To ensure that your hot tub experience is rewarding and relaxing, maintaining clean water is a very important factor. While occasionally owners will face some type of water problem, learning how to identify and correct hot tub water issues will give you peace of mind. Plus, knowing how to prevent them will help make sure that water problems rarely occur. Below, we will explain how to recognize and correct common hot tub water problems.

Foamy Water

If a buildup of residue or foam appears to be floating on the top of the water or lining the edges of the tub, cleaning is necessary. Foamy water is usually caused by a buildup of body oils and products such as deodorant, lotions, and makeup which react with the alkaline water. Getting bathers to shower before entering the hot tub will go a long way in preventing foamy water from occurring. However, if it has already, there are some enzyme based cleaners and anti-foam agents that can provide a quick solution. These do not solve the underlying problem but are good for a temporary fix. To completely eliminate foamy water, it is necessary to drain the hot tub and thoroughly clean.

Cloudy Water

When it appears that there are particles suspended in the water but they are not large enough to scoop out or be picked up by the filter, this is referred to as cloudy water. Filtration problems or unbalanced pH levels are usually the underlying cause. The steps you can take to correct are:

Check the Water Filter:

Cleaning or replacing your water filter can often solve the problem of cloudy water. Filters should be rinsed weekly and treated with a specialized chemical solution monthly. Every year or two it is recommended to replace your filter for optimal cleaning performance.

Check the pH:

A pH testing kit will quickly identify if your water is too acidic or alkaline. Depending on what the results are, bring the water back to a balanced state, which may clear up the problem.

Shock the Water:

Using shock means adding cleaning solutions to the water and letting it filter through the entire hot tub system. This can be done weekly or whenever needed to bring your water back to a healthy state whenever it appears cloudy. Shocking also kills bacteria, removes organic compounds and algae. There are two types of shock – chlorine-based and non-chlorine based. The chlorine-based products disinfect and oxidize but are harder on the hot tubs components and should be used sparingly. Non-chlorine based solutions can be used more frequently, however, they only oxidize and do not disinfect.

If these solutions do not solve the problem, it will be necessary to drain and clean the hot tub.

Milky Water

Milky water sounds like its name – a whitish color that makes it difficult to see the bottom of the hot tub. The can be a result of poor water chemistry, inadequate filtering or heavy hot tub use, such as a recent hot tub party. Similar to cloudy water, the steps to take are testing the water, checking/cleaning the filters, shocking the hot tub and completely draining and cleaning if necessary.

Part of owning a hot tub is occasionally having to deal with foamy, cloudy or milky water. Prevention is the first step and these maintenance procedures will ensure you know how to fix the situation and return your water to a healthy state. Consistently maintaining clean water conditions will reduce wear and tear on your hot tub’s components and give you peace of mind while you are taking a relaxing soak.