Jacuzzi repair: causes of possible breakdowns, how to fix a Jacuzzi with your own hands

Judging by the number of advertisements offering hot tub repairs, hot tub breakdowns are quite common.Meanwhile, not a single advertisement says that in most cases it is quite possible to identify and eliminate the problem without the involvement of specialists.

The main thing is to at least approximately understand the design features of the system and be ready to carry out simple plumbing operations. This is exactly what we will discuss in our article, after reading which you will be familiar with the main breakdowns that most often occur when operating a Jacuzzi. You will also be able to handle most of the problems yourself.

We supplemented the presented material with visual photos and videos, which set out in an accessible form the rules for operating and repairing a hot tub.

Installation of a hydromassage bath

A Jacuzzi is a rather expensive pleasure. That's why it's so important choose correctly whirlpool bath and then install. And subsequently use the equipment according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and perform timely maintenance.

It differs structurally from a conventional bathtub by a set of pipes and nozzles through which air and water jets are supplied into the bowl under pressure. Continuous water circulation is ensured by a hydraulic pump, which takes water from the external pipeline and pumps it further through the internal pipes. The more powerful it is, the higher the pressure and the more effective the massage.

The compressor is responsible for the air supply, although in some types of Jacuzzi the nozzles are equipped with magnetic valves that supply the air mixture using water pressure.

With the correct number and location of jets, a person taking a bath feels a pleasant pressure on the body from the vortex flows of air and water bubbles. We talked in more detail about the design of a hot tub In this article.

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

To ensure maximum enjoyment, Jacuzzi bathtub manufacturers offer various additional options.

Let's consider the main ones:

• aroma and chromotherapy – the ability to add aromatic compositions and illuminate the water surface with colored LEDs;
• video and audio support – provides for a built-in radio, TV, telephone;
• cascade filling and automatic heating systems water during the spa procedure, shutdown and disinfection after it.

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

Main types of faults and their repair

As you can see, a jacuzzi is a rather complex system. That's why it's so important to get it right install and connect hydromassage equipment for communications. And it is equally important to operate it correctly and perform regular maintenance.

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

Experts are unequivocal in their opinion: you cannot save either money or effort on choosing a high-quality device and fully caring for it. In addition, even the most minor breakdowns need to be repaired in a timely manner.

If defects are not addressed in a timely manner, the problem may worsen. Therefore, carefully monitor the condition of the hot tub from the moment it is installed and note the slightest changes in its functioning.

Problem #1 – water doesn’t drain well

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

To get rid of the unwanted phenomenon, use a chemical cleaning method. Its effectiveness is explained by the ability of alkali- or acid-based chemicals to dissolve lime, biological and mud deposits.

It is very difficult to deal with them with ordinary hot water. Moreover, the internal water circulation system constantly maintains high humidity and an optimal temperature for the development of bacterial colonies, so that while taking a bath, an unpleasant aroma is emitted from the nozzles. This drawback can also be eliminated with the help of properly selected chemistry.

When choosing a chemical mixture, make sure that the label indicates that it is acceptable for use in cleaning a hot tub.

Similar products are presented in the lines of many manufacturers:

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

If your hot tub has automatic cleaning, be sure to use the cleaning solution correctly.

The cleaning algorithm is as follows:

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

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

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

In this case, you need to draw 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. After releasing the used fluid, you need to pour in clean fluid and restart the hydromassage function.

Problem #2 - the pump stopped functioning

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

The action plan becomes clear after a little diagnostics:

• the pump does not work after switching on – check the presence of voltage in the network with a multimeter and make sure that its value is sufficient for the operation of the unit;
• When trying to start the pump makes a rattling noise – most likely, damage to the engine has occurred, and a specialist’s consultation is required about the possibility of restoring it;
• pumping equipment is too noisy or stops working immediately after starting - this happens when the engine overheats, when there is not enough water in the bowl of the whirlpool bath;
• When the pump is turned on, water is not pumped – air has occurred in the pumping system, which can be eliminated by loosening the connection between the pump and the bowl and releasing the air;
• the pump is running, but the water is supplied under minimal 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 how to do this below).

It happens that the intensity of water supply weakens simultaneously in all nozzles. In this case, you need to check water pressure throughout the house, then pay attention to the cleanliness of the filter cartridge: most likely, it’s time to change it.

The O-rings at the plumbing connections between the pump and 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 W per jet

To remove debris accumulated in the nozzle, unscrew the outer cap of the lining and remove the dirt by hand or using available tools. Be careful during the process - this spare part is delicate, it is easy to break, and replacement requires dismantling the entire bathtub (unless, of course, repair holes are provided in its body).

Problem #3 - acrylic is cracked or worn out

One of the most common problems in the operation of a Jacuzzi is superficial or through damage to the bowl. However, acrylic is considered an easily repairable material, so it is quite possible to remove a crack or hole without involving service center workers.

