Hot Tub Plumbing

PVC Hot Tub Plumbing

Spa plumbing is generally made with lengths of PVC plastic pipe and connection fittings of the same materials that join those lengths. The pipe acts as the "male" which is glued into the "female" openings of the connection fittings. Some connection fittings are threaded for assembly that is even easier.

PVC is manufactured in a variety of different strengths depending on the intended use. To help identify the relative strength of PVC, it is labeled by a schedule number; the higher the number, the heavier and stronger the pipe. Spa plumbing is done with PVC Schedule 40. Some gas lines are plumbed with PVC Schedule 80.

Ultraviolet light from the sun will cause PVC to become brittle over time, losing strength under pressure and creating cracks. Chemical inhibitors are added to some PVC to prevent this, the most common and cheapest being simple carbon black (which is why plastic pumps and other pool/spa equipment is often made black). Another common preventive measure is to simply paint any pipe that is regularly exposed to sunlight.

PVC pipe also is manufactured in a flexible variety, making plumbing easier around tight spaces around spas and jetted tubs. Flex PVC is available in colors for cosmetic purposes and has the same characteristics and specifications as rigid PVC of the same schedule and size.

PVC pipe is connected with fittings. Fittings allow connection of pipe along a straight run (called couplings), right angles (called 90-degree couplings or elbows), 45 degree angles, T fittings, and a variety of other formats. Fittings that are smooth-fitted and glued together are called slip fittings, while those with threads are called threaded fittings.

In most spa plumbing, the long runs of pipe will be underground. Sometimes, however, horizontal runs will be under a house or deck or over a slope where support is needed. In this case, pipe should be supported every 6 to 8 feet (2 to 2.5 meters), hung with plumber's tape to joists, or supported with wooden bracing. PVC does not require support on vertical runs because of its stiffness, but common sense and local building codes may require strapping it to walls or vertical beams to keep it from shifting or falling over. Remember, the pipe becomes considerably heavier when filled with water and may vibrate along with pump vibration.

Hot Tub Plumbing Page:    1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7  |  8  |  9  |  10