Sauna Troubleshooting

These sauna troubleshooting guidelines will help you solve common problems you may experience.

Keep in mind, a well built sauna that’s regularly maintained and cared for – See Sauna Maintenance Tips – should last a lifetime without any problems. Potential areas for concern or repair might be electrical controls and the heater.

Here is a troubleshooting guide for saunas showing problems you may experience along with their causes and recommended solutions.

Troubleshooting Tips

Problem	Cause	Solution
Sauna rocks are disintegrating	Rocks are getting too old	Replace heater rocks every 5 to 10 years. Clean out the heater trough and discard broken rocks since the grit they produce can damage the heater.
Heater doesn’t operate	Thermostat is set too low	Adjust thermostat to a higher setting
Heater doesn’t operate	Overload switch is tripped	Your owners manual will indicate where the overload switch it. Reset it.
Heater doesn’t operate	Heating element is burned out or short in an electrical circuit.	Call a qualified electrician to handle any electrical work needed
No power	Circuit breaker tripped or cord is unplugged	Check circuit breaker box and reset or “flip” the breaker. Check to see the cord is securely plugged into the outlet.
Breakers keep tripping	Circuit may be overloaded	A sauna needs its own designated circuit, meaning nothing else draws power off that circuit. Have an electrician check this.
Breakers keep tripping	Amperage rating may be wrong	Amperage rating of the sauna should match the circuit. Have an electrician check this.
Dirty sauna rocks	Something has spilled on the rocks other than water.	Wait for rocks to cool. Soak them in a solution of light detergent and water. Wipe with a sponge, then rinse with clean water. Allow rocks to dry before replacing them. 　Replace rocks and slowly build up the heat to thoroughly dry them. 　See recommended sauna rocks
Wood is discoloring	Saunas darken as they age or the wood is stained	For either situation, you can lighten the wood with oxalic acid diluted in water. Follow instructions on the acid label and protect yourself with goggles and rubber gloves.

Sauna Parts

For a selection of replacement and new sauna parts, see sauna heater parts.

Sauna Repair

Use Angie’s List for sauna repairs performed by qualified contractors.

You’ll find reviews from other sauna owners that will help you locate and choose the best repair company for the job. Angie’s List is really very helpful for finding everything from home repair to automotive repair to medical practitioners.

How to build a sauna at home

Build your own sauna

DIY Sauna Kits

Home Sauna Articles

Interested in more? Check out The Top 10 Health Benefits of Saunas or read some Advice from Industry Experts!

Is a pre built sauna the best option

Steam at home advantages

What are the health benefits of sauna?

Do saunas burn calories?

Home sauna maintenance & repair

Sauna safety tips

Do sauna and steam provide the same benefits?

Sauna Safety Tips

How to stay safe in the sauna

Here are sauna safety tips for staying safe in your home sauna. Follow these established safety guidelines and enjoy infra red sauna benefits without risking your health.

It’s true. There’s no single right way to enjoy a sauna and there are many techniques to use in sweat baths. And if your goal is sauna detox, the last thing you want is to feel worse. So here’s a list of safety requirements for your sauna:

Safe Structural Sauna

Electrical – If the sauna is in a wet location, use a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter). Licensed electricians will know the code for your area. Also, the main panel should be installed in a dry place outside the sauna. Do not try to hard wire the sauna yourself unless you are a licensed electrician. Replace damaged electrical cords by first switching off the power at the circuit breaker.

Always dry your hands before touching electrical controls to avoid risk of shock. Do not use outdoor saunas during electrical storms. There is a risk of lightning strike.

Guardrail – Place a guardrail around your sauna heater to protect you from hot surfaces and do not place materials that can catch fire near the heater.

Venting – Make sure your sauna is properly vented and supplies fresh air. Proper venting places a vent beneath the heater for air to enter the sauna and a vent in the ceiling for air to exit.

Locks – Do not put locks or latches on the sauna because of the risk of entrapment.

