Home Garden

How to Detect Hot Tub Leaks With Vacuum Cleaners

Hot tubs can be a fun but expensive and time-consuming investment. Even with regular maintenance, they sometimes leak. A leak in your hot tub doesn't have to mean the end of your hot tub parties or relaxing soaks, however. Many leaks are relatively simple to fix — if you can find them. Although it is possible to purchase a leak locating kit, you can find your hot tub's leak for free using an old boater's trick.

Things You'll Need

  • Shop vacuum with reversible suction
  • Liquid car washing soap
  • Paintbrush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Unplug and drain the hot tub. Let it dry completely.

    • 2

      Reverse the suction or change your hoses around on your vacuum so that you have one hose that blows air.

    • 3

      Slide the hose under your hot tub cover and seal up any open spaces around the hose with duct tape so that it is as airtight as possible.

    • 4

      Turn on the vacuum. Move around the outside of the hot tub as it is filling with air and use a paintbrush to paint liquid soap onto the outside of the hot tub. Focus on areas where hot tubs tend to leak, such as where pipes meet the housing or where jet bodies protrude from the underside of the hot tub's shell. If there is a leak, you will see the liquid soap start to bubble up.