Hot Tub Pump

The Hot Tub Pump Keeps The Water Moving

Once you have decided to become a hot tub owner (or maybe you already are one), you become responsible for maintenance and upkeep as well.  Ostensibly you bought the hot tub in the first place to relax and soak away the tension of the work day or accentuate an intimate evening.  Whatever the reasons are for your initial purchase, there is nothing that can put a kink into your efforts more than a faulty hot tub pump.  If the pump becomes an issue you must decide how to remedy the situation.

If you are a handy person, you may want to give pump repair a try yourself.  I would hesitate to recommend attempts at pump fixing for the novice.  If the repair project seems daunting, you should contact your local hot tub dealer to see if they can recommend someone to do the job.  Either way, observe all safety precautions and start by disconnecting or disabling all electrical current.

Signs of a dying pump are fairly basic.  Clearly a reduction in water flow velocity is one.  In this case, thoroughly clean the filter and review again.  Humming or whining noises coming from your pump usually indicate that the beginning of the end is near.    Finally, puddles under the hot tub itself could indicate that seals or gaskets need replacement.

Before shelling out the money for an attempt at repair you should determine if pump replacement is the answer for your spa.  First, check and see if your hot tub is under warranty -- some dealers or manufacturers of high end hot tubs like Caldera, Sundance and Cal Spas will give extensive and even lifetime warranties for some of their parts. 

If you have an older hot tub that is not under warranty you can do a great deal of research on the internet and compare hot tub part prices with your local dealer.  Some deep discounts are given for remanufactured pumps for example.  Pump prices are wide ranging, costing less than $100 in some cases and exceeding $500 in other cases.

Obviously the cost of replacement will factor heavily in your final decision.  Depending on the age, condition, and features of your hot tub and the frequency of use, you might consider abandoning pump replacement altogether.  The price may push you toward the purchase of something new.

Finally, you can avoid or minimize the above issues by cleaning your filter regularly and using the recommended chemicals.  Keep on top of your hot tub duties and don't let the pump problems ruin your soaking pleasure.