A deflated hot tub is one of the most common issues that inflatable spa owners confront. Unfortunately, because your spa is a totally inflatable system, there may come a moment when it releases a leak. The greatest baths and spas should last for many years. Even owners of Lay-Z-Spa tubs, which are widely regarded as the greatest in the world, may experience deflation troubles from time to time.
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What To Look For
What should you do – and what should you look for — if your spa begins to deflate? We have a whole tutorial on how to repair each type of deflating tub – but for now, let’s look at spa deflating issues and what you should keep in mind.
1) Have You got a Puncture?
If your tub begins to deflate on a frequent basis, this is usually the first item you should consider. A puncture might happen for any number of reasons.
Although Lay-Z-Spa tubs are typically strong and long-lasting, they are nonetheless vulnerable to sharp edges and tearing things. Once entirely deflated, you should carefully inspect the whole lining. Punctures might be difficult to detect if they are little.
2) Inspect While in Use
Another thing you can do to head a deflating tub off at the pass is to carefully inspect it while in use. Check the outside of your tub, when inflated, for noises – such as air escaping, for example. If not on the outside of your tub, try to listen carefully for air leaks on the inside – just don’t fill it up with water!
3) Checking the Inflation Valve
Fortunately, there is a simple remedy to many Lay-Z-Spa deflation issues. It doesn’t always have to be a puncture causing air to escape from your tub. It’s possible that your tub’s inflation valve is malfunctioning or too slack.
A faulty inflation valve is most likely to blame for air escaping from a Lay-Z-Spa. Once again, situations like these are unusual even in the most robust tubs. It is, however, simple to correct. Check that your inflation valve is secure, snug, and completely in place. Otherwise, you’ll be leaking a lot of air.
4) Check Your Warranty
There appear to be a few accusations on the internet that Lay-Z-Spa tubs have warranties that do not cover punctures. It’s worth double-checking these things, in our opinion. We believe that puncturing a hot tub is considered incidental damage. As a result, you may be able to claim for it under wear and tear on your content insurance. Please keep in mind that because we are not insurance providers, this may vary – carefully consider your alternatives.
A decent hot tub warranty, on the other hand, will protect you if any deflation or use concerns emerge due to no fault of your own. Before you buy, always double-check the warranty terms and inclusions. It’s important to understand what you can claim for.
5) Don’t Replace Outright
It’s tempting to just replace a hot tub, even a Lay-Z-Spa, with a new one. Is this the finest thing to do if you have a puncture or a loose-fitting garment? You’ll be squandering a lot of money if you spend more than £400-£500 on Lay-Z-more Spa’s cheap solutions.
As a result, look into strategies to repair punctures and tighten your inflation valves. Check out our complete instructions, for example, and never throw in the towel until you’ve given your tub a thorough once-over. You can count on us!
Reasons a hot tub may deflate
Today’s hot tubs are made from quality materials which boast state-of-the-art technology Lay-Z-Spa are one of the most popular manufacturers and according to them if your portable keeps deflating it’s for one of two reasons. Let’s looks at first.
1) A leaky air-valve
So, you bought it, inflated it according to the manufacturer’s directions, and are looking forward to your first bath. However, it continues to deflate for no apparent reason. This might be due to a leaky air-valve, and thankfully, there is a simple repair.
First, determine whether the air valve is leaking. Soaking the valve in soapy water does this. If you detect bubbles, the air-valve is loose and has to be tightened.
To do this, first deflate the hot tub, then turn the valve clockwise with a wrench while gripping the back of the valve from within the unit.
Re-inflate the tub and repeat the soapy water process to guarantee it is no longer leaking.
2) A puncture
Even the greatest inflatable spas can develop a leak or two throughout their lifetime. These leaks can occur for a variety of reasons, including frequent usage, the age of the unit, a lack of maintenance, or being punctured by a sharp item such as a stone.
(Tip: place a hot tub mat below.)
Don’t worry, you don’t need to hurry out and get a brand-new tub because they are typically a small issue. They can, however, grow into a major problem if not handled. A puncture may be fixed at home or using one of these kits.
You will also need:
- water,
- paper towel,
- soap,
- chalk
- A spray-bottle
How to repair a leak
If you just installed the hot tub, and it keeps deflating for no clear reason, check if the air valve is leaking by applying soapy water to the valve. If bubbles appear, the valve is loose and you will need to re-fasten it.
To fasten the valve, the first thing is to deflate the spa. Then, with one hand, grab the backside of the air valve from the inner side of the tub and, while holding it tight, turn the wrench clockwise until fastened. Inflate the tub and spray the soapy water on the valve to check if it’s still leaking.
If the hot tub is punctured, repair it with the provided repair patch. Simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions to perform this uncomplicated job. The first thing you need to do if you suspect your hot tub has developed a leak is to identify where the problem is.
