Signs Of Mice...

[spanorth]

My 2005 Marquis Epic home and it's in my heated shop out of the freezing weather (previous owner winterized it properly). When I first inspected it, I did see a very little bit of mouse droppings in the motor compartment but i could not find any chewing or sign of long term presence, so I was not overly concerned. I do know what long term mouse presence looks like as we had quite an issue in our home when we first moved in. I am acutely aware, unfortunatly! After moving it, tipping it and transporting it, I noticed that some foam bits and mouse droppings have appeared in the motor compartment (which were not there when I first inspected it). I literally noticed it just a few hours after the move, so I believe they were jostled loose from the move and fell into the compartment, as opposed to it being new activity.

Our concrete patio will be poured in April when the ground thaws, and the hot tub will be placed there and connected at that time. THe hot tub will stay in my heated shop until then.

I would like to identify and fix any leaks or electrical issues before I move it to the back yard and place it on the patio. It will be much easier to fix problem where it sits now, if there is one. Previous owner has never had a problem and it was working perfectly when it was closed in the fall. I have full access to my electrical panel in the garage and I can safely have the electrical properly connected by my brother who is an electrician.

Two questions:

1. Obviously it's possible, but how likely/common is it that the mice chewed something other than the foam, causing a leak or electrical problem?

2. Should I fill, connect and test the hot tub now, where it sits in my shop?

Thanks for your input!

[Catalina stealth]

I'm a new owner as well, but I have been through the gauntlet over the past 30 hours with my newly bought, used hot tub. And speaking from recent experiences, check it NOW! While its inside, in the warmth, and out of the weather. It may not be cold where you are, but its freezing here, and I would have loved to have been able to rewind the past day and night with my hot tub being indoors! Lol.

Anyways, get that electric ran, and fill that thing up and get familiar, and wise about all of its inner workings, i.e. impeller(s), pump(s), main board and location of the different components on the board, bleeder valves, heater, and so on. Although, you already sound like you know more than me about spas specifically lol.

I would fill the tub, bleed the lines, let it set for a little while with no "forced" pressure on the lines, then check to see if you have any leaks. If not, crank that baby up to see if there are any hidden cracks, chew marks, bites, hairline cracks, or dry rot, that cause leakage. If you don't see any after a while with it running your good to go. Hell, I'd even keep it setup until that pad gets ready.

Just my 2 cents bud. Good luck.

[spanorth]

Hell, I'd even keep it setup until that pad gets ready.

That's exactly what my wife has in mind! She'd love nothing more than to be able to use it now and keep using it until spring. Oh and I'm in Minnesota...it's cold here too.

[PreservedSwine]

Absolutely fill it, and run power, even if just temporary. Those little critters can really tunnel through the foam, and will chew through anything, including wires, flex pipe, and vinyl tubing.

[Catalina stealth]

Absolutely fill it, and run power, even if just temporary. Those little critters can really tunnel through the foam, and will chew through anything, including wires, flex pipe, and vinyl tubing.

Spot on! My friend got his dads used hot tub and moved it to his house, after it had sit idle for a year. He didnt have mice in it, but frogs had colonized in his plumbing. When he kicked that thing on the first time, frog legs/heads were coming out of every jet! ewwwww i know, but it happened. Just imagine if his family had been in it when they cut it on!

So, lesson - better safe than sorry, check it!

[spanorth]

Absolutely fill it, and run power, even if just temporary. Those little critters can really tunnel through the foam, and will chew through anything, including wires, flex pipe, and vinyl tubing.

Spot on! My friend got his dads used hot tub and moved it to his house, after it had sit idle for a year. He didnt have mice in it, but frogs had colonized in his plumbing. When he kicked that thing on the first time, frog legs/heads were coming out of every jet! ewwwww i know, but it happened.

Well basically he had a big pot of frog stew! What a bonus! That's hilarious Albeit a little gross.

[spanorth]

Filled her up tonight, but I wanted to check for leaks before didn't connect it to power yet. Yup there's a leak! But, I think I might know where it's coming from...the light under the waterfall.

The water was coming from under the tub on the side of this light. I drained the tub down below the light and the leak has completely stopped. Of course, the water level is now down below several jets and the filter housings,as well, so it could be any one of them, but I don't see anything as obvious as the light.

Here is a video of how I noticed that this might be the problem. You can see the seal is not tight at the edge or the light.

There are 2 lights in this tub one on the waterfall side (opposite the equipment compartment) and one accessible in the equipment compartment. It appears the lights just screw into the housing and sandwich against the shell. Do I simply unscrew it and reseal it with silicone and screw it back together? Or should I be buying a whole new light assembly since I'm going through all this remove it. Any other suggestions for this repair are welcome!

[Roger]

You can go either way. It is very common for those lights to develop leaks. Make sure to clean all mating surfaces before you apply a small bead of silicone. There is a gasket also so if you have a spa store close and can get one.

[spanorth]

Local dealer didn't have them, couldn't even find a part number! I found them online here. It seems that there is no way to do this from inside the tub, have to get behind the shell. Given the location of this light, it looks like a real pain to get to. Since it's tucked right between and behind the filter housings. Of course it's also buried in foam.

Do you suppose there is more direct easier/access if go from the bottom?

Any special tools available to get on the nut collar behind the shell, that will make this much easier?

After I tear out the foam what's the best to re-foam it with? I have a great stuff "pro gun" and I was thinking of filling it with the "window and door" type foam, since it's more flexible than the "standard" great stuff foam.

Here's a pic of the same light on the other side. The locking collar on this one is cracked so I'll replace it as well

[Spa_Guru]

I posted in detail on your new thread.