Water Level Dropping
If you have noticed the water level in your ice bath gradually dropping over time, this is completely normal and is not a leak.
Where the water goes. Every time someone gets into and out of the ice bath, water leaves with them. Water clings to your skin, hair, and clothing. Water splashes over the sides as you enter and exit. Over multiple sessions, this adds up. A single session typically removes 1 to 2 litres between body water, dripping, and splash. If 10 people use the bath over the course of a week, that is 10 to 20 litres of water that has left the bath. On a 350-litre Barrel or Column, that is a visible drop in level. This is the main reason the water level drops, and it is entirely normal.
What to do
1. Top it up.
You can top up the water level at any time with a garden hose, tap, or bucket. There is no need to do a full water change just because the level has dropped. Simply add fresh water until the level is back to 15 to 20cm below the rim. The chiller can be running while you do this.
2. Make it a habit.
If the bath is used daily or by multiple people, a quick top-up once or twice a week will keep the level where it should be. This takes less than a minute with a hose. It does not replace your regular monthly water change, but it keeps things running well between changes.
Is it a leak?
In our experience, the teak bath itself does not leak. We have not had a case of a leak from the bath’s joints or sealed surfaces. If the water level is dropping, it is almost certainly from normal use as described above.
However, if you suspect the drop is faster than normal use would explain, here is how to check.
3. Do a standing test.
Fill the bath to your normal level. Put the lid on. Do not use the bath for 24 hours. After 24 hours, check the level. If the level has not moved or has dropped only very slightly, there is no leak. The water loss you were noticing is from normal use. If the level has dropped noticeably without anyone using the bath, check the hose connections next.
4. Check the hose connections.
If the standing test shows water loss, inspect the two stainless steel hose connections on the bath and the two on the chiller. Look for dripping or pooling water around the couplers. If a coupler is not fully seated, water can slowly weep from the connection. Pull back the coupler collar, push the hose firmly in until it clicks, and release. See the Water Leaking From Connections section for more detail.
5. Check underneath and around the bath.
Look at the floor around and underneath the bath and along the hose run to the chiller. If water is pooling in a specific spot, that tells you where the issue is. Take a photo showing where the water is collecting and send it to our support team.
Can the water level get too low?
In normal use, no. The water level would need to drop below the chiller’s inlet point before the pump has any difficulty, and that would require a very significant amount of water to be lost without being topped up. This is extremely rare. As long as you top up the water when you notice the level has dropped, there is no risk to the system.
In short. Water level dropping gradually with regular use is normal. Top up with a hose or bucket whenever you notice it. If the level drops when nobody is using the bath, check the hose connections. If you find pooling water or a drip you cannot identify, send us a photo and we will help.
Email hello@icebaths.com
