Sometimes it’s well worth fixing something that’s damaged, old, or a bit knackered. Other times it’s a false economy. So will it be cheaper to fix an old hot tub or is it best to start from scratch with a new model? What’s most likely to go wrong and what’s the easiest to fix?

First things first – This isn’t fixable!

Most hot tubs can trundle on happily for 15-20 years depending on the quality of the tub, how good you are at getting the chemicals right, and how well you maintain the tub. Having said that, a really cheap hot tub won’t usually last for more than ten years.

If the tub bit itself, the bit you sit in, is badly cracked or the frame is broken, you can stop reading now. The thing is with cracks, they tend to get bigger especially when the tub is full of heavy, dense water. Catch one early and you might be OK. Leave it too long and you won’t be able to mend it.

Whatever the quality of the materials and build, the plastic parts are usually at the most at risk of corrosion simply because of the harsh chemicals used.

• The heater part can last 5-7 years
• The pump lasts from 5-10 years
• You’ll probably find the rubber gaskets in the union fittings to the sides of the heater tube will perish at some point
• The same goes for the so-called ‘gate valves’ either side of the pump and heater
• The heater elements might need replacing
• The pillows will probably need replacing
• Your hot tub cover will eventually perish but there’s not a lot you can do about that – when it needs replacing you’ll need to get a new one 

Fortunately all these parts are easy to find and reasonably simple to replace using common sense. While a hot tub repair expert will be able to do the work for you, it’s often entirely possible to DIY.

For most of us it’s all about the cost. An everyday, ordinary hot tub pump costs around £300 to £400 to buy and takes less than half an hour to fit but a hot tub repair pro can charge you as much as £1000 to replace it for you.

Other than that, what else can go wrong?

TIP: Check the manual before buying any new parts so you can be sure you’ve bought the correct part for your particular model.

The control pack does the thinking, the hot tub’s brain, and control packs have a much shorter life than the shell itself. Depending on the brand, the number of pumps, the voltage and the heater type, it’ll cost anything from £200 to £700 to buy a replacement. On the bright side, like the rest of the spare parts we’ll talk about, they’re easy to find online. 

Your heater, if it’s older than five years, will probably be starting to die, making it harder to balance the chemicals properly and leaving it struggling to heat the water. The heater you need depends on the tub, usually 1kW, 4kW or 5.5kW. The higher the kW, the more quickly it’ll heat the water. To replace a heater it’ll cost anything from £150 to £475 for the entire heating unit. If you just need a new heating element it’ll cost around £40.

Your pump might be a low-flow circulation pump, in which case it’ll have a 5-10 year lifespan. If you’re seeing foamy water it’s probably because this type of pump isn’t working well any more. To replace a circulation pump you’re looking at £120 – £160. If you’re looking at a new pump to power the jets, something that’s a lot more powerful than the circulation pump, a new jet pump comes in at anything from £250 to £400.

The blower is the part that gives you the lovely bubbles, at a replacement cost of £140 to £320. They come in different sizes and your manufacturer will be able to tell you which is the right size: usually 1, 1.5 or 2hp. Check first, though. Your tub might not actually have a blower. Some have two pumps instead.

What if the hot tub pipes freeze? If a PVC pipe is cracked you’ll need to replace it by cutting out the cracked sections and glueing replacements in. You can only see leaks properly when the tub’s filled with water so check carefully to make sure you find all of the leaks before you drain it.

A good quality tub that’s well insulated makes leaks a lot harder to find so you’ll need to take your time and do a proper job of identifying them. You might also notice the manifolds have been damaged by freezing, which makes repairs more expensive.

What professional tools do you need to fix a hot tub?

The simpler repair jobs just need ordinary DIY tools and a decent level of handyman-type knowledge. Cracks, leaks, and parts replacements are all simple enough without professional help or special tools. Think cordless drill, screwdrivers, a hacksaw or small hand saw, pliers and a supply of PVC pipe glue.

TIP: Take detailed photos of the broken part in situ before you take it out so you can refer back to them and see how to fit the new part. 

So you need to get under there to do a repair…

Obviously you need to disconnect and empty the tub before attempting to repair it or fit new parts.

Bear in mind that while it’s easy enough to empty – something you’ll do anyway when you change the water – it isn’t an easy job to move a hot tub and it definitely isn’t a task for one person. The last thing you want to do is drop and damage the tub or hurt yourself.

First, check the user manual to see if there are any special instructions about the ideal position for repairs and guidance on how to do it. If not you can carefully wedge a couple of hand trollies under the lip at one side of the tub then very gently pry it up using anything from three and six of you to lift it onto the opposite side.

Don’t forget to lie something soft underneath to stop it getting scratched by stones and rough surfaces. Sheets of cardboard are good, as are layers of old blankets and duvets.   

Take extra care when putting it down in position for repair so it can’t fall either forwards or backwards. Once the tub is safely and securely on its side you’re ready for rock ‘n’ roll.

Prefer to use a professional hot tub repair person?

If all that sounds a bit too risky or scary, it makes sense to find a hot tub repair expert at the point you buy the tub. Then, if you ever need them – especially if it’s an emergency – you have their number and can just call the job in. It’s so much better than running around like a headless chicken trying to find someone when you’re mid-emergency, then maybe end up paying over the odds.

If you’re yet to buy a hot tub take a look at our selection and see what inspires you most. If you’re cost conscious you might want to find a tub that’s particularly simple to repair so you know for sure you’ll be able to mend it yourself if needs be.