X marks the spot
The pump sealing is one of the most typical sites where leaks occur. Pump sealing leaks occur as a result of regular use and age, but the good news is that the sealant may be fixed or readily mended. Other leaks caused by a sharp item might occur anywhere, and it can be irritating to try to locate them.
The hardest step in repairing an inflatable hot tub puncture is finding the rupture. A puncture can occur for a variety of reasons, including age, frequent usage, improper maintenance, or the pinch of the outer side with a sharp object.
This implies that a puncture might develop anywhere, and determining where the air is leaving can be difficult.
In general, the two most typical sites where leaks appear in a tub are the heating assembly and the pump sealing.
Leaks near the union fittings in the heating assembly might occur because the air valve is loose, or they can be caused by a malfunctioning air valve. In the first case, the problem is simple to resolve by tightening the valve with your hands or a wrench according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
However, we do not encourage attempting to fix a malfunctioning valve on your own. Seek professional assistance on whether the item should be repaired or replaced.
Due to age or usage, air leaks occur in the pump sealing; in this situation, the sealing is simple to fix and may even be replaced if necessary. Again, if you’re unsure, get professional assistance.
But a rupture can occur in any other place if it’s caused by a sharp object. And while repairing it is simple, identifying it is more time-consuming.
However, the process is simple. All you need is soapy water made with liquid soap or detergent and water. Pour the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake vigorously, and spray the mixture on the suspected area while the hot tub is inflated.
Soapy water will form bubbles where the air escapes, helping you pinpoint the puncture. At this stage, wipe away the mixture and mark the spot with a pen, then deflate your hot tub and repair that bothersome leak.
The fix
The simplest ways to repair an inflatable hot tub is with silicone or with a hot tub repair kit.
You should buy a good repair kit to patch the puncture for the best results. These kits, which include a clear vinyl patch, adhesive, and an applicator, cost around £10 and are simple to apply.
For a longer lasting result, we recommend using an inflatable spa hot tub repair kit such as Blu Line to fix the puncture.
You must properly clean the area with a de-greaser since vinyl will not bond to an oily surface, wasting your time and money. After that, dry using a paper towel to ensure no water remains before moving on to the next step.
Apply the glue after cutting the vinyl patch to size and ensuring it completely covers the puncture. Stick the patch firmly and let it to cure for a few hours. We recommend waiting 24-36 hours before reinflating it to ensure that the patch has been repaired.
You should keep a kit on hand since you never know when your tub will leak, but if you don’t have one, there is another option.
Using Silicone to fix a hot tub leak
When a homeowner does not have an inflatable hot tub patch on available, silicone is frequently used as a temporary fix. Because most DIYers already have silicone in their toolbox, repairing the tub using silicone is simple and affordable. Simply cover the puncture with transparent silicone and allow it to cure before filling the hot tub.
Because it is less apparent on the inflated tub, we recommend choosing transparent silicone. Depending on the substance of the tub, silicone may or may not bond, and it may come off when using the spa.
Most DIYers will have some Silicone in their toolkits, and this may be used as a temporary remedy for those who do not have a puncture repair kit on hand.
As previously said, carefully clean and dry the area before sealing the puncture with silicone
(Tip- using transparent silicone will be less visible)
Allow the silicone to dry fully before inflating the hot tub, and keep in mind that some materials will not stick to the silicone, in which case you will need to acquire a hot tub repair kit.
Inflating
Regardless of the method you use and quite unfortunately, the only method to determine whether or not the repair was successful is to inflate the hot tub. Follow the manufacturer’s directions; this usually only takes around 10 minutes.
At this stage, spray the soapy water over the patch and look for bubbles. If they appear, air is still leaking. This could happen if the patch didn’t cover the whole puncture or if the glue or silicone didn’t adhere well. To fix this, repeat step two paying a little more attention to the process.
Spray the spot with soapy water and watch for bubbles again. Hopefully, there will be none and you will be able to refill your tub.
If there are no bubbles but the spa continues to deflate, you may have more than one puncture; examine the entire surface again and repeat the preceding instructions. inspect the whole surface again to detect any other punctures. Otherwise, call in a technician to inspect and repair the product. Enjoy your tub!
Conclusion
When a leak is repaired correctly, it may last as long as the hot tub itself with regular cleaning and care.
Nowadays, hot tubs are made of high-quality, robust materials that, with appropriate maintenance, may survive for a long time, but leaks can occur on occasion. We hope we have convinced you that fixing most leaks yourself is a straightforward task.
If you follow the procedures above, your inflatable will be operational again soon, and you, your loved ones, and friends will be able to enjoy the relaxing hot waters for a long time.