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Help Repairing Leak on Drain Pipe - Tiger River Spa Siberian Model L


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Hello,

 

I have a Tiger River Spa Siberian Model L that recently started leaking from the drain valve. I was taking off the service panel door and the corner hit the drain pipe (I didn't think it hit that hard...) and it started a pretty solid leak (I'd estimate a gallon a minute). Only the tip of the drain pipe sticks out from the housing, as you can see in the attached picture, and from what I saw the leak is further back where you can't get to or see.

 

I'm actually looking to sell this hot tub, but obviously I don't want to sell this to someone with this leak. Is this something that I could fix myself, or do I need to hire a professional for this? If so, what would something like that cost and what would it entail?

 

The hot tub came with the house, so I'm not even sure how old it is, but judging from what years this model was made it seems to be 15-20 years old. Given that, what price should I be selling this hot tub for? Before I decided to sell it, I bought a new cover for $600 since the old one was waterlogged, and I was also planning to give the buyer all the chemicals, test strips, spare filters and the water pump I have since I won't need it without the tub. Is $1000 a good price?

Hot Tub Drain valve.jpg

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To do the job properly you would have to stand up the spa or jack it up on that side high enough to get the bottom taken off or pulled away enough to get at the soft plumbing line that the drain fitting is connected to and either replace the drain fitting if that's what cracked and leaking or just cut the drain fitting off and cap the soft plumbing leaving the drain in place just to fill the hole. That is the route I would go. Drains are the weakest link in the whole system IMO. It is usually the glue connection connecting the soft plumbing to the drain valve that fails. Most drains you have to twist and pull them to get them open and all that twisting loosens the glue connection. I always tell my customers not to use them. 

...or... if you weren't selling it or don't care.. you could try and cut away the white plastic inside the cabinet and see if you could access the soft plumbing line from the top. As for price... a running spa with no leaks in fair to good condition with a decent cover are in high demand right now so I would start high with asking price if you are not in a hurry to sell. If you post it you will know within a day to a couple of days if you have interest and what folks are willing to pay. If you think it's worth 1K ask 2. Times be crazy. Let us know how you make out.

Although.. some people think there made of Gold... Right @RDspaguy 😬

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Well my Canadian friend, you have just proven that you don't do many plumbing repairs on HS spas.

So, here's the skinny. That drain fitting connects, by 3/8" barb, into multiple plumbing drains as well as the floor drain/ ozone return. It could be any or all of these broken. 

The bottom of that spa will be coated with a thick plastic spray that is very hard to remove and breaks leaving sharp edges. Be very careful digging it out.

I would stand it up to dig out the area, the set it on blocks, well supported across the footwell, and fill to test.

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  • 1 year later...

You should replace the entire drain system if you already have a leak. Of course, this will require a lot of money. But I don't think you should wait too long. I see that you already have the first signs of mold and other dangerous growths on the surface under the drainpipe. You may call oceanside water damage repair specialists to clean up the leaks. Of course, before that, you definitely need to replace the entire system, as I said. You can only do it yourself if you understand plumbing. Otherwise, it could happen again. Who installed that drainage pipe for you? The entire drain system's cabinet is also irreversibly ruined and infected.

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1 hour ago, firutaarnold said:

You should replace the entire drain system if you already have a leak. Of course, this will require a lot of money.

Why? The more you mess with something, the better the likelihood of breaking something else. The OP should just simply find the leak and repair that.

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