Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: AAAAAAA on March 11, 2007, 05:50:55 pm
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Well last fall I had my tub winterised. I just noticed recently when I opened it up to see inside that everything is frozen. I am wondering if any of you would know if damage is eminent... what could be damaged ...basically what's going to happen to my tub once it thaws?
I included pics of the ice.
(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/288000-288999/288217_79_full.jpg[/img[img]http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/288000-288999/288217_80_full.jpg)
(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/288000-288999/288217_81_full.jpg)
(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/288000-288999/288217_82_full.jpg)
(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/288000-288999/288217_83_full.jpg)
The pink is the antifreeze they put in last fall, but everything is frozen now.
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Thats too bad. Looks like the anti-freeze didn't do its job very well. I'm guessing you'll just have to wait for the thaw and hope for the best.
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I am thinking water must have leaked in.
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Don't freak until you fill it and fire it. Chances are if you did the rest of the winterizing correctly you just have a bit of seepage in the spa from snow melting on the cover.
Probably didn't get into the plumbing....
Wait for a warm day...fill it and give it a shot. You might even put a light in the equipment compartment for a few days prior and make sure you have no ice chips in the pump.
I see this all the time with no damage.
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^
The 3rd picture shows where water could have gone into the plumbing.
and by the way, I did not winterise it, the place where I baught my spa did it.
I am a bit reasured that you have seen this before numerous times.
It won't get fired up till jully so no ice would be left in it by the time I start it up.
Thanks so far.
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Email the pictures to the people who winterized it. If there's a problem they'll stand behind it. Any resptectful dealer would. Are spa covers waterproof? No. They let a certain amount of water in.
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Is it frozen solid or slushy. Propylene glycol (RV antifreeze) will slush up and even solidify if it's cold enough- that's normal. But when it freezes, it doesn't harm anything- it doesn't expand like freezing water does, which is what causes freeze damage. If your plumbing is full of the pink Koolaid you should be fine.
I use this stuff in my boat engine before winter storage, and I've got a couple gallons in the garage. It freezes but the contaner doesn't burst or swell up. You may be ok.
If not, then the place that winterized it should make it right.
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I agree with Brewman! I use the the RV anti-freeze in my RV every year. I pump about 4 gallons into the water lines and into the sewer tanks and drain traps. The stuff is good to -50 F so I'm guessing you will be fine. I have never had a problem and we have gotten to -38 F.
Why do you only fire the tub up in July?
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...I use this stuff in my boat engine before winter storage...
I use the pink stuff for non-metallic applications like storage tanks, but use regular green automotive antifreeze for engines and pumps with metal housings. After dilution, the cost is about the same, and I figure the automotive corrosion inhibitors are a good thing in those situations.
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Thanks for the reply so far guys.
The liquid is frozen solid, not slushy.
And it won't get fired up untill July since that's when I move into my new place. I sold my house and left the tub there till my new house is ready. It's a long wait let me tell you!
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...The liquid is frozen solid, not slushy...
I think there is still hope, because the rain/snow that entered the tub may not have diluted the antifreeze all the way to the sensitive components, and as Brewman said, the antifreeze may have limited expansion. It isn't like the tub and lines were full and everything froze solid with no room for expansion. Regardless, we are past the usual coldest part of the winter, and any damage has already occurred, so at this point you might as well wait -- although I'd put the dealer on notice, and document everything now. If you do this again, I'd suggest covering the tub with a tarp or the blue shrinkwrap they use on boats, to try to keep any water/snow from seeping in.
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Just a thought, don't know if anyone has mentioned this but don't be tempted to leave the spa open on a sunny day to thaw it...you could have bigger problems if you do.
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After I got flooded out and my tub was still hung up on the porch at a goofy angle, I put a 500w set of halogen lights under the tub to keep the motors and pumps from freezing solid. I only had a little bit of water in the tub due to the severe angle it was on, but it all worked out. Nothing cracked, other than my head?!?!
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The other thing I can't figure out, why winterize a hot tub, that's the absolute best time of year to get into it?! ::)
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The other thing I can't figure out, why winterize a hot tub, that's the absolute best time of year to get into it?! ::)
That's the $1000 question.
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And I already answered that question. ;)
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So heres a question for you...
Is AAAAAAA a sigh, a scream when you opened the spa or did you go through AA six and a half times? ;) ;D
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I thought it was a really, really, really, teency battery.
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It's the best way to be sure your user name is on the top of the list - alphabetically.
8-)
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I have this on every other board, the user name is never taken.
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This has been an informative thread, unlike the one about women soaking during their time of the month. That one was just offensive!. However, regarding Brewman's comments. I've heard that the 'pink stuff' does slush up, but didn't know it will freeze solid but not expand. Now I understand why so many people use it when witerizing their boats. I do not, I have always used the' green stuff'. Here in the mid south, we dont have long periods of hard freeze weather but can experience 3 days to a week where the highs dong go higher than the low 20's. Enough to crack a block? I dont know, but it is definitely enough to crack a manifold. My brother did last year. Now, I dont winterize my tub, wihch is also a maxxus (I really feel for that guy if there is dammage) but I do winterize my boat and have always used the green stuff. Knowing now that the pink stuff wont expand, I may use it next year as it really is much more environment friendly.
Again, thanks for the information.... I've found most of the threads on this site to be helpful....
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This has been an informative thread, unlike the one about women soaking during their time of the month. That one was just offensive!.
It was a carefully asked question with only good intentions. Since when is physiology offensive? That thread could have gone WAY further south than it did.
Not trying to hijack here. Hope that your frozen tub is OK
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well anne, I would have thought common sense would prevail.. I hardly think I was the only one who found that thread to be foolish. (I'm glad it helped you though)
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I have to agree with Anne - I'm sure the person asking didn't intend to offend anyone. This is a forum, if you start labeling honest questions as 'foolish' or 'useless' then you discourage people from posting at all.
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perhaps I'm wrong
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Here in the mid south, we dont have long periods
Wrong thread. ;)
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perhaps I'm wrong
Not saying you are wrong, I just dont see how a very basic function for about 50% of the world's population can be considered offensive. If you are squeamish about it, that is one thing. Lots of guys are- no biggie. If you find it odd that a sort of private thing is just out there being discussed, I can see that. But there have also been threads about butt plugs lately. ;)