Skip to main content
EN

WATER CARE TROUBLESHOOTING

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 FreshWater® InstantFilter Cleaner or FreshWater Filter Cleaner
  • Shock spa with sanitizer
  • Add sanitizer
  • Adjust pH and/or alkalinity with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up or FreshWater Alkalinity Down
  • Run jet pump(s) and clean filters with FreshWater InstantFilter Cleaner or FreshWater Filter Cleaner
  • Drain, clean and refill the spa

Water Odor

Probable Cause:

  • Excessive organics in water
  • Improper sanitization
  • Low pH

Solutions:

  • Shock spa with sanitizer
  • Add sanitizer
  • Adjust pH with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up to recommended range
  • Drain, clean and refill the spa

Chlorine Odor

Probable Cause:

  • Chloramine level too high
  • Low pH

Solutions:

  • Shock spa with sanitizer
  • Adjust pH with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up to recommended range

Musty Odor

Probable Cause:
  • Bacteria or algae growth

Solutions:

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

Organic Buildup/Scum Ring Around Spa

Probable Cause:

  • Buildup of oils and dirt

Solutions:

  • Wipe off scum with clean rag
  • If severe, drain the spa, use FreshWater Spa Shine after cleaning to protect the spa shell, and refill the spa

Algae Growth

Probable Cause:

  • High pH
  • Low sanitizer lever

Solutions:

  • Shock spa with sanitizer
  • Adjust pH with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Down to recommended range
  • Shock spa with sanitizer, and maintain sanitizer level

Eye Irritation

Probable Cause:

  • Low pH
  • Low sanitizer lever

Solutions:

  • Adjust pH with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up
  • Shock spa with sanitizer, and maintain sanitizer level

Skin Irritation/Rash

Probable Cause:

  • Unsanitary water
  • Free chlorine level above 5 ppm

Solutions:

  • Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level
  • Allow free chlorine level to drop below 5 ppm before spa 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 FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up
  • Use FreshWater 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 FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Down
  • If scale requires removal, drain the spa, scrub off the scale, clean spa shell with FreshWater Spa Shine, and refill the spa
  • Add FreshWater Stain & Scale and balance the water using FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up or Freshwater pH/Alkalinity Down