# Issues with owning a hot tub? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 26, 2020, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478 "2020-05-26T04:22:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/21 "2020-05-28T00:16:10Z")
We’ve had [this guy](https://spa-brokers.com/products/hot-tubs-7000-to-8500/cal-spa-costa-ec-740l/) (Pay no attention to the price tag, go when they’re having a sale and the price drops considerably) for a little over three years now. **How hard are they to clean?** Not hard. It doesn’t bolt to the floor or anything, it’s basically just a box with some water in it. To drain it you attach a hose to the drain port and run the hose to wherever you want the old water to go (yard, storm drain, whatever). We change our water maybe once a year, which is the only real noticeable expense (water bill!). You also get a soft scrubby mitt for when it’s almost time to do a water change and the tub gets a little scuzzy. Easy peasy. **Do they leak?** They’re not supposed to. If they do it will happen when they’re new and still under warranty. You still want a floor drain to manage spills & drips. **How often do you drain it?** Depends on how often it’s used. We’re good with once a year, used by two people (the boys won’t go near it usually, yay!) a few times a week. **Have you had problems with the motors and pumps?** None **What I’m worried about is if I build a room and deck around it, can I get to essential parts if they need repaired or replaced?** They are somewhat portable (if you have 3 or 4 reasonably strong people. You’d build the enclosure with double doors so you can get it in/out, and make the room big enough so you can scoot it against whatever wall in order to gain access to whatever side of the tub you need to get at. You’ll need a few of the aforementionded reasonably strong people to scoot it without straining the frame. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/22 "2020-05-28T00:21:59Z")
After a while, the Wah-wah Bass solos get a little tiring. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/23 "2020-05-28T00:50:42Z")
> [@MrMrmrmr](#): > > My neighbor had a leak and they needed to take the whole tub in for repair since all the plumbing was foamed in with urethane foam. The room was built around the tub, with no way to get the tub out. > He was quite disgusted with the whole situation. Maybe enough time has passed so I can ask how he resolved the issue. Please let me know. I’m planning on buying one that will either fit in thru the door (on its side) so it can be removed (like have a double door) or if not when I build the room I will install some sort of removable panel or windows or something. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/24 "2020-05-28T00:54:37Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > We’ve had [this guy](https://spa-brokers.com/products/hot-tubs-7000-to-8500/cal-spa-costa-ec-740l/) (Pay no attention to the price tag, go when they’re having a sale and the price drops considerably) for a little over three years now. > > **How hard are they to clean?** > Not hard. It doesn’t bolt to the floor or anything, it’s basically just a box with some water in it. To drain it you attach a hose to the drain port and run the hose to wherever you want the old water to go (yard, storm drain, whatever). We change our water maybe once a year, which is the only real noticeable expense (water bill!). You also get a soft scrubby mitt for when it’s almost time to do a water change and the tub gets a little scuzzy. Easy peasy. > > **Do they leak?** > They’re not supposed to. If they do it will happen when they’re new and still under warranty. You still want a floor drain to manage spills & drips. > > **How often do you drain it?** > Depends on how often it’s used. We’re good with once a year, used by two people (the boys won’t go near it usually, yay!) a few times a week. > > **Have you had problems with the motors and pumps?** > None > > **What I’m worried about is if I build a room and deck around it, can I get to essential parts if they need repaired or replaced?** They are somewhat portable (if you have 3 or 4 reasonably strong people. You’d build the enclosure with double doors so you can get it in/out, and make the room big enough so you can scoot it against whatever wall in order to gain access to whatever side of the tub you need to get at. You’ll need a few of the aforementionded reasonably strong people to scoot it without straining the frame. Does the water filter and heater work at all times or do you have to run all the fancy pumps and bubbles and all for it to pump thru the filter? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/25 "2020-05-28T00:59:04Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Does the water filter and heater work at all times or do you have to run all the fancy pumps and bubbles and all for it to pump thru the filter? Normally there is thermostat to keep it at a certain temperature. They are so well insulated now (mine has a cover) that it will rarely have to run to maintain temperature though. Mine is set up on a timer to briefly run periodically which is also standard. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/26 "2020-05-28T01:05:06Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Does the water filter and heater work at all times or do you have to run all the fancy pumps and bubbles and all for it to pump thru the filter? The tub cycles daily for as long as you tell it to. So for like an hour a day you can set it to cycle all the pumps to keep you from turning it into a bog. That cycling involves dragging water through the filter. The heat is always on, keeps the tub at 103 Fahrenheit (where we’ve set it). Once a week you check the PH & bromine levels and add chemicals as needed. It sounds harder than it is. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/27 "2020-05-28T01:15:56Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > We have one outside which we installed not long after we moved in, about 23 years ago. It’s never leaked, its reliability was pretty good, and we used it a lot when we first bought it. But it costs a fortune to run, and we haven’t used it in probably a decade. Being outside it wasn’t hard to clean. Just not worth the huge power costs. > I have no idea if it still works. Mine heats with natural gas just like my regular house heater. During the months when I don’t use my house heater, my total gas bill is like $13/month which is the hot tub, the hot water heater and the stove and oven. The pump is electric but it runs so seldom that I can’t imagine that it adds much to my electricity bill which since I don’t have air conditioning is very low too, maybe $45/month for the entire house. They don’t use very much power. ---
**Author:** ![a6ka97](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/28 "2020-05-28T02:22:01Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Our experience is exactly the opposite. Our home has a large jacuzzi tub in the master bathroom. But we wanted a relaxing soak **outdoors**. Once we installed our Softub outside, I think we’ve used the indoor tub to soak in maybe 6 times in the intervening 24 years. Sitting in the outdoor hot tub during a gentle snowfall, or during a meteor shower at night is just glorious. YMMV. So do you need to wait for the tub to fill? Then it gets cold while you are sitting in it? If is the type I am thinking of, an oversized bathtub with jets, a co-worker warned us that they are “worthless”. With the time waiting to fill and the water expense. Ours, flip the lid, hop in, sit, get out, close the lid. Plus the privacy of being inside to “skinny dip” when we want to. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/29 "2020-05-28T02:46:57Z")
It can be difficult to keep swingers out of hot tubs, is what various tv shows and movies have led me to believe. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/30 "2020-05-28T03:54:29Z")
> [@a6ka97](#): > > So do you need to wait for the tub to fill? Then it gets cold while you are sitting in it? If is the type I am thinking of, an oversized bathtub with jets, a co-worker warned us that they are “worthless”. With the time waiting to fill and the water expense. Ours, flip the lid, hop in, sit, get out, close the lid. > > Plus the privacy of being inside to “skinny dip” when we want to. Why can’t one skinny dip in their own back yard? Who the hell wears a bathing suit in their own hot tub? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/31 "2020-05-28T04:23:57Z")
My brother’s house had one on the deck when they bought the house, and about a year ago, it started to leak and they decided not to replace it. They found a local company that would pay them to take it away (they would refurbish it and sell it) and they had to bring in a crane to remove it. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/32 "2020-05-28T04:41:07Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > This will actually be in South Dakota as part of a new addition to the property. I want it indoors because I dont like keeping out the bugs and leaves. However this will also require a good drain and build a room for it (requires extra ventilation to remove moisture) and a kind of deck and stairs around it that also can dry quickly to stop mold forming. We will have this new addition as a feature of a planned B and B so I’m also thinking safety. [quote=“ZonexandScout, post:6, topic:854478”] **Urbanredneck** is absolutely right. They are great when it’s snowing (or just very cold) and you have to wear a heavy robe to get to the tub. Much better than using it in warm weather. [QUOTE] I have an outdoor hot tub, in Minnesota. So similar to South Dakota, but a bit colder. I love having it outdoors, and until the temp gets sub -20°F or so, it’s very comfortable. Below that, my nose gets too cold. I used a robe when I first got the hot tub, but quickly discovered it wasn’t necessary and rather a pain to handle. I go out with my swimsuit, a pair of flip flops, and a beach towel around my waist. It doesn’t take long to open up the tub, so I don’t get very cold on the walk out. I do make sure to shovel around the tub, so no stomping through knee high snow. I love sitting in the hot tub at sunrise when the weather is cool. It’s so relaxing, watching the steam swirl off of the water as I listen to the world wake up. As for keeping out bugs and leaves, you have to have a cover on the tub. Get one that folds and a hinged lift arm for it. I only get bugs or leaves while I’m actually in the tub. I’ve had to rescue a few dragonflies that got too interested in the open water. Stairs - we have a custom built set, made from extra material from the deck rebuilding. I love the fact that they are about 3’ wide, so plenty of space to stand on them and keep your balance while putting your shoes back on. I wish I’d put a hand rail on one side. My mom would like to use the tub, but I’m leery of her climbing in and out without the railing. Cost - My tub is about 10 years old, and is a 6 person, so pretty big. I’m guessing I spend $80-$100/month in the coldest part of the winter, keeping it heated with electricity, even with a well insulated lid. > [@Urbanredneck](#): > > What I’m worried about is if I build a room and deck around it, can I get to essential parts if they need repaired or replaced? If I was going to put one inside a room, I’d pick out the brand and model first, talk to the store about clearances needed, and design the room around that. Mine has an access panel on one side, with all of the mechanicals behind it. Unfortunately, I’ve recently sprung some kind of small leak, on the opposite corner. I lose maybe an inch of water a day. I’m guessing that there is a crack in the sealant around some joint or jet. It’s going to require taking the side paneling off of the case to get to that one. