There’s nothing like relaxing in your hot tub but how to soundproof a hot tub pump to reduce the level of noise and vibration. Hot tubs and spas are noisy pieces of equipment. The noise from the motor and the water jets can be distracting and annoying when you are trying to relax and unwind after a long day. And what do the neighbors think of the noise when the filter comes on at night?
The simplest methods to make your hot tub quieter are:
- Clean your filters regularly
- Ensure the pump motor and filter are securely fastened without vibration
- Place the tub on a solid surface that doesn’t reverberate the noise
- Keep the hot tub covered
- Install a rubber vibration pad under the hot tub to absorb noise.
- Move the hot tub to a more enclosed position
If the above methods don’t make your hot tub quieter, try:
- Clean the pump impeller blades
- Replace the pump motor bearings
- Replace the pump with a new motor
- Soundproof the hot tub pump
Table of Contents
How to Make My Hot Tub Quieter
All hot tub pump motors make noise but if your hot tub is too loud and annoying you need to investigate how to make your hot tub quieter. Firstly, let’s identify why your hot tub is so noisy. Then let’s learn how to soundproof a hot tub pump and reduce the noise to an acceptable level.
Sometimes there is a simple reason for a hot tub pump making excessive noise such as a blocked filter, low water level or a loose mounting bracket.
If you have any of the following issues you may be able to fix the issue with little effort.
Keep a Cover on the Hot Tub
It is essential to keep a cover on the hot tub when not in use to:
- Keep the water warm and prevent heat loss
- Prevent dirt entering the water
- Reduce the noise level from the tub
- Prevent young children entering the water
- Stop birds and other wildlife entering the water
Clean the Filter
When a cartridge filter is dirty the pump has to work harder to push water through the filter. This will make the motor noisier. Regularly clean your filter to reduce the noise level and ensure your filter is adequately cleaning the water. Simply remove the cartridge element and hose it clean.
When the filter cartridge is old and worn out it is easy and relatively inexpensive to replace. I recommend having a few replacement cartridges on hand so you can replace the filter when required and keep your tub operational.
Check the Pump Mounting is Secure
Sometimes a pump can be noisy because it is vibrating on its mountings. In fact, the whole filtration unit (motor, filter, pipes, etc.) can be vibrating because it is no longer fastened securely to the mountings.
Check the mounting bolts are tight. It is normal for mounting bolts to work loose over time due to the constant vibration from the motor unit. If loose tighten up with a spanner or socket wrench. If the washers under the bolts are worn replace them.
What is best to put under a hot tub?
Hot tubs need to be placed on a level, solid and stable surface such as:
- Timber decking
- Paving
- Gravel
- Concrete
Can a hot tub be placed directly on the ground?
No, do not position a hot tub directly on dirt or grass. When the ground becomes damp the weight of the tub may cause it to sink into the ground. Also the hot tub needs to be perfectly level for the tub to operate correctly.
Install a Vibration Pad under the Hot Tub
If the hot tub is located on a timber deck it can vibrate and will be noisier than on concrete or paving. Try installing an anti-vibration pad under whole hot tub to dampen the vibration and noise.
Move the hot tub to a more enclosed position
Another option is to move the hot tub to a different position which blocks the noise. Maybe you can move it around the corner to the side of the house where noise is blocked by the walls or fencing. Maybe under a patio cover next to the house is better. Glass pool fencing around the hot tub can also be helpful to cut down the noise level. Erecting a new boundary fence from more solid materials will help keep the neighbors happy.
Once you have eliminated the above simple issues and find your hot tub still too noisy take the following action.
Clean the Pump Impeller
The impeller is the spinning blade mechanism inside the spa pump unit that sucks water from the hot tub through the pump to the filter and back to the tub.
If the pump impeller is partially blocked this will cause a noisy pump that is straining to push water into the filter. In a severe case you may get cavitation which is when impeller blade is unbalanced causing a vibration of the blade. This can lead to straining and overheating the motor causing damage to the pump unit.
There is only one way to clean the impeller and that is to remove the pump basket and suck out the debris from the pump pipes with a vacuum cleaner. Otherwise, you need to open the pump unit by removing the pump housing and clean out the debris. Check the impeller blade for damage. If the impeller looks worn out then it’s time to replace the whole unit.
Sound Proof the Hot Tub Pump Motor
Only the most expensive hot tubs are insulated around the motors to reduce the noise level. However, you can add insulation around the motor to sound proof the hot tub. You won’t completely eliminate noise but insulation will cut down the decibels to a more acceptable level.
There are many options to insulate the motor such as:
- Foam insulation. Foam can be solid pieces of foam attached to the walls or spray foam out of a can.
- Fibreglass insulation. Ensure you wear gloves when handling fibreglass as the fibres will annoy your skin.
- Pump motor cover
Please ensure the insulation material is not placed too near the hot motor as it may be a fire hazard and cause the motor to overhead. Motors require adequate ventilation to operate effectively. The last thing you want is to damage your pump motor.
Noisy Pump Motor
If your hot tub is getting older and the motor has become louder or produces a screeching noise check the motor bearings for wear. Some motors are able to be serviced by a technician who will replace the bearings to rejuvenate the pump. However, I don’t recommend spending money repairing old pump motors. We live in world where almost nothing is worth fixing or repairing. Your money is better spent replacing the old motor with a new one. The new motors are now variable speed motors that are much quieter, more powerful and more energy efficient than the old-style single speed motors. And you will get a warranty for a least one or two years.
Purchase a New Hot Tub
If you are in the market for a new hot tub make sure you enquire about the noise level of the pump motor. Whenever possible ask for a demonstration of the hot tub and make note of the level of noise when everything is switched on.
As with most purchases the cheapest option is not always the best option. Cheaper spas usually have little insulation, weaker motors, weaker water heaters and will be the noisiest.
I recommend a mid-range hot tub if you have the budget. Usually they are much better value for money. They are quieter and have a higher energy efficiency rating meaning they cost less to operate. The new pump motors are smaller and more powerful. The water heaters are much more energy efficient and use less electricity to heat the water.
When to Run the Hot Tub Filter
Sometimes the noise disturbance from a hot tub pump can be reduced or completely eliminated by running the pump at selected times of the day and not late at night. When you set the pump to operate at after 7am and no later than 10pm at night it will keep the neighbors happy.
If you have solar power on your roof then the middle of the day is the best time to run your pump. And don’t forget that during the cooler season the pump and water heater will have to run longer to keep the water warm.
Do you have a swimming pool?
If so, please read our article on How to Sound Proof a Pool Pump
Conclusion
How to soundproof a hot tub pump involves firstly identifying the reasons for the excessive noise level. Secondly, action the above recommendations to make your hot tub quieter. At least your neighbors will be happier not to be woken in the middle of the night.
If you have any questions or comments regarding your own hot tub please feel free to type them in the comment section below and we’ll get back to you.