Sauna Health Safety

No Children Allowed – Only allow children in the sauna with continuous adult supervision.
Doctor’s Permission – Consult a doctor prior to using a sauna if you have circulatory problems, diabetes, heart disease, low or high blood pressure, or are obese.
Pregnant Women – Avoid the sauna if you are pregnant or if you may be pregnant unless your physician says otherwise. High temperatures can potentially cause damage to your unborn baby especially during the early months of pregnancy.
Alcohol and Drugs – Excessive alcohol or recreational drug use can affect your ability to withstand sauna heat. It’s best to avoid the sauna when you’re partying like a rock star.
Discomfort and Dizziness – Staying too long in the sauna can produce hyperthermia, where your body’s temperature increases and may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or fainting. Don’t stay in the sauna too long.

Also, never fall asleep in a sauna. You risk hyperthermia and the associated dangers. See How to burn calories in a sauna.

How Sauna Rocks Affect Safety

What kind of rocks to use in a sauna can impact your safety. Peridotite is a dense, irregular shaped igneous rock. Use igneous peridotite stones in a sauna heater to avoid the dangers of cracking or exploding stones in your sauna. You can find sauna replacement rocks here.

Interested in more? Check out The Top 10 Health Benefits of Saunas or read some Advice from Industry Experts!

Home Sauna Articles

Is a pre built sauna the best option

Steam at home advantages

What are the health benefits of sauna?

Do saunas burn calories?

Home sauna maintenance & repair

Sauna troubleshooting guide

Do sauna and steam provide the same benefits?

Sauna Maintenance Tips & Tricks

Watch the video … Maintaining Your Home Sauna

Sauna maintenance for a homemade sauna requires little effort. Unlike a hot tub or spa in your home, a sauna doesn’t have pumps and motors and filters. Also, there are no chemicals needed. Follow safety precautions for sauna.

In terms of mechanical equipment, saunas have only a heater to contend with. See Choosing a Sauna Heater for insight on heater selection and upkeep. So care for your sauna consists mainly of preventative maintenance:

Seal the floor of your sauna with wood preservative to make maintenance easier.
Prop the door open on the sauna when you finish. This lets it air out for thorough drying. Also lift up the duckboards.
Keep a terrycloth towel on the benches to absorb perspiration. Remove the towel and clean it after each use.

Sauna Cleaning

Cleaning the sauna. Wash the sauna floor a few times a year. Also the benches can be cleaned with water and mild detergent. This cleans up any perspiration stains that might have gotten through the terrycloth.

Note: Do not use ammonia or any harsh cleaners since they can change the color of your wood.

Cleaning stains requires using oxalic acid diluted in water. See maintenance directions in the sauna troubleshooting guide.

Sauna Housing Maintenance

Your sauna door may shrink or swell depending on the season. You can adjust a friction door catch and adjust the pressure setting.

Light Bulbs: It’s recommended to use a bulb made for harsher environments. Sauna bulbs are not expected to last as long as bulbs used elsewhere. Use an amber orange color light. Although any 40 or 60 watt light bulb will work fine.

Sauna Heater Maintenance

A sauna heater doesn’t require much maintenance. You can clean the outer shell of the heater and the trough with the rocks using a non-abrasive cleaner.

Do not disassemble the heater unit yourself. Leave any internal or electrical maintenance to a qualified person. See Angie’s List for Sauna Maintenance & Repair in your area.

Sauna Rocks

Sauna rocks may need to be replaced in 5 to 10 years. Granite rocks can last much longer if cared for properly – See Troubleshooting for rock cleaning and maintenance.

Sauna Accessory Maintenance

Typically, the wooden bucket is the only accessory to be concerned with. Keep the bucket stored upside down to drain water. Only use a wood bucket in the sauna.

Sauna Repair

For repairs, check out Angie’s List cost . You’ll find qualified sauna repair companies with reviews from people like yourself.