Troubleshooting Water Clarity Problems
Problem
Cloudy Water
•
•
•
•
•
Water Odor
•
•
•
Chlorine Odor
•
•
Musty Odor
•
Organic buildup /
•
scum ring around
spa
Algae Growth
•
•
Eye Irritation
•
•
Skin Irritation / Rash
•
•
Stains
•
•
Scale
•
2009 Inground Spas
LTR20091002, Rev. B
Probable Causes
Dirty filter
Excessive oils / organic mat-
ter
Improper sanitization
Suspended particles / organ-
ic matter
Overused or old water
Excessive organics in water
Improper sanitization
Low pH
Chloramine level too high
Low pH
Bacteria or algae growth
Buildup of oils and dirt
High pH
Low sanitizer level
Low pH
Low sanitizer level
Unsanitary water
Free chlorine level above 5
ppm
Total alkalinity and/or pH
too low
High iron or copper in
source water
High calcium content in
water – total alkalinity and
pH too high
Possible Solutions
•
Clean filter
•
Shock spa with sanitizer
•
Add sanitizer
•
Adjust pH and/or alkalinity to recommended
range
•
Run jet pump and clean filter
•
Drain and refill the spa
•
Shock spa with sanitizer
•
Add sanitizer
•
Adjust pH to recommended range
•
Shock spa with sanitizer
•
Adjust pH to recommended range
•
Shock spa with sanitizer – if problem is vis-
ible or persistent, drain, clean and refill the
spa
•
Wipe off scum with clean rag – if severe,
drain the spa, use a spa surface and tile
cleaner to remove the scum and refill the spa
•
Shock spa with sanitizer and adjust pH
•
Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sani-
tizer level
•
Adjust pH
•
Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sani-
tizer level
•
Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sani-
tizer level
•
Allow free chlorine level to drop below 5 ppm
before spa use
•
Adjust total alkalinity and/or pH
•
Use a stain and scale inhibitor
•
Adjust total alkalinity and pH – if scale re-
quires removal, drain the spa, scrub off the
scale, refill the spa and balance the water
•
Use a stain and scale inhibitor
31
www.calspas.com