Many hot tub owners fantasize about how nice it would be to have a long, soothing soak in a hot tub and how rejuvenating the hydrotherapy would be. But not many people give much thought to the mechanics of how jets provide this most sought-after sense of fulfillment.
But don’t worry we’ve got you covered! In this post, you will learn how these jets do their magic and some troubleshooting tips in case you encounter problems with them.
What Are Hot Tub Jets, And How Does It Work?
Any device that forces gas or liquid through a smaller outlet than its input is considered a hot tub jet. Therefore, the same physical rules govern the operation of hot tub jets. Each jet in your hot tub receives its fuel from water and air. The part of the jet, called the jet nozzles are responsible for properly projecting the water-air mixture into the tub.
While the air blower in your hot tub is responsible for the relaxing bubbles, the hot tub jet system sucks in the air by a neat physics quirk known as the “Venturi effect.”
Giovanni Battista Venturi, who made this discovery in the 1700s, surely didn’t expect it would change everything from woodwinds and faucets to scuba diving regulations and hot tubs. The aspirator sucks air into the water supply of the jets by utilizing the negative pressure caused by the fast-moving water stream.
Step-By-Step Process Of How Hot Tub Jets Work
To create that exciting bubbling sensation, the jets require water flow. Learning the fundamentals of hot tub plumbing requires understanding how jets operate.
- The suction provided by the hot tub pump allows water to escape the tub through the suction line.
- With the help of the pump, water is pushed into the hot tub filters where harmful particles and sediments are taken out.
- The water is warmed as it travels through the heater’s heating element after being filtered.
- In the return line, water would then be introduced.
- As the water travels back through the line, it eventually reaches the hot tub jet’s inlet and jet body, then begins its transformation.
- The water enters the hot tub and filters through the heater, which is heated by passing over the heating element.
- The return line is flooded.
- The magic happens when the water enters the hot tub jet’s entryway through the return line.
- Imagine a sideways hourglass as the jet’s inner component narrows and expands once more near the exit, the portion showing in the hot tub shell.
- The jet releases both air and water into the hot tub. Then the process is repeated.
How To Troubleshoot Hot Tub Jets Issues
As soon as you grasp how the jets in the hot tub operate, you will be able to identify and fix the most typical issues that cause them to malfunction.
Drain Cover
Because it can prevent the water from draining properly, a clogged drain cover can be troublesome. Near the footwell is typically where one may find the cover for the drain. If there are issues with the water jet, one of the first items you should examine is the drain cover.
Clogged Hot Tub Jet
It’s possible for the jets in a hot tub to become clogged at times. This is typically the result of a component breaking and being lodged inside the system, which restricts the flow of water, at least partially. Most versions allow the removal of individual jets so that they may be inspected.
Air Leak
If there is a faulty valve, a broken valve, or an o-ring that is out of place on the pump, therefore the pump has the potential to draw in air when it is turned on, but it will let the air out when it is turned off.
If you need to conduct an examination, you will first need to open the cabinet that houses the hot tub, then you will need to turn off the pump, and then you will need to search for or feel for any drips or spraying on the pipe that runs from the pump.
Low Level Of The Water
If the hot tub skimmer is drawing in air, this may cause the water flow in the hot tub to become disrupted and even cause the heater to stop working entirely.
That is why you must keep an eye on the amount of water in the tub and restore any loss due to evaporation or splashing so that it remains at the appropriate level. It is possible to stop water from evaporating from the tub by covering it with a cover that is airtight and locks. You can also contact the hot tub manufacturer in case of any problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Hot Tub Jets Shoot Water Or Air?
Even if there are many different kinds of spa jets available on the market, the primary distinction or air tubs and whirlpool hot tubs lies in the functioning of the jets, which can be found in both of these models. To describe it in the simplest terms possible, an air tub fires jets of air, whereas a whirlpool shoots jets of water.
How Often Should Hot Tub Jets Run?
Because the pump in your hot tub is responsible for circulating the heated water and disinfectant, a good general principle is to follow the recommendations given by the manufacturer or to turn the pump on for at least eight hours every day.
What Do You Call The Jets In A Hot Tub?
The water jets are the component that every maker of spas uses the most frequently. A pump pulls water from the hot tub and circulates it through many of the hot tub’s jets before returning it to the tub. The topside valves include air into the water stream, producing more robust water pressure.
What Is A Spa Inlet?
An inlet is any mechanism that allows hot tub water to enter a spa and hot tubs, such as a spa jet, foot jet, or similar device.
Conclusion
Like any other hot tub piece of equipment, your hot tub jets require adequate care and maintenance. If one part of the hot tub equipment is not working properly, it will drastically impact the whole hot tub performance, disrupting your relaxing hot tub experience. Make sure to follow all the information above so you can take care of your hot tub jets effectively.
