Horror! I thought I was hallucinating...

[Chas]

I get no pleasure trying to berate HS, other than ribbing Chas a bit.

I thought you liked wings - not ribs?

[wmccall]

I thought you liked wings - not ribs?

 

I love ribs, I just claim the expertise on wings.

[Lori]

Lori,
Please keep us posted about what caused the leak and how it is repaired.  
Thanks again for all the good advice that you gave me.  It was very much appreciated.
Kathy

I will, Kathy!

Glad I could help!

[ebirrane]

If possible, can you snap a picture or two when the tech is digging?  We hear so much about the "Horrors of Full Foam Maintenance" that having an idea of how long it took to fix and (perhaps) a picture that doesn't show a foam wasteland, would be good to see.

-Ed

[Lori]

I'll see what I can do, Ed.

I'm hoping they will let me know when they are going to be in my area, but they don't always!

You are right, though, it would be nice to see someone actually digging, since it is brought up as an issue with full foam.  

[spatexport]

Bummer.  

Curious.

How many miles is the tub from the dealer/service center?  
When was the tub put into service?  
Is the water pooling on the drainage/lower side of the patio?  
How much water is lost (inches) in a day, in a week?
How many people use the spa regularly?
Was the spa overfilled by mistake after the water loss was first noticed?
Has a visual inspection of the equipment bay been made?
If adjustable, are all the jets open?
If equipped with venturi air controls, are the air controls open or closed?
Are there any spa controls on the spa shell rim just above the pooling water?
 Don't be offended by this one: If the spa has been in use for over a year, is there any evidence of small mammal activity?
Finally, did the service center ask all of these questions?

Good luck and don't panic.  A good tech should complete repairs in one visit.  

[BobRex]

Just how long has your tub been leaking?  Looking at the picture, there appears to be quite a bit of residue (mineral buildup?) on the lower part of the frame (the black part under the skirt.)  Just curious.

[Chas]

Good luck and don't panic.  A good tech should complete repairs in one visit.  

If the leak is coming from the motor compartment and running under the tub, yes.

But if the leak is in the foam, several visits will be in order:
Troubleshoot and locate the leak by doing a bit of Foam digging.
Next drain the tub, or come back when it's empty and do the reapir. It is best to let pvc plumbing repairs set overnight to cure.
Next fill the tub and water test. If good, refoam and get a signature on the Warranty Service Claim.

[Lori]

Bummer.  

Curious.

How many miles is the tub from the dealer/service center?  
When was the tub put into service?  
Is the water pooling on the drainage/lower side of the patio?  
How much water is lost (inches) in a day, in a week?
How many people use the spa regularly?
Was the spa overfilled by mistake after the water loss was first noticed?
Has a visual inspection of the equipment bay been made?
If adjustable, are all the jets open?
If equipped with venturi air controls, are the air controls open or closed?
Are there any spa controls on the spa shell rim just above the pooling water?
   Don't be offended by this one: If the spa has been in use for over a year, is there any evidence of small mammal activity?
Finally, did the service center ask all of these questions?

Good luck and don't panic.  A good tech should complete repairs in one visit.  

Approx. 32 miles from the dealer to my house (but across a major city)

The tub was put into service in September of 2003.

It is pooling at the point of the leak (see picture), but yes, it is on the lower (drainage) side of the patio.

Not sure about inches of water lost, I would say a couple of inches since I first noticed the leak.

Only 1 person uses the spa (me), at least 3-5 times a week.

No, I haven't topped it off since I noticed the leak, so there wasn't an overfill.  I needed to do a water change, anyway.

No, I haven't visually inspected the equipment bay.  I am waiting for a qualified tech to come and do that for me!  (As it is still under warranty)

All the jets are open, and the diverter is set in the middle.

I don't think I have Venturi air controls, it is a HotSpring Vanguard, so Chas can answer that better.

Yes, the secondary spa controller is directly above where the water is pooling.

No evidence of small mammal activity.

No, the service center did not ask any of these questions.  They know that I am not going to touch things until I know they have looked at it.  Being that it is still under warranty, I am not going to mess it up!

My techs seem to come out and survey the situation, get there stuff together (or ordered or whatever) then they completely surprise me by coming by and fixing things without me knowing!  

I'm not panicking, I'm waiting to hear what they have to say.  I drained the tub last night, and will refill today when I get home from work.  (the temps are very mild.)

Thanks!

[Lori]

If the leak is coming from the motor compartment and running under the tub, yes.

But if the leak is in the foam, several visits will be in order:
Troubleshoot and locate the leak by doing a bit of Foam digging.
Next drain the tub, or come back when it's empty and do the reapir. It is best to let pvc plumbing repairs set overnight to cure.
Next fill the tub and water test. If good, refoam and get a signature on the Warranty Service Claim.

I'm not touching anything until I hear from the service techs!  (At least under the skirt!)

I'm not worried if it will take a few days or not, I just want to make sure and get everything done right!

I may need to go visit Spahappy and take her up on the wet tests of the Coleman's, though!  It would start this at one of the busiest times of the year for me!  3M price increase!  Ouch!!!

[Lori]

Just how long has your tub been leaking?  Looking at the picture, there appears to be quite a bit of residue (mineral buildup?) on the lower part of the frame (the black part under the skirt.)  Just curious.

I'm not exactly sure how long it has been leaking.  I first noticed it last weekend (Hubby says last Friday for him).  I thought it was condensation, but it wasn't.  By the time I took the picture, it was at least 3-4 days.  What I noticed on the frame was the water trickling down.  I don't know, maybe it is mineral buildup.

[Chas]

I think there's just one more question we need to ask -
do you floss regularly?

That about covers things here....

[salesdvl]

Sorry to hear about your spa leaking Lori.  Next time around maybe you should buy a REAL spa.

Just bustin Chas' chops.  

[Chas]

 

[Lori]

Sorry to hear about your spa leaking Lori.  Next time around maybe you should buy a REAL spa.

Just bustin Chas' chops.  

Thanks, you devil you!!!