Hot tubs, consist of numerous components that together provide you the warm and relaxing experience you expect from hot tubs, they need regular maintenance and occasional repairs. A defective hot tub can not only affect your experience but also make you sick. The warm water is an environment ideal for the growth of bacteria unless the tub is maintained in a sanitized condition.

Sanitation is not the only issue. Your hot tub has pumps, jets, heaters, air blowers and hot tub filters, all of which can become faulty. And the body and seats can are prone to wear and tear affecting not only their polished appearance but even their functionality. Unless these parts of the hot tub are maintained in good condition through repairs, your hot tub experience can get seriously degraded.

Hot tub repairs are complicated by the existence of numerous makes and models. There are hot tubs made in UK with standardized parts, and unbranded ones made with non-standard parts. Then there are hot tubs made in the US and China, which might have different standards. Unless your hot tub repair man is familiar with all these different tubs, he might not be able to do justice to the repair job.

Hot Tube Repair Man is a hot tub services company available to hot tub owners in the Midlands. Our personnel are trained to repair all the different makes and models of hot tubs and spas. We also have a ready stock of parts and chemicals so that you won’t have to wait long to get your hot tub back in working condition. The parts are original ones even in the case of US and Chinese models.

If you are DIY repair man, we can provide next day delivery of Heaters, Hot Tub Pumps, Filters, Plumbing, Covers, Hot Tub Jets, Pillows and Air Blowers required for your work.

Hot Tub Repair Man | Hot Tub Services Engineers

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Massive savings can now be made on all Chinese Hot Tub Parts online.

www.hottubdiy.co.uk

These parts are online prices only and are for DIY installtions only.

Parts consist of:

Chinese Hot Tub pumps: TDA200, LP200 and DH1 Circulation Pumps.

American pump upgrades are available, but usually require a little replumbing.

All pumps are brand new and boxed and can be sent out for next day delivery.

Chinese Hot Tub Heaters: 3kw Straight and L shaped Heaters (with and without pressure switch cables)

(These heaters are agreat replacment for the originally installed Rooster heaters, the contain a aluminium heating element instead of the easy to break ceramic type inside Rooster heaters.)

Chinese Hot Tub Ozone Units.

12 volt Chinese hot tub ozone unit, these units should be replaced every 2 years.

Small Ozone valves are also available.

Hot Tub Repair Man offers Repairs and Services on all American and Chinese Hot Tubs, Please call or Email for details mail@hottubrepairman.co.uk

08455 191 454 / Mobile 07515 666 605

Hot Tub Repair Man – Hot Tub Repair Specialists

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Hot Tubs Need Attention

The warm water can nurture bacteria and pass on infections to you unless you keep the tub sanitized. The tub pumps should always be functional to ensure smooth flow of water. Filters should be replaced periodically to help them filter out unwanted particles. Chlorine or other sanitizer should be used to keep the water healthy.

Modern spas might use ozone generators, UV sterilizers or ion generators to maintain sanitation.

And a periodical large dose of granulated chlorine can shock the stubborn micro-organisms to move out. And do keep away from the water for a few hours after the shock treatment.

The sanitation efforts can prove less than fully effective if the water chemistry is also not maintained at desired levels. Alkalinity, pH and calcium hardness should all be within acceptable limits.

For Hot Tub Chemicals please goto www.hottubdiy.co.uk

Hot Tub Repair Man – Hot Tub Repair Specialists

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How to test a hot tub heater if it’s not working.

Their are many reasons why a hot tub may stop heating, the following points define the most common not heating reasons. Sometimes 2 or more of the following problems have to be resolved to resume heating in a hot tub.

Dirty filters

The most common fault of any hot tub is old or dirty hot tub filters, try replacing the filter for a new one and see if this resolves your problem, if the filter is more than 1 years old it will probably need changing anyway.

Pressure switchs

Most hot tub heaters (apart from Balboa M7 Heaters) have a pressure switch which proves water is flowing inside the hot tubs plumbing, when the circulation pump of the spa starts up the pressure from the pump will close a circuit which enables the power for the hot tub heater.

This can get blocked or may need replacing, the control panel will usually define this with an error code: FL1 FLO or 3 lines or dots (— or . . .) see Hot Tub Error Codes

Most pressure switches are easily tested by lopping out the switch or replacing with a new.

