A1Andy Posted May 27, 2020 Report Share Posted May 27, 2020 Hi all, New to the forum and found you when searching for advice. I found an old article with a similar theme, and am hoping the experts here can assist. I have a jacuzzi j480 believe it is 2011 or early 2012. It is one of the last before the model update. The one without bluetooth capability. I purchased end 2012 as an ex display model from Jacuzzi UK. They did a full install, service and replaced many parts to ensure it was in great condition. Recently performed a water and filter change, afterwards I noticed a leak appear at the bottom left of the base. Quick investigation identified the waterfall divertor causing a leaking inside. Genuine part replacement and this fixed the leak. But the water at the base persisted. I dried out the base to see if it was just residual but it has continued and the water level definitely drops. I have removed all side panels, the only obvious item is that the insulation below the right waterfall is slightly soggy, not much. Under warranty it had both waterfalls replaced and the base light jet, as well as many cosmetic not water related items. Is it a simple case of work at removing the insulation at the waterfall to find if there really is a leak, or should I instruct an expert. I'm pretty competent at electrical and plumbing work, as well as building. Tub has been regularly maintained, genuine parts and filters always used. It was moved 3 years ago by a professional, and no leaks after the move until now. Appreciate any advice and tips. Based in UK. Many many thanks. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 27, 2020 Report Share Posted May 27, 2020 Dig it out and see. Be careful, take small pieces at a time, and use a dull tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianSpaTech Posted May 27, 2020 Report Share Posted May 27, 2020 54 minutes ago, RDspaguy said: use a dull tool @RDspaguy is available 😈 I use a large spoon and scoop it out. Works good on the old really hard foam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1Andy Posted May 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2020 Cover arm and rear corner panel off, time for the harder work. This is the suspicious area that feels damp. Thank you for the advice so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1Andy Posted May 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 Significant progress made. I have carefully removed the foam, which was soaking wet below the right waterfall, as you look at the tub. No obvious leak to the pipes or chair jet connectors. Turn on the main jets, and all good. Turned on the waterfall divertor and bingo, a stream of water coming from the top. I am guessing it is pipe joint at the waterfall. Turn off the waterfall and the stream continues for a while and slows to a drip, assuming pressure I the pipe.. I have checked the other side and all dry below the left waterfall. Expert advice needed please. Is this a simple job to fix the connection and what is the process please. And once fixed, is it a case of test, clean any loose debris and use can foam to replace what was removed? Many thanks again. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 30, 2020 Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 Post pics of the waterfall front and back, and a close up of it leaking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1Andy Posted May 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 Thanks RDspaguy. Will do shortly. I've just found what I think is the issue. I felt the pipes connected to the waterfall. Facing the back, the left one I can feel the plastic tube the pipe secures onto. Seems that the pipe is not all the way to the top. May just be a case of squeeze the clip and fit the pipe correctly. I will take the photos and post to get the expert view, and hopefully sort first time right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1Andy Posted May 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 Photos attached, let me know if more or different needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianSpaTech Posted May 30, 2020 Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 Little bit of heat will allow that plumbing to extend a bit if needed 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 30, 2020 Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 Hopefully that is it and it's not a cracked barb. Be careful moving that pipe or it will be a cracked barb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1Andy Posted May 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 And by Barb, do you mean the plastic that comes from the waterfall body itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 30, 2020 Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 Yes. The part that the hose goes on and the clamp tightens against. They are prone to cracking where they connect to the flat bottom of the waterfall, and would require replacement of the waterfall. Clamped hoses don't often leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1Andy Posted May 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 Thank you again. I will carefully explore further. And see if it is a simple job or a damaged barb. Worst case and the waterfall needs replacing, it was replaced 3 years ago by Jacuzzi uk, is it a big job? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 30, 2020 Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 No, but it's probably not cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1Andy Posted May 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 They are £42 each here in the UK. Struggling to get the clip off. Its awkward to reach but even with getting a good squeeze on it with long nose pliers or medium size mole grips, I cant move it. Its definitely opening, just not enough to move it. Is there a clever trick to this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianSpaTech Posted May 31, 2020 Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 You could cut the plumbing about 10" down and then use 3/4 barbed line connector when reinstalling everything. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 31, 2020 Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 I stick my tongue out on the left and curl the toes of my right foot. Works everytime.😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1Andy Posted May 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 Thanks for the advice. I'd still need to get the clip off to be able to remove the waterfall unless I snap of the plastic connector. For £42, approx 32 bucks, am tempted to buy a new one and fit it properly. At least I know it will be done properly and as RDspaguy says, a pipe with clip shouldn't leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 31, 2020 Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 1 minute ago, A1Andy said: I'd still need to get the clip off to be able to remove the waterfall unless I snap of the plastic connector. Are you sure. The hole in the shell may be larger than you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1Andy Posted May 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 Hahaha RDspaguy. Just takes a bit a time and effort. Everything worthwhile takes effort. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1Andy Posted May 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 Theres a nut on the back that wont go past the pipe clip, so unless the hole in the tub will take the size of the pipe clip. Will keep investigating. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1Andy Posted May 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 Got it. I was curling the toes on the wrong foot. Thanks. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1Andy Posted May 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 RDspaguy, you were right. Clean, refit and clip back on and the leak still exists. I can see better now and the leak is come from above the plastic nut, so suspect a failure somewhere in the waterfall housing. Will order a new one tomorrow. Is it worth changing the other at the same time or just leave that one alone? Thanks again. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 31, 2020 Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 It wouldn't hurt, but I wouldn't say you need to. It was likely the result of shrinking foam or expansion/contraction of the hose. You might want to add a bit of hose so it is not stretched tight, and I would not refoam it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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