Troubleshooting Hot Tub Water: A Complete Guide to Common Problems

Hot tubs are all about relaxation, comfort, and relieving stress. But if your water looks off, smells funky, or feels gross, it suddenly becomes less relaxing. At RnR Hot Tubs, we know that your hot tub is an investment, not just in money but in your lifestyle. That’s why keeping your water crystal clear and safe is so important.

Why is water care crucial for hot tub owners?

Dirty or imbalanced water can cause skin irritation, damage to your hot tub’s equipment, and even health risks. And let’s be honest, no one wants to soak in a smelly soup of bacteria and buildup. Proper water maintenance keeps your hot tub inviting and extends its life.

Skipping water care can lead to costly repairs, constant draining and refilling, and replacement of parts like filters and pumps. A few minutes of upkeep can save you hundreds (or thousands) in the long run.

Let’s dive into some of the most common water issues that you may face as a hot tub owner and how you can begin to fix them. We recommend bringing in a water sample so that we can give you tailored advice to help you with YOUR water. This service is FREE and is available to anyone.

COMMON WATER ISSUES IN YOUR HOT TUB AND HOW TO FIX THEM

Cloudy Water

Cloudy water in your hot tub or swim spa can be frustrating and a little uninviting. This murky appearance is often a sign that your water chemistry is off or that there’s an accumulation of contaminants like body oils, lotions, or environmental debris.

Cloudiness can also result from poor filtration, insufficient sanitizer levels, or high calcium hardness. While it may not always be harmful, cloudy water is a warning sign that your spa isn’t running at its best.

The good news is that cloudy water is usually easy to fix. Start by testing and balancing your water, especially pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels. Clean or replace your filters regularly, and consider using a clarifier or shocking the water to restore clarity. Staying on top of routine maintenance will help keep your water sparkling and inviting, ensuring a safer, more enjoyable soak every time.

If you do not have enough chlorine in your hot tub, it will smell like dirty socks, get cloudy, or turn green.

What Causes Cloudy Hot Tub Water?

Poor filtration
Unbalanced pH
High calcium levels
Body oils, lotions, and detergents

Step-by-Step Fix for Cloudy Water

Check and clean your filters.
Test your water balance—adjust pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer.
Shock the tub with a non-chlorine shock or a chlorine-based product.

How to Prevent It in the Future

Shower before soaking
Clean filters weekly
Keep chemicals balanced

Foamy Water

Noticing foam floating on the surface of your hot tub or swim spa?

There are different types of foam.

Dirty Foam: Looks dirty. Usually caused by body oils. Imagine a mountain biker jumping into your hot tub after a ride.

Alkalinity Foam: Looks like small bubbles, like cappuccino. Someone may have peed in your hot tub.

Soapy Foam: Looks like large, lovely bubbles. Usually brought in with a bathing suit or a toy. Always rinse and do not wash your suits.

While it might look like a bubble bath, foamy water is a clear sign that unwanted substances have built up in your spa. Common culprits include leftover detergents from swimsuits, hair products, body lotions, or even low calcium levels in the water. These contaminants mix with the water and create foam when the jets are on.

For long-term clarity, you’ll want to drain and refill your spa periodically (we recommend draining and filling your hot tub twice a year), rinse off before entering, and avoid washing swimsuits. Regular water care and filter maintenance go a long way in preventing foam and keeping your water crystal clear.

Common Culprits Behind Foamy Water

Laundry detergent residue from swimsuits
Hair products, lotions, or body wash
Low calcium hardness

How to Eliminate Foam Quickly

Use a foam reducer (but don’t rely on it all the time)
Shock the water
Drain and refill if foam keeps coming back

Pro Tips to Keep Foam Away

Rinse swimsuits in clean water (no detergent)
Ask guests to rinse off before entering

Algae Growth

Algae growth in a hot tub or swim spa is a surefire sign that your water chemistry has taken a hit. Especially if sanitizer levels have dropped too low. Algae can appear as green, yellow, or even black slime on the surfaces of your spa, and it tends to thrive in warm, poorly circulated water. Not only is it unsightly, but it can also make surfaces slippery and create an environment for harmful bacteria to grow.

