Spa issue due to freezing

avspin

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Jun 3, 2015
215
Reno, NV
Pool Size
18000
Surface
Fiberglass
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
So I have a "chicken or egg" scenario here.
Went out of town for a few weeks and knew I would be changing the water when I returned so I didn't mind missing weekly checks. Done it before, no issues.
When I went to drain my spa it was empty. Checked breakers and one of two were tripped. There has and still is been freezing temps here so I figured that may be the culprit. The only way to see where a leak is, is to fill it. So after a few minutes of filling I found a cracked PVC T fitting and the water was dripping on the blower electrical side.
I replaced the T and continued to fill to see what else may be wrong. Filled up and no other leaks, great. Turned it on and breaker blows again. Now the trouble shooting. Unplugged the blower pump from the board since that's where the water was falling onto. Still blows. Unplugged each part (leaving previous ones unplugged) one at a time until it stops blowing and it turns out the recirculation pump is the culprit.

Ok, new pump $200 no big deal. I was wondering why a 3 year old pump would just fail and opened it up and out comes water, the whole thing.
So this is where I'm stumped. I understand the PVC will crack due to freezing and if the recirculation pump was running dry it would burn out. But how would it crack ( I presume from freezing) if water was flowing and hot? Could the heater or flow switch gone bad (both less than a year old)? Moving water doesn't freeze as easily.

So. I'm waiting on my new recirculation pump today and didn't know where to turn next in the flow chart of troubleshoot.
Thanks
 
Last edited:
Makes sense, didn't think about the seal. I guess I'm concerned about the T cracking if the water is heated. But, I guess I should stop speculating and just get the new pump in, fill it up and go from there.
 
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Update; New recirculating pump installed. Found a leak on the another hose but just needed hose clamp tightened. Some drips under the heater that are a concern. Don't know if it's residual water form the hose clamp leak or a crack in the heater housing. Heater is working along with everything else. I will keep an eye on the heater and check for water tomorrow. If there is a crack in the housing, I will get a new heater.
 
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