Cloudy Water

Probable Cause:

• Dirty filters
• Excessive oils or organic matter
• Improper sanitizing
• Suspended particles or organic matter
• Overused or old water

Solutions:

• Clean filters with Pleatco Filter Cleaning Pods or SpaGuard Filter Cleaner
• Shock hot tub with sanitizer
• Add sanitizer
• Adjust pH and/or alkalinity with SpaGuard Total Alkalinity Increaser or pH Increaser or SpaGuard pH Decreaser
• Run jet pump(s) and clean filters with Pleatco Filter Cleaning Pods or SpaGuard Filter Cleaner
• Drain, clean and refill the hot tub

Water Odor

Probable Cause:

• Excessive organics in water
• Improper sanitization
• Low pH

Solutions:

• Shock hot tub with sanitizer
• Add sanitizer
• Adjust pH with SpaGuard Total Alkalinity Increaser or pH Increaser to recommended range
• Drain, clean and refill the hot tub

Chlorine Odor

Probable Cause:

• Chloramine level too high
• Low pH

Solutions:

• Shock hot tub with sanitizer
• Adjust pH with SpaGuard Total Alkalinity Increaser or pH Increaser to recommended range

Musty Odor

Probable Cause:

• Bacteria or algae growth

Solutions:

• Shock hot tub with sanitizer
• If the problem is visible or persistent, drain, clean and refill the hot tub

Organic Buildup/Scum Ring Around Hot Tub

Probable Cause:

• Buildup of oils and dirt

Solutions:

• Wipe off scum with clean rag
• If severe, drain the hot tub, use BioGuard Off the Wall to remove severe build up, rinse shell, and refill the hot tub

Algae Growth

Probable Cause:

• High pH
• Low sanitizer lever

Solutions:

• Shock hot tub with sanitizer
• Adjust pH with SpaGuard pH Decreaser to recommended range
• Shock hot tub with sanitizer, and maintain sanitizer level

Eye Irritation

Probable Cause:

• Low pH
• Low sanitizer lever

Solutions:

• Adjust pH with SpaGuard Total Alkalinity Increaser or pH Increaser
• Shock hot tub with sanitizer, and maintain sanitizer level

Skin Irritation/Rash

Probable Cause:

• Unsanitary water
• Free chlorine level above 5 ppm

Solutions:

• Shock hot tub with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level
• Allow free chlorine level to drop below 5 ppm before hot tub use

Stains

Probable Cause:

• Total alkalinity and/or pH too low
• High iron or copper in source water

Solutions:

• Adjust total alkalinity and/or pH with SpaGuard Total Alkalinity Increaser or pH Increaser
• Use SpaGuard Stain & Scale to inhibit metals

Scale

Probable Cause:

• Total alkalinity and/or pH too high
• High calcium content in water

Solutions:

• Adjust total alkalinity and pH with SpaGuard Total Alkalinity Increaser or pH Increaser
• If scale requires removal, drain the hot tub, scrub off the scale, clean hot tub shell with BioGuard Off the Wall to remove severe build up, rinse shell, and refill the hot tub
• Add SpaGuard Stain & Scale and balance the water using SpaGuard Total Alkalinity Increaser, pH Increaser, or pH Decreaser