Before you try to repair the hot tub yourself, determine the extent and nature of the damage and stock up on the following tools and materials:

• gloves, a respirator, a drill with a thin drill, a spatula, a construction or household hair dryer;
• waterproof sandpaper with a grain size of 60–100 microns, a final polishing cloth and polishing compound (abrasive and wax);
• acrylic restorer 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 chemical solvent: limit the surface of its application with masking tape, otherwise the aggressive composition may leave difficult to remove stains on intact areas.

Also keep in mind that acrylic may have scorch marks after machine processing, so it is recommended to sand the surface of the bathtub for the best adhesion to the applied composition only by hand.

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

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

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

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

1. Cover all undamaged areas of the bathtub with old newspapers and limit the treatment area with masking tape.
2. Drill out existing cracks around the edges to prevent them from spreading further.
3. Using a spatula and knife, slightly expand the damage and remove the gloss with sandpaper.
4. Wash off the dust from the area being treated, dry it thoroughly with a hair dryer and degrease it.
5. Mix the restoration composition according to the instructions included with it and apply with a spatula to the areas requiring repair.

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

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

To reliably waterproof the hole, use high-strength fiberglass fabric with a density of 100–140 g/m. sq., laid in several layers and impregnated with epoxy glue

Sealing a through hole differs from the crack repair algorithm only in that after preparatory treatment from the inside, you need to begin restoring the reinforcing layer of the housing from the outside.To do this, glue 3-4 layers of dense fiberglass fabric onto the damaged area one by one, using polyester or epoxy resin (the latter option is preferable).

For the best sealing, place each subsequent layer of glass mat on top of the previous one with an overlap of 2 cm. As soon as the fiberglass overlay has polymerized and the integrity of the Jacuzzi body has been restored, proceed to seal the internal defective surface according to the plan presented above.

Problem #4 - the mixer is out of order

Even the best quality faucet can break after a certain period of time. But it is not a 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 hum after closing, moisture began to ooze from it, or the water pressure weakened, dismantle it and find out the cause of the breakdown.

The popularity of cartridge faucets is easy to explain: replacement units are inexpensive, and even an ordinary user with an adjustable wrench and a screwdriver can replace them

The disassembly technology depends on the type of mixer. Most often, single-lever equipment with a ceramic cartridge is used for hot tubs. If it breaks (and this often happens due to the ingress of sand and other small particles contained in tap water), the replacement unit cannot be repaired.

You can replace it like this:

1. Shut off the cold and hot water supply.
2. Use a knife or screwdriver to remove the decorative plug with the red and blue indicator.
3. Remove the retaining screw located under the plug.
4. Remove the mixer handle from the valve stem.
5. Remove the decorative ring and unscrew the clamping nut.
6. Remove the broken cartridge.

Take the removed part with you to a plumbing store and, using it as a guide, purchase exactly the same one. It is very important that when installing, the mounting pins on the replacement block align with the protrusions on the mixer, otherwise the assembly will leak. Next, assemble the mixer using the reverse algorithm.

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

If your bathroom has a single-lever ball mixer, and at some point it becomes necessary to disassemble and clean it, do it according to the instructions:

1. Turn off the water.
2. Remove the decorative plug.
3. Unscrew the screw holding the rotary control.
4. Remove the control knob from the body.
5. Use a key to unscrew the protective cap and pull out the ball mechanism by hand.
6. Carefully, so as not to damage delicate parts, remove the valve seats and springs.
7. Remove the spout swivel block.
8. Replace or remove and clean the 2 O-rings.

Ideally, when dismantling, you need to replace not only the gaskets, but also the locking mechanism itself, but you can determine the need for such a replacement yourself after inspecting the removed part. To accurately understand the causes of the problem, after disassembling, you can turn on the water for a short time and observe where it will flow from.

We provide a review of popular faults and detailed instructions for repairing a single-lever mixer in the next article.

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

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

Also check whether there is a metal mesh under the spout. If so, clean it with a brush and blow it thoroughly.

Rules for using a hot tub

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

Preventive measures should be aimed at:

• regular draining of the pipes and bathtub bowl (especially important for air massage equipment);
• disinfection of its surface, internal cavities of nozzles and pipes;
• cleaning the system from biological and lime deposits.

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

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

If you do not want to encounter constant stagnation of water and the appearance of deep cracks, initially make sure that the Jacuzzi bathtub is installed correctly: with the proper slope of the outlet pipeline (10–15°) and a reliable frame with support posts every 30–50 cm.

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

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

About the nuances of installation: what difficulties can you encounter if you do not foresee the possibility of repair work.

How does the process of cleaning a Jacuzzi that has not been looked after for a long time occur?

When swimming, use only those cosmetic additives whose instructions indicate that their use in a jacuzzi is acceptable. Remember - various essential oils, lotions and foaming substances should not enter the hydromassage system.

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

Have you encountered problems with your Jacuzzi and want to repair it yourself? But do you have questions about troubleshooting? Ask them to our experts in the block below the article.

If you are a professional repairer of hot tubs and want to supplement our material with valuable recommendations or clarifications, please write comments below.