(note: never adjust a pressure switch, they are factory set and designed to fail, if the switch stays open and the circulation pump fails you will get an expensive repair bill)

Error Codes

If you have an error code on your spa and need assistance don’t be afraid to call, because you don’t always need a call out or repair. Hot Tub Error Codes

Faulty Circulation Pump

Faulty pumps are common, the reduced flow of a dirty filter can easily burn out a hot tub pump, If the pump is getting power and roatating it may just be an air lock (try lossening a pump union to resolve).

If the pump is buzzing the capacitor may need replacing, again check the filter and/or replace. A hot tub pump capacitor is usually a quick job. Other reasons for a buzzing pump are burnt out coil and rusty/ seized bearings. Hot Tub Pump parts

Heater Tripping Hot Tub

To test if the heater is tripping the hot tub simply disconnect the hot tub element from its terminals, if everything else works and the hot tub has stopped tripping you will need a new element or heater tube depending on the brand and type. (it is recommended to replace a Balboa M7 heater tube with a new tube and not an element due to its complex heating sensors, it is important to have these factory fitted for calibration purposes.

Reasons for tripping hot tub heaters:

Hot tub filled with water incorrectly – if the water is filled through the middle and not through the filter housing to push air out, it will burn out.

Incorrect chemicals – Swimming pool chemicals and highly aciddic water will burn out the seals on a hot tub heater. (swimming pool/ cheap chemicals will also burn out pump seals and anything else made of rubber.)

Incorrectly fitted heater elements – Get a hot tub engineer to replace your filter and not the local sales man.

Blockages – plastic parts and foreign parts will burn out heater elements.

Burn’t Out Circuit Boards or PCB’S

Sometimes if a fault has been happening for a while it will put a strain onto the Circuit Board (PCB) this could mean that a relay has burnt out or stuck. To check for this try the following.

Is any power getting to the heater – test connections at the heating Element.

If yes

Is it pulling any amps – check with a amp clamp around the cable between the PCB and element or the main power cable coming into the hot tub.

If the problem is more complex than above call a hot tub engineer.

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Types of hot tub heaters:

Balboa – M7 Heater with twin Sensors. 2kw and 3kw stud mounted and or titanium (note sensors are interchangeable)

M3 Heater with a pressure switch (older type) 1.5kw, 2kw, 3kw and 4kw and or titanium

switches and sensors can be purchased seperatly!

Hydroquip – 2.5kw Heater with pressure switch

Gecko – Heater tubes 2kw, 3kw, 4kw 5.5kw

Laing – 1.5kw triple bend heater

4kw artasian or LA spa heater

2.7kw lo flo heater - various

Dimension 1 type heater

Sundance – Heater assembly

If you need help with your hot tub due to a heater not working correctly, we work on all types of hot tubs – Please call now 07515666605 / 08455191454 or email mail@hottubrepairman.co.uk

Hot Tub DIY

For all your hot tub parts

Hot Tub Heaters | Hot Tub Seals | Hot Tub Elements

Brands of hot tubs:

Aegean, Alps Spas, American Spas,  Apollo, Aqua Leisure, Arctic Spas, Artesian Spas, Baja, Barrier Reef, Beachcomber Spas, Cal Spas, Caldera, Canadian Spas, Catalina, Certiken Garden Spa, Clear Water Spas, Coast Spas, Coleman Spas, Coyote, Crystal Water Spas, Dimension One Spas, Dream Maker Spas, Eco Spas, Emerald Spas, Garden Leisure, Great Lakes, Gulf Coast, Hotsprings, Hydropool, HydroSpa, Jacuzzi, Jazzi Spas, LA Spas, Leisure Bay, Leisurerite, Marquis Spas, Master Spa, Mistral Spa, Pacific Spas, Roto Spa, Saratoga Spas, Signature Spas, South West Spas, Spa Crest, Spaform, Spa Serve, Strong Spas, Sunbelt Spas, Sundance, Sunrise Spas, Tiger River, Vita Spa.

Spa Repair – Hot Tub troubleshooting steps you can do yourself

Written by …. www.precisionspa.com

LA’s Premiere Hot Tub Repair &Service Company – Since 1995

As a home owner there are quite a few Hot Tub troubleshooting steps you can do yourself before you call a spa repair company. There are many different reasons why you would want to trouble shoot your spa.

