Sorry this is long... first post.
Hello, I'm new to this forum and to spa's in general. My wife and I just bought an older spa (10-12 years old) from someone locally, moved it, and filled it up. I have no idea what the brand is, but it has a Balboa control unit/heater etc, it's an octagonal shape, 7'X7'. I installed the GFCI myself, and it was fine and seemed to be working great up until we had it up to temperature and had the jets and blower turned on for a while, at which time we noticed a small leak towards the rear of it. We traced it down (after taking some paneling off the back) to a PVC hose 90-degree connection towards the center rear of the tub that goes to what looks like a drain, but I'm not sure if that's what it really is... it goes from the drain(?) to the pipes that go up and down as you can see in the picture. We disconnected it from the drain, and we think we can see a faulty spot in the sealer around this joint in the flexible pvc pipe. Is it possible to put a new 90 degree connector onto the existing pipe, or would it be better to take out the entire piping including the several up and down turns and just replace the whole thing? If it's better to put a new end on that pipe, or just reseal it, should we have a professional do it, or is it something a handy guy can take care of? I don't mind spending a little extra here to guarantee this thing won't leak in the future, especially since we got the tub really cheap anyway(in my opinion). Also, I honestly can't see a way to get the old end off without ruining the pipe and I don't think the pipe is long enough to just lob off the end and try to put a new connector on... so maybe someone can tell us what to do here. Thanks
Robert
Hi Robert, The pipes going up and down with the clear valve is called a Hartford loop. It's put there to help keep the water from backing up into you air blower motor..You should be able to see the valve open and close as you turn the air blower on or off. As far as the leak goes. Just get a coupling, union, st 90 degree elbow and a 2" piece of pipe to replace what your going to cut out. Cut the old piece out and dry fit your new pieces to make sure they are going to reach before you re-glue them. Make sure the oring in the union before you put it back on. Use some pipe cleaner to clean the old hose before you start gluing.
