Replacing vs. Refurbishing a Hot Tub: What You Should Know
Decide if you need a new hot tub or a renewed hot tub
If your hot tub looks worn down or is experiencing issues, you can replace or refurbish it—but how do you decide which option to go with? A hot tub repair professional can go over your options. This guide covers what to think about when choosing between repairing a hot tub or buying a new one.
Factors to Consider
A personal spa can be a significant investment for your household. So, if you begin to experience hot tub problems, figuring out whether you should repair it or purchase a brand-new one can be challenging. To help answer that question, let’s begin by presenting several factors for you to consider:
Is the warranty on your hot tub still valid? If so, how much coverage does it offer?
For how long have you had the hot tub? What’s the average life span of your brand of hot tub?
If your hot tub needs repairs, how extensive is the damage?
How much time will you need to spend repairing your hot tub? Is the issue one that you’ve had to fix before?
How much effort would a repair require? Can you resolve the problem with a DIY solution, or do you need to call a certified technician?
How much will acquiring and installing new parts cost compared to purchasing a new hot tub?
Has there ever been a significant factory recall on your hot tub brand?
Is It Worth It to Repair Your Hot Tub?
To help you make a more informed decision, here are several scenarios in which you should consider refurbishment or replacement for your hot tub:
| Consider Refurbishing | When to Replace |
|---|---|
| Your hot tub is under 5 years old | Your hot tub is 15–20+ years old |
| The warranty on your hot tub is still valid | The warranty has run out, or something voided it |
| You’re experiencing isolated or new problems | The same issue repeatedly occurs |
When to Repair Your Hot Tub
There are several instances where the issue you’re experiencing with your hot tub only requires a little elbow grease and know-how. You could also call in a qualified professional to handle your hot tub restoration.
1. Your Hot Tub Is Less Than Five Years Old
If you’re wondering how long a hot tub lasts, the answer is five to 20 years on average. Proper care and maintenance allow you to have your hot tub for a long time before replacing it.
Individual parts, such as filters, can wear out before five years, but you can replace them easily. You’re unlikely to experience a systemic failure before ten years, provided you’re using your hot tub according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Regularly inspecting your hot tub will help you spot problems and solve them before they become more serious. If you encounter a complex or potentially dangerous problem, such as an electrical malfunction or a control panel replacement, hire a local hot tub repair pro who has the training and tools to fix it.
2. You Still Have a Warranty
Opting for a warranty when you first purchase a hot tub will help cover the costs of certain repairs. You can call a technician certified by the manufacturer to work on your hot tub brand. These pros know how to resolve an issue efficiently and quickly, making their services invaluable.
Be sure to check your warranty regularly. Some only last for a certain number of years, while others may cover your hot tub for its entire life span.
3. The Problem Is Isolated or New
If you have a newer hot tub, you may encounter part failures for the first time. Individual parts are more budget-friendly to fix than replacing an entire heater or pump.
However, one broken part can lead to multiple problems throughout your hot tub. In some cases, neglecting a malfunction can even present safety risks. Addressing an issue as soon as possible is essential to keeping your spa running.
When to Replace Your Hot Tub
Some hot tub problems can be too significant for even a professional to repair. Recognizing these issues will help you save time and money.
1. Your Hot Tub Is 20 Years Old or Older
Even with the most diligent hot tub maintenance, time and use will eventually catch up to your hot tub. Parts will experience wear and tear at different rates, eventually losing efficiency or breaking down. Even if you replace parts, the machinery around them could cause them to wear faster over time.
Heat stress, water damage, and electrical issues can all contribute to the breakdown of a hot tub. It may be time for a replacement if you’re replacing or repairing parts more often than using your hot tub.
2. The Warranty Is No Longer Valid
Not every warranty lasts forever. If yours has run out or something has voided it, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for repairs. Some unexpected and costly repairs, such as a hot tub heater replacement, can drive up your maintenance bill. If replacing your hot tub costs less than repairing it, especially without a warranty, it may be time to go hot tub shopping.
3. You Keep Experiencing the Same Problem
Spending time and money repairing your hot tub is frustrating when you run into the same malfunction again. A faulty filter or stubborn leak may pop up regularly. It could indicate a bigger issue if malfunctions happen far sooner than expected.
The repair method is insufficient when a repeated issue affects your hot tub. Replacing your old hot tub will be the only option if you can’t repair it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you can repair a hot tub depends on the severity of the problem and the location. With the right tools and knowledge, you can fix problems like small leaks or switching out a dirty filter. However, electrical and plumbing issues require a licensed professional due to the inherent risk, particularly when mixing water with electricity.
Most hot tubs will experience leaks due to wear and tear in the plumbing or the shell itself. The second most common issue is a heater malfunction due to the ongoing heat stress on moving parts. Finally, clogs happen in hot tub jets, especially when it’s time to change the filter.
Hot tub repair costs are less expensive than purchasing a new one, especially if your warranty is still intact. You can shop for a secondhand unit or find a deal for a trade-in. If the price to repair your hot tub is higher than the cost of a new one, consider replacing your unit.