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WATER QUALITY AND MAINTENANCE
SPA WATER MAINTENANCE TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Cloudy Water
Water Odor
Chlorine Odor
Musty Odor
• Dirty filter
• Excessive oils / organic matter
• Improper sanitization
• Suspended particles / organic matter
• Overused or old water
• Excessive organics in water
• Improper sanitization
• Low pH
• Chloramine level too high
• Low pH
• Bacteria or algae growth
• Buildup of oils and dirt
• High pH
• Low sanitizer level
• Low pH
• Low sanitizer level
• Unsanitary water
• Free chlorine level above 5 ppm
• Total alkalinity and/or pH too low
• High iron or copper in source water
• High calcium content in water – total
alkalinity and pH too high
Organic buildup /
scum ring around spa
Algae Growth
Eye Irritation
Skin Irritation / Rash
Stains
Scale
• Clean filter
• Shock spa with sanitizer
• Add sanitizer
• Adjust pH and/or alkalinity to recommended range
• Run jet pump(s) and clean filter
• Drain and refill the spa
• Shock spa with sanitizer
• Add sanitizer
• Adjust pH to recommended range
• Shock spa with sanitizer
• Adjust pH to recommended range
• Shock spa with sanitizer – if problem is visible or persistent, drain, clean
and refill the spa
• Wipe off scum with clean rag – if severe, drain the spa, use a spa surface
and tile cleaner to remove the scum and refill the spa
• Shock spa with sanitizer and adjust pH
• Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level
• Adjust pH
• Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level
• Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level
• Allow free chlorine level to drop below 5 ppm before spa use
• Adjust total alkalinity and/or pH
• Use a stain and scale inhibitor
• Adjust total alkalinity and pH – if scale requires removal, drain the spa,
scrub off the scale, refill the spa and balance the water
• Use a stain and scale inhibitor
Problem
Probable causes
Solutions
