6 Common Hot Tub Repair Problems and How to Fix Each One

It’s 8 PM on a Friday night. You walk out to your hot tub, pull back the cover, and step in. The water is barely warm. The jets feel weak. Something is humming louder than it should.

Now you’re standing in your backyard wondering if this is a quick resolution or a big expense.

Most hot tub problems fall into a short list. After years of experience working on spas and pools across Long Beach, Seal Beach, and Lakewood, we see the same six issues again and again. Some you can handle yourself with basic tools and a few minutes. Others need a licensed technician before they get worse.

This guide walks through each of the six most common hot tub repair problems, what causes them, what you can check on your own, and when it’s time to call for service. Whether your unit is three years old or thirteen, this will help you figure out what’s going on and what to do about it.

What Are the Most Common Hot Tub Repair Problems?

The six most common hot tub repair services calls involve:

1. Heating system failure causing cold or lukewarm water
2. Circulation motor malfunction with unusual noises or weak water flow
3. Water loss from jets, plumbing unions, or the shell
4. Jet issues like low pressure or jets stuck in one position
5. Control panel errors showing codes or an unresponsive display
6. Shell cracks or surface damage from age, ground movement, or chemical wear

Heating and motor problems typically need a trained specialist. Minor jet adjustments and small surface scratches may be safe to handle on your own with the right materials and a bit of patience. Based on our work across Long Beach, we’d rather teach you to spot a problem early than have you pay for something that didn’t need to happen.

If your hot tub is showing any of these signs, start by reading the matching section below. Each one walks you through what to check first and when to bring in help.

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Heating System Failure and What Causes Cold Water

Cold water is one of the most common complaints we hear from homeowners in Long Beach. You set the temperature, the display says it’s warming up, but the water never gets there. Or it cycles on and shuts off without reaching the set point.

What it looks like:

• Water stays lukewarm or cold no matter the setting
• The heating element clicks on and shuts off within a few minutes
• Error codes like “OH” (overheat), “SN” (sensor issue), or “FLO” (flow restriction) appear on the display

Common causes:

• Corroded heating element (especially in coastal areas where salt air speeds up wear)
• Failed flow switch that tells the system there’s no water moving
• Thermostat malfunction
• Calcium buildup from hard water

What you can check yourself: Pull out the filter cartridge and inspect it. A dirty or clogged cartridge restricts water flow, and most modern units will shut the warming system off when flow drops too low. Also check that the water level is above the minimum fill line. Confirm your breaker hasn’t tripped.

When to call for service: If the cartridge is clean, water level is fine, and the error code keeps coming back, the problem is usually electrical or internal. Any work involving gas connections or wiring should be done by a certified specialist.

In our experience, homes near the coast in Belmont Shore and Seal Beach tend to see corrosion faster than inland properties in Lakewood or Downey. Salt air gets into enclosures and shortens the life of internal parts. A routine rinse-down of the cabinet area can help slow that process.

Motor Problems That Cause Weak Flow or Strange Noises

The circulation motor is what moves water through your plumbing, filtration, and heating system. When it starts failing, you’ll usually hear it before you see it.

What it looks like:

• Loud humming but no water movement
• Grinding or screeching sounds during operation
• The unit won’t start at all
• Water flow comes and goes

Common causes:

• Clogged impeller (debris gets past the basket)
• Worn bearings inside the motor
• Blown start capacitor
• Air lock in the plumbing after emptying and filling

What you can check yourself: Turn off the system and look inside the basket or skimmer. If you recently drained and refilled your tub, air may be trapped in the lines. You can try loosening the union fitting slightly to let air bleed out, then retighten once water flows steadily.

When to call for help: Bearing replacement, capacitor swaps, and full motor swaps all require technical knowledge and, in California, often a licensed contractor. According to the California Contractors State License Board, pool or spa work over $500 generally requires a licensed contractor in California.

One thing worth knowing: if your pump is original to a unit that’s 8 or more years old, a variable speed replacement can cut energy costs by an estimated 30 to 40%, based on what we’ve seen with our Long Beach customers. The upfront cost is higher, but in many cases, the new motor pays for itself within three to four years through lower electricity bills, though results depend on your usage and local utility costs. That’s something to consider if you’re already looking at swapping out the old one.

How to Find and Address a Hot Tub Leak

Water loss causes more stress than almost any other issue. Levels drop, your deck or patio stays wet, and you’re not sure if the problem is a loose fitting or a cracked shell.

What it looks like:

• Water level drops noticeably between uses
• Wet ground or puddles around the cabinet
• Damp or warped panels on the exterior
• Higher than normal water bill

Common locations:

• Jet gaskets and O-rings
• Union connections at the motor or warming system
• PVC plumbing joints inside the cabinet
• The shell itself (less common but possible)

What you can check yourself: Turn off the jets and let the water sit still. Drop a few drops of dark food coloring near each jet and watch the dye. If it gets pulled toward a gap, you’ve found the source. Open the side access panels and look for drips or mineral deposits on fittings. White crusty buildup on a connection usually means water has been seeping there for a while.

