Spa & Pool Maintenance Solutions
Spa Maintenance
Purchasing a spa or tub is a large investment. At Northwoods Hot Spring Spas, Inc. we have the most comprehensive maintenance program to keep your spa in top running order and can be customized to fit your needs and schedule. That way, it’s ready when you are.
Spa Water Troubleshooting Guide
PROBLEM |
PROBABLE CAUSE |
SOLUTIONS |
Cloudy Water |
- Dirty Filters
- Excessive oils / organic matter
- Improper Sanitation
- Suspended particles / organic matter
- Overused or old water
|
- 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 |
- Excessive organics in water
- Improper sanitization
- Low pH
|
- Shock spa with sanitizer
- Add sanitizer
- Adjust pH with FreshWater pH / Alkalinity Up to recommended range
|
Chlorine Odor |
- Chloramine level too high
- Low pH
|
- Shock spa with sanitizer
- Adjust pH with FreshWater pH / Alkalinity Up to recommended range
|
Musty Odor |
|
- Shock spa with sanitizer - if problem is visible or persistent, drain, clean and refill the spa
|
Organic Buildup / Scum Ring Around Spa |
|
- 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 |
- High pH
- Low sanitizer lever
|
- Shock spa with sanitizer, and adjust pH with FreshWater pH / Alkalinity Down to recommended range
- Shock spa with sanitizer, and maintain sanitizer level
|
Eye Irritation |
- Low pH
- Low sanitizer lever
|
- Adjust pH with FreshWater pH / Alkalinity Up
- Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level
|
Skin Irritation / Rash |
- Unsanitary water
- Free chlorine level above 5 ppm
|
- Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level
- Allow free chlorine level to drop below 5 ppm before spa use
|
Stains |
- Total alkalinity and/or pH too low
- High iron or copper in source water
|
- Adjust total alkalinity and/or pH with FreshWater pH / Alkalinity Up
- Use FreshWater Stain & Scale to inhibit metals
|
Scale |
- Total alkalinity and/or pH too high
- High calcium content in water
|
- 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
|
Watkins Manufacturing Corporation recommends only the following sanitizers:
- Sodium Dichloro-s-Triazinetrione (Sodium Dichlor or chlorine)
- One-step granular bromine
- Baqua Spa™ (please consult your Baqua Spa manual for instructions on the use of this product)
Spa Start-Up & Refill Procedures
Your Hot Spot® spa has been thoroughly tested during the manufacturing process to ensure reliability and long-term customer satisfaction. A small amount of water may have remained in the plumbing after testing and, as a result, may have spotted the spa shell or the spa siding prior to delivery. Before filling the spa, wipe the spa shell clean with a soft rag.
Our instructions must be read and followed exactly to ensure a successful start-up or refill.