Nothing comes close to having the best of times in your hot tub. The feelings of excitement and ecstasy that with it are second to none. But while you are busy bathing in the chills and bliss that hot tubs provide, you should get ready for times when there will be a leak. When hot tubs start to leak, it is crucial that you try sealing them as soon as you can. This is where flex seal hot tub repair comes into the picture.
There\’s no denying the fact that you have come across this product at one point or the other. In fact, the chances are that you have one in your house. Despite its popularity and wide acceptance, there are still many people who are yet to figure out its usefulness. Hence, the concern: is flex seal worth the hype?
Among the many sealants available to seal leaking hot tubs, flex seal remains one of the best and most efficient. Although it is not an entirely effective and complete solution for sealing leaking hot tubs, it works pretty well when you use it the right way.
Many factors determine how effective and efficient a sealant is. So, sealing your hot tub goes beyond applying flex seal and leaving it to do its work. Factors such as the kind of leak the hot tub have, how effective your application is, and the preventative measures you take to prevent such issues from happening in the nearest future are all determinants of how well the flex seal will meet your demands.
Looking for the right place to learn more about flex seal hot tub repair? If you are reading this, it means you are in the right place. This is a comprehensive guide with the complete details of all you need to know about flex seal. If you are curious enough, you won\’t mind reading to the end.
What Exactly is Flex Seal, and What are Some of Its Features?
Put simply; a flex seal is a type of sealant. A sealant is the needed product to plug a hole or leak in any object or equipment ranging from hot tubs to pools and boats. Flex seal works quite well on a wide range of materials and products, including PVC, vinyl, ceramics, metals, and all types of plastics.
To get the best from flex seal, it is essential to do first things first. Doing first things forts involves spreading the seal over the leaking area. Subsequently, there\’s a reaction between the flex seal and water seeping out of the leak. This flex seal and water combination makes the sealant hard and eventually dry. All you find is a flex seal covering the leaking area, causing the leak to stop and the hole entirely blocked.
The good news is that flex seal is an affordable solution, so you do not need to empty your bank account to get your leaking hot tub fixed. Also, its application process is simple and relatable, requiring little or no technical expertise. Thus, you do not need to employ the service of a repairman to get your hot tub fixed. To add icing to the cake, a flex seal poses no threat or harm to your hot tub\’s components. The heaters, filters, and pumps will remain in good shape even after the application.
Another perk that comes with using flex seal to cover leaks in your hot tub is its flexibility. This makes it a top pick for anyone desiring to have a smooth and attractive surface after sealing. Unlike other sealants, flex seal has a relatively high level of flexibility when dry.
Since hot tubs are usually supplied with a high level of water, using a lesser sealant will not do the work effectively, and before you realize it, your hot tub is already leaking again. This is why it is exceptionally essential that you use a product like flex seal with a better grip capacity. The flexibility of the flex seal helps to maintain a high level of rigidity even in the presence of a constant water supply.
Types of Leaks Flex Seal Can Fix
Regardless of how effective this product is in getting hot tubs of different sizes and shapes back to their former state, it is worth mentioning that its success largely depends on the type of leak the hot tub has. To start with, flex seal doesn\’t work on all types of leaks. It is more effective with leaks of relatively smaller sizes. This is because of its smaller surface area, which can only work best and remain rigid in smaller areas for a long time.
However, it goes without saying that it is an effective product for sealing any leak in a hot tub. You just won\’t have the same permanent texture with larger leaking areas as with smaller ones. If you are plugging any hole at the bottom, top, or by the side of your hot tub, a flex seal comes in handy to help you out.
Irrespective of the combination you want to carry out (maybe vinyl at the top and PVC by the side of the tub), the flex seal works anywhere and on any material. It is suitable for all types of hot tubs, no matter the material, shape, or size.
Its effectiveness peaks when the hot tub does not lose up to 3mm of water per day. If you fall among the category of people whose hot tubs lose more than 3mm of water daily, it will be safe to opt for a more powerful sealant and employ the service of a repairman as the case may be.
The salt level is another factor to consider. If the salt level stands at 3000ppm or above, flex seal is not the right product for the job. If you go ahead to use it, it may become loose and result in greater damage.
Flex seal hot tub repair is often worth a trial. So, you can give it a trial on any leak and see what result it will birth. Being a time-efficient and affordable option, mainly because it requires no technical know-how, you can end up saving some costs in the long run.
Application of Flex Seal to Hot Tubs
Having flex seal work just as perfect as you want means that you need to be well acquainted with its application processes. If you fail to apply it properly, you will not get the desired outcome. To apply it without putting up with future damage, there are some step-by-step approaches you need to adhere to. You can rest assured you are getting nothing but the best from the flex seal if you do.
First off, identify the rate at which your hot tub is losing water. Thinking of how to go about that? The answer is not too distant to infer. Fill the hot tub with water and mark the level. Stay away from it for at least twenty-four hours. Upon coming back, you will determine how much water it has lost within the period.
The amount of sealant needed to fix the leak is what comes next. You should know that there is no way your figures will match that of your neighbor. This is because hot tubs come in different shapes, sizes, specifications, and capacities. However, in general, to fix a 200-gallon hot tub, you will need about 3.2oz of sealant. For other types of hot tubs, the 300-gallon and 350-gallon hot tubs, for instance, will require 4.8oz and 5.6oz, respectively.
Locate the part of the hot tub that is leaking and apply the seal. There are various ways you can make the application. You can use simple tools such as a trowel, putty knife, or brush.
Once the application is complete, you must keep a tab on the water level for the next couple of hours (preferably twenty-four hours). If there is no sign of water loss, there is a high chance the problem has been fixed. You can now go ahead to clean the tub. This is a crucial step, particularly if you directly add the seal to the water. Ensure other components such as the pump, filter, and heater are adequately cleaned before using the tub again.
How to Prevent Future Leaks Using Flex Seal
Flex seal has a shelf life of about a year, meaning it will remain effective for a long time without wearing out. But while it can seal hot tub leaks for a long time, there are no further guarantee leaks won\’t happen. To prevent such instances from rearing their ugly faces, you need to adopt some hacks and tricks.
More attention should be paid to areas that leaked previously as they may leak again. You should apply some flex seals to these areas to prevent potential risks. Apart from that, the hot tub pump deserves some attention, too. If the pump should suffer any external damage or rust, it may result in leaks in the nearest future. Therefore, ensure that you clean the pump as often as you clean the tub.
Ensuring that the water is always clean and keeping the pH level balanced can prevent the hot tub from leaking later. A pH strip or digital meter can be used for this purpose. One thing you shouldn\’t leave out of the measures is keeping your hot tub\’s vibration at a minimum. More often than not, hot tubs placed on hard surfaces have violent vibrations, increasing their chances of getting damaged. To keep the vibration at a minimum whenever the hot tub is turned on, place it on a rubber mat.
Wrap Up
Hot tubs offer great avenues to make every moment count with spouses, friends, and relatives. However, when they develop a fault, it is up to you to find a way to get them back into shape. If you have been using a hot tub for a long time, waking up to find a leak is inevitable. To fix this problem yourself, all you need is flex seal hot tub repair.