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