Hot Tub Water Quality FAQs
Why is my hot tub shell surface rough to touch?
Reason:
A rough hot tub shell surface can be caused by scale build-up due to high calcium hardness and elevated pH levels. Not keeping your pH in check and allowing it to rise will promote scale formation.
Remedy:
1. Significantly reduce the pH level of the water by using pH Minus. Lower the pH to below 7, ideally even lower, as this makes the water acidic and will start to break down the scale.
2. This process could take several days to a week, and it is suggested not to use the hot tub during this time.
3. Keep checking the pH and reducing it to maintain acidic conditions.
4. Additionally, check and rinse the filter regularly, as when the scale breaks down, it will clog up the filter.
Once the issue is resolved, maintain proper hot tub care to prevent future scale build-up. After a fresh water refill, it is crucial to monitor the pH for about a week to 10 days. Using an anti-scale product such as Scale Away as part of your weekly routine is a preventative measure. By consistently keeping the pH in check and using Scale Away, you can avoid future roughness of the hot tub shell and ensure a smooth, enjoyable experience.
Why is my hot tub water cloudy?
Reason:
Cloudy water in a hot tub can be caused by several factors including high pH levels, high alkalinity, insufficient sanitiser levels, or a build-up of body oils, cosmetics, and other contaminants.
Remedy:
To address cloudy water, start by testing and adjusting the pH and alkalinity levels of your hot tub. Ensure that the sanitiser levels are adequate by shocking the water with a sanitiser. Additionally, make sure the filter is clean and functioning properly.
Cloudy water can also be improved by using two specific products:
1. Spa Revive: This product is a shock and clarifier designed to keep your water clean and clear. It works by oxidising organic contaminants, thereby breaking them down and making them easier to filter out.
2. Spa Sparkle: This liquid clarifier works by aggregating tiny particles that cause cloudiness, making them large enough to be captured by the filter. This process helps to clear the water and improve its overall appearance.
By regularly using Spa Revive and Spa Sparkle, along with maintaining proper water balance and filtration, you can keep your hot tub water crystal clear and enjoyable.
Why does my hot tub water smell bad?
Reason:
A foul smell in your hot tub can indicate bacterial growth, low sanitiser levels, or poor water circulation.
Remedy:
To eliminate the bad smell, follow these steps:
1. Maintain Correct Sanitiser Levels: Ensure you have the correct levels of sanitiser to kill bacteria and prevent odors.
2. Clean the Filter: Thoroughly clean the filter to ensure it is not contributing to the smell and is functioning properly.
3. Ensure Proper Water Circulation: Good water circulation prevents stagnation and promotes a healthy environment.
4. Regular Water Replacement: Consider how long the water has been in the hot tub; you should be draining and refilling every three months.
If these steps don't resolve the issue, a shock dose may be necessary. Shocking your hot tub weekly or after heavy use can remove unpleasant odors, kill bacteria, and restore clarity to the water.
Spa Revive: This product is excellent for keeping your water clean and clear. As a shock and clarifier, it oxidises organic contaminants, breaking them down and making them easier to filter out. It also contains chlorine as part of its ingredients, enhancing its effectiveness.
What causes foam in my hot tub?
Reason:
Foam in your hot tub can be caused by high levels of dissolved solids, body oils, lotions, or soap residue. These substances create a frothy layer on the water's surface, detracting from your hot tub experience.
Remedy:
To combat foam, follow these steps:
Use a and anti foam Product: Foam Away is an effective product to eliminate foam. However, be cautious with the amount used, as excessive anti-foam can temporarily cause cloudy water.
Shock the Water: Regularly shocking the water helps break down organic contaminants and prevent foam build-up. Aim to shock your hot tub weekly or after heavy use.
Clean the Filter: Ensure the filter is clean and functioning properly. A dirty filter can contribute to foam and other water quality issues.
Rinse Off Before Entering: Encourage everyone to rinse off before entering the hot tub. This reduces the introduction of oils, lotions, and soap residues that can cause foam.