This is what you can do yourself;

Notice where the leak is visible around the spa

• On which side of the spa is the water visible

• Notice the slope of the concrete slab the spa is sitting on. If the concrete slab is sloped the water will frequently appear not on the side where the actual leak is but on the opposite site of the spa

• Open the equipment area and look for apparent leaks

• Open the sides of the spa and look for apparent leaks. Use a dry wooden stick to poke through the Insulation. If the stick is wet when you pull it out, that is a sign that you have water in the foam and that the leak might be there. Be sure to start poking toward the bottom

If you can locate the leak as described above your will have saved yourself a few hundred dollars in leak detection cost.

Spa and Hot Tub Pump Trouble Shooting

Pump problems are much easier to diagnose for a technician, hence most of the actual pump diagnostic service calls are free. It may only take a skilled technician a couple of minutes to accurately determine what the problems are.

As a home owner, it is a little bit more complicated for you to trouble shoot a pump. You do need access to an electrical tester and you need to be familiar with some electronic controls and a basic knowledge of how a pump works.

If you have a pump that is not working. Please write down all the information from the name plate on the pump as well as on the spa itself. You can then contact your spa repair company and see if they can give you a price for repairing/replacing the pump without coming out to your house for a service call.

Spa and Hot Tub Heater Diagnosis

To diagnose a heater not working past the “my hot tub water isn’t getting warm” is a little bit more complicated. You will need to look for the following;

1. Are your filters cleaned? Clean them and try again. Or, remove them and try again

2. Can you hear the pump humming but no water coming out? You may have a air lock problem

3. Do you have power going to the spa?

You may have to open up the control panel (only to that if you are comfortable with trouble shooting on live electrical circuits). You also will need to have a voltage tester and an amp probe. With those tools in your hand, call our office and we will take you through how to do it yourself.

These are some steps in Hot Tub troubleshooting steps you can do yourself.

…………..

Written by …. www.precisionspa.com Check out their site it is very Informative.

Precision Spas have some great videos and how to’s on most hot tub and spa subjects.

Thank you Guys for your Help.

If you require parts to repair your hot tub goto www.HotTubDIY.co.uk

Don’t switch your hot tub of this year because its going to be  a cold winter, a little preparation can save alot of money and an expensive repair bill, already this year we have repaired many frozen hot tubs, the pipes had cracked or broken and the hot tubs could not hold water.

The following are a few pointers to help you prepare for a long cold winter.

If possible leave the hot tub switched on, maintain the chemicals in a normal fashion, check the filter because this will still need cleaning, but reduce the temperature to around 20C (if possible) to save on electricity.

What to do if you have a problem

Stopping a hot tub from freezing if a pump breaks isnt easy because…

If you have gate valves to a leaking or tripping pump, close them and unplug the pump and call / book in an hot tub engineer.

If you cant isolate the pump unplug it and call an hot tub engineer.

If you have a leak, can the water level be maintained untill an hot tub engineer can repair repair it.

Call an experienced hot tub repair company, not a have ago hero! a good company will have all the parts on their van already and repair the problem on the day, this could save any further freezing problems.

What to do if your hot tub Freezes.

If the hot tub is frozen can it be defrosted easily?

Is the hot tub in a shed or conservatory can the room be heated?

Does the circulation pump work? if so disconnect all the other pumps and air blower, and let the circulation pump and heater slowly reheat the hot tub. (the reason for disconnecting the main pumps and air blower is is because if half the pipes of a pump are frozen the remaining pipes will have twice the pressure and blow apart or split.)

Split or broken pipe work

If the hot tub is already leaking from broken pipes, call a hot tub engineer to repair A.S.A.P. this should save other pipes and the wet ends of the pumps from cracking.

Tripping Electrics

If the electrics on the hot tub are tripping, disconnect each plugged in part until it stops, ( A single pump filtering is enough to stop the hot tub from freezing).

Fully Foamed Hot Tubs

Important – A fully foamed hot tub can still freeze and makes for a more expensive repair.

Some American brands are fully foamed apart from the compartment area, this makes for very expensive repairs on water leaks especially when the side panels are not designed to come of.

Do not leave the panels of the compartment area, the hot tub pipes will freeze quicker.

Extra Insulation

If the hot tub is working fine and you have a good cover, you don’t need any extra insulation, this would restrict the flow of air and cause damp patches and rot inside your wooden framed hot tub.

New hot tub Cover

The time to buy a new hot tub cover is just before winter, the reason for this is it will hold more heat, stop steam and evaporation and save alot of money.

If you have a new cover you may need to reinforce it if the snow gets deep and heavy.

How to reinforce a hot tub cover

Lay planks of wood across the length of the cover, overlapping the ends slightly.

