Hot Tub Slice Valves

Hot tub slice valves are a common locations for leaks.  You have to wonder why they were ever invented.

A hot tub slice valve consists of a disk that is built into a rectangular plastic box that fits over a PVC pipe.  In the photo shown here, a 2 inch slice valve can be “pushed” into the pipe to prevent water from flowing to the pump.



Hot Tub slice valves, also called “isolation valves” or “gate valves” are great for allowing a technician to remove a pump without draining the hot tub.  That is, it’s great for the first few years.  The problem is that the disc inside the housing has rubber gaskets around the edges.  Over the years, that rubber deteriorates and no longer stops the flow of water effectively.   Adding insult to injury, when you close a 5 or 10 year old valve, that rubber disc often tears and lodges inside the housing, causing a leak from the top of the slice valve.

When working on a hot tub more than a few years old, we never use slice valves to avoid draining the hot tub.  We’ve had too many calls from homeowners who closed the valves, only to find they had an irreparable leak.

The best first aid for a leaky hot tub slice valve is removal.  That involves draining the tub, but it makes for a reliable, leak free repair:


The fewer glue joints or connections in a hot tub, the fewer potential spots for leaks.  For the benefit of not having to drain a hot tub once every few years, removing a hot tub slice valve is a great way to keep your hot tub water IN the tub, instead of leaking into the cabinet.

If you’re seeing water on the ground around your hot tub, or if you find the water level decreasing, give us a call or email us here for help with keeping the hot tub in tip top condition.