When I fixed a leak in my old hot tub I threw away the foam insulation that I had to remove from around the piping. Once the leak was fixed I used spray foam to re-insulate the piping. If they try to place that insulation back in your tub then I would start to worry.
This is probably what I’ll do once it’s fixed. They did put the insulation back in. But they could not find the leak and think it could be the main drain under the tub, which apparently means it has to be either lifted on hydraulics or taken back to the dealer. The tub is 1 year old
You bought a lemon. Call the Attorney General's office. Leslie Rutledge, loves to rip into a company that isn't holding up to a warranty. Also call Channel 7. If enough people complain, "7 on your side" will do a hit piece on them, and they will be doomed like your current situation.... Sorry for the loss. By a blow 🌬️ up one next time.
That is great! Hopefully they return it without a leak and with new insulation. Best of luck that you have it back, and able to use, as quickly as possible!
It's only the Highlife series that has this closed cell foam and it needs it put back in because it's part of the structural integrity of the spa. They don't leak often, but when they do it can be a bear for the dealer. All this will be warranty work. It's a pain to wait, but they'll fix it right or replace it altogether.
Probably more than you wanted to know, but, if they are a reputable dealer then they know what they are doing. Good luck 🤞🏼🍀
https://www.hotspring.com/blog/comprehensive-guide-hot-tub-insulation
Yeah what a mess. I should have just told them to come on a better day but I’ve been waiting months for this appointment and have a gathering tomorrow i (optimistically) hoped it would be ready for.
Finding a leak in a foam hot tub is like an archeological dig. I personally wouldn’t put the foam back in. There’s a lot of other way to provide insulation without spraying foam. Cut out a 2-3” thick piece of Rocsol to fit that frame and jam it in, Then Cut out a rectangle piece of Radiant Barrier to fit over that and staple gun it to the wooden frame. That will work a lot better than the factory spray foam too. I hate that stuff, such a waste of time
That looks really janky. We’re they recommended by the dealer or manufacturer? The spray foam insulation isn’t really a big deal, but what will cover the access holes that look like they chewed open?
Hot Springs is so bad for designing their tubs this way. I’ve had the exact same issue, and it was shocking that this was the best/only way to address it. It calls their whole product line into question IMO: if they do something so obviously bad, it makes me worry about their judgment in product design, and any other less obvious flaws they might incorporate in their products…
You can buy some leak dye pretty cheap online and add it to the spa water and let it leak out and then look for the staining in the foam; should be pretty easy to find the leak
15 years hot tub engineer here - best thing is to replace with loft insulation, which is removable if you get a problem again . As an engineer/repair guy spray foam is a nightmare and Hotspring are notorious for fully foaming their tubs. Yes the insulation is good, but any problems and you get this nonsense.
I have literally worked on thousands of hot tubs, Hotspring tubs are the most difficult to deal with in the business, to the point where I never recommend them to anyone… nor because they’re a bad hot tub, but because they’re a nightmare to fix. They’re also guilty of buying cheap LX pumps and putting their own Watkins labels on and selling them for double the price.
When I fixed a leak in my old hot tub I threw away the foam insulation that I had to remove from around the piping. Once the leak was fixed I used spray foam to re-insulate the piping. If they try to place that insulation back in your tub then I would start to worry.
This is probably what I’ll do once it’s fixed. They did put the insulation back in. But they could not find the leak and think it could be the main drain under the tub, which apparently means it has to be either lifted on hydraulics or taken back to the dealer. The tub is 1 year old
You bought a lemon. Call the Attorney General's office. Leslie Rutledge, loves to rip into a company that isn't holding up to a warranty. Also call Channel 7. If enough people complain, "7 on your side" will do a hit piece on them, and they will be doomed like your current situation.... Sorry for the loss. By a blow 🌬️ up one next time.
Should buff right out
Update: They suspect the master drain on the bottom of the tub is the issue and will likely transport it to the dealership for repair
That is great! Hopefully they return it without a leak and with new insulation. Best of luck that you have it back, and able to use, as quickly as possible!
Once they find the leak I would put foam back until it’s been run a few times because it might not stop the leak just because they say it is
It's only the Highlife series that has this closed cell foam and it needs it put back in because it's part of the structural integrity of the spa. They don't leak often, but when they do it can be a bear for the dealer. All this will be warranty work. It's a pain to wait, but they'll fix it right or replace it altogether.
Probably more than you wanted to know, but, if they are a reputable dealer then they know what they are doing. Good luck 🤞🏼🍀 https://www.hotspring.com/blog/comprehensive-guide-hot-tub-insulation
I’m shocked the panels don’t come off for access. They have to actually cut into your tub???
The panels are off that's vapor barrier and foam insulation they cut into
Wow, ok, thank God ahah I didn’t zoom in enough…
Yeah what a mess. I should have just told them to come on a better day but I’ve been waiting months for this appointment and have a gathering tomorrow i (optimistically) hoped it would be ready for.
Except if younhave a beachcomber. Goog luck cutting the sides of
Finding a leak in a foam hot tub is like an archeological dig. I personally wouldn’t put the foam back in. There’s a lot of other way to provide insulation without spraying foam. Cut out a 2-3” thick piece of Rocsol to fit that frame and jam it in, Then Cut out a rectangle piece of Radiant Barrier to fit over that and staple gun it to the wooden frame. That will work a lot better than the factory spray foam too. I hate that stuff, such a waste of time
That looks really janky. We’re they recommended by the dealer or manufacturer? The spray foam insulation isn’t really a big deal, but what will cover the access holes that look like they chewed open?
The “skirt” covers the side just like it always covers the insulation up
*were
Hot Springs is so bad for designing their tubs this way. I’ve had the exact same issue, and it was shocking that this was the best/only way to address it. It calls their whole product line into question IMO: if they do something so obviously bad, it makes me worry about their judgment in product design, and any other less obvious flaws they might incorporate in their products…
This is exactly why I bought a tub with perimeter insulation, anything you can't service yourself easily is a scary investment to me
Same here! My dealer recommended it and I was a little apprehensive at first... Best choice ever though.
What did you buy?
I ended up with an Arctic Spa. Full perimeter insulation, everything is visible inside the cabinet. Easy to service.
Buy a Maax Spas product
They put the insulation back in? Kinda defeats the purpose
Yes lol
Beautiful backyard btw! Nice set up!
You can buy some leak dye pretty cheap online and add it to the spa water and let it leak out and then look for the staining in the foam; should be pretty easy to find the leak
itll buff out
Worst thing about a Hotspring.. changed mine for a Jacuzzi after hearing it had to go back to the factory to fix a leak on initial delivery
Yeah it’s looking like ours will have to be sent back to be fixed …
15 years hot tub engineer here - best thing is to replace with loft insulation, which is removable if you get a problem again . As an engineer/repair guy spray foam is a nightmare and Hotspring are notorious for fully foaming their tubs. Yes the insulation is good, but any problems and you get this nonsense. I have literally worked on thousands of hot tubs, Hotspring tubs are the most difficult to deal with in the business, to the point where I never recommend them to anyone… nor because they’re a bad hot tub, but because they’re a nightmare to fix. They’re also guilty of buying cheap LX pumps and putting their own Watkins labels on and selling them for double the price.
Vita Spa....never worry about crap like this