Hi there,

I have attached some photos of the problem area of my hot tub. There are pin-hole leaks right where the white 1” flex pipe goes into the fitting that is in the actual tub housing right under the corner of the hot tub where the filter is located (in the last 2 pictures you can actually see the pin-hole leaks under the arrows I have inserted if you look closely). Unfortunately it does not look like I can gain access behind the fitting (into the housing under the filter assembly) and it looks like the flex pipe has actually been glued into the fitting which only complicates things. If you could take a look at it and let me know if you have any suggestions it would be appreciated but right now I am hoping I can do the following to temporarily fix the pin-hole leaking problem, as it is freezing overnight and I can’t leave the tub empty right now.

1/ Drain the hot tub.

2/ Vacuum out all water from around the problem area.

3/ Place a heater on the area for a couple of hours until it’s completely dry.

4/ Prime the area (with Schwartz VC180 purple primer) where the pin-hole leaks are happening (right where the flex pipe goes into the fitting), let the primer dry for about twenty minutes under heat and then apply some IPEX 25 Wet/Dry PVC Cement (aqua blue – medium bodied) all around the area where the flex pipe goes into the fitting.

NOT SURE IF I SHOULD PUT SOME HAND MIXED FIX-ALL EPOXY PUTTY AROUND THE PVC CEMENT TO ENSURE EXTRA STRENGTH??

5/ Let the IPEX 25 dry under heat for 3 to 4 hours and then reapply a second coat. Let dry again and refill the hot tub.

I guess another possible temporary (mickey mouse) solution would be to use some inner tube rubber and try ring clamping it right where the flex pipe meets the fitting but I am not sure that I can get the clamp in close/snug enough to where they join.

A neighbor also mentioned a stop leak solution (Fix-a-Leak) for hot tubs that might work. Is anyone familiar with this product or had any success with it in a similar situation?

In order to properly fix the problem in the spring I think I will need to cut the flexible pipe just before where it goes into the fitting (as I have no access to behind the fitting) but need to know if there is some kind of tool, drill attachment or glue dissolver solution of some kind that will allow me to remove the 1” flexible pipe from the fitting without damaging it? Once I get the flex hose removed from the fitting then I would propose running 1” rigid pipe from this fitting to avoid a similar problem in the future.

Thanks in advance for any assistance that can be provided!

It looks like installing a 45 there would help reduce the stress that caused that leak in the first place. You can either trim the existing pipe down to a nub to attach the 45 or take it out completely using a socket saver or pipe extender. I'd consider replacing the entire section of flex down to the valve.

I can't tell from the picture, but does that leaking pipe lead to the SUCTION side of a pump?

I used some Leak Stop in my leaking D1 tub and it seems to have stopped the leak for the time being.