Thinking of buying a used hot tub. What should I look for? What should I avoid?

[03rmking]

So the previous owners of my house had a hot tub (which they took), so as far as I know everything is wired/ready for one. Been kicking around the idea of looking for a used hot tub. I have zero experience or knowledge of whats good and what isn't. Any advice?

 

[duffman]

take a bath instead

 

[AmericanOutlaw]

Avoid this.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=bNVQFs7rE2s

 

[Nate]

The service/electrical out to the hottub could possibly not be enough. Newer hottubs draw more current, there for your service could be shy of what you need. I know the one I installed for my grandparents required a larger service The company told me it could run on less, so I installed a smaller disconnect but you couldnt run all the features at once. Pissed me off. So I went back and changed it. Now they can run all the features at once.

There is a whole section in the NEC codebook, its a big PITA But it needs to be done right. A hottub that says fits 8, fits 4 comfortably. So get one that fits 12

 

[triple]

Avoid buying a used tub. It's like wearing someone else's underwear. (JK)

 

[Mafesto]

Avoid buying a used tub. It's like wearing someone else's underwear that's had alot of ooy gooy bodily fluid pumped through it. (JK)

Fixed it.

 

[Bad Daddy]

Avoid any hot tub that says it is an 8 man hot tub.
You want a 1 man - 7 woman tub. They are hard to find, but worth it in the end.

 

[dmkhnr]

Make sure you have 50 amp service, (my tub actually required 60 amp but the norm is 50 amp). I would ask the seller as-well what it requires, and make sure the seller has the manual for the tub.

Make sure you have a plan on getting it back there (don't want to rent a crane).

If its just you and your wife using the tub, then get the spa frog for your water treatment, as it is SIMPLE. Get a bottle of powder shock and use a tablespoon once a week depending on use. (I've use the other chemicals, such as baqua spa, bromine, it seems you need to be a scientist to get these right. Spa frog you just put it in and forget about it for 4 months).

Make sure the tub has a way to drain the water, and position the drain in a way that it is easy access.

Lastly, If I were to do it again, I'd buy a used one. I see them all the time, and they are usually a pretty good deal, just be picky and be prepared to pay a little more for the one you want (You'll still save a grip of money over a new one).

PS,
Lovin Evolution, Lovin my new Sinisters, in fact I had to ditch my Klim helmet and took the S2's with me so I could pick out a helmet based on the fit of the goggles.

 

[Blacktooth]

If you are told it will run 110 or 220 beaware that 110 will not run all features at once or heat as quickly. IMHO hotsprings tubs are disposible, very hard to work on if a leak develops, very thin shell, all the support is in the high density foam insulation. Sundance spas are easier to work on if something goes wrong. Lets face it, it has many working parts, something well eventually go wrong. With that being said, I have a 10 y/o sundance and have never had a problem.

 

[tmk50]

I bought a used hot tub for my old house - there was a dealer here in town (Denver) that bought/sold used tubs and went through them and provided a little bit of a warranty (30 or 90 day if I remember right). This was about 10 years ago. It was a used Cal Spa - and it was OK for what I paid for it. After the first few years it seemed like there was always something wrong each year - I could always budget $400 a year in repairs, snowfall crushing the cover, heating elements going bad, pump going out..... I left it there when I sold the house and will never own a hot tub again, it's just not worth it to me.

 

[maddog21]

my brother got a free used hot tub that isnt working so he fixed it and it work good. no problem at all!

 

[mcgyver]

been thinking about installing one........ what does it cost to keep it heated during the winter months......-10 to 25 degree outside temp's?

 

[bullfrog123]

When we bought our house 4yrs ago we took out the old tub and replaced with new Sundance 780 Cayman series. Had a tech look at old one and needed pump, element, seals, etc because it hadn't been used in 4yrs. Repair vs new was very close so gave old one away. Used depends upon who and how well ppl took care of it, ie chemicals, some hard water will actually build deposits and plug the lines.

Mcgyver-- ours sit's outside and raised our power bill by roughly 30.00 p/month. Get a good quality cover to trap more heat inside!!!!! Also the newer ones have better insulation and components. my .02

 

[Maul]

make sure you see it running and it is hot. check around the outside and make sure there is no water meaning a leak. Also look at the bottom of the cover and if it is really rough and bubbled up it means they used to many chemicals wich could lead to pump seals and heater elements going out.

 

[MPS]

Fixed it.

yummy!