Regular Water Replacement: You should be replacing the water in your hot tub every three months to maintain optimal water quality and reduce the build-up of dissolved solids.
Additional Tips to Prevent Foam:
Limit Oil and Lotion Use: Oils and lotions from your skin can lead to foam and even cause a scum formation. Avoid using these products before entering the hot tub.
Proper Water Balance: Keep the water chemistry balanced to reduce foam formation. Regularly test and adjust pH, alkalinity, and sanitiser levels.
Clean Your Hot Tub Regularly: Regular cleaning of your hot tub, including the cover and surfaces, helps prevent the accumulation of contaminants that can cause foam.
By following these tips and using the right products, you can effectively manage and prevent foam in your hot tub, ensuring a more enjoyable and hygienic experience.
Why is my hot tub water green?
Reason:
Green water in your hot tub typically indicates algae growth or poor water chemistry, including low sanitiser levels and neglect.
Remedy:
To clear green water and prevent it from returning, follow these steps:
Shock the Water: Use a high-quality sanitiser to shock the water. This will kill any algae and help restore clear water. Regular shocking is essential, especially after heavy use. Spa Revive is a very good solution for this as well as Granular Shock.
Maintain Proper Sanitiser Levels: Ensure that your hot tub always has adequate sanitiser levels. Low sanitiser levels allow algae and bacteria to thrive.
Balance Water Chemistry: Regularly test and adjust the pH and alkalinity levels of your hot tub water. Proper water balance helps prevent algae growth and maintains clear water. Clean the Filter: A clean filter is crucial for maintaining water clarity and using a filter cleaner such as Instant Filter Cleaner is required to properly clean a filter. Regularly clean or replace the filter according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
Regular Maintenance: Establish a routine maintenance schedule to avoid neglect. This includes checking water chemistry, cleaning the filter, and adding necessary chemicals.
Why is my hot tub water turning white or milky?
Reason:
White or milky water in your hot tub can be caused by high calcium levels, insufficient sanitiser, or soap residue. Other contributing factors include poor filtration and a build-up of organic contaminants.
Remedy:
To clear white or milky water, follow these steps:
Test and Balance Water Chemistry: Regularly test the water and adjust the pH, alkalinity, and calcium levels to maintain proper balance. Keeping the water chemistry in check helps prevent cloudiness.
Shock the Water: Shock the water with a hot tub shock such as Spa Revive, which will help eliminate organic contaminants and bacteria that can cause cloudy water. Shock your hot tub weekly or after heavy use.
Ensure Proper Filtration: Check and clean the filter regularly to ensure it is functioning effectively. A clean filter is essential for maintaining clear water.
Reduce Soap Residue: Encourage users to rinse off before entering the hot tub to minimize the introduction of soap and detergent residues.
Use a Clarifier: If the water remains milky, consider using a clarifier like Spa Sparkle. This product helps aggregate tiny particles, making them easier to filter out and restoring water clarity.
Why is my hot tub water irritating my skin?
Reason:
Skin irritation from hot tub water is most commonly caused by imbalanced pH levels or bacteria in the spa. In some cases, it may also be due to a reaction to the type of chemical being used.
Remedy:
Things to consider regarding skin irritation:
Test and Balance Water Chemistry: Regularly test the water and ensure the pH, alkalinity, and sanitiser levels are within the recommended ranges. Properly balanced water is less likely to cause skin irritation.
Monitor Sanitiser Levels: Ensure that sanitiser levels are neither too high nor too low. High levels can be harsh on the skin, while low levels can allow bacteria to thrive.
Rinse Off Before and After Use: Encourage users to rinse off before entering the hot tub to remove oils, lotions, and other contaminants. Rinsing off after using the hot tub helps to remove any residual chemicals from the skin.
Consider Changing Chemicals: If you suspect a reaction to the type of chemical used, try switching to a different sanitiser or product to see if it alleviates the irritation.
Maintain Clean Water: Regularly clean and replace the filter, and shock the water as needed to remove contaminants and maintain clear, healthy water.
