How to Buy a Used Hot Tub

Purchasing a used hot tub comes with its own set of challenges. The biggest hurdle is not knowing what you need to know.

When we buy a used car most of us have a friend or family member "in the know" to check those things we're not familiar with.

The number of private individuals "in the know" on hot tubs though is a very small group.

This edition is a crash course on the most important things you need to know or check when looking at a used tub. I'll start with the basic differences between "used" (sold privately) and "refurbished" (sold by a company), then go over the exact things you should check on either of these before buying. What's the difference between "refurbished" and "used"?

Used: Sold Privately

This is a hot tub listed by a private individual, who no longer wants it. If there are problems or issues, you inherit them without recourse.

Refurbished: Sold by a company

A hot tub company acquired, repaired then tested a hot tub, selling it at a price that covers their costs plus profit. There is usually a guarantee time period, where the company will fix any problem they missed.

What do I really need to know

A good used hot tub is not as common as you think. Our technicians are called on frequently to

repair used tubs that look good on the surface but are barely salvageable just under the hood.

Below, I've built a basic threshold checklist that any used hot tub needs to stand on, if it is to have value. Then an actual value guide to help you better understand whether you are looking at a hot tub that will relieve your stress or one that will cause more stress (and empty your wallet).

Mechanical Integrity Basic Threshold

For a used tub, ask the owner to have it filled and heated before you arrive. If they are unable to do this, cross that tub off your list. For a refurbished tub, see the second list below the first.

Bring 1) thermometer, 2) flashlight, 3) cellphone with camera

Once on site, turn the hot tub jets on and have the owners open the service panel

Top Side Control check	Test water with thermometer, check that topside control panel shows the same temperature. If so, the board, heaters and sensors are working. (replacement costs: $500 - $2000) Individually check that each button on the control panel is working, including lights, pumps and temperature controls. Turn the jets and all water features on before continuing
Are The pumps working	With the jets on, duck down into the cabinet below. Listen to the pumps. They should hum. If there is grinding or rough sounds coming from 1 or more pumps, they will need immediate repair or replacement ($700 - $900). Hot tubs can have as many as 3 pumps. Pumps wear over time and with use. Some parts can be replaced to extend longevity.
Plumbing	Turn on your flashlight and look into the plumbing area. Check there are no water drops anywhere. The entire interior cabinet and plumbing should be completely dry. Damp areas, water droplets on the plumbing all indicate a leak. Small leaks in the soft plumbing (hose) are not difficult to repair (parts: $10 - $200). Larger leaks or water coming from hard-shell plumbing can be a bit more expensive. The real concern is what caused it. Most leaks occur when the mechanicals stop working during very cold weather, and the lines freeze. Leaks are red alerts that something bigger has gone wrong. Ask questions. A simple leak is easy to fix. What caused it may not be. **Any leaks coming through the hot tub acrylic will render the tub valueless.
Special note on plumbing***	Some hot tubs are foam-filled over the plumbing. Here, leaks are as difficult to find as they are to repair, because the foam needs to be completely excavated to locate the leak (cost $2000 +.).
Exterior	Take a walk around the exterior, look for signs of water pooling around the outside. Areas stained with water or calcium can indicate an internal leak. Check the hand-dials on the top of the tub (these are called "diverters") ensure there are no leaks coming from them. Replacing a diverter is not expensive ($10-$30), though some are difficult to find or might be discontinued. If a diverter is leaking, always ask the owner why they didn't replace it.
Tag check	Every hot tub has an identity tag made of metal. Usually near the bottom on the exterior, or just inside the service panel area. Best way to read it, take a photo of the tag. It will give the manufactured date, name and model number. Tubs more than 10 years old, google to see if parts are still available Google name of tub and model along with words "common issues". This can give better insight. (If you see "Gecko" and "Balboa" on any part of the tub, this is not the manufacturer, it's the name of the company that engineered the mechanicals and electronics )

"As a general rule, if a private individual is selling a hot tub with leaks or broken mechanicals, it's best to walk away. The "handyman's special" doesn't apply.

Hot tubs run high temperature water at very high pressure through specialized mechanicals, controlled by electronics that are attached to a high voltage cable. This isn't something you can DIY fix with parts from your local hardware store."

Refurbished Hot Tubs

It is standard practise for a refurbishing dealer to conduct water and pressure tests, fix all leaks, replace or repair pumps and packs. Refurbished is a fancy word of saying "repaired and cleaned up". Still there are worthy due diligence steps:

• ask what was done to the tub, specifically if any parts were replaced (new mechanicals / electronics come with a 1 year warranty).

• ask if there are any proprietary or discontinued parts and, if so, is there a retrofit available when or if something goes wrong.

• find out what the warranty / guarantee is (usually 30 to 60 days, to cover anything that was inadvertently missed).

  
  

A good refurbished tub can be difficult to find. The majority of refurbs are trade ins for a new tub. At RIPS we deal in refurbishing, and I've seen most good tubs sold before they're ready to be listed.

A good used tub on the private market can be just as difficult to find. When someone has a good hot tub, they usually keep it.

There are occasionally very good hot tubs on the private market at really good prices. How can you tell what a really good price is?

Establishing True Value

The value of a used tub has no relationship to the original price when it was new. Simply put, the tub has no warranty, there are no "official service records" for hot tubs and a 2nd owner has no way of knowing if the first owner paid a fair or an unreasonable price.

Used prices should be based on 2 things: current condition and long term serviceability.

Good Condition:

• Plumbing and interior cabinet is dry with no leaks

• Pumps sound good, and hum not grind

• All the buttons on the control panel work and temperature is accurately displayed

• All jets are present and work

• No cracks or breaks in the acrylic

• The part where you sit is clean from calcium build up

Long term serviceability:

• Hot tub is less than 10 years old and a known brand still selling new in Canada

• All 4 sides of the cabinet can be accessed

• Plumbing is visible and free from spray foam

Below is a chart showing the more common models found recently on marketplace or Kijiji and what you could expect to pay for one - based on good condition, no leaks, no mechanical failures.

BUILD CATEGORY	FAIR USED PRICE RANGE	VALUE RETENTION
Serviceable + Luxury H20 Spas Arctic Spas	$6,000 to $9000 Refurbished: +$1000	Full accessibility to all parts, high-end build quality, no proprietary parts, insulated for Central Alberta
Serviceable + Standard Dynasty	$3000 - $5000 Refurbished: +$1000	Full accessibility, standard parts, reasonable insulation, lower quality build
Budget Canadian Spa Company	$ Free - $2000 Refurbished: +$500-$800	Usually accessible, lower durability
Low Serviceability Jacuzzi Sundance	$ Free - $6000 Refurbished: + $700 - $900	Well built - generally, Imported proprietary parts (difficult to find and often discontinued), spray foam filled cabinet
Mixed Serviceability Beachcomber Spaberry	$1000 - $4000 Refurbished: + $500 - $1000	Generally well built. Mechanicals are fully accessible. No accessibility to plumbing areas. Should not be purchased if there is a leak or if tub was empty and unused for any part of a winter - and not professionally winterized.

You're now ready to go out and find that tub you can make your own. If you take your time, check everything out and don't rush the process, you just may find the jewel in a rock pile that you can enjoy for years to come.

Good luck. If you have any questions, put them in the comments below.