How-To Guides | Troubleshooting Spa Water Problems

From time to time all hot tub owners may run into a spa upkeep problem. No need to despair! Use this handy guide to understand, solve, and prevent many common issues.


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Cloudy and/or smelly water

Excessive foaming

Skin irritation, rashes, burning eyes

Scum & oil film, tub ring

Algae

Discolored water

Foul, sour or musty odors

Excessive pH fluctuation

Stains or scale on spa surfaces

Fading & cracking of spa cover

Scratches on spa shell

Shell surface dull or faded


Cloudy and/or smelly water

Cause:

  • Excessive contaminates
  • Water out-of-balance
  • Clogged or worn-out filter
  • Low sanitizer level
  • Activities of children

Solution:


Excessive foaming:

Cause:

  • High contaminates and/or soap residues
  • Buildups in spa plumbing system
  • Low calcium water hardness
  • Water out-of balance

Solution:


Skin irritation, rashes, strong fumes, burning eye sensation

Cause:

  • Incorrect sanitizer level
  • Excessive chloramines
  • Water out-of-balance
  • Buildup of gasses under spa cover
  • Overdose of non-chlorine shock
  • Biofilm contamination
  • Pseudomonas bacteria

Solution:

  • Test and adjust sanitizer level
  • Shock with Granular Dichlor
  • Test and adjust pH level
  • Open spa cover, run jets on full & allow spa to aerate for 5-10 minutes prior to use. Check non-chlorine shock level with MPS Test Strips
  • Switch to odor-free alternative sanitizer system:
    Nature2
  • Read more about Biofilm and Disinfection procedures to prevent skin rashes and eliminate Pseudomonas bacteria.

Scum & oil film, tub ring

Cause:

  • Body oils, make-up, lotion residues
  • Clogged or worn-out filter

Solution:


Algae

Cause:

  • Low sanitizer level
  • Dirty water

Solution:


Discolored water

Cause:

  • Excessive mineral content
  • Metal parts in equipment eroding
  • Copper, iron or manganese in water being oxidized by chlorine, non-chlorine shock or ozone
  • Low pH
  • Low hardness level

Solution:


Foul, sour or musty odor

Cause:

  • Low sanitizer level
  • Excessive contaminates
  • Mold or mildew on underside of spa cover (may not be visible in early stages)

Solution:


Excessive pH fluctuation

Cause:

  • Improper total alkalinity level
  • High bather load

Solution:


Stains or scale on spa surfaces

Cause:

  • Mineral content of water
  • Well water

Solution:


Fading & cracking of spa cover

 Use of products containing silicone oil

    Solution:

    • Use a spa cover protectant to greatly increase the life of your cover, such as 303 Protectant

    Scratches on spa shell

    Cause:

    • Abrasion from dirt & grit

    Solution:

    • Use a scratch-removal kit, such as those used on car headlights
    • Remove grit and debris with the Shake-a-Vac

    Shell surface dull or faded

    Cause:

    • Sun damage, normal wear and tear

    Solution:

    • Clean all surfaces with ecoTUB Spa Clean non-foaming spray cleaner
    • Apply Gel Gloss polish to seal and restore luster to hot tubs and spas
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