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How much water is the spa losing?
By knowing how much water the spa has lost in a given period, it can help
determine if the spa is actually leaking or not.
Place a mark (piece of tape or grease pencil) at the water line of the spa.
With normal use, observe the water level and make notes of the amount of water
loss (if any) in 24hrs, then 7 days.
During normal use, the spa can lose as much as ¼”-1/2” per week.
If the measurements indicate more than this, there are still other questions that
need to be asked before determining the spa is leaking.
Is the water area just a wet spot or puddle?
If the water area is just a wet spot or a puddle, the spa is probably not leaking.
Most leaks leave a trail of water running away from the spa.
Before determining if spa is leaking, have customer observe the spa for one
week to see if the water area shrinks or dries up.
Has it rained in the last 48 hours?
Rainwater will collect under the spa and slowly seep out.
This is especially true with spas that have full foam insulation or solid bottoms.
If it has rained recently and the water is only a puddle or wet spot, the spa is
most likely not leaking.
Is the lawn sprinkler spraying towards the spa?
Lawn sprinklers (like rain) will add water that collects under the spa.
Because most sprinklers are automatic and sometimes operate at night,
sprinklers can be a major contributor to water under the spa that is often
forgotten.
If the sprinklers are directed at the spa or even close to it, they should be re-
directed so they don’t spray on the spa.
Is the cover on and tight?
If the cover is not on or tight, the spa water’s evaporation rate will increase
significantly making it appear that water is leaking out.
Another situation that occurs if the cover does not fit well is the condensation
that forms on the bottom of the cover can drip off the cover and collect beside
the spa, appearing as a leak.
This condition is usually more noticeable during the cooler months.
To correct both conditions, make sure the cover is in good shape, fits • well, and
is on whenever the spa is not being used.
Is the water trailing away from the spa?
If the water is actually trailing away from the spa on a constant basis, then the
spa is probably leaking.
If there is moss or algae growing along the water trail, this indicates a fresh flow
of water and most likely a leak.
Verify that external conditions are not the cause of the trailing water. (rain,
sprinklers, or cover condensation) before further leak investigation
There is a Leak around the Equipment Area
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Is there water in the equipment area when the power is off?
Turn the power off to the spa. Check the floor of the equipment area • with a flashlight.
Look for evidence of leaking including moisture, standing water, or white scale buildups (usually close to the
pump area).
Use a mirror to inspect hard to reach areas. Pay close attention to the unions and pumps. If leaks are found
at unions, tighten connections or inspect for pinched gasket / o-ring. Replace if necessary. If other leaks are
found, repair as necessary.
Is there water in the equipment area when the pumps are running?
If there is no leak found with the power off, turn the power on and inspect the equipment area again this time
with all pumps on high speed.
Pay close attention for any noticeable drips from connections in the equipment area.
Some drips are slow and hard to see.
If you suspect a leak but cannot visually confirm, take a piece of dry paper towel and wipe around the fitting /
connection.
If the paper towel wipes dry, there is no leak.
If the paper towel shows moisture, then the fitting / connection is probably leaking and needs repair.
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There is water around the pump
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Does the water leak when the pump is on?
Carefully inspect the area between the pump and motor where the shaft seal is.
If the water leaks from this area when the pump is running, this is a shaft seal leak.
The seal that keeps the water from the pump out of the motor has failed.
This type of leak will only appear when the pump is running.
If shaft seal leak is found, replace pump or shaft seal.
If this area leaks when the pump is turned off, there is probably a crack somewhere on the wet end or the wet
end gasket seal has failed. Replace pump or repair as necessary.
There is no water in the equipment area, but the spa is still leaking
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Has the spa been subjected to temperature extremes?
If the spa has been subjected to overheat conditions, the plastic fittings can warp and lose their structural
integrity.
This will cause leaks as gaskets can’t seal or silicone pulls loose.
If a fitting is found that has been subjected to overheating, replace the fitting with a new one.
If the spa has been subjected to freezing conditions, anywhere that water froze is a potential leak.
More common areas of potential freeze damage include: Pump wet ends, heater unions, drain hose
connections, and any plastic fitting (manifold, check valve, etc.) near the bottom of the shell.
If a part has cracked due to freeze damage, it should be replaced
Replace the damaged fitting, don’t just repair the fitting as the freeze stress has weakened the entire fitting.
Spa insulating foam is saturated
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Does the water appear to come from a specific side of the spa?
Most leaks will travel to the low side of the spa.
Pull the cabinet panel from that side.
Inspect the internal components for evidence of leaks.
Trace the leak to its source.
If the leak is traced to underneath the spa, it may be necessary to drain and tip the spa on its side to repair.
Confirm that this is needed before proceeding.
Make repair as necessary.
Will this hurt the spa?
Leave the cabinet side panel off for a few days to allow for additional drying to take place.
Take care to replace the cabinet panel before rain or freezing weather occurs.
Will his cause mildew or algae to grow?
The saturated foam from a leak in the spa contains sanitizers that were in the spa water at the time of the
leak.
These sanitizers inhibit mildew growth in the foam, inside the cavity of the spa.
On the outside of the spa, sunlight and fresh air will inhibit the growth of mildew.
On the outside of the spa, if water is present on a continuous basis where sunlight can reach, there may be
algae growth on the wet area.
If you take away the water source, the algae will disappear.
Because sunlight can’t get to the inside of the spa cavity, algae growth is non-existent.
Technical Information on
this page provided by
Cal Spas®,
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