So I inherited a 20 year old spa shell ... this is our first spa. I'm installing all new equipment and plumbing with a spa pack from spas2order.com. My questions are as follows.

The equipment is all below water level under a deck I'm building.

a) Do I need to build a weather proof "closet" under the deck to protect the equipment from rain and splash over? If so, to what extent? Or will just having it under the decking be sufficient? Can I just put a piece of plastic over the equipment so it sheds any rain water or splash over away from the equipment?

b) I read that I'm not supposed to glue the lines going to the blower, as the fumes are combustible. I've got my check valve installed immediately on the blower, but fitting from there to the bubbler system on the spa leaks whenever there's water in the spa.
b1) do I just glue everything and let it air out for a few days? Shouldn't I leave the blower and the check valve unglued at least to make it easy to replace when they fail?
b2) do I move the check valve right up to the spa bubbler connection so that this is the only place it leaks, leaving the majority of the line free of water?

Thanks for your tips!!!

Greg Combs

Greg,

Feel free to glue everything together, except the last connection to the blower itself. After a day there won't be enough fumes to ignite with a blow torch. The last connection to the blower can be made by drilling a small hole through the blower to pvc connection and inserting a sheet metal screw, just to hold it in place. It's not a critical connection here. The check valve is best placed as close to the last point of water, without being in the water. this would ensure that the most of the line is clear of water, thus allowing you the best performance from the blower. A really good idea is to also include a "hartford loop" in the blower line, which is bringing the pipe from the blower above the water level in the spa and back down to the spa. This will prevent water from backing up into the blower.

Enclose all the equipment in a doghouse like enclosure. You can add fiberglass insulation to the sides of the cabinet to help deaden the sound too. You don't want this equipment getting wet, or even by chance getting wet. Just covering it probably won't be enough in the long run. be sure to elimate all gaps over 1/4 inch, to stave off rodents. They will love the warmth from the equipment.