What is the lifespan of a spa?

In this article, you'll learn:

• How long does a spa last?
• What’s the life expectancy of different spa parts?
• What should you look for in a spa pool?
• How To Extend The Lifespan Of Your Spa

How long does a spa last?

A spa can last anywhere from 5 to 20 years.

Now, that might seem like a very large range. But it simply means how long a spa last can last is determined mainly by two factors - the spa quality and how well it is maintained.

Spa Quality

A spa pool is just the sum of its parts. So, a good spa brand with high-quality components and a good build will last long. Most of the components of a spa can be replaced. The only exception is the spa shell, which makes it the most crucial component of the spa.

The US-made acrylic shell is preferred because of its look and feel. Compared with plastic or vinyl shell spas, acrylic shell spas are more expensive, but they have a better ability to retain heat, which lowers their running costs.

Spa care

Knowing how to properly use and maintain your spa is also crucial to making it last. Keeping each part of your spa regularly inspected will allow you to spot irregularities before they become too big to solve. Even if you buy a high-quality spa, but you don’t properly maintain it, don’t use a good spa cover, and use it in ways that you’re not supposed to, then your spa won’t last.

What’s the life expectancy of different spa parts?

As mentioned above, the average lifespan of your spa can be between 5 to 20 years. Spa pools and swim spas consist of many components with each performing its own distinct function. These components are what make a spa. In this section, we’ll go over the lifespan of the spa’s common parts.

Shell - 5 to 20 years

The spa shell is the part that contains the water and is where you sit. The shell is one of the components that gets the most wear and tear. Unlike other parts, however, the shell cannot be replaced. The shell’s lifespan is closely tied to that of the spa pool. It can be from 5 to 20 years.

Pumps - 5 to 10 years

The most common source of leaks is the pump. If the water is properly maintained and the pump is high quality, like the ones from SpaNet^®, then the pump lifespan can be around 5 to 10 years.

Heater - 5 to 7 years

The heating assembly includes the heater, other parts, and a pressure switch. Malfunctioning of any of these could require repairs or replacements. Heaters usually last from 5 to 7 years.

Plumbing and Jets - 2 to 5 years

Among the parts mentioned, plumbing and jets are often easier to replace or repair. These components typically last between 2 to 5 years.

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What to look for in a spa store?

You can actually have a say on how long your spa will last when you purchase the right one. This is why it’s important to know what to look for in a spa when shopping for one. It’s more than just picking the one which looks good or one that is loaded with features.

Here are a few things to remember to make sure your spa gives you many years of enjoyment:

1. Honest and trustworthy salespeople
2. Bricks and mortar stores
3. A large well-stocked showroom
4. Time in business
5. Specialist knowledge and expertise
6. Clean and well-organised stores
7. A darkroom on site
8. Convenient location with lots of parking
9. Customer reviews on trusted review sites
10. Transparent pricing
11. A virtual showroom for online tours
12. Decent warranties
13. After-sales support

Click the button below to learn more about these features and why they are important.

How To Extend The Lifespan Of Your Spa

A spa is an investment so as with any investment you want to look after it and make sure it lasts and performs well for many years. There are some simple spa-care tips for you.

Perform Regular Maintenance

Regularly maintaining your spa and keeping the spa water properly balanced will extend the life of the spa. The main thing that can wear down your spa’s components is the water. Water that’s too acidic will cause corrosion and eventually damage the parts of the spa.

Make sure that you clean the filters regularly. When the filters get blocked, the pump motors will have to work extra hard to circulate the water. Once the debris build-up becomes heavy enough, it could entirely block the flow of water which may lead the pump and other internal parts to fail.

Ideally, you need to check the water’s alkalinity level and clean your filters at least once a week. We recommend changing the water in your spa every 3 to 6 months for spa pools and 12 to 18 months for swim spas.

Important: Always use water treatment chemicals specifically made for spa pools.

Click the button below to learn more about how to keep your spa water clean and safe.

Beyond these care guides, inspecting your spa’s components frequently can help detect potential issues before they become serious.

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Inspect your spa cabinet

The spa protects the inside of your spa where most of its important parts are installed. Spa cabinets that don’t seal well leave gaps in your spa. These gaps or openings between your cabinet panels give way to rodents, and other pests to squeeze into the interior of your spa cabinet. The warm environment underneath the spa shell draws the pest in especially during winter.

These pests are likely to chew on pipes and wires which causes components of your spa to fail. While you can replace most spa parts, you can extend their lifespan by preventing these creatures from getting inside your spa.

If you find gaps between the cabinet panels, you can seal them using a wire mesh.

If you need to seal gaps and openings around your spa, you should not use non-porous materials because excess heat needs a way to escape.

Please keep in mind that the excess heat from your spa’s equipment needs a way to escape, so be sure not to use non-porous substances to seal the gaps.

Never leave your hot tub uncovered in the sun, especially when empty

When you leave the spa empty and uncovered under the sun, the heat can be concentrated in the spa shell, leading to delamination of the spa acrylic.

It's important to keep in mind that if you’re spa just arrived and you're not ready to use your spa just yet, make sure to use the provided spa cover to protect your spa from being exposed to direct sunlight.

Additionally, the sun can cause discoloration to the interior of the hot tub, fading the color of the shell and making it look old and worn. When your hot tub is empty, it is even more vulnerable to the sun’s rays, as the water provides natural insulation.

To protect your hot tub, make sure to always cover it with a well-fitting spa cover when it is not in use. This will keep your spa insulated and also protect it from dust, dirt, and other debris.

Watch out for signs of failure

Your spa’s controller can alert you to different error messages or alerts that may require you to take action to resolve. It’s important that you pay attention to the alerts the spa controller displays. These alerts offer crucial information that can help to prolong the life of your spa and ensure the safety of the people using it.

The common alerts you’ll get are Error 3 and Error 4 which typically happens during the start-up process and when you refill your spa. Luckily there are easy steps to follow to troubleshoot these errors.

Click the button below to learn more about how to get these errors fixed – including tips to prevent these errors.

The error codes or alerts are not the only thing you need to watch out for. You’ll also want to check for signs of failure such as unusual or weird sounds and vibrations your spa is creating. If you feel that something is wrong and your spa needs checking, contact your retailer or a spa expert.

Fixing Error 3 and Error 4 on Vortex™ Spas

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In Summary

A spa pool can last for up to 20 years or more if it is made with high-quality components, has a good build, and is maintained properly.

Taking away one of those factors can affect the lifespan of a spa.

As a general rule, the more you pay the better your spa and the longer it is likely to last. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, but it is a good thing to keep in mind when you want a spa that will give you many years of enjoyment and a good return on your investment.

For more details about your spa options, visit the Spa World product pages, where you can see our spas and swim spas with their specs and prices.

Our Ultimate Spa Buyers Guide is another great source of information for those who are spa-hunting today.