When to call for help: If the seepage is at a union, deeper plumbing line, or through the shell wall, it needs a specialist who can assess whether a patch will hold or whether the damage is structural.

One thing we’ve noticed in Long Beach: coastal humidity can cover up slow water loss. The ground around outdoor tubs in neighborhoods like Naples or Peninsula stays damp from marine moisture, so you might not notice a small drip for weeks. Check the inside of the cabinet, not just the area around the base.

Jet Problems and What They Tell You About Your Spa

When your jets lose pressure or stop turning, the system still works, but it doesn’t feel right. Jet issues are usually straightforward to diagnose.

What it looks like:

• Weak jets across all zones
• One group of jets works while another doesn’t
• Jets won’t rotate or adjust
• Air sputtering through jet nozzles

Common causes:

• Diverter valve stuck or broken (this is the handle that shifts water between jet zones)
• Calcium buildup inside jet bodies
• Air lock in plumbing
• Reduced overall flow from a struggling circulation motor (see section above)

What you can check yourself: Most jets twist out of their housing by turning counterclockwise. Remove them and soak in a bucket of white vinegar for a few hours to clean out calcium and mineral deposits. While the jets are out, check the openings for any remaining buildup or removal needs. Also try turning the diverter valve handle back and forth. If it’s stiff or won’t move, the internal gate may be broken.

When to call for service: If cleaning the jets and adjusting the diverter doesn’t restore flow, the problem is likely deeper in the plumbing. Low flow across all jets usually points back to the motor or filtration system, not the jets themselves.

Long Beach water tends to run on the harder side, based on local water quality reports from the Long Beach Water Department. That means calcium builds up faster on jet internals. We recommend pulling and soaking your jets in vinegar roughly every three to four months if you want to keep your spa running at full pressure.

Control Panel Errors and Unresponsive Displays

Error codes on your display look alarming, but most of them are the unit telling you something specific. Knowing what the codes mean can save you a service call.

Common error codes and what they mean:

What you can check yourself: Most flow errors (FLO/FL) go away after taking care of the cartridge. Dry errors (DR) clear up once the water level is topped off. If the display is completely blank, check your GFCI breaker. GFCI breakers can trip from moisture exposure, ground faults, or electrical irregularities, so they tend to need resetting more often than standard breakers.

When to call a technician: Sensor failures, circuit board malfunctions, and any code that keeps coming back after basic checks need a certified specialist. Control boards involve wiring and detailed diagnosis that goes beyond what most homeowners should attempt.

Manufacturer guides from Jandy and Pentair cover many of these codes in detail. As certified installers for both brands, we can diagnose and handle control systems for most major spa equipment lines. Some newer units even automate certain self-diagnostics, which can speed up troubleshooting.

Shell Cracks and Surface Damage

Cracks in the shell are less common than other failures, but they cause the most worry. The good news is that not every crack means you need a new unit.

What it looks like:

• Visible hairline cracks in the acrylic surface
• Soft or flexible spots in the shell wall
• Water seeping through from behind the acrylic
• Discoloration or staining around a crack line

Common causes:

• Ground shifting or settling under the pad
• Thermal expansion from repeated heating and cooling cycles
• Water chemistry imbalance (low pH can wear down acrylic over time)
• UV exposure and age on outdoor units, whether in-ground or above-ground

What you can address yourself: Surface-level scratches that haven’t gone through the acrylic layer can be buffed out or filled with a manufacturer-approved acrylic kit. These kits are available for most spa or hot tub brands and work well for cosmetic issues.

What NOT to use: Gorilla glue, silicone caulk, and general-purpose adhesives are not designed for shell surfaces. Gorilla glue expands as it cures and generally won’t hold up under hot water and sanitizer exposure. Silicone may seem like it seals at first, but it tends to peel away relatively quickly when exposed to heat and bromine or chlorine. Stick with acrylic-specific products designed for this use.

Keeping your water balanced is the best prevention for shell damage. The CDC’s healthy swimming guidelines recommend keeping pH in the range of 7.2 to 7.8 for recreational water, and this range also helps protect acrylic surfaces and your internal parts.

When to call for help: Any crack that goes all the way through the shell, shows water behind it, or is longer than a few inches needs a thorough assessment. A specialist can evaluate whether the crack is structural or cosmetic and give you a realistic estimate. As a rough guide, surface-only cosmetic work typically runs around $200 to $500. Structural shell work can range from $500 to $1,000 or more depending on crack size, location, and accessibility. Actual costs vary based on your unit and the scope of work. For severe surface damage, we work with NPT.com as a certified partner and can offer lifetime warranty surface options on full resurfacing projects.

When to Repair Your Hot Tub and When to Replace It

This is the question behind most of the others. Especially for units that are 8, 10, or 15 years old, owners want to know if putting more money into an aging in-ground or freestanding model makes sense.

A common rule of thumb: If the cost is more than about half the price of a comparable new unit, a full replacement usually makes better financial sense. But that depends on the condition of everything else.