To get rid of algae, start by brushing all affected surfaces and shocking the water with a high dose of sanitizer. You’ll also want to clean your filters thoroughly, as they can harbor algae spores. Once treated, test and balance your water chemistry. Pay special attention to sanitizer and pH levels. Keeping your spa covered when not in use, regularly circulating the water, and maintaining consistent sanitizer levels will help prevent algae from returning and keep your water healthy and clear.

We’d recommend doing a Purge on your hot tub to get the interior lines as well. It is a product that you put in your hot tub and let it run for 24-48 hours before draining it.

Why Algae Appears in Hot Tubs

Algae thrive in warm, stagnant, or poorly sanitized water. If your hot tub’s sanitizer levels drop too low, algae will take full advantage.

Easy Removal Methods

Shock the tub heavily
Brush and scrub affected surfaces

Long-Term Prevention Strategies

Maintain proper sanitizer levels

Scaling and Calcium Buildup

Scaling and calcium buildup in your hot tub or swim spa often show up as white, chalky deposits along the waterline, jets, or on internal components. This usually happens when the water has high calcium hardness or when pH and alkalinity levels are consistently out of balance. Over time, these mineral deposits can clog filters, reduce jet performance, and even damage heating elements, making your spa less efficient and more costly to maintain.

To combat scaling, it’s important to regularly test and balance your water, especially calcium hardness, pH, and total alkalinity. If calcium levels are too high, you may need to partially drain and refill with fresh water.

Using a stain and scale control product can also help prevent buildup before it starts. We recommend using Cop-Out once per week. Regularly wiping down surfaces and keeping your water chemistry in check will protect your spa’s longevity and keep it looking and running like new.

Signs of Scaling in Your Hot Tub

White, chalky residue on jets or shell
Cloudy water
Rough or crusty surfaces

How to Remove Scale Safely

Use a scale remover product
Gently scrub affected areas with a soft sponge
Check your water balance to make sure it is at appropriate levels

Keeping Calcium in Check

Test hardness weekly
Use a calcium reducer if levels get too high

pH Imbalance

Maintaining the right pH and alkalinity levels in your hot tub or swim spa is crucial for both water quality and user comfort. When the pH is too low (acidic), it can cause skin and eye irritation, corrode metal components, and damage your spa’s surfaces. On the flip side, if the pH is too high (alkaline), the water can become cloudy, reduce sanitizer effectiveness, and lead to scaling or calcium buildup.

ALWAYS ADJUST YOUR ALKALINITY FIRST!

Ideally, your pH should be kept between 7.2 and 7.8. If it’s outside this range, test the water and adjust using a pH increaser or decreaser as needed. Regularly checking and balancing your pH levels will help your sanitizer work effectively, extend the life of your spa equipment, and provide a more comfortable soaking experience. Think of pH as the foundation of water care. When it’s stable, everything else becomes easier to manage.

What Happens When pH is Too High or Too Low?

Too high? Water becomes cloudy, itchy, and scale-prone. Always check and adjust your Alkalinity first. Remember, where alkalinity goes, so will pH. To balance the pH, the water will pull calcium out of the water, your jets and your spa. It will attach it to your shell and heater element. Your tub will feel like sandpaper. DO NOT SCRUB.
Too low? Water gets corrosive and can damage parts and irritate skin. Always check and adjust your alkalinity first. Your tub will feel slimy and will cause corrosion.

Fast pH Correction Techniques

Use pH Plus or pH Minus
Always test alkalinity first. It affects pH stability

Tips for Stable Water Balance

Test 2–3 times a week
Adjust the alkalinity before pH for more accurate results

Chlorine and Bromine Problems

Chlorine and bromine are your hot tub’s frontline defense against bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. But when their levels are too high or too low, you can run into a variety of water quality issues.

