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

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Cloudy and/or smelly water

Cause:

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

Solution:

• Shock with Granular Dichlor
• Add Chitosan Natural Clarifier
• Test and adjust pH level
• Clean or replace filter cartridge
• Check and/or adjust sanitizer level
• Change water.  Use Spa System Flush prior to draining
• Encourage children to use restroom and shower prior to entering hot tubs

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Excessive foaming:

Cause:

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

Solution:

• Add defoamer and scum digester such as ecoTUB Scum Buster
• Use ZorbO scum absorber
• Use Spa System Flush prior to each draining
• Add Hardness Increaser
• Test and adjust pH level
• Clean or replace filter cartridge

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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.

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Scum & oil film, tub ring

Cause:

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

Solution:

• Add ecoTUB Scum Buster scum digester
• Use ZorbO oil scum absorber
• Clean or replace filter cartridge
• Clean water line with CleanAll non-foaming all-surface cleaner 

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Algae

Cause:

• Low sanitizer level
• Dirty water

Solution:

• Shock-treat water with OxySpa
• Test and adjust sanitizer level
• Use an Ozonator

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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:

• Add Metal Stain Preventer
• Test and adjust pH level
• Prefilter fill water with PreFresh
• Run filter continuously to remove material; clean filter
• Vacuum settled material from spa bottom with Shake-a-Vac
• Use sequestering clarifier such as Chitosan Natural Clarifier for prevention

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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:

• Test and adjust sanitizer level
• Shock-treat water with OxySpa
• Change water & use Spa System Flush prior to draining
• Clean inside of spa cover & apply 303 Protectant
• Use an Ozonator

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Excessive pH fluctuation

Cause:

• Improper total alkalinity level
• High bather load

Solution:

• Test and adjust total alkalinity
• Add pH Perfect Balance pH holding agent to lock-in pH

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Stains or scale on spa surfaces

Cause:

• Mineral content of water
• Well water

Solution:

• Use a surface stain remover such as ecoTUB Spa Clean
• Use Metal Stain Preventer to minimize future problems
• Purify fill water with PreFresh Hose-end Prefilter

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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

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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

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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