Put a sheet of plywood on top of this.

Filling with hot water

Do not fill a hot tub with hot water, this will instantly crack your plumbing, instead half fill and then top up with hot water, diluting the water in the middle of the hot tub.

Always fill the first half of the hot tub by putting the hose down the filter tube, this will remove air locks and stop the heater from burning out.

If topping up with hot water fill from the middle and slowly increase the water temperature.

Winterising – using antifreeze

So far antifreeze in a hot tub is not proven to work, it is very difficult to get the little bit of water the sit inside the plumbing of a hot tub.

Keep the hot tub switched on at a low temperature and control the chemicals.

Hot Tub Repair Man – Hot Tub Service Specialists

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Hot Tub Repair Man

Easy Water Guide

Keeping the water in your hot tub or spa clean safe and crystal clear is easy when you know how. This guide will show you the way to achieve this in about half an hour a week.

Hot Tub Repair Man, together with Biolab UK (a leading supplier of spa water care products) has put together this easy to use guide to water management using Chlorine as the sanitising agent. (Bromine can be used as an alternative to Chlorine but should never be used at the same time as Chlorine).

All the product names in this guide are SpaGuard products which are available from www.hottubdiy.co.uk N.B. Other brands are available.

When testing the water, ensure that all jets and air blowers are turned off. If they are turned on you will get inaccurate test results. Before adding chemicals to your spa, water jets should be switched on as this will help disperse the chemicals more quickly. Turn the jets off and allow the water to setle before re-testing.

To help you add the correct amounts of products to your water, make a note of the capacity of your spa and follow the instructions on the product pack label. Quantities in this guide are estimates based on the capacity of an average spa.

Daily (or an hour or before using the spa)

• Test the spa water using a 4 way test strip. The OK ranges for Ph, total alkalinity, Chlorine/Bromine and water hardness are shown as coloured squares on the side of the strips container. Simply add chemicals in your water to match the chart on the container.
• Check Chlorine levels and adjust chemicals to show a level of 3-6 PPM (Parts per Million). To quickly increase Chlorine levels add Chlorine Concentrate. To gradually increase the Chlorine levels simply increase the number of chlorine tablets in your floating Chlorine tablet dispenser.
• If Chlorine levels get too high, simply remove some Chlorine tablets from the dispenser. Chlorine levels will decrease as the spa is used.
• Check the Ph level of the water and adjust the Ph value to give a reading of 7.2 – 7.6 increase the Ph level use Balance Pak 200. To decrease the Ph level use Lo ‘N’ Slo.

Once a week

• Top up the water level if the water line is below the level of the uppermost jets.
• Using a 4 way test strip, adjust the total alkalinity by using Balance Pak 100 to show a reading of 80-150 PPM (Parts Per Million) as directed on the product pack.
• Over a period of a few days bacteria will build up in the water. To reduce the possibility of contamination by these bacteria, Oxidise or “Shock” the water by adding a Spa Lite sachet following the instructions on the product packet.
• Check the floating Chlorine tablet dispenser and add Chlorine if required.
• Clean the waterline using Surface Cleaner sparingly on a soft non abrasive cloth.
• Add a capful of Antifoam drizzled around the edges of the water (If required).
• Add up to 1 capful of Polysheen to the water; this is a clarifier which will keep the water looking crystal clear.
• In areas of hard water add 1-2 capfuls of Stain and Scale Control per week.

Once a Month

• Turn the power off to your spa.
• If your spa is fitted with pleated filter(s) remove the filter(s) and hose them down, then soak them overnight in a solution of Filter Brite and then allow to dry.
• It is best to have a second set of filters so that you can alternate them each month.
• When you have refitted the clean filter turn the power back on.

Every 3 Months

• Turn off the power to your spa.
• Completely drain your spa water and thoroughly clean the shell using Surface Cleaner.
• If your spa is equipped with a disposable filter remove and discard the old filter and fit a new one.
• Fit New filter(s) ensure the new filter(s) are rolled around in the water to remove any air before fitting them.
• Then Fill your spa with water to the correct level.
• Oxidiser or “Shock” the water with a Spa Lite sachet following the instructions on the packet.
• Turn the power back on to your spa.
• In soft water areas, increase the water hardness by using Balance Pak 300 Calculate the correct dosage by using the chart on the pack and pre-dissolve before adding to the spa water.

