There's nothing like a warm, relaxing whirlpool or spa bath at the end of a difficult day. It washes troubles away. The last thing you want is a whirlpool, spa, or hot tub that doesn't work. It's a good thing you can fix it!

How Does It Work?

Components of a typical whirlpool bath.

What's the difference between a whirlpool, a spa, and a hot tub? A whirlpool is a therapeutic bath tub, drained after every use, that uses water jets to soothe the body. A spa is a large soaking tub with water jets and a built-in heater; water stays in the tub between uses. A hot tub is like a spa except that it typically doesn't have water jets. Other than that, whirlpools are usually installed in an indoor bathroom while spas and hot tubs are either outside or in a special room because they are too large for most bathrooms.

Whirlpools and spas have adjustable water jets that massage the bather with streams of aerated water. A pump and a motor force water through the jet openings.

Because spas and hot tubs retain water between uses, the water is treated with chemicals to sanitize the water and maintain a comfortable pH level. Water treatment can be manual or automatic.

Fix-It Tip

Don't forget to clean and periodically replace a spa's inline filter. Check the owner's manual and/or your local spa shop for recommendations and replacement filters.

What Can Go Wrong?

Whirlpools and spas may not start, jets may not work properly, and water may drain slowly. Spas and hot tubs may have faulty water chemistry. Any unit may leak.