due to a coating of lime. Its repair in this case consists in dismantling the case according to the above instructions and processing with a cleaning gel designed specifically for brass, copper or steel.

The need for cleaning from lime is evidenced by a weak pressure of water in the mixer - to clean the device from the inside, dismantle it and soak in a solution of vinegar and water

Also check if there is a metal mesh under the spout. If so, brush it and blow it well.

Hot tub operating rules

If you do not follow the recommendations for caring for the jacuzzi, you will often encounter breakdowns.

Preventive measures should be aimed at:

• regular drainage of pipes and the bowl of the bathtub (especially relevant for aero massage equipment);
• disinfection of its surface, internal cavities of nozzles and pipes;
• system cleaning from biological and calcareous deposits.

To remove moisture remaining in the nozzles, after taking a bath it is recommended not only to wash the surface, but also to purge the system. True, this method of prevention is available only for expensive models.

It is also important to carry out a disinfectant cleaning at least once every three months. It is worth recalling once again that abrasive products and compositions based on acetone and gasoline are not suitable for processing acrylic. We recommend to familiarize with the detailed service recommendations bathtubs with hydromassage.

If you do not want to encounter constant stagnation of water and the appearance of deep cracks, initially monitor the correct installation of the jacuzzi bathtub: with the proper slope of the discharge pipe (10-15 °) and a reliable frame with support legs every 30-50 cm.

It is also worth thinking about installing water filters, dirt traps and hydraulic nozzles with water softening compounds.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

On the nuances of the installation: what difficulties you may encounter if you do not foresee the likelihood of repair work.

How does the jacuzzi cleaning process take place, which has not been looked after for a long time.

When bathing, use only those cosmetic additives whose instructions indicate the permissibility of their use in the jacuzzi. Remember - various essential oils, lotions and foaming substances should not get into the hydromassage system.

Adhering to these simple rules, you can significantly extend the period of trouble-free operation of expensive plumbing and maintain the original appearance.

Are you experiencing a jacuzzi malfunction and want to repair it yourself? But do you have any troubleshooting questions? Ask them to our experts in the block under the article.

If you are professionally engaged in the repair of hot tubs and want to supplement our material with valuable recommendations or clarifications, please write comments below.