How to fix a slow PVC leak in Jacuzzi?

[celife]

I have a widely threaded PVC cap in my Jacuzzi which covers the housing for the removable filter. It has a leak that drips about once every 10 seconds. I can "top off" the tub every few days, but I'd like to fix it if possible. I just tried "Teflon tape" but it didn't work. Any other ideas? I need something that wouldn't create a permanent bond since I have to periodically remove the cap to clean the filter.

 

[havasu]

You should try using a new PVC cap, which has fresh threads.

 

[celife]

Thanks for your help. So far I haven't been able to find a replacement cap (it's a VERY old Jacuzzi). In case I can't find one, do you know of any sealants or some such option?

 

[havasu]

If you are have trouble finding a new cap, go to a pool supply store and pick up a tube Pool and Spa lube. I use it on all my pool equipment to stop slow drips.

 

[celife]

That looks great. Thank you for your help and for moderating this very useful forum!

 

[AKGirl]

There are some very good supply houses for spa parts online.

 

[celife]

Yes, I've just expanded my search online, thanks.

 

[celife]

Havasu, I forgot to ask previously: Regarding the old cap. Is it true that PVC becomes more "rigid" over time, and thus less likely to seal tightly? Also, there is a large (rubber?) O-ring inside the cap. I'm wondering if that may have become stiff as well. For all I know this Jacuzzi is like 20 years old or older. I'm attaching an image of the cap, circled in red.

 

[havasu]

Thank you for the kind words. We here work for free, and the only payment we enjoy is receiving the occasional "thank you". We appreciate it!

The more you open a threaded PVC cap, the more the threads become warn and rounded. Now that I know this cap has a gasket, there is no need to replace the hard to find (and expensive) cap.

With the constant blast of chlorine, all rubber neoprene and rubber gaskets will shrink and become brittle. The spa lube around these gaskets will help quite a bit, but they should be replaced every few years. Buy a new gasket, coat it in spa lube, and your problems will be gone for a long, long time.

 

[celife]

I bet this forum has saved people a LOT of money! You should feel good about this.

That's great news about not needing a new cap. I wrote 4 online spa stores last night and all of the replies I've rec'd today have indicated they don't have the cap.

Do you (or anyone in the forum) know of a good place to buy gaskets online?

 

[havasu]

I tend to gravitate towards Leslie's Pool supplies...

http://www.lesliespool.com/

because the stores are all over and they will accept returns easily. However, there are probably a Gazillion on-line pool supply houses out there in the Internet world.

 

[celife]

That sounds good. I just purchased the spa & pool lube from them and will see if I can get a gasket as well

 

[celife]

Regarding "Leslie's Pool & Spa Lube", which I just ordered, I have a couple follow up questions:

1. Since it makes contact with the water going through the filter, I'm curious if it contains any chemicals that may affect people with sensitive skin?

2. In terms of millimeters, or fractions of an inch, how much lube should I put on the gasket? Also, I can think of three ways to apply it to the gasket and I'm curious which is best: (a) All sides, (b) 2 sides, (c) 1 side. (If just 1 side, should it just be the side facing the filter housing?)

3. Should I also apply the lube to the Cap's threads and/or Filter Housing's threads? Or would that be "overkill."

 

[havasu]

The lube has the consistency of Vaseline. For the gaskets, put a toothpaste size dollop in your hand and fully coat the entire gasket. Don't worry, it won't break down and ruin your water since it is thicker than that. Also, I've always lightly coated all screw on caps, since the lubrication allows a tighter seal but still allows for an easy removal.

 

[celife]

Excellent instructions. Thanks very much!

 

[speedbump]

Your calling this a filter. If I'm not mistaken, it's a Chlorinator or a Brominator. You add tablets to the tube and a little bit of water passes through the tube dissolving a little of the bromine tablet to keep the water clean and clear. It looks exactly like the Rainbow Pool Chlorintors that we sell occasionally. They were made to accept the three inch trichlor....... chlorine tablets.

The threads on the cap are there only to pull the o-ring down on top of the tube. If the cap leaks, putting any kind of pipe dope won't help. Havasu has the right idea, change the o-ring and lube it up.

 

[celife]

Thanks speedbump, it may hold tabs as well...I've always used a different set of chemicals. Anyhow, the filter it holds can be seen here: http://www.spa-daddy.com/Jacuzzi_Cambio+filter+cartridges+o.html

Do you sell O-rings? I'm having a hard time finding a replacement o-ring/gasket/whatever because it's such an old Jacuzzi and so if there is a similar sized replacement...that might work. I'll attach a graphic I made that approximates its size and shape when viewed at 100%

 

[speedbump]

Don't use Jacuzzi when searching, use Rainbow. That's the brand name of the feeder that I'm referring to. I can't see enough of yours to be sure, but it sure looks like the lit they use on theirs. All the ones I have seen are more like 12" tall or maybe a little taller. I don't have the o-ring, but before buying one, make sure you have the right filter/chlorinator.

 

[havasu]

I've seen those gaskets inside of my local Leslie's Pool Supplies store. As a matter of fact, I've purchased them myself for my Rainbow chlorinator.

 

[celife]

I couldn't find a replacement gasket anywhere (apparently the Jacuzzi is too old for parts stores) but I just used Leslie's Pool & Spa Lube on the existing gasket/threads, and it worked like a charm. Problem solved. I found a new problem during this process, and I'll post that as a new thread.