• Test the total alkalinity and Ph levels by using a 4 way test strip. Adjust the levels as required check that the floating Chlorine tablet dispenser has enough Chlorine tablets inside.
• Wash the hot tub cover and allow it to dry, and then treat it with outdoor weather resist and vinyl protector 303 Protectant. 303 Protectant can also be used on spa headrests to protect them from wear and tear.

Or have a service engineer visit you to do a Fresh Start Service which includes all chemical checks and spa cleaning.

Once a year

• Filters should be replaced once a year (or every two years if you have been alternating between two sets).

• If your spa has a wooden cabinet, clean it thoroughly and treat it with Teak Oil or another recommended product.

• Have your hot tub or spa checked and fully serviced once a year by a service engineer. This service will include all electrical checks, inspection of pipe unions and seals, and a full drain and cleaning of the spa shell. Also inspection and for any repairs and refilling of the tub.

Safety Notes

Ensure that you always follow the directions on the product containers. Be very careful when measuring and adding chemicals to the spa as windy conditions may blow them back towards you. Ideally wear suitable protective clothing such as goggles and gloves. This is intended as a guide only, consult your dealer for more information. Hot tub repair man accepts no responsibility for the safety of spa owners, operators or users.

This document is intended as a guide only.

If you need help with your chemicals, we offer a service to help you setup and understand how to do hot tub chemicals, please contact us through our contact page.

Top Ten Hot Tub Tips

I have worked in the industry for many years and repaired thousands of hot tubs and spas.

Here is my list of Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts

1/ Always fill the hot tub through the filter housing

This will remove any airlocks from around circulation pumps and heaters; it should reduce the possibility of heater burn out.

2/ Never use swimming pool chemicals only Hot Tub Chemicals

Swimming pool chemicals are corrosive to rubber seals inside hot tubs and can make for very expensive repairs.

3/ System flush, system flush, system flush

Every water change use a decent system flush this will reduce the biofilm inside the pipe work that harbours nasty things and give you a more stable water environment for stable chemicals.

4/ Check inside your hot tub at least 1 time every year

Service calls are expensive, take the sides of the hot tub yourself and look for leaks around pump shaft seals and heater unions, dried chemical looks like white powder when its dried and is usually a sign of a leak.

5/ Always switch the spa off to change the filter and do work

Be careful when putting filters back into skimmer baskets, I have been caught out several times putting the basket back into the skimmer and getting a finger or 2 caught, or worse if the pump is still running and you have long hair it can get caught on the shaft of a rotating pump.

6/ The answer to the question how much does my hot tub cost me per week?

Buy a ‘Wireless Electricity Meter’ (cost around £30) these great little devices are really easy to use and fit on the live cable going to the hot tub, count the amount of units the hot tub uses and multiply it by your electric unit cost. Then you have the exact cost.

7/ Use Scale Inhibitor

Scale inhibitor will keep the minerals and metals in your water from damaging your hot tub. (Note always read the bottle before use)

8/ Use Non chlorine shock

Non Chlorine shock is great after or before a heavy bathing session, it differs from clarify (which makes you more work by congealing particles and blocking your filter), Non chlorine shock breaks down heavy sweat, grime and after any little accidents and party’s

9/ Vinyl Cleaner

Use a quality vinyl cleaner like 303 protectant on the vinyl cover of your hot tub, covers can cost up to £450 to replace so a little cleaner at £19 can save you alot of money. Vinyl cleaner makes the cover waterproof, contains sunblock and moisturises the vinyl. New covers do not have any protection on them.

10/ Always use an Ozone unit

These can save you a lot of money by reducing the amount of sanitiser required in your hot tub or spa. (Note Ozone units only tend to last 2 years and need either the bulb or chip replacing).

For more information or questions on hot tub parts please contact us through our Hot Tub DIY – contact page

If you require service or repair please go to Hot Tub Repair Man for more assistance.

www.HotTubDIY.co.uk

If you need hot tub parts please take a look at our fantastic hot tub spares and accessories web site.

We sell all the essentials you need: Hot Tub Chemicals, Filters, Fragrances and Accessories.

As well as all the parts for repairing your hot tub if you want to repair yourself: Hot Tub Pumps, Plumbing, Heating Elements, Pillows and Multi Coloured Lights.

We can get most parts for American and Chinese Hot Tubs, so if you can find the part you require please contact us either by telephone or email.

www.hottubdiy.co.uk

Hot Tub Repair Man – Based in Nottingham The hot tub repair specialists