skip to main content

Pools & Spas Plumbing

Have a large Hot Tub at rental property that I need advice on

Michael Galinkin

last year

At my rental I have a super nice hot tub, trying to find the brand name, but what I do know is that it was american made, has tons of jets from bottom sides etc.. and has always been amazing. I have a hot tub maintenance company that drains and cleans hot tub between guests and maintains it. It had a problem with a breaker flipping and they said it was from a valve that had gotten shut somehow, this is about a week ago. Anyhow, it started tripping the breaker again and now they say the Blower is wet and it either needs to sit for a week to dry out or it would need to be replaced and that is probably not worth it... Everywhere I look online I see prices for blower replacement with installation between 150-400 dollars tops for any hot tub. Why would the company tell me it is not worth replacing? I just don't understand unless I am getting taken for a ride. Would love an oppinion, this is killing me and effecting my rental guests.

Thank you so much for any advice.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

Jake The Wonderdog
last year
last modified: last year
"Tripping the breaker" on a hot tub can be broadly from two different causes:

1. Excess current - breaker itself trips

2. The GFCI is tripping - in other words, a ground fault

Knowing which is actually happening is the first step.

Keep in mind that you are talking about people, immersed in water, and electricity. If you have an electrical problem, it's important that you not "guess" - and very important that you don't just flip the breaker on and see if it stays on. Both the GFCI and the overcurrent protection are "last resort" safety mechanisms. It's like driving around in your car and counting on your emergency brake to stop your car when you know that your brakes are bad.

I hate to be unkind, but I think that you may not be getting the best and brightest to look at your tub. It sounds like they are grasping at straws. If the motor on the blower is wet, how did it get wet? Is it really wet, or are they just guessing - like with the valve?

My personal experience with hot tubs is that they are great for the first 5 years or so - then they start having an issue or two - and then it turns into a constant battle. There is a pump, a heater and a blower. There are also some flow switches, thermistors and the control board.

If you have a GFI shutting down, and the tub is older than 5 years, and you need this tub to be reliably functional, I would look at replacing the heater, the blower and the pump. That might be a different company that does the weekly maintenance. I would balance that against the cost of a replacement unit. Keep in mind that if your tub is built into a deck, you may have a problem getting an exact fit.
beesneeds
last year
last modified: last year
What do they mean a shut valve is causing the breaker to trip? Which valve? Because valves are water, not electrical. Is it a clogged one causing a pressure issue, a hot water valve issue causing the tub to overheat and trip the breaker? Somehing manually shut off? A damaged one leaking and causing wetness in parts of your tub that it should not- like that blower? Another valve?

You might want to get in a second opinion to help clarify what is going on with your tub. And maybe a clearer report on what is going on with your tub from your maintenance company.

You cannot allow your renters to use the tub in the state it is in. It just is risking safety.

