Spa Plumbing
Plumbing systems for hot tubs are complicated in the way that they have many smaller lines that interconnect via diverter valves, air valves, jets and integral components such as the pump and the heater. To complete these systems over 100 individual solvent welded connections are made by hand by an installer.What Makes A Spa Leak?
There can be hundreds of plumbing connections underneath a hot tub and any one of these connections can fail causing a leak in your spa. The leak can be a result of a manufacturing error ro can be a result of expansion and contraction of the plumbing lines. In addition to the stress of turing the pumps on and off the plumbing connections can also fail due to vibrations given the right circumstance.
These solvent welded connections account for the majority of hot tub leaks total. Human error. The pipe glues into a socket and the glue has the tendency to push the fitting back off after application. If the pipe is not monitored or held in place for a least a few moments after gluing it can potentially slip off.
The average socket depth of a PVC fitting would be about one and three eights inches. Smaller lines like half or three quarter inch pipe is especially prone to push fittings back off. A partially glued fitting may pass initial inspection or pressure test but would ultimately fail sooner than a properly glued fitting.
The Limitations Of Flexible PVC
A few hot tub manufacturers are exploring pipe different than flexible PVC as the PVC is prone to failure over time. In the short term it is quite suitable for hot tub applications however flexible PVC tends to deteriorate quickly and has a demonstrated shorter life span than other more common plumbing materials such as rigid PVC and various metals.Do Pipes Need Foam To Hold Them From Moving?
As a seasoned contractor, spa builder, and former plumbing foreman for the most decorated Master Pool Builders Guild member in the Country – I can say with a certain degree of certainty that:You do not need foam to hold plumbing lines in place inside a hot tub. I am frustrated that full foam hot tub sales people try to convince my clients that the opposite is true. Encasing plumbing lines completely in foam does help to limit movement slightly. What it does extremely well is hide smaller leaks that lead to devastating repair bills down the road long after short sighted warranties are expired.
Access Is Critical For Cost Effective Servicing
Retaining access for service is a critical part of efficient engineering for complicated products. Diagnosing leaks in plumbing lines on full foam hot tubs is made infinitely more difficult due to foam and access restrictions.The foam acts as a sponge for a very long time absorbing even moderate leaks readily. The foam will continue to take on weight as the water diffuses throughout the entirety of the foam. Once wet the insulation value of the foam plummets leading to highly inflated running costs.
The Future Of Full Foam Spas In Canada
The concept of full foam will not exist in the future for acrylic hot tubs. Much more efficient and longevity minded designs are becoming popular and the troubleshooting and repair difficulties associated with full foam tubs dramatically impacts the bottom line of owning a spa.Spa Leak Detection
Leaks are a reality of spa plumbing and you should expect multiple leak repairs being required over the lifetime of your hot tub. With the ability to easily inspect the actual plumbing installation, repairs cost on average $100 plus the cost of the replacement part.
A full foam tub leak detection could easily cost $1500 and the certainty of a leak free spa would be moderate at best after the repair as additional leaks can develop while flipping the tub on end for access through the floor.
Learn more about Salt Water Spas here