Low sanitizer levels can lead to cloudy water, foul odors, and even harmful bacterial growth. On the other hand, excessively high levels can irritate your skin, eyes, and lungs, and may cause your spa cover and components to degrade faster.

To avoid these problems, test your water regularly, ideally a few times a week, and adjust your sanitizer levels as needed. Chlorine should typically be less than or equal to 1 ppm or the white square on your test strip, while bromine should typically be less than or equal to 2 ppm.

If levels are too high, let the spa sit uncovered to allow the excess to dissipate, or dilute with fresh water. If they’re too low, add the appropriate sanitizer and consider shocking the spa to reset the water chemistry. Consistency is key to keeping your water clean, safe, and ready for relaxation.

Over-Sanitizing vs. Under-Sanitizing

Too much: Skin and eye irritation, strong chemical smell
Too little: Bacteria, cloudy water, algae

How to Balance Sanitizer Levels

Stick to less than or equal to 1 ppm for chlorine, and stick to less than or equal to 2 ppm for bromine
Use test strips or digital testers for accuracy

Bad Odours from the Water

A bad smell coming from your hot tub or swim spa is more than just unpleasant; it’s usually a sign that something is wrong with the water chemistry or cleanliness. Common culprits of foul odors include bacteria, body oils, sweat, and chemical imbalances. If your sanitizer levels are too low or your water hasn’t been properly balanced, bacteria and organic matter can build up, causing musty, sour, or even sulfur-like smells.

To eliminate bad odors, start by testing your water and ensuring the pH and sanitizer levels are in balance. A good shock treatment can also help kill bacteria and break down organic materials that are contributing to the odor.

Regularly clean your filters, wipe down surfaces, and consider draining and refilling your spa if the smell persists. Keeping your water clean and properly balanced will not only help you enjoy a better experience but also prolong the life of your spa and its components.

Why Does My Hot Tub Smell Weird?

Low sanitizer
Bacteria or organic waste
Biofilm in pipes

How to Get Rid of That Funky Smell

Shock your water
Clean the filter
Drain and flush the plumbing

Water Discoloration

If the water in your hot tub or swim spa is turning an unusual color, whether green, brown, or cloudy, it’s a sign that something’s off with your water chemistry. Green water is often a sign of algae growth, while brown or yellowish water could indicate high levels of iron or copper in the water. Discolored water can also be the result of poor filtration, low sanitizer levels, or contaminants like body oils, lotions, or cosmetics.

To fix water discoloration, start by testing and balancing your water chemistry, especially the pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels. If you suspect algae, a shock treatment can help clear it up, while metal discoloration may require the use of a metal sequestrant to bind and remove the metals. Cleaning or replacing your filters is also essential, as they may be clogged and unable to properly clean the water. Regular maintenance and prompt action can restore your spa’s water clarity and keep it inviting for your next soak.

If you are on well water, we do have a water filter, X10 Water Filter, that you can put on your hose when you fill your hot tub or swim spa that will help to remove up to 99% of water contaminants, eliminating most water problems caused by metals, minerals, lime, calcium, and volatile organic compounds.

What Causes Green, Brown, or Yellow Water?

Green: Algae or metals
Brown/yellow: Iron or manganese in the water supply

How to Clear Discoloured Water

Use a metal sequestrant like Cop-Out
Shock the water with a product like Brite Plus
Install a pre-filter for your hose like the X10 Water Filter

TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) Too High

Total Dissolved Solids, or TDS, refers to all the dissolved substances in your hot tub or swim spa water. Things like minerals, salts, metals, body oils, and leftover chemicals. Over time, as you add more products and contaminants build up from regular use, the TDS level increases.

When TDS gets too high, your water may start to feel sticky, look dull or cloudy, and lose its sparkle. High TDS can also interfere with your sanitizer’s ability to work effectively, leading to imbalanced water and a higher risk of bacteria or algae growth.

