Hot Tub Losing Water? Here’s When Experts Say You Need To Worry

Getty Images

The nights are cold, the stars are out, and it’s the perfect time for a soak in your Jacuzzi.

The only problem? Each time you sink into the warm water, the level seems to have dropped—and you aren’t quite sure what to do about it.

At least, that’s what happened to me a few weeks back on a particularly chilly evening.

When it comes to wintertime hot tub issues, troubleshooting can be tricky. That’s why I spoke with several hot tub experts to help you get the info I wish I’d had. So here are all the tips and tricks regarding water loss that every hot tub owner needs to know.

When is water loss normal?

Hot tubs and winter go hand in hand. And it turns out, the chilly season is the reason for a certain amount of water loss.

“Hot tubs lose water because of evaporation,” says Brian Campbell of Water Filter Guru. “Evaporation is especially common during winter when air temperature, on average, is at its lowest, which creates steam and causes the water level in the tub to decrease.”

According to Campbell, most hot tubs lose roughly one inch of water per week during the wintertime. And this means you’ll have to refill your tub periodically throughout the season.

But if your water level seems to be dropping faster than that (and you haven’t been starting any splash fights), it could be a sign that something is up.

“Anything more than one inch per week could be a telltale sign of an underlying leak problem with your hot tub,” says Campbell.

How to check your hot tub for leaks

If your hot tub is losing water faster than normal, it’s a good idea to start diagnosing it for a leak ASAP. The lower your water goes during cold temperatures, the closer you are to a hot tub disaster.

“An empty hot tub in winter can freeze and damage the plumbing, pump, and heater, which can all lead to costly repairs,” says Ryan Taylor of Proficient Plumbing & Heating.

First, do a visual inspection around your hot tub. Look for puddles, icicles (where a leak site may have partly frozen), or any obvious holes. If you have access to the underside of your tub and can safely get eyes on it, do so.

Don’t forget to look inside the tub

If this preliminary search doesn’t yield any results, you might want to take a closer look at the inner workings of your tub.

“To check for leaks, inspect the hot tub’s plumbing, jets, and surface for any signs of water or moisture,” says Taylor.

And sometimes, a missing piece is all it takes for a hot tub to lose its water.

In my case, it was one small plastic doodad (that I assumed was useless) that had fallen from the inside of the tub a week prior. And that was all it took to start rapidly losing several gallons of water per day.

Time is of the essence

Even if you can’t locate a leak, but suspect you might have one, call a technician as soon as possible.

Depending on where you live (and how many other people are having hot tub emergencies), you might need to wait several days for a tech to get out to your tub. And that might be all it takes to find yourself with an empty hot tub that’s exposed to the winter elements.

What to do while waiting for professional help to arrive

The good news is that there are several things you can do to protect your hot tub while you wait for the pro to arrive.

No. 1 is to keep your hot tub covered and minimize how much you open it.

“To keep an empty hot tub in OK condition, cover it to prevent freezing, and run the circulation system to prevent rust and corrosion,” suggests Taylor.

Another thing you might consider is to place a space heater (that you closely monitor to prevent overheating) in one of the outer compartments to keep the pipes warm. This step is what was recommended to me by a local hot tub technician when I expressed concern about the wait time for an appointment.

The same tech also suggested I complement this step by using a nontoxic antifreeze in the pipes (like those used in RVs). Finally, complete winterization, although a lengthier process, is a good last-resort option.

The final word

With so many different models of tubs on the market, the best thing you can do is familiarize yourself with the proper care for your particular tub. Start by asking your hot tub tech for advice, or do a quick online search of your model number. That should yield some more specific ideas on how you can keep things in working order until professional help arrives.

The post Hot Tub Losing Water? Here’s When Experts Say You Need To Worry appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.