A 10-year-old hot tub is often worth keeping. Most well-maintained units last 10 to 20 years depending on use, climate, and upkeep, according to the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance. If the shell is solid, the hot tub cover is intact, the cabinet is in decent shape, and only one or two parts need swapping, sticking with what you have is usually the smarter move. Customer reviews on local directories often confirm that targeted work on a single component is more affordable than starting over.

A full swap makes more sense when:

• Multiple systems are failing at the same time
• Supply of parts is no longer available for your make
• The shell has structural cracks or the frame is rotting
• Energy costs are high because the insulation and equipment are outdated

Long Beach context: Year-round use in Southern California puts more wear on parts than seasonal climates where units sit idle for months. Coastal properties also deal with salt air that shortens the life of exposed pieces. If your unit is aging and bills are stacking up, it may be worth comparing costs against what a new installation would run.

Whether you own a portable unit or a built-in tub, a diagnostic visit gives you real numbers to work with. We can review every system, tell you what needs attention now, what can wait, and what it would cost either way. One of our Long Beach customers recently told us we saved them money by catching bad advice from a previous company. That kind of honest assessment is what built our reputation, and it’s what we aim for every time.

Questions about your hot tub? Our Long Beach team delivers expert customer service on every call. Whether you need a quick diagnosis or want a pro to walk you through your options, reach out at (562) 522-2203 or contact us about your spa to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the most common hot tub repair problems that require professional service?

A: The most common hot tub repair problems include heater malfunctions, pump failures, jet issues, leaking plumbing, control panel errors, and filter problems. A professional spa repair and maintenance expert can diagnose these issues quickly and provide quality service to fix them. Regular spa maintenance helps prevent many of these problems and ensures your spa operates reliably for years to come.

Q: How often should I schedule professional hot tub and spa repair maintenance?

A: Most experts recommend scheduling professional maintenance at least twice a year to keep your spa in optimal condition. A qualified spa repair company can inspect your equipment, clean the filters, check the heater, and ensure your spa is functioning properly. Regular maintenance by a professional helps you maintain water quality, prevents costly repairs, and extends the lifespan of your hot tub model.

Q: What should I look for when choosing a hot tub repair services provider?

A: When selecting a repair company, review their expertise, customer service ratings, and client satisfaction records. Look for a pro with experience in pool and spa equipment, proper licensing, and positive reviews from previous clients. The best hot tub repair services offer reliable response times, transparent rate structures, and superior workmanship. Check if they service your specific model and whether they provide both repair and installation services.

Q: How can I maintain my hot tub cover to prevent damage and extend its life?

A: To maintain your cover, clean it monthly with a mild cleaner specifically designed for spa covers. Remove debris regularly and ensure it’s properly secured when not in use. A professional can inspect the cover during routine spa maintenance visits to check for tears, waterlogging, or damage. Proper cover maintenance is essential to keep your spa energy-efficient and protected from debris. If your cover is beyond repair, a hot tub and spa repair expert can help with removal and installation of a replacement.

Q: What equipment do I need to supply for basic hot tub maintenance between professional service visits?

A: Essential equipment includes test strips for water chemistry, a skimmer net, filter cleaner, sanitizer, pH balancer, and a quality cover. Your pool and spa professional can recommend the right supply of chemicals for your specific model. While you can handle basic tasks to keep your spa clean, scheduling regular visits from a spa maintenance expert ensures all equipment functions properly and helps you find the best solutions for any emerging issues.

Q: When should I call an expert for hot tub heater problems instead of trying to fix it myself?

A: If your heater isn’t warming water properly, makes unusual noises, or shows error codes, contact a professional immediately. Heater repairs require expertise in electrical systems and specialized equipment. A qualified spa repair pro can safely diagnose whether you need a simple fix or complete heater replacement. Attempting DIY heater repairs can void warranties and create safety hazards. Professional spa repair services have the tools and knowledge to ensure your spa heating system works reliably and efficiently.

Q: How do I find the best hot tub repair company with excellent customer service in my area?

A: To find the best repair company, read online reviews focusing on customer service, reliability, and satisfaction rates. Ask for recommendations from pool and spa retailers or other hot tub owners. A superior repair company should offer free estimates, clear explanations of needed repairs, and guarantees on their work. Check their qualifications and confirm they have experience with your specific model. The right professional will prioritize client communication and provide excellence in both service quality and customer care.

Q: What does a comprehensive spa maintenance visit from a professional include?

A: A comprehensive professional maintenance visit includes inspecting all equipment, testing water chemistry, cleaning or replacing filters, checking the heater and pump operation, examining jets and plumbing for leaks, testing the control panel, and inspecting the cover. The spa maintenance expert will also clean the spa shell, check for any signs of wear, and recommend repairs if needed. This thorough approach helps maintain optimal performance, ensures reliability, and prevents major repair issues. Regular professional service keeps your pool and spa investment protected and ensures client satisfaction with every use.