Exclusives
Wooden spas
Nordic baths
Wooden saunas
Douche en bois
Accessories
- Difficulty level
- Medium
- Estimated time
- 5 min
Is your wooden spa leaking?
Tightening the hoops allows you to properly hold the staves together, and you can do it yourself in a few steps with a 19 mm wrench.
This guide details each step, from removing the technical cabinet to putting the system back into service, as well as the right time to intervene.
Why tighten the hoops on your wooden spa?
The tank of a wooden spa is formed of staves that are held together by hoops. When the hoops no longer tighten sufficiently, the staves are not held properly and leaks can appear. Tightening allows you to restore their properties.
Størvatt spas are made from Red Cedar, a naturally rot-resistant red cedar. Like all wood, it reacts to water: this is why choosing the right time is important.
You must tighten the hoops in summer on dry wood
The hoops tighten when the wood is dry, and not when it is wet or waterlogged. Tightening is therefore done in summer, during a period when you are not using your spa. The tank is empty and the wood has had time to dry. Take the time to wait for the right conditions before starting.
What you need
To carry out the tightening under proper conditions, you will need a 19 mm wrench. Also plan for a clear space around the spa: you will be placing the technical unit cabinet and then the technical unit itself.
Let's get started
We will now proceed through the different steps to tighten your hoops and solve your leaking problems.
The different steps to tighten the bands on your wooden spa
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Remove the technical unit cover
Start by lifting and removing the trunk cover that houses the
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2 > Unscrew the half-moon board
Locate the half-moon board that connects the storage box to the spa tub. Unscrew its two screws and keep them aside for reassembly.
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Tighten or loosen the latch
Warning: only intervene when the sauna is off and cooled down, as metal parts can be very hot.
Open the door wide to have direct access to the latch. Based on the diagnosis made in steps 1 and 2, tighten the latch if closing is difficult, or loosen it if the door no longer closes. Turn the threaded body of the latch directly by hand, with small rotations rather than all at once: fine adjustment is generally sufficient.
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Test the closure
Close the door to check the result. It should close with a smooth gesture and remain closed. If this is not yet the case, open it again and repeat step 4 with small rotations until the correct adjustment is achieved.
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If the latch resists: remove the plate
Door open, unscrew the two screws that hold the latch plate on the door edge. Keep them within reach: they will be needed for reassembly.
Tip: If hand tightening is too difficult, you can unscrew the latch plate to have better access. You simply need a screwdriver that fits the head of the two plate screws. Follow the steps below.
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Detach the trunk
The trunk then detaches in one single block. Pull it gently towards you and set it aside. The technical unit is now accessible.
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7 > close the technical unit valves
Before touching the various connections, close the valves of the technical unit.
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8 > Vérifier la vanne de vidange
Contrôlez aussi la vanne de vidange, située contre la cuve.
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9 > Laisser la vanne de vidange fermée
Assurez-vous que la vanne de vidange reste bien fermée pendant toute l’opération.
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10 > Dévisser les raccordements du groupe technique
Dévissez les raccordements du groupe technique pour pouvoir le retirer.
Attention : le joint peut sauter lorsque vous dévissez le raccordement au niveau de la vanne et du réchauffeur. Dévissez doucement et vérifiez que le joint est toujours en place.
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11 > Retirer le groupe technique
Déplacez le groupe technique sur le côté pour vous libérer de l’espace. Vous avez maintenant accès aux cerclages de la cuve.
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12 > Tighten the bottom strap
Using the 19 mm wrench, tighten the bottom strap until you hear a significant squeaking sound from the wood.
Tip: The tightening is adjusted by ear: it is the squeaking of the wood that indicates when to stop.
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13 > Retirer quelques douves si nécessaire
Si l’accès au cerclage du milieu est trop compliqué, enlevez trois ou quatre douves de l’habillage du spa. Gardez leurs vis pour le remontage.
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14 > Reserrer le cerclage du milieu
Serrez le cerclage du milieu jusqu’à entendre un léger grincement du bois. Ce serrage est plus modéré que celui du cerclage du bas.
Remarque : ne serrez pas le dernier cerclage, en haut, s’il tient déjà. Sinon, serrez-le seulement très légèrement.
Tip: Le serrage se règle à l’oreille : c’est le grincement du bois qui vous indique quand vous arrêter.
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15 > tighten the technical unit
Reinstall the technical unit and tighten it identically to its original installation. Check that the seals are properly positioned, particularly at the valve and heater level.
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16 > Rouvrir les vannes du groupe technique
Rouvrez les vannes du groupe technique.
Attention : après cette étape, il faut purger l’air du filtre, car de l’air s’est infiltré dans le groupe technique pendant l’opération. Veuillez vous référez à l'article de blog traîtant ce sujet.
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17 > Revisser les douves
Si vous avez retiré des douves à l’étape 13, revissez-les sur l’habillage du spa.
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18 > reattach the half-moon board and the trunk
Finish by screwing the half-moon board and the trunk back onto the spa skirt, then replace the cover. Your spa returns to its original appearance.
Unsure about your sauna door?
A door that rubs despite adjustment, a latch that no longer turns? Our after-sales service will guide you at +33 (0)4 85 80 04 03, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.