West Salem, WI Frozen Hot Tub Inspection

When a 10-year-old hot tub stops working after a bout of cold weather, Swimming Pool Inspection Services is called out to determine what caused the hot tub’s damage.

West Salem, WI Hot Tub Inspection

Swimming Pool Inspection Services was called out to inspect an above-ground hot tub after it stopped working to determine what had caused the hot tub to freeze and stop working. Our inspector visited the property in question and spoke with the insured.

The insured explained that the hot tub had stopped working, the weather had gotten cold and the water in the hot tub got cold as well. The insured explained that he couldn’t get the hot tub to cooperate, so he drained it. The insured also explained that the inside power would trip even without the spa turned on.

The insured went on to explain that he knew the hot tub was operational at the beginning of the year. The insured stated that he went to drain the hot tub, but found it would not fully drain and that some of the lines had frozen. The pump was working, but the water was cold and the insured believed the heater was not working. The insured explained that the hot tub was not displaying the temperature, and he went to the fuse box and shut the power down entirely. The insured explained that when he turned the power on again, the functions returned to the hot tub and the water temperature went from 41-47 degrees. Thinking that the hot tub was operational, the insured said that he went to work for 3-4 hours and came back to find the circuit breaker had “popped”. The insured explained that the hot tub thawed enough on its own for him to drain it fully.

Observations of West Salem, WI Inspection

Our inspector visited the property and performed a thorough inspection of the hot tub and the surrounding area, and made the following observations:

• The hot tub was a Jacuzzi J470 – approximately 10 years old.
• Upon arrival to the property, the hot tub was empty and the power was not on.
• The circuit breaker inside the house tripped every time it was re-set.
• The insured replaced the circuit breaker, and the new one did not trip.
• Power was restored to the spa, at which time the circulation pump
  attempted to operate, but shorted and locked up.
• A leak was located in a 3/4″line that pulled loose from a fitting. The line was secured to the fitting and the hose clamp was tightened.

Analysis of Inspection Findings

Our inspector commented that the hot tub would need a new circulation pump, and that without an operational pump, he would not be able to troubleshoot the unit further. The suspected reason for failure of the circulation pump was frozen lines to the pump itself.

The inspector also commented that it was an error for the hot tub to be drained in the Wisconsin winter, and that it would be expected for the lines to freeze without a space heater running near the hot tub. He also commented that the circulation pump, most likely, failed because the lines to the pump were frozen – and this caused the breaker to trip. Additionally, he noted that there is a flow switch to the heater on Jacuzzi hot tubs located on the front of the hot tub, and that is the first point to freeze. The hot tub should have been winterized prior to the winter season, or the heater should have been left to run continuously. In the event the heater failed and water was kept in the hot tub, a separate heater should have been used to heat the tub externally while it was being repaired.

Cause of Loss in West Salem, WI Hot Tub Inspection

After performing the inspection our inspector determined that while a faulty circuit breaker was located, the exact cause of loss could not be determined without having the circulation pump running to troubleshoot further.

Also, though a problem may have existed with the hot tub before it was drained, draining it without professional assistance (or without a heater running), would have likely caused further damage to the hot tub.