Hot Tub Restoration

If you're dealing with an old hot tub that isn't looking too hot anymore, you might consider restoring it yourself. Paying to have a hot tub restored can cost thousands of dollars, which is something you might not want to pay consider you already spent thousands on buying your hot tub.

The good thing is, you've come to the right place.

If you're looking to bring your hot tub back to good shape, continue reading to follow our step-by-step guide.

Fixing Cracks In An Acrylic Hot Tub Shell

One of the main reasons that so many people get rid of hot tubs is that they have cracks in acrylic shells. The good thing is, fixing a crack in an acrylic shell is fairly easy.

The very first thing that you want to do to stop the crack from spreading before you get into the repairing process is to drill two holes on each end of the crack.

Fixing Cracks In An Acrylic Hot Tub Shell

To fill the crack in the shell, you will use an acrylic repair paste, which you can buy from just about any local hot tub or pool store. Once the acrylic repair paste is nice and dry, you can sand it and buff it so that it smooths out. Many people like to add some form of paint on top of the paste so that the repair ends up being the same color as the shell.

Here is a step-by-step guide to repairing a crack in the shell:

Drill two very small holes at each end of the crack. The holes that you drill should be just slightly larger than the crack, though not too much larger.
Use an acrylic repair kit from your local hot tub or pool store.
Put on a pair of latex gloves so that you don't get the paste on your hands
Follow the instructions that come with your paste to combine and mix your liquid components and powder, quickly spreading the paste into the holes and the cracks.
Wipe down all of the excess paste from the shell before it dries on, as this stuff tends to dry very quickly.
Because the paste will dry with a white color, you may consider using paint to get it to match the shell or cabinetry on your hot tub.
Sand and buff it once dried and finished.

Replacing Old Spa Equipment

There are a few pieces of equipment that people often end up replacing when it comes to old hot tubs, including:

The blower
The pumps
The heater tube
The control box

If you need to replace any of these components in your hot tub, start by turning it off and draining all of the water out of it. Close your gate valves and disconnect any of the power cables. As you begin removing the old equipment on the inside, take note as to how it was installed, as you will replace it similarly to how you took it out.

Let's take a look at some of the main components in hot tub models that you might need to replace during a restoration:

Heater and control box: These pieces of equipment are made to heat your hot tub. Typically, newer hot tub models have heaters and control boxes that come with timers on them. You will most often find these in a large metal tub, which will house the heating element.
Pumps: Sometimes you will have a single pump and sometimes your pump system will come with multiples. The pump system is what the hot tub uses to pull water through the heater and the rest of the system.
Blowers: The blower is what creates bubbles in the water.
Control panel: The control panel on the top side of your hot tub is what you use to adjust the temperature and other functions in your hot tub. Depending on the brand of hot tub that you have, there are many choices that you have when it comes to replacing these.
Ozonator: Again, depending on your hot tub, you may have an additional component known as an ozonator. Ozonators are made to reduce or eliminate the need for chemicals in the water. Many hot tubs that are older don't have ozonators, so unless you have a brand new hot tub, we wouldn't worry too much about this.

All of this equipment will require different replacing strategies, so we highly recommend getting ahold of the instruction manual before you attempt to restore or replace anything on your own. Before you begin taking any of these components out to replace them, we highly recommend taking a picture of your equipment so that you can make it just how it is.

Heating Element Replacement

When it comes to replacing a heating element in a hot tub, it is surprisingly cheap to do it properly. Overall, you can replace your heating element without calling a professional for around $30. If you choose to replace your entire heating tube, you will likely pay around $250 for the job. It's much better to perform this type of fix the DIY route, as hiring a pro repairman for this project can cost you double the amount.

The heater is a tube, which is attached to the control box in your hot tub. Inside the heater tube, you will find your existing heating element. It is up to you to decide which one needs replacing by inspecting the potential damage.

Pump Replacement

The pump is what your hot tub uses to move the water through the heating element and back into the spa. People often confused the pump with the blower, which is the existing piece in your hot tub that makes bubbles.

Having a good pump is extremely important. On average, you will spend around $300 for a high-end spa pump. It is very easy to replace pumps in hot tubs, so there is no reason to pay a person to come out and do it for you.

How Long Will My Hot Tub Heater Last?

On average, hot tub heaters last around five years. One of the first things that people often need to replace in an old spa is the heater, as they are the first components that typically break.

The length of time that your heater will last is completely dependent on several factors, including the brand of your heater, how hot you set the temperature, and the surrounding climate.

The good thing is, replacing the heater is surprisingly easy. You could do it yourself for free, rather than pay someone else.

How To Fix a Hot Tub Leak

If you recently purchased a used spa that is bent out of shape, you might end up dealing with leaks. If you are trying to repair a leak in your hot tub, the first thing you will need to do is find it. Start by looking for water that is pooled behind your hot tub panels and check for any moisture surrounding the fittings and pipes.

Wherever you see the water, make sure that the connections are tight. Look at your rubber gaskets and see if they are in place.

One of the best products for fixing leaks in hot tubs is Marlig Fix-A-Leak. This is great if you are trying to fix a cabinet or shell. However, if one of your pipes is leaking, you might have to use a PVC joint repair. See our Hot Tub Leak Sealer Reviews article for more recommended products.

These joint repair chemicals are typically made out of epoxy that you mix together prior to applying it. The beauty of these products is that they generally dry very quickly and can be applied directly atop a leak, even while it is leaking. More often than not, these tend to dry in less than 30 minutes, regardless of if the leak area is moist or if the leak is underwater.

Our How To Find A Leak In A Hot Tub article offers more detailed information on this subject.

Final Thoughts - DIY Hot Tub Repairs With Ease

We hope that you now feel more comfortable going through a full hot tub restore on your own. Make sure to read through your hot tub manual to determine whether or not this is a job you can handle, or whether or not you can still find the right parts for this hot.

If your particular repair is electrical in nature, we highly recommend hiring an electrician, as dealing with electrical problems on your own can be extremely dangerous.

If the wood is rotting on your hot tub cabinet, your hot tub might be past the point of DIY repair. Trying to restore wood is very difficult if the wood is rotted, In this case, you may consider buying a new hot tub altogether, as the hours and money combined trying to restore bad wood can be more costly than the money you would spend buying a new hot tub.