Note: The following information is given as a guide only. Specific answers to your problems can be given by your retailer, who can advise on the best chemicals and products for your spa.
| Problem |
Symptom |
Probable Cause |
Solution |
Algae Growth |
- Green or brown water
- Small black spots on the spa sides
- Slimy surfaces
|
- High pH
- Low sanitizer level
|
- Shock spa with sanitizer
- Adjust pH levels
- Scrub sides of spa
|
Eye Irritation |
|
- Low pH
- Low sanitizer level
|
- Adjust pH
- Shock spa with sanitizer
|
Skin Irritation |
|
- Unsanitary water
- Free chlorine levels above 5 ppm
|
- Shock spa with sanitizer
- Allow free chlorine levels to drop below 5 ppm before spa use
|
Cloudy Water |
- Dull, hazy water
- bottom of spa not clearly visible
|
- Early algae growth
- Dirty filters
- High pH
- Excessive oils or organic matter
- Improper sanitization
- Overused or old water
|
- Clean filters
- Check filters and pump for faulty operation
- Shock spa with sanitizer
- Adjust pH levels
- If persistent, drain, clean and refill the spa
|
Coloured Water |
- Water is clear, but tinged with a colour
|
- Dissolved metals – brown water indicates iron, blue green means
copper, black is manganese or silver
|
- Adjust pH levels
- Shock spa with sanitizer
|
Scale |
- Scale developing on walls and fixtures
|
- Total alkalinity and/or pH too high
- High calcium content in water
|
- Adjust total alkalinity and pH levels
- To remove scale, drain, scrub, and refill the spa
|
Slimy Surfaces |
- Sides of the spa become slippery and feel slimy
|
Early algae growth. |
- Adjust pH levels
- Add chlorine
- Brush spa walls
|
Water Odour |
|
- Excessive organics in water
- Improper sanitization
- Low pH
|
- Shock spa with sanitizer
- Adjust pH
|
Chlorine Odour |
- Unpleasant chlorine smell
- Sore eyes
|
Chlorine smells are caused by not enough chlorine.
The smell is caused by chloramines – chemical substances formed
when chlorine combines with the contaminants (urine, body fats etc) |
- Shock spa with sanitizer
- Adjust pH
|
Musty Odour |
|
|
- Shock spa with sanitizer
- If problem is persistent, drain, clean and refill the spa
|
Organic build-up |
|
- Build-up of oils and dirt
|
- Wipe off scum with a clean rag
- If severe, drain spa and clean with an available spa cleaner
|
Black Spot |
- Small black spots on spa sides
|
|
- Lower pH to 7.2, add Citric Acid 10g per 200 litres
- Brush walls and floor
- Add 20g chlorine to every 10g Citric Acid
|
Foamy Water |
- Soapy foam on the surface of the water
|
- Excessive algicides
- Organic waste in the water
|
- Add defoamer
- Adjust pH level
- Add Clarifier
- Chlorine shock the spa
|
Corrosion |
- Metal fixtures in contact with the water start corroding abnormally
- Rust stains appear and can colour the water
|
- Low pH
- High levels of metals and contaminants
|
|