Important Note: We are not medically trained professionals. If you have any concerns about skin irritation or other health issues, please consult your doctor.
Why is my hot tub water not holding sanitiser?
Reason:
High levels of contaminants can cause sanitiser to dissipate quickly. When there are high levels of bacteria and other organic matter in the water, the sanitiser is used up rapidly in trying to eliminate these contaminants, leading to an unstable sanitiser level.
Remedy:
To ensure your hot tub water maintains proper sanitiser levels, follow these steps:
Shock the Water: High levels of contaminants can quickly deplete the sanitiser. Performing a shock treatment will eliminate these contaminants, allowing the everyday sanitiser to remain stable and effective in the water. Use a product like Spa Revive for this purpose. Shocking should ideally be done weekly and after any heavy use.
Regular Maintenance: Clean the filter regularly and perform routine water tests to keep the water chemistry balanced. Use an Instant Filter Cleaner to ensure the filter is thoroughly cleaned and functioning properly. Proper maintenance ensures the sanitiser can effectively keep the water clean.
Rinse Off Before Entering: Encourage users to rinse off before entering the hot tub to reduce the introduction of contaminants like body oils, lotions, and soap residues, which can deplete the sanitiser.
What causes eye irritation in a hot tub?
Reason:
Eye irritation in a hot tub can be due to high sanitiser levels, low pH, or contaminants in the water. Additionally, the presence of chloramines and bromamines, which are byproducts of chlorine and bromine sanitisation, can also cause eye irritation.
Remedy:
To prevent eye irritation, follow these steps:
Test and Balance the Water: Regularly test the water and ensure the pH, alkalinity, and sanitiser levels are within the recommended ranges. Maintaining a balanced pH (ideally between 7.2 and 7.8) helps prevent eye irritation.
Ensure Proper Sanitiser Levels: Keep sanitiser levels within the appropriate range to avoid high concentrations that can irritate the eyes. Be aware that high levels of chloramines and bromamines, formed when chlorine or bromine combine with organic matter, can cause irritation. Regular shocking with a product like **Spa Revive** can help break down these compounds.
Rinse Off Before Entering: Encourage users to rinse off before entering the hot tub to reduce the introduction of contaminants such as body oils, lotions, and soap residues, which can contribute to the formation of chloramines and bromamines.
Maintain Clean Water: Regularly clean the filter using an Instant Filter Cleaner to ensure it is functioning properly and effectively removing contaminants from the water.
Why is my hot tub water not clear
Reason:
Water clarity issues in your hot tub can stem from improper filtration, high levels of total dissolved solids (TDS), or insufficient sanitisation. These factors can cause the water to appear cloudy, dull, or murky.
Remedy: (See also "Why is my water cloudy?")
To restore and maintain clear water, follow these steps:
Ensure Proper Filtration: Check that the filter is clean and functioning properly. Regularly clean the filter using an Instant Filter Cleaner to remove debris and contaminants that can cloud the water. Filters should be replaced every 12 months so consider the last time this was done.
Shock the Water: If the water appears cloudy or unclear, perform a shock treatment with a product like Spa Revive. This will help eliminate organic contaminants and restore water clarity.
Balance the Chemicals: Regularly test and balance the water chemistry, ensuring the pH, alkalinity, and sanitiser levels are within the recommended ranges. Proper chemical balance is essential for maintaining clear water.
Consider Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): High TDS levels can cause water clarity issues. The reason we need to drain and fill every three months in a hot tub is to manage the total dissolved solids in the water. If you have not done a drain and fill for a while, this may be beneficial and is advised at least every three months. Total Dissolved Solids are a count of all of the stuff that has been introduced to the hot tub water, it can make the water become corrosive over time and difficult to maintain chemical balance and water clarity. From chemicals to bits of human, TDS will increase over time so regular draining as described is crucial.
By following these steps and maintaining a routine of proper filtration, shocking, and chemical balance, you can keep your hot tub water crystal clear and inviting.