Frequently Asked Questions: Probable Cause and Solutions

  • Cloudy Water

    Probable Cause:

    • Dirty Filters
    • Excessive oils/organic matter
    • Improper sanitization
    • Suspended particles/organic matter
    • Overused or old water

     

    Solution:

    • Clean Filters with FreshWater Instant Filter Cleaner or FreshWater Filter Cleaner
    • Shock spa with sanitizer
    • Add sanitizer
    • Adjust pH and/or alkalinity with FreshWater pH/alkalinity Up or FreshWater pH/alkalinity Down
    • Run jet pump(s) and clean filters with FreshWater Instant Filter Cleaner or FreshWater Filter Cleaner
    • Drain, clean and refill the spa
  • Water Odor

    Probable cause:

    • Excessive organics in water
    • Improper sanitization
    • Low pH

     

    Solution:

    • Shock spa with sanitizer
    • Add sanitizer
    • Adjust pH with FreshWater pH/alkalinity Up to recommended range
  • Chlorine Odor

    Probable cause:

    • Chloramine level too high
    • Low pH

     

    Solution:

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

     

  • Musty Odor

    Probable Cause:

    • Bacterial or algal growth

     

    Solution:

    • Shock spa with sanitizer – if problem is visible or persistent, drain, clean and refill the spa
  • Organic build up/ scum ring around spa

    Probable cause:

    • Buildup or oils and dirt

     

    Solution:

    • 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

     

    Solution:

    • Shock spa with sanitizer, and adjust pH with FreshWatr pH/alkalinity Down to recommended range
    • Shock spa with sanitizer, and maintain sanitizer level
  • Eye Irritation

    Probable cause:

    • Low pH
    • Low sanitizer lever

     

    Solution:

    • 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

     

    Solution:

    • 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 insource water

     

    Solution:

    • 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

     

    Solution:

    • Adjust total alkalinity and pH with FreshWatr pH/Alkalinity Down – if scale requres 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.
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