Hot tub & spa or whirlpool bath inspection checklist & guide:

Hot tub or spa checklist & illustration of common defects & safety hazards. This article describes common problems found when inspecting a hot tub or spa.

This article series describes the use, operation, maintenance as well as common problems, troubleshooting, & repair suggestions for hot tubs, spas, swimming pools and whirlpool baths. We discuss hot tub leaks, broken hot tub or spa jets, hot tub or spa water temperature & heater repair, hot tub or spa pump diagnosis & repair, hot tub or spa filter maintenance, cleaning & repair, noisy air pumps at hot tubs, noisy water pumps at the hot tub or spa, and other hot tub, spa or whirlpool bath diagnosis & repair topics. The hot tub shown at the top of thi spage was installed ca 1995 and is still in operation.

Spa / Hot Tub & Swimming Pool Inspection Checklist, Safety Hazards, Leaks, Operating Defects

[Click to enlarge any image]

Using the hot tub installation shown in these photographs, and with a few tips from Chuck at Northland Spa Service (Duluth MN), we list the safety and operating defects that could be easily seen by casual inspection of this 20+ year-old hot tub installation.

Watch out: No single hot tub or spa inspection checklist is likely to be complete; the electrical system, water chemistry, tub access, slip and fall hazards and other conditions found at any hot tub or spa can include health, safety, and even fatal hazards.

Not one of the spa or hot tub safety checklists surveyed for this article seemed complete and the fact the items listed varied across checklists suggests that while functional, health and safety inspections of hot tub and spa installations are very important, the inspector is going to have to rely on education, experience, and attention to detail to do an acceptable job at reducing the risks of these installations.

Chuck's bottom line opinion was that the hot tub shown in this article series was beyond economical repair - at least not by a professional. He offered that comment after together we had observed the hot tub conditions listed here. Some of these are unsafe conditions, others indicate that any repair attempts on the system may involve extra cost, and still others suggest that a complete replacement of the hot tub and its equipment will also involve extra costs because of limited working space.

• Hot tub access control: adult supervision is required; children in this private home could easily access and enter the hot tub.

• Hot tub electrical hazards:
  • No ground-fault interruption circuit (GFCI) has been provided for the hot tub electrics.
  • No electrical grounding conductor
    
     was provided for the hot tub circuit. Only the two hot and one neutral wire were run to the equipment.
  • Electrical junction boxes at the hot tub were missing covers
    
     and wires were routed out of the box into the heater/pump control unit with no strain relief.
    
    Someone servicing or even just inspecting this installation could touch electrical wiring from an unsafe, possibly wet, even fatal position.
    
    Below you'll see another open electrical junction box at this hot tub - at the air blower unit.

• No local emergency OFF switch was provided for this hot tub. In an emergency one may have to remove an access panel and find the (not obvious) pump OFF switch.
  For details about the controls for this hot tub, see
• SPA TURN ON PROCEDURE
• SPA CONTROLS & SWITCHES

• Nearby electrical switches and light fixtures could be touched from within the hot tub or from within a nearby shower stall. None of these circuits were protected by GFCI's - a step that would reduce this non-electrical-code-compliant hazard.

• Hot tub blower unit: the air blower or bubbler motor was so horribly noisy no one could bear to leave it running. It's possible that this unit needs repair or replacement.
  For more about the air blower unit at this hot tub
  See SPA / HOT TUB BLOWER UNIT
  also
  see SPA & JETTED TUB NOISE ISSUES

• Hot tub body: numerous cracks in the gel coat of the hot tub, probably due to stress from weight of people accessing the tub including, perhaps when it was empty, mean that body leaks are likely. The tub body was not leaking at the time of our inspection.
  Also see SPA / HOT TUB, OTHER LEAKS

• Hot tub chemical hazards: at the time of inspection hot tub chemicals were not placed out of reach of children.
  
  See SPA / HOT TUB CHEMICALS & CHLORINATION

• Hot tub filter:
  • The pressure gauge is not in a visible location (it's at the bottom of the filter and turned inwards towards the tub body, and may not be operative.
  • While the leaky filter cap was replaced, the filter canister bottom drain valve is seized; extra work will be required to drain this system
    
    See SPA / HOT TUB FILTER LEAK REPAIR
  • The filter canister was black (at left in photo below) and not sanitary as was a "spare" stored under the unit: these filters were not safe to use. We replaced the filter canister with a new one (at right in photo below).
    See these articles on hot tub filters:
    
    SPA / HOT TUB FILTER CLEANING
    and
    
    SPA / HOT TUB FILTER REPLACEMENT

• Hot tub jets: the jets were working but I saw minor damage - chipped plastic. The plastic parts on this installation are old enough that they are brittle and easily broken. Simply trying to re-aim a jet is likely to break it.
  Also see SPA / HOT TUB JET CLOG REPAIR

• Hot tub plumbing:
  • A gentle test of plastic valves (photo above) suggested that they are seized; given the age of the plastic piping system and evidence of mineral deposits where leaks were found at the pump, it's likely that the various unions (photo below) are going to leak if touched as their o-rings may be dried or cracked.
    
    Attempting any plumbing work on this system is likely to require additional repair of leaky piping or connections. (The flexible hoses were hard but this is a normal condition found after about 5 years on most hot tub systems).

• Air leaks: while air at the jets is normal, and is adjustable using tub rim controls, excessive air when the air controls are closed may indicate that there are suction line air leaks on the system. Suction line leaks can reduce system pressure and cause heater operating problems. However I didn't see water leaks at the piping.

• Hot tub water circulating pump:
  • High pitched whine at the pump motor suggests that motor bearings are at or near end of life. (Chuck could hear this noise, I could not).
  • White deposits at the pump wet-end indicate that there are leaks at the impeller assembly shaft seal, For more about the pump used in this hot tub
    See SPA / HOT TUB PUMP OPERATION
    and
    see SPA / HOT TUB PUMP REPAIR

• Hot Tub Temperature Control: the heater for this hot tub consistently trips off at about 98F - a safe temperature but a bit cooler than occupants may enjoy. Chuck also warned that some hot tub thermometers are inaccurate, risking dangerous overheating. In my photo we marked 104 °F as the highest safe hot tub temperature. You'll see that at the time of measurement the temperature in this hot tub was about 60°F.
  
  Also see SCALD PROTECTION
  
  Repair or replacement of the heater or its controls or the cause for its thermal overload switch tripping are needed but may not be economical enough to put into effect.

[Note: it may be possible for an experienced owner-technician-handyman to remove and repair the existing heater and its controls by working with care provided repair parts can even be found, and accepting the risks listed in this hot tub inspection list, but it was apparent that the hot tub professional was reluctant to tackle this ugly job and considered it not worthwhile.]

Above we see the temperature control or heat level (blue arrow) and the thermal overload reset button (red arrow). Below: a view of the beautiful-side of this antiquated hot tub installation.

• Hot tub ease of replacement:
  
  this is an indoor hot tub located in a tiled bath (photo above). There is no provision for easily removing the old hot tub nor bringing in a new packaged hot tub unit, though it may be possible to remove and replace the greenhouse / solarium glass cover at one end of the hot tub enclosure.
  
  Chuck pointed out that the dimensions of this tub have it shoe-horned into the space and that a replacement unit, to fit, will probably have to be a bit smaller.
  
  The current hot tub installation also gives no access to some of its plumbing components. Limited space means that if the owners consider a complete hot tub replacement, care must be given to assure maintenance and repair access to all components (pumps, jets, heater, controls) of a replacement unit.
• Hot tub warning signs:
  
  would be required in a public installation, including limiting access to one person per 10 sq. ft. of tub surface area, emergency service telephone numbers, spa pool precaution signs including warnings about high temperatures, child access, chemical safety.

• Mold growth problems
  
   around indoor hot tub and spa installations are common; the use of cedar wall siding and a vent system this hot tub have reduced the mold risk but the vent system appears to be inoperative.
  
  
  Also see BATHROOM VENTILATION CODES SPECS

Inspection Checklists & Procedures for for Hot Tubs, Spas, Swimming Pools, Whirlpool Baths

Hot Tub, Spa, Swimming Pool, & Whirlpool Bath Checklists & Codes

• California, POOL & SPA INSPECTION CHECKLIST [PDF] County of Santa Barbara, California, retrieved 2016/03/11, original source: http://cosb.countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/phd/EHS/
  Pool%20and%20Spa%20Inspection%20checklist%20for%20Operators.pdf
• California, "Swimming Pool and Spa Self-Inspection Checklist", [PDF], retrieved 2016/03/11, original source: http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/uploadedFiles/Departments/Public_Health/Divisions/EH/
  content/Recreational_Health/SELF-INSPECTION%20CHECKLIST%201.0.pdf
• Illinois, "Swimming Pool / Hot Tub Applicant Checklist" [PDF], McHenry County Department of Planning and Development, Woodstock IL, 60098, USA, teL: 815-334-4560, retrieved 2016/03/11, original source: https://www.co.mchenry.il.us/home/showdocument?id=39802
• Jacuzzi, "Hot Tub Pre-Installation Checklist", Jacuzzi, retrieved 2016/03/13, original source: http://www.jacuzzi.com/hot-tubs/hot-tub-blog/pre-installation-checklist/
  [Note: lacking in technical detail - Ed.]
• National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 680, at Mike Holt's Forum: original source: https://www.mikeholt.com/mojonewsarchive/NEC-HTML/HTML/SwimmingPoolInstallations~20021227.htm
  This text includes the contents of Article 680 of the U.S. NEC along with author's comments that help interpret the code.
• National Electrical Code for Spas: NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE (NEC) (UNITED STATES), ARTICLE 680, REQUIREMENTS FOR SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS, HOT TUBS, FOUNTAINS AND SIMILAR INSTALLATION, [PDF] retrieved 2016/03/13, Original source: Connecticut State Government's copy of Mike Holt's article on U.S. NEC Article 680 [PDF], http://www.ct.gov/dcs/lib/dcs/office_of_education_and_data_management_files/mike_holt_pool_download.pdf
• SEPTIC to POOL DISTANCE - web article
• SCALD PROTECTION - for heated pools and hot tubs
• SOLAR COLLECTOR AIR or GAS COLLECTION - web article - solar pool heaters
• "Spa Inspection Checklist", [PDF], retrieved 2016/03/11, original source: http://superiormeetings.com/pdf/SPA-INSPECTION-CHECKLIST.pdf
  [Note: lacking in technical detail - Ed.]
• SWIMMING POOL SOLAR HEAT, INDOOR - web article
• SWIMMING POOL SOLAR HEAT, OUTDOOR DIAGNOSIS - web article
• Trouble Free Pool [pool care website], retrieved 2016/03/13, original source: http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/84-How-do-I-use-Bromine-in-my-spa-(or-pool)
• US CDC, "Regulation & Inspection of Pools & Hot Tubs", U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US CDC, retrieved 2016/03/11, original source: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/pools/regulation/ refers readers to the
  The Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC): An All-inclusive Model Public Swimming Pool and Spa Code - http://www.cdc.gov/mahc/index.html
• Virginia, "Checklist Requirements For Public Pools/spas/hot Tubs, Opening Inspections" [PDF] Portsmouth Health Department Environmental Health Services 1701 High Street, 4th Floor Portsmouth, VA 23704 (757) 393-8585 Ext. 8585 Fax (757) 393-8027, retrieved 2016/03/13, original source: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/lhd/portsmouth/documents/Check%20List%20Req%20for%20Pools.pdf

Swimming Pool Leak Detection

This topic has moved to SWIMMING POOL LEAK DETECTION

 

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2023-07-07 by InspectApedia Publisher (mod) - how to check for a sinkhole at a leaky swimming pool

@Randi,

Yes, any persistent water leak underground or a single large leak event can displace soil or compress it causing a sinkhole.

Without digging up the area around your pool, in our OPINION there are several approaches to detecting a local sinkhole caused by swimming pool leaks.

1. Secondary clues of swimming pool sink hole development

nearby soil subsidence

movement in surrounding walks close to the pool

displacement of the pool drain or other pipes - a broken joint at the drain, for example

cracks or movement in the swimming pool coping, sides, or floor

if the site is not flat, look also for water seepage to the surface downhill from the pool area

2. Chain dragging:

if the pool is empty of water and is concrete - as is yours - you can try dragging a heavy chain in a regular pattern across the pool bottom, listening to a change in the sound produced.

I know this may sound a bit spooky but it works. We and others have used this method for over a century to find voids below concrete slabs such as settlement beneath a garage floor slab.

We discuss chain dragging to find voids below concrete floors

at SETTLEMENT vs. SHRINKAGE CRACKS 

3. Ultrasound, hydrophonic equipment or even ground scanning radar or similar techniques are used by pool leak detedtion experts as well as by geotechnical engineers, but without knowing more about your particular situation and the concerns or risks involved this approach may not be cost-feasible.

Note that here we're discussing possible signs that a sinkhole has developed alongside and/or beneath an in-ground concrete swimming pool. Aboveground pools or steel pools won't sport all of the same leak symptoms.

See details (*and where we'll repeat this Q&A)

at SWIMMING POOL LEAK DETECTION

On 2023-07-07 by Randi

We have a very 40x20 concrete pool (10ft deep in deep end) that is 67 years old. The pool has been leaking significantly for the last 10 years. We were recently told that this leaking can create a sinkhole under/around the pool.

Looking for a way to find out if this is possible and how do we detect this without digging it up. We are located in Delaware county ny along the Delaware River area.

This Q&A were posted originally

at SINKHOLES in NEW YORK 

...

Continue reading  at HOT TUB SPA WHIRLPOOL OPERATION & REPAIR - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• HOT TUB SPA WHIRLPOOL OPERATION & REPAIR
  • SPA TURN ON PROCEDURE
  • SPA CONTROLS & SWITCHES
  • SPA / HOT TUB BLOWER UNIT
  • SPA / HOT TUB FILTER CLEANING
  • SPA / HOT TUB FILTER LEAK REPAIR
  • SPA / HOT TUB FILTER REPLACEMENT
  • SPA / HOT TUB HEATER REPAIR
  • SPA, HOT TUB, SWIMMING POOL INSPECTION & CODES
  • SPAS, WHIRLPOOLS, INSTALLATION
  • SPA / HOT TUB JET CLOG REPAIR
  • SPA / HOT TUB LEAKS
  • SPA / HOT TUB & POOL OZONE
  • SPA / HOT TUB PUMP OPERATION
  • SPA / HOT TUB PUMP REPAIR
  • SPA JETTED TUBS NOISE
  • SPA HOT TUB WHIRLPOOL REPAIRS
  • SPA / HOT TUB CHEMICALS & CHLORINATION
  • SPA / HOT TUB DRAIN / WINTERIZING PROCEDURE
  • SPA / HOT TUB / POOL MANUALS, PARTS, REPAIR, SUPPLIES
• SCALD PROTECTION
• SWIMMING POOL LEAK DETECTION

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SPA, HOT TUB, SWIMMING POOL INSPECTION & CODES at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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