Used Hot Tubs, What you should know before buying?
We have many people that contact us after buying a used Hot Tub. They are frustrated that they have purchased their dream spa for such a great price, only to find that there is hidden damage or even worse, several electrical & plumbing issues that need thousands of dollars in repairs and even though the seller told them the warranty is transferable, you come to find out it is not.
We would like to help you make an informed decision when looking at a second hand Hot Tub. The following is a simple check list that you can use when looking at your Hot Tub. Buying a Hot Tub, new or used, is like buying a house. You must do a proper inspection. It is a buyer beware business, especially when buying used.
Ask for a copy of the manufacturers warranty. There are NO manufacturers that allow transfer of warranties. Do not believe this to be the truth if the sellers says this unless you view the original warranty. It is also best to contact the manufacturer directly to make sure this is possible and to see if there has been any recalls on the model or any of its components. Do NOT listen to the Seller. Call the manufacturer first to see if the warranty is transferable. Most Hot Tub suppliers will not honor warranty transfers which means, if there is a problem with your tub, you will be financially responsible for the purchase of new parts plus the cost of labor to have a hot tub tech come out to your home and fix your tub. They usually charge between $75.00 and $125.00 per hour plus mileage, if you can even find a reliable one in your area. The original suppliers understand that there could be significant damage done while the tub is being removed and transferred to a new location. This is why they will not honor the warranty.
Do not purchase the Hot Tub unless you view it with water in it and personally test it by running it. Never buy a hot tub that is empty of water and cannot be tested by you no matter how reasonable the price sounds. It would be a lot less stressful and less expensive if you just throw your money in a fire and watch it burn because that is the chance you will be taking.
Test all of the control bottoms while it is running to ensure each of them are working properly.
Have the skirting removed while you are there. Look inside to make sure that no insulation has been removed, there is no leaking and that the pumps are working properly.Listen to make sure each pump comes on when you press the appropriate bottom. Do NOT let the seller choose the skirting. Also. make sure there is lots of insulation covering everything. Improper insulation can mean pipes bursting and pumps freezing in cold weather which might cost you more to repair then what you paid for the tub.
If the spa has fiber optic lighting, or any other special features, turn them on to make sure that they are functioning properly. These are a very costly repair.
Take the filter out to view how clean it is. This is a good indication of how well the spa was looked after.. This means that the spa chemicals were not used properly. This can cause damage to the spa shell and the pumping systems.
Run the Hot Tub with the cover on for 10 minutes and look to see if there is heat loss from the top and sides of the cover. A proper cover makes a world of difference on your hydro bill. A well made cover will not allow heat loss. Look at the top of the cover for heat waves coming off it. This means the cover is not thick enough. Look for steam coming out of the sides were the cover folds in half. With importer insulation and a poorly made spa cover, the difference in your electrical bill might go from $40.00 a month to $400.00 a month because the electric heater inside the tub is working very hard to heat the water 18 hours a day.
Confirm that the spa was connected to a GFCI breaker panel during its use. Look at the wiring from the hot tub into the breaker panel in the house and the breaker box installed by the hot tub. If not, a small power surge could have sever consequences on the electrical components that might not be visible until the spa runs for a day or two. Also, call your local electrical contractor to get an estimate on what they will charge to have your hot tub hooked up when it is set up at your place. Always make sure you deal with a certified electrician ,because if your house burns down , insurance will NOT cover it.
Confirm that the pumping systems and electrical components are from the original manufacturer. If they have been replaced, find out why. This should be a cause for concern.
We hope these tips help in your search for a well made hot tub that will last you years without any problems
We would like to help you make an informed decision when looking at a second hand Hot Tub. The following is a simple check list that you can use when looking at your Hot Tub. Buying a Hot Tub, new or used, is like buying a house. You must do a proper inspection. It is a buyer beware business, especially when buying used.
Ask for a copy of the manufacturers warranty. There are NO manufacturers that allow transfer of warranties. Do not believe this to be the truth if the sellers says this unless you view the original warranty. It is also best to contact the manufacturer directly to make sure this is possible and to see if there has been any recalls on the model or any of its components. Do NOT listen to the Seller. Call the manufacturer first to see if the warranty is transferable. Most Hot Tub suppliers will not honor warranty transfers which means, if there is a problem with your tub, you will be financially responsible for the purchase of new parts plus the cost of labor to have a hot tub tech come out to your home and fix your tub. They usually charge between $75.00 and $125.00 per hour plus mileage, if you can even find a reliable one in your area. The original suppliers understand that there could be significant damage done while the tub is being removed and transferred to a new location. This is why they will not honor the warranty.
Do not purchase the Hot Tub unless you view it with water in it and personally test it by running it. Never buy a hot tub that is empty of water and cannot be tested by you no matter how reasonable the price sounds. It would be a lot less stressful and less expensive if you just throw your money in a fire and watch it burn because that is the chance you will be taking.
Test all of the control bottoms while it is running to ensure each of them are working properly.
Have the skirting removed while you are there. Look inside to make sure that no insulation has been removed, there is no leaking and that the pumps are working properly.Listen to make sure each pump comes on when you press the appropriate bottom. Do NOT let the seller choose the skirting. Also. make sure there is lots of insulation covering everything. Improper insulation can mean pipes bursting and pumps freezing in cold weather which might cost you more to repair then what you paid for the tub.
If the spa has fiber optic lighting, or any other special features, turn them on to make sure that they are functioning properly. These are a very costly repair.
Take the filter out to view how clean it is. This is a good indication of how well the spa was looked after.. This means that the spa chemicals were not used properly. This can cause damage to the spa shell and the pumping systems.
Run the Hot Tub with the cover on for 10 minutes and look to see if there is heat loss from the top and sides of the cover. A proper cover makes a world of difference on your hydro bill. A well made cover will not allow heat loss. Look at the top of the cover for heat waves coming off it. This means the cover is not thick enough. Look for steam coming out of the sides were the cover folds in half. With importer insulation and a poorly made spa cover, the difference in your electrical bill might go from $40.00 a month to $400.00 a month because the electric heater inside the tub is working very hard to heat the water 18 hours a day.
Confirm that the spa was connected to a GFCI breaker panel during its use. Look at the wiring from the hot tub into the breaker panel in the house and the breaker box installed by the hot tub. If not, a small power surge could have sever consequences on the electrical components that might not be visible until the spa runs for a day or two. Also, call your local electrical contractor to get an estimate on what they will charge to have your hot tub hooked up when it is set up at your place. Always make sure you deal with a certified electrician ,because if your house burns down , insurance will NOT cover it.
Confirm that the pumping systems and electrical components are from the original manufacturer. If they have been replaced, find out why. This should be a cause for concern.
We hope these tips help in your search for a well made hot tub that will last you years without any problems
posted by Alberta Aquam Home Spas at
9:11 PM
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