How To Repair Cracked Hot Tub Pipes (Or Manifold)

In this guide, we’ll show you how to repair cracked hot tub pipes. Hot tubs are an excellent investment and will sit well in almost any kind of house. These are insulated tubs with heaters installed that not only heat up the water but keep it clean as well.

You can just leave your hot tub running around the clock and it’s going to keep the water at a specific temperature the whole time. However, what happens if the water in your hot tub starts to leak?

A leaking hot tub can prove to be troublesome to use, and the chemical-laden water may start killing the grass in your garden as well. Therefore, it’s important for you to take appropriate steps to fix the leak.

The first step you have to take is to remove the panel and then figure out where the water is leaking from. In most cases, the leakage usually occurs from a rubber gasket that’s connected at the heater.

It could also be caused due to a wayward or improperly fitted jet, or worse, a crack in the pipes. If you are not able to access the point of the leakage using conventional means, it would be a wise move to use some sealing products to seal the leak.

If it’s a larger crack, the use of epoxy putty, especially one that is designed to be used in watery conditions, is a wise idea. However, this is barely scratching the surface. There are quite a few other things that you should know about fixing the leakage in a hot tub.

In the following paragraphs, we will talk about the most common reasons that could cause a leakage, the most appropriate fixes, and some common signs that you need to look out for.

What Causes a Hot Tub to Leak?

Now, let’s start by talking about the causes. Damage to the rubber gasket, which is installed on each point where the heater is connected is one of the most common causes of a leakage in the hot tub.

However, it could also be due to an improper connection. If the pipes or the water jets are not fitted properly, it may cause them to leak. These are usually covered in waterproof foam, so it’s generally difficult to spot the point of leakage.

While it does seem a bit straightforward at first, you have to understand that there are quite a few different components inside your water heater that are designed to work in tandem with each other.

One of the highest probabilities is damage to the rubber gasket or the glue that connects two pipes together. You have to understand that even the strongest glue in the world might have difficulty in keeping the pipes connected together in such conditions.

The water flowing through these pipes is usually upwards of 104°F, so if you keep the tub active around the clock, you are essentially applying a great deal of heat to those pipes, and the glue, the whole time.

With the passage of time, the joints may break apart. This is obviously conventional wear and tear, so it’s not difficult to fix. Another important thing that you need to consider is the age of the hot tub.

The older it gets, the more prone to problems it’s going to be. You have to understand that these things are not designed to last for decades. If your hot tub is over five years old, it would be a wise idea to think about replacing it altogether.

How To Repair Cracked Hot Tub Pipes

If there is a cracked pipe in your hot tub, the best thing that you can do is replace it altogether. The high heat and the extreme pressure at which the water flows is only going to make things worse over time, so it’s recommended that you replace the pipe.

The first thing to do is close the gate valves, and then loosen up the fittings around the cracked area. You should buy a suitable replacement pipe and then replace the cracked one with a new one. If there are tightly glued sections, your only option will be to use a saw.

It’s important that you take your time when working with a saw around the hot tub because any wayward movement could lead to a hack and more damage to your hot tub.

Keep in mind that using waterproof epoxy for larger cracks might be a good temporary fix, but if you want peace of mind, it’s best to replace the whole thing.

When you are dealing with the pipes in your hot tub, you have to understand that there are quite a few. The majority of these pipes are incredibly strong, so they are not prone to crack. But, the ones that do will need to be replaced.

However, there are some pipes that might not be readily accessible. More importantly, in some cases, finding suitable replacement parts might not be easy either.

Most hot tubs make use of different kinds of pipes that you may not find in the markets. Therefore, your best bet is to replace it using waterproof epoxy putty.

Epoxy putty is quite great because you can use it underwater as well. However, if there’s water squirting out of the pipes constantly due to high pressure, you won’t be able to apply the epoxy putty and let it harden in place.

As a result, you have to first cut off the water supply and let the pressure subside before you decide to replace the pipe. If you are planning on replacing the pipe, cutting off the pressure isn’t a wise move.

Instead, you should drain out the water from your hot tub and then remove the pipe before you start filling it up with water again.

More importantly, if you have to apply glue to the area where the pipe is placed, you should wait for at least a couple of hours before you decide to let the water flow through the pipes again.

How To Fix A Cracked Hot Tub Manifold

The manifold of your hot tub is usually made from PVC components, and is designed to split the flow of water that passes from the pumps and then carry it into the jets. The manifolds are usually fitted in place with the help of high-quality PVC glue.

Some hot tubs even make use of PVC cement for fitting the manifold in place. A crack in the manifold could lead to serious issues because it plays such an important role in keeping your hot tub’s water supply running smoothly.

For starters, a crack in the system will immediately reduce the pressure of water that sprays out from the jets. The system isn’t sealed anymore, and air is allowed to enter or escape, thus preventing the buildup of suitable pressure.

If the manifold is cracked, the simple option would be to replace it altogether. You will have to visit a few hot tub stores in your area to find an appropriate manifold that will sit in well on your hot tub.

Make a note of the make and model of your hot tub and then go to buy a decent replacement. If you are still on the fence, it might be a wise idea to drain all the water from your hot tub, remove the manifold, and then take it with you.

Remember, the manifold you buy should have the exact same measurements. If you buy something with bigger pipes or smaller ones, it’s not going to fit in very well.

Once you have a suitable replacement, the next step you have to take is to fix the manifold in place. For this, you will have to buy some PVC glue or cement.

First, remove all of the cement from the original couplings and then fix the old one in place. You can even use a bit of sandpaper in gentle motions to smoothen the surface before you add the replacement manifold in.

Once the replacement manifold has been fixed in place, apply the glue or cement and let it dry out. If there are screws, you need to firmly screw those in as well.

Finally, when you are done, it’s recommended that you wait at least a day for the cement to dry before you start running water through the manifold again.