Hot tub leaking

[DrPizza]

We have a small leak from some hose under our hot tub. All of the hoses are encased in hard to remove foam. We've narrowed it down to an area equal to 1/4 of the hottub, but we're having a tough job narrowing it down more. Any ideas how to figure out right where it's coming from?

 

[Crono]

Food coloring?

 

[dman]

We had a leak in our pool and basically they do use a dye to trace where the leak is. I don't know that I'd use food coloring. One dye that can be used (d.i.y.) is the same stuff that is used to test the PH Level of the water (Red Dye). Using the container it comes in, or a syringe place it where you think the leak is and squirt a bit out. Then you see if the dye gets sucked into the suspected area. If not, repeat in the next spot. It can take a very long time to narrow down. The person who found our leak also had some special fittings to plug up the various inlet/outlet parts of the pool to narrow down the search area further.

Good luck!

 

[DrPizza]

Thanks. I was thinking about using a dye, but didn't think much beyond food coloring which probably wouldn't work too well. I'll probably contact a pool place and see if there's a dye they recommend.

 

[bctbct]

they make a dye tablet for checking leaking toilet tanks etc, you might be able to get them a a big box lumber yard.

 

[DrPizza]

Ahhhh! I was thinking backwards - I was going to use the dye to stain the foam insulation, so I could find the leak. I was thinking backwards. Instead, I should wait until the water is really calm, then inject a drop of dye near each of the ports. I should be able to figure out where it's leaking by watching how the dye moves in the water. (At least, narrow it down to the correct hose.

Everything underneath is solid foam that's really difficult to remove. And, speaking of that foam; anyone know of a source of some sort of foam other than buying a dozen bottles of Great Stuff?

 

[Elstupido]

We used to use reagents from the test kit as dye to see where the leak was pulling from. There are also some products .... called tub of gold which can sometimes seal small leaks. Tub of gold is basically a clay product which expands in the leak area. Works well sometimes.

YMMV with this. Otherwise, you need to remove the foam and find the leak and repair, the fill in the area with an expanding foam (the preferred method.)

 

[Elstupido]

Also if you need to remove a large amount of foam, there are large two part kits available. Depends on the brand of spa. Call the manufacturer of the tub and ask for their advice