Common Hot Tub Water Problems and How to Fix Them
Recently, we've been taking an in-depth look at the various chemicals used in your spa and how they can affect your water. Sometimes it seems like even when you do everything right, you still end up with green-tinged or oily water. So how do you prevent common water conditions from occurring and resolve them once they start popping up? Let's take a look!
Oils & Scum in Hot Tub Water
Oily residue or scum that floats around the top of your water or as a ring around the water's edge is unpleasant to look at, not to mention a great place for bacteria to thrive - not something that we want in our beautiful, clear hot tub water. The cause of the oil and scum can usually be determined by its colour:
Brown Scum (Usually a pH Issue)
Generally, a brown scum line indicates a problem with the chemical ratio in your hot tub, specifically your pH levels. Do a water test to check the levels, then add a pH decreaser or increaser to get your levels back in range.
Green Scum (Metals in the Water)
Green scum usually shows up when there are metals in your water. Dissolved metals in the water, like magnesium and copper, interact with the sanitizer and cause green scum to form. If these metals are naturally high in the water in your area, try using a pre-filter when filling your hot tub to eliminate the metals before they even enter the tub.
Blue-green Scum (Filter Problems)
A bluish-green colour of scum indicates that your filter might need a good clean. Every time the hot tub is used, body oils and even personal care products such as lotion or sunscreen are put into the water. If the filter isn't cleaned regularly enough or becomes clogged, you'll begin to notice the blue-green scum. Give your filtration system a good clean to ensure it's able to do a proper job filtering the particles out of your water (for more info on how to thoroughly clean your filter, have a look at our previous article about filtration).
Green Spa Water
Green-tinted water isn't a pretty sight and can indicate a few different underlying issues with your spa water.
Chemical Imbalance
The first step, whenever you have a water issue, is to test the water to ensure your chemicals are in the proper range. If they aren't, it can lead to a host of water issues, including green-tinted water.
Slimy Surface (Possible Algae Bloom)
If the water is green and the sides of your hot tub are starting to feel slimy, algae might have started to bloom in your water. Make sure you're shocking your spa regularly, cleaning your filters thoroughly, and keeping up with the sanitation of your spa to stop bacteria and organic matter from growing in your spa.
High Mineral Content
High levels of minerals in your spa water not only cause oil and scum, but they can also make themselves known by tinting your water a shade of green.
Dye From Bathing Suits
If everything looks good, take a look at your bathing suit! New and brightly coloured clothing can leech small amounts of dye into the water and cause water colour changes.
Foamy Hot Tub Water
The kids might find fluffy, foamy bubbles fun to play with, but it's not a good sight to see in your spa. As with all water conditions, you'll want to start by testing your water.
High pH Levels
When levels of pH are too high in your spa, you can start to notice foam in the water. Make sure your pH is in the proper range and correct the levels with a pH decreaser as needed.
Personal Care Products
Lotions, makeup, hair products, and even leftover soap from freshly washed bathing suits can accumulate in your water and cause a buildup of foam. For this, prevention is key: have a quick rinse in the shower before going to the spa to remove these particles from your skin. You can also try an oil sponge like the Zorbie to absorb these particles.
Low Calcium Hardness
Low calcium hardness in your spa is extremely hard on your spa and creates perfect water conditions for lathery, foamy water. Make sure you're keeping up to date with your regular water maintenance and weekly water testing, and use a calcium hardness increaser if you find levels are low.
Cloudy Hot Tub Water
Cloudy and murky water is not a pretty sight to see in your hot tub when all you want is a relaxing soak. This is an extremely common water issue and can have many different causes.
High Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
After a couple of months of continuously adding chemicals to your spa, the water eventually becomes saturated with dissolved chemicals and is unable to dissolve any more, which leads to cloudy water. Make sure you're refilling your spa about every 3-4 months to prevent this issue.
Improper Chemical Levels
Like all other issues on this list, any spa chemicals that aren't balanced will cause water issues, including cloudy water. Always make sure you're testing your water regularly and adjusting levels with chemicals as needed to maintain clear water: this includes adjusting pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness, as well as maintaining a consistent sanitizing and shocking schedule. Remember that if you start using your spa more or less than usual, you'll need to keep an extra close eye on chemical levels, as chemical levels change with spa usage.
Personal Care Products
Ah, personal care products. Along with foamy, scummy water, these can also cause cloudy particles to pop in your spa. As mentioned before, have a quick shower before entering the spa to rinse off any particles that may be on your skin so they don't enter your spa water.
Dirty or Neglected Filters
The filter is wildly important for your spa, as it's doing the grunt work of removing all these harmful particles from your spa water. If the filter isn't cleaned thoroughly or routinely, you'll start to notice your water getting worse. Always make sure you're thoroughly rinsing your filter about once a week, doing a chemical soak to remove stubborn oils about once a month, and replacing your filter with a fresh new one about once a year.
Spa Pump Problems
A weak or blocked pump causes poor circulation:
- Ensure the pump runs at least 2 hours a day
- Remove debris quickly to avoid clogging
- Keep the cover on when not in use
- Maintain water 2-3 inches above the filter
- Always fill through the filter well to avoid airlocks
Read our article on airlocks for more info on prevention and resolution.
When All Else Fails
If all else fails and you're still having water condition issues, completely drain your spa and fill it with fresh water. This will remove the current water issues and give you a clean baseline to start with. For more tips on keeping your water clear after a fresh fill, take a look at our clear water maintenance guide.