A spa’s warranty is only as good as the manufacturer. Before buying a spa you
need to carefully read the details of the manufacturer’s warranty and do some
research about the quality and service record of the manufacturer. Warranties
vary widely so you should shop around to ensure you’re getting the best service
and the most for your money. It’s also common to find different types of
warranty coverage for different parts and components in a spa. The length of
warranty coverage is usually determined by dividing in half the length of time
that the manufacturer expects the part to last.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some parts of your spa (i.e. an ozonator)
may not be warranted by the spa manufacturer, but instead by the manufacturer
who produced the part. It’s important in those cases to be sure that your
retailer will support those warranties. Also, take into consideration the
relationship between the dealer and the manufacturer. You can’t count on a
dealer who has changed their manufacturer affiliation several times within a few
years. The dealer should be able to prove a long and stable relationship with
the manufacturer so that you may be assured that your warranty will be
supported.
We’ve put together a list of things to look for in a spa warranty:
Shell. The shell is the most important part of your spa because if
it fails, it can be costly to repair or replace. Look for an extensive
warranty that covers both the surface and the structure of the spa shell.
Structural Warranty. The structural warranty covers the shell's
ability to hold water. Most reputable manufacturers of quality spas offer a
minimum warranty of seven years.
Surface Warranty. The surface warranty protects against
delamination, discoloring, blistering, and cracking - any type of cosmetic
blemishing. The surface warranty usually offers less coverage than the
structural warranty. We recommend looking for a manufacturer that provides a
minimum of five to ten year surface coverage.
Accessories. Accessories cover everything from ozonators to cover
lifters. Since these accessories are usually not manufactured by the same
people who built your spa, you’ll likely be presented with a separate warranty
from the manufacturer who built the part. It is important to check that your
dealer will support this warranty in the case that repairs are ever needed.
Cover. The cover is most likely the first thing you’ll need to
replace. Most manufacturers include a cover with a spa purchase, but these
covers are generally not the highest quality and tend to wear out within two
or three years. Covers can be expensive, usually costing $300 - $600. A good
cover warranty is the sign of a good quality cover; you can expect the best
warranties to provide coverage for at least five or six years.
Electronics. Most spa manufacturers use computer activated
electronic controls, which can be sensitive to moisture and vapour and are
therefore susceptible to problems. The biggest risks to electronic controls,
though, are electrical storms, lightning, and customer mishandling. An
electrical storm can easily destroy the entire electrical system of your spa,
at a cost of well over $1000 to replace. This is the reason we highly
recommend looking for a No Fault warranty that covers Acts of God as well as
customer abuse. This ideal warranty will protect you from extensive repair
costs, preferable for at least three or four years.
Equipment . All of your spa’s parts (i.e. pumps and blowers) and
plumbing should be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty for at least
three years. Check the fine print to see if there are any fees assessed if
parts need to be shipped in from another location. Not all retailers will
carry parts for all of the spa models that they sell, so this could involve
additional costs to you. If parts and plumbing are not covered under the
warranty, be prepared for the potential of serious problems that are expensive
to repair.
Heating Element. The heating element is usually the second item
that will need to be replaced on your spa. The minerals and chemicals in spa
water can adversely affect the heating element over a period of time. Look for
a warranty that’s longer than one year.
Cabinet. If your spa cabinetry is made of wood it usually isn’t
covered for an extensive period of time because it requires regular
maintenance by the consumer that the manufacturer can’t control. A one year
warranty for wood cabinetry is sufficient. On the other hand, synthetic
cabinetry lasts much longer than wood so you can expect the warranty coverage
to last longer, too.
Labor. Most warranties offer little or no coverage for labor costs,
but it’s fairly easy to purchase an extended service contract that covers
labor. We highly recommend purchasing one if you have the opportunity.
Obligations of User. Many warranties include specific information
about the obligations of the owner, so review this section carefully. For
example, some manufacturers require you to pay for all labor expenses, while
others may require you to pay for shipping the spa back to the manufacturer if
warranty repairs can’t be completed on site. This obligation in particular can
be very expensive, potentially costing well over $1000.
Acts Invalidating the Warranty. Most warranties include a section
such as this, where some disreputable manufacturers insert clauses that are
unfair to the consumer. Read the section carefully, looking for out of the
ordinary things that invalidate the warranty. For example, does the
manufacturer require you to use only their brand of chemicals? Does it
restrict you from using certain types of chemicals? Does it prohibit you from
exposing your spa to direct sunlight? (An especially unfair clause for those
with outdoor spas.) Again, read this section carefully before any purchase is
made. It could end up saving you a lot of money and many headaches.
