Hot tubs are supposed to provide you with a relaxing time but other times, things may go wrong and kill the fun. A hot tub airlock is one of the most prevalent problems that owners have to cope with. Airlock occurs when air gets trapped and the water cannot circulate as required through the plumbing system.
Otherwise it may lead to annoying hot tub airlock symptoms like weak jets, weird noises, and even damaged pump motor. The great news? With the proper information, this situation is preventable and curable.
In this Particular Blog, We Shall go Deep Into:
- What an airlock in a hot tub is
- General symptoms and causes
- Directions on how to release airlock in hot tub
- Troubleshooting tips DIY
- Practices to prevent the smooth running of your spa
You will end up knowing how to repair a hot tub airlock and also how to avoid it in the future.
So What is a Hot Tub Airlock?
A hot tub Airlock: It happens when air caught in the plumbing prevents the water from flowing through the pump and the heater or the jets. Air pockets tend to occur when you are refilling your hot tub after cleaning it or during normal draining and filling.
Due to the interruption of water flow, you can observe water circulation issues, excessive noise, or even jets that do not work. Flow through circulation pump airlock may be particularly troublesome because the pump depends on a continuous supply of water to cool and lubricate.
When neglected, this air trapped can cause your pumps to run dry, wasting the lives of your spa equipment.
Similar Reading: Troubleshooting Hot Tub Pump Problems: Diagnosis & Repair Solutions
Symptoms to Watch out Hot Tub Airlock
Early identification of the symptoms can enable you to deal with the problem before it causes permanent damages. The following are the most frequent airlock symptoms of the hot tubs:
- Jet Water Flow Weak or No: The presence of air pockets does not allow sufficient circulation of water.
- Weird Sounds in Pump: Trapped air can frequently be indicated by a gurgling or hissing air release.
- Pipe or Plumbing Bubbling: Indicators of air lock in plumbing of hot tubs.
- Overheating or Shutdown of Pump: Emptying creates severe damage on the pump motor.
Hot Tub Air Lock Causes
Airlocks tend to develop as a result of errors during repair or inappropriate water levels. Here is what the key causes are:
- Below Skimmer Water Level Problems: When the water line is below the skimmer, the pump draws air.
- Stuck Air Refill: Improper pump priming then causes air pockets to be formed after draining.
- Dirty / Clogged Filters: The ineffective schedule of filter maintenance causes flow restrictions.
- Malpractices in Drain and Refill: Airlocks are encouraged when preventative drain and refill activities are skipped.
How to Let Airlock out of Hot Tub (Step by step)
Don’t panic, though, because in case you already have an airlock, it is fixable. These are the tried and tested ways of DIY hot tub airlock repair:
1. Pump Bleeding
- Switch off the electricity.
- Find the unions on the pump.
- Ease them off very carefully, to permit hissing air escape, until water begins to flow.
- Tighten back, and start the pump.
2. Jets on Low Speed
- On power on set jets low.
- Allow the pump to push air out.
- This is a common way of clearing minor spa airlock problems.
3. Pump Priming Method
- Turn the pump off and on a couple of times.
- This aids to expel trapped air.
- Take care not to run the pump dry long.
4. Forcing by a Hose Water
- Put a garden hose in the skimmer or filter housing.
- Run water through the pipes to dislodge air trapped in filtration pipes.
In case these ways fail, there is a possibility of professional servicing.
Troubleshooting Tips DIY Hot Tub
Avoiding and repairing air locks in hot tub plumbing is routine spa maintenance. The following are hot tub DIY troubleshooting measures:
- When cleaning the hot tub, always ensure that it is refilled by plugging the hose into the filter housing so as to minimize the air pockets.
- Water level below skimmer problems.
- Listen to strange sounds such as bubbling or hissing.
- Watch out regularly on leaks and cracks in plumbing.
- Use a filter maintenance routine to avoid circulation blockages.
Precaution to Avoid Hot Tub Airlock Next Time
It is easier to prevent than to fix. To prevent circulation pump airlock issues, maintain the pump by observing the following tips:
Correct Maintenance of Filters
- Clean filters on a monthly basis and replace as advised.
- Alleviates the obstruction of flows and disallows circulating issues in a water system.
Drain and Refill Preventative Practices
- Empty out every three to four months.
- Put the hose into the filter compartment when refilling.
Have Proper Water Levels
- Ensure that there is water above the skimmer line so that it does not suck air.
Pump Priming Checks
- To get rid of the air after each filling of your pump, prime your pump.
These maintenance to avoid air lock steps will keep your hot tub in good shape and save you loads of money.
Airlock in Hot Water System vs. Hot Tub Airlock
Although the majority of this blog is about hot tubs, another related issue is air lock in the hot water system at home. They both have to do with the presence of trapped air in
the plumbing that obstructs the flow of water.
- In hot tubs it interferes with jets and circulation.
- It clogs taps in hot water systems in a household and decreases flow.
The Fixes are a Like: draining the encapsulated air and making sure the priming is done right.
FAQs
What are the Signs to tell me I have an Airlock in my Hot Tub?
Observing low jet pressure, hissing sound of air releasing, bubbling pipes, or overheating of the pump- these are the common symptoms of hot tub airlock.
Will it be Damaging to Run my Pump with an Airlock?
Yes. Running a pump dry can result in costly repairs, due to a circulation pump airlock.
How can a Hot Tub Airlock be Released Easiest?
The fastest remedy is to loosen the pump union to release trapped air. Otherwise, apply pump priming processes or operate jets in slow-speeds.
Is it Possible to Repair a Hot Tub Airlock?
Absolutely. Most owners do DIY hot tub airlock repair following the above methods. In case there are still some problems, call a professional.
What Can I do to Avoid Airlocks Later?
Fill up your hot tub after cleaning it through the filter housing, keep the water levels in the tub topped up and develop a filter maintenance plan.
Do Airlocks in a Hot Tub Resemble an Air Lock in a Home Hot Water System?
Yes. They both entail stagnant air in plumbing which prevents the passage of water. The procedure to be followed is also quite the same- letting the trapped air escape until it returns to normal.
Conclusion
Hot tub airlock may not appear to be a serious issue, but when left unattended, it may lead to severe damage to the pump and waste your spa time.
Identifying early signs of hot tub airlock and the remedy to fixing a hot tub airlock will save you expensive repairs. More to the point, good habits such as preventative drain and refill, proper pump priming, and following a filter maintenance schedule will make sure that you never encounter that problem again.
Regular DIY hot tub troubleshooting and clever maintenance advice will keep your spa safe and efficient and enjoyable to use for years to come.