We inherited a hot tub with the house when we moved in. Freestanding, a bit older model. I think we actually got it working once and soaking for a few minutes, lol. It was the bits that ran the tub, or a jet or valve here or there in the tub that was leaking and needed to be replaced, and so on. Once it started it seemed like a cascading effect. Wasn't nice enough to be worth it for us.
Related Discussions
Tub/Shower - Need Advice - Pic
Q
Comments (2)
Looks like you could convert it into a larger shower, but if this is your main bathroom, you will probably want a tub if you're considering selling the house in the future. Personally, I've never seen one of these, but it has possibities.
...See More
Freestanding Tubs, Clawfoot Tubs
Q
Comments (5)
I have a cast iron clawfoot (I know you said you weren't interested in those specifically) which we love. My husband is 6'5" and has trouble fitting into regular sized tubs; the clawfoot is deep and he can get a good soak. We looked at the Victoria and Albert tubs, but decided on the clawfoot because we found a great deal on a used one on craigslist and it matched the period of our house (1910 bungalow). Neither of us miss having the deck. We are struggling with finding storage, but that is a general issue we are having with the overall bathroom, not specific to the tub. When reading I'll just put my magazine, book or paper on the floor next to the tub. It's not that inconvenient to lean over and pick it up again over the edge of the tub. I don't have any problems getting in and out of the tub, and I've had foot surgery like you would not believe. I've had my ankle, leg, and foot surgically reconstructed 9 times in the past 6 years. While I'm no longer on crutches, I am significantly disabled (makes many DIY projects very difficult for me). I also have very poor balance and suffered nerve damage during one my surgeries so have no sensation on the bottom of my foot. I was warned that all of these issues would make it difficult for me to get in and out of a clawfoot tub, but I just hold onto the opposite side for balance and have no trouble. I have good days and bad days, and on bad days I sit on the edge of the tub and just swing my legs over. I don't think using the clawfoot tub is any more difficult than a regular shallower tub. This was my foot last year, you can see that it was pretty messed up. Even though I had a regular tub during this procedure and only recently got the clawfoot, I'm still recovering from the surgery.
...See More
Poll: Tub or no tub master bath?
Q
Comments (34)
"Isn't it funny how so many who have the tubs never use them yet when people look for a home they love seeing a jet tub in the master bath? Is it just the "thought" of that magificent soak we all wish for but never take that puts in our minds that we must have the tub?" Ditto with all the chef kitchens with professional ranges. In my area, hardly anybody cooks in their chef kitchen because everybody is too busy. OP renovates for resale, i.e. bang for the buck, which isn't necessarily primarily for functionality.
...See More
Does a house need a bath tub for resale?
Q
Comments (24)
As long as at least one tub remains in the house, removing one shouldn't be a problem. Under this scenario, a tub would be in an auxiliary bath that is commonly used or available for use by children. In this case, no tub would be necessary in a separate master bath. If you had 3 or more baths in a house, at least one should have a bath. The bath versus shower controversy has been going on for about 50 years. While there are always exceptions, more and more adults have become shower only people. Adult bathers are a much smaller community and getting smaller everyday. Ideally, I would keep at least one bathtub in a home. By having a bathtub a potential buyer won't exclude your home when considering a purchase.
...See More

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Dreaming of a Spa Tub at Home? Read This Pro Advice First

By By Any Design Ltd.

Before you float away on visions of jets and bubbles and the steamiest water around, consider these very real spa tub issues

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 13 New Ways to Make a Splash With a Hot Tub

By Amber Hopman

Check out the modern options and custom features that are making outdoor spa tubs hot again

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 12 Naturally Beautiful Hot Tubs

By Laura Gaskill

Prefer a no-plastic look for your patio or yard? Wood, stone and concrete make these hot tubs fit right in with nature

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 12 Stylish Screens for Hot Tubs, Pools and Outdoor Showers

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Check out these solutions for boosting privacy without compromising style

FUN HOUZZ Everything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey

Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5

RUSTIC STYLE 10 Cabin Rental Basics for City Slickers

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Stay warm, dry and safe while you’re enjoying winter cabin life with this valuable advice

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING See a Soothing Backyard Bathhouse Born From a Salvaged Tub

By Annie Thornton

Creative thinking and DIY skills give a Portland couple a pergola-covered 'hot tub' under the stars

REMODELING GUIDES Design Workshop: Is an In-Law Unit Right for Your Property?

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

ADUs can alleviate suburban sprawl, add rental income for homeowners, create affordable housing and much more

BATHROOM DESIGN Which Flooring Should I Choose for My Bathroom?

By Sarah Alcroft

Read this expert advice on 12 popular options to help you decide which bathroom flooring is right for you

KITCHEN DESIGN Displaying Kitchen Supplies — Hot or Not?

By Lisa Frederick

Do some kitchens just beg for a cozy row of canisters and gear for all to see? Have a look and let us know what you think

Sponsored

MCR ROMERO WORK LLC

Innovative & Creative General Contractors Servicing Franklin County

More Discussions

Flip turn markers for pool

2

How To Rehab Old Pool Decking

0

Decking and stairs to pool

1

New Pool - Liner Properly Installed?

1

Sunbrella Rain on Outdoor furniture: is Ebel Palermo worth the cost?

0