Unfortunately, TDS can’t be lowered by simply adding more chemicals. The only real solution is to drain and refill your spa with fresh water. As a general rule, you should drain your hot tub twice a year, or sooner if TDS levels are above 1500 ppm.

We recommend getting on the schedule of draining and refilling in the spring and in the fall. Regular water changes are like hitting the reset button on your spa’s water chemistry. Keeping everything fresh, clean, and easier to manage moving forward.

When Is It Time to Drain and Refill?

If your TDS exceeds 1500 ppm, it’s time. High TDS makes chemicals ineffective, causes cloudy water, and can lead to other problems.

Preventative Maintenance

Weekly, Monthly, and Quarterly Tasks

Weekly: Test water, clean filters
Monthly: Deep clean the filters, check chemical storage
Twice a year: Drain and refill, pipe flush, polish shell

Best Practices for Hot Tub Water Care

Keep a water care schedule
Don’t skip filter cleaning. We do offer Ultrasonic Filter Cleaning. Drop off your filters for a deep, clean.
Use a cover to keep debris and sun exposure low

We stock only premium, hot-tub-safe chemicals that are specifically formulated to work with Canadian water conditions. Whether you need balancers, shocks, sanitizers, or enzyme-based cleaners, we’ve got you covered.

Visit us in store or online to get the products that you need. Any orders over $150 will receive FREE shipping. We even have the option to pick it up in store and have it ready for you. Go to the online store and choose Pick Up as your option and we will have it ready for you!

SIGNS IT’S TIME TO BRING IN THE EXPERTS

While many water issues can be handled with DIY maintenance, there are times when calling in the professionals is the smartest move. If you’ve tried balancing your water, shocking the system, cleaning filters, and even draining and refilling, yet the problems keep coming back, it’s likely a deeper issue that needs expert attention.

Persistent cloudiness, recurring algae, mysterious odors, or frequent sanitizer imbalances can all signal something bigger going on behind the scenes, like malfunctioning equipment, clogged plumbing, or biofilm build-up in hard-to-reach areas.

You should also reach out if you’re unsure what’s causing the issue or feel overwhelmed with all the troubleshooting.

At RnR Hot Tubs and Spas, our water care specialists have the tools and experience to diagnose and fix water problems quickly and effectively. Sometimes, a professional eye and deep clean can save you hours of frustration and help extend the life of your spa while keeping your water crystal clear and ready to enjoy.

We offer many different ways that we can help you with your water. RnR Hot Tubs offers expert water care advice, in-store testing, and water maintenance programs to take the stress off.

Spa School: An hour workshop where we walk you through how to easily maintain your water. This is done in our showroom. We recommend that you bring in a water sample and we can test it for you that day. We can then give you personalized advice on how to improve your water chemistry.

FREE Water Testing: At any time, you can bring in a sample of your water, in a clean cup or water bottle, and we can test it for you. We will then give you recommendations on how you can improve your water balance, if needed.

Monthly Water Maintenance Program: This is a concierge service where we come to your home bi-weekly to maintain your water. This program is also a great way to get a second set of eyes on your hot tub. Pricing starts at $199/month plus tax. Please reach out to us today if you are interested in this program.

As a Water Maintenance customer, you will receive 20% off of products, parts, and services (excluding covers). We also have a new customer special. SAVE $199 (one month FREE) if you pay for the year in advance. Reach out to the office if you would like to get started.

Maintaining clean, clear hot tub water might feel overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature. Most issues, whether it’s foam, odours, or discoloration, have easy fixes once you know what to look for. Regular testing, the right products, and a good maintenance schedule are your best allies.

And remember, if things get tricky, RnR Hot Tubs is just a call or visit away. Let us help keep your soak stress-free.

You can visit us at Bay 8 – 5700 Barlow Trail SE in Calgary.

Servicing all makes and models including Vita Spa, American Whirlpool, and Maax Spas.

Now servicing Calgary, Airdrie, Strathmore, Okotoks, High River, Chestermere, