2-inch Bleed Tee: Essential for Efficient Hot Tub Plumbing

Introduction

As a dedicated hot tub enthusiast and spare parts supplier, I’m excited to introduce you to the 2-inch Bleed Tee – a crucial component for maintaining optimal performance in your hot tub’s plumbing system. This high-quality part is designed to enhance water circulation and prevent air locks, ensuring your hot tub runs smoothly for years to come.

Product Overview

The 2-inch Bleed Tee is a versatile and durable fitting manufactured by Waterway75, a trusted name in the hot tub industry. This component is specifically designed to work seamlessly with 2-inch rigid and flexible rigid pipes, making it a perfect fit for a wide range of hot tub models.

Key Features

• Material: High-grade, corrosion-resistant PVC
• Connection Type: Male-Female
• Compatibility: Works with air relief plugs and bleed nipples
• Easy Installation: Designed for straightforward integration into existing plumbing systems

Why Choose This 2-inch Bleed Tee?

Improved Water Circulation

By incorporating this Bleed Tee into your hot tub’s plumbing, you’ll significantly enhance water circulation. It allows for the easy release of trapped air, which can otherwise impede water flow and reduce your pump’s efficiency.

Prevent Air Locks

Air locks can be a major headache for hot tub owners. This Bleed Tee helps prime the pumps effectively, reducing the likelihood of air locks forming in your system. The result? A more consistent and enjoyable hot tub experience.

Durability and Longevity

Crafted from high-quality PVC, this Bleed Tee is built to withstand the harsh conditions of hot tub environments. Its robust construction ensures long-lasting performance, saving you time and money on frequent replacements.

Installation Tips

For optimal results, I recommend using a plumbing cleaner before applying pipe cement during assembly. The female end of the Tee is designed to accommodate the pipe work, ensuring a secure and leak-free connection.

Specifications Table

Specification	Detail
Product Type	Air Bleed Tee
Manufacturer	Waterway75
Size Reference	2-inch Male-Female
Outer Length	113 mm
Outer Height	95 mm
Outer Diameter	60 mm (male end), 70 mm (female end)
Internal Diameter	52 mm (male end), 60 mm (female end)
Compatible With	2-inch rigid pipe and 2-inch flexible rigid pipe
Recommended Use	With air relief plug and bleed nipple

Conclusion

The 2-inch Bleed Tee is more than just a plumbing component; it’s an investment in the longevity and efficiency of your hot tub. By incorporating this essential part into your system, you’re ensuring better water circulation, reduced air locks, and ultimately, a more enjoyable and hassle-free hot tub experience.

Don’t let air locks and poor circulation diminish your relaxation time. Upgrade your hot tub’s plumbing system with this high-quality 2-inch Bleed Tee today!

 

 

USA Imperial is the Standard

 

All hot tubs and their fittings are designed for USA standard of Imperial pipe. Would you believe that for example, a European 2.5″ pipe is different from a USA 2.5″ pipe – well it is and there is just over 2mm difference and it makes a huge difference as it doesn’t fit!

You must make sure that you are using American standard sized pipe – always worth checking with your supplier before you purchase.

Can I convert Metric pipe to Imperial?

 

Yes, you can convert metric pipe to imperial, usually there is a socket connection that will do that. However, what I would preface that with is really, the only reason you would want to do that is say if you have a long run of pipe between your control room and your hot tub. You cant easily get imperial pipe supply but you have found say 75mm pipe that would do the job.

In this instance, it would work to convert it down at each end.

However, what you cannot do (technically you can but it is a real mess to do so) is convert all of the pipework to metric using adaptors. Generally, this just doesn’t work, costs loads in just adaptors alone and the amount of joints means you are going to have some leaks!

What rating of pipe do I need?

 

Pipe is rated to different pressures. You must use pressure rated pipe on your hot tub build as it is a pressurised system. In general, any pipe that is rated to 130 PSI or 9 BAR can be used on a hot tub build. This is often referred to as Class C. Likewise, Class E which is rated to 15 BAR or 218 PSI is also commonly found on hot tub builds.

Anything less than 130 PSI or 9 BAR should not be used – the pipes are not waste water pipes that are commonly found in hardware stores. They must be pressure rated and you will see this printed on the side of all the pipe so there will be no confusion.

What about Schedule 40 Pipe?

 

The schedule number on pipe correlates to the thickness of the wall on the pipe: as the number increases, the thicker the wall thickness is. Also, what is interesting is that while the schedule number can be the same on different sized pipes, the actual wall thickness will be different.

However, for our DIY Hot Tubs, we would only opt for schedule 40 – schedule 80 would be an overkill.

We also only use schedule 40 pipe if it is being buried and there is considerable weight on it. What I mean by this is that you need the physical strength of the pipe to stop it being crushed and cracked. In most cases, regular pressure rated pipe is just fine.

Should I use Rigid or Semi-Flexible Pipe?

 

When I built my own hot tub, I opted for semi-flexible as I though that it would be a little more forgiving. It is, however it is now my experience that the fact it is forgiving, and I use that in a loosest of terms as it is still pretty rigid pipe, it is more likely to leak.

The reason that it is more likely to leak is that you can “force” the joint when there is a little bit of give in the pipe. If you force the joint as I have said many times on this blog and on my YouTube Channel, you are going to have leaks – and it did!

For that reason, wherever possible today I recommend that you use rigid pipe. You have to make a good joint and it has to be accurate. It is forcing your workmanship which you will benefit from in the long run. Rigid pipe is the way forward for your DIY Hot Tub build.

Support your Pipework

 

If you pick up a length of pipe, 2m/6ft, there is not a lot of weight in it at all. However, if you fill that same pipe with water, cap it off each end and try to lift it, you will notice there is a huge weight increase. Water is heavy. If you have long runs of pipe, you must support them. Whether this is in ground and they should be laid correctly with a gravel base or if it is on your hot tub, they should be tied and pinned to the block work.

If you dont support your pipes and they fill with water, you can put strain on the joints that over time, will work their way loose and leak. It only takes a couple of minutes to tie your pipes and support them and it will save a whole bunch of time and money on repairs in the future by getting this right from the start.

Making the perfect joint with PVC pipe cement.

 

On this blog and on my YouTube Channel I talk a lot about making the correct joints and that a well made joint doesn’t leak. So, how do you make a well made joint?

1. Make sure when you cut the pipes you are cutting them at 90 degrees so they fit into the fittings correctly.
2. Make sure you remove any rough edges from your cuts
3. Ensure you are roughing up 3″ of the pipe with sand paper before you make the connection
4. Apply PVC Pipe Cement to the pipe and the connection
5. Twist the pipe or fitting as you are inserting it to prevent “channeling” which leads to leaks
6. Make sure the pipe goes all the way into the fitting (always a good idea to mark the ideal depth you want to get to)
7. Wipe off any excess pipe cement.
8. Allow to cure for 4 hours for full strength