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/33 "2020-05-28T05:50:51Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Mine heats with natural gas just like my regular house heater. During the months when I don’t use my house heater, my total gas bill is like $13/month which is the hot tub, the hot water heater and the stove and oven. The pump is electric but it runs so seldom that I can’t imagine that it adds much to my electricity bill which since I don’t have air conditioning is very low too, maybe $45/month for the entire house. They don’t use very much power. Mine’s electric, and with California electricity prices we saw it on the bill. Worth it when we were using it frequently, but not worth keeping powered up for weeks at a time with no use. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/34 "2020-05-28T05:52:48Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Why can’t one skinny dip in their own back yard? Who the hell wears a bathing suit in their own hot tub? Depends on how high your fence it, and where the neighbors’ windows are. And who is home. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/35 "2020-05-28T12:34:35Z")
> [@a6ka97](#): > > So do you need to wait for the tub to fill? Then it gets cold while you are sitting in it? If is the type I am thinking of, an oversized bathtub with jets, a co-worker warned us that they are “worthless”. With the time waiting to fill and the water expense. Ours, flip the lid, hop in, sit, get out, close the lid. > > Plus the privacy of being inside to “skinny dip” when we want to. Yeah, the old indoor tub had to be filled, and to keep it warm, we had to add hot water. With our outdoor Softub, pop the lid off, hop in, it’s already good to go. We were out in it last night, temp of 103, soaked and watched the stars and listened to the waves. Hopped out, slid the lid on. Done. Swimsuits are an abomination, which we use only when soaking with family. Or if our guests are modest. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/36 "2020-05-28T12:34:52Z")
We had a Nordic for about 15 years before it finally gave up the ghost about 5 years back, plan to replace it this year. We loved it. Changing water: Maybe once or twice a year. If you keep up the chemicals and keep changing the filter (they get really scummy) that’s most you need do. Pumps: I had to take the pump off once and took it to an electric motor shop to get rebuilt. Wasn’t terribly expensive but the motors don’t last forever. Cover: The biggest pain in the ass. They all get waterlogged and eventually get too heavy to lift. Plan to replace them every 2-3 years if not more often. They’re a great thing to have and can’t wait to get my new one. I would advise getting one wired for 220V, I think they’re technically superior. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/37 "2020-05-28T13:06:38Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Mine’s electric, and with California electricity prices we saw it on the bill. Worth it when we were using it frequently, but not worth keeping powered up for weeks at a time with no use. You’re is also over 23 years old. It’s reasonable to assume that they’ve gotten more efficient. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/38 "2020-05-28T13:08:52Z")
> [@I almost had a celebrity close encounter tonight!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-had-a-celebrity-close-encounter-tonight/116634/1): > > Cover: The biggest pain in the ass. They all get waterlogged and eventually get too heavy to lift. Plan to replace them every 2-3 years if not more often. > > . I have never had that happen in over twenty years and two different hot tubs. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/39 "2020-05-28T13:28:14Z")
Have you all ever had a kid do poop or pee into it? I’m asking because if we do have a bnb as part of this there will be children. How did you clean it? ---
**Author:** ![MrMrmrmr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrmrmrmr/32/5828_2.png) [@MrMrmrmr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMrmrmr)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478/40 "2020-05-28T22:04:43Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Please let me know. He said he had to call someone in to do the work, and it was hard to find a guy. We had a leak last year. The hot tub is not at our primary residence.We shut it down for winter. Pump out most of the water by dropping a small sump pump into the lowest part. The drain port is hard to get at(under the deck). Use a shop vacuum on every port to get the rest of the water out. Pour in 4 gallons of RV antifreeze and run the pump until the antifreeze shoots out of all jets. Put cover on, tarp over, and put cement blocks on the four corners. The leak we had was due to a hose that dead ended and so never filled with antifreeze. We were lucky, the minus 14 degree weather froze the water and pushed the plug out of the end of the hose. A hose clamp and rerouting the hose so it would drain solved the problem. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/issues-with-owning-a-hot-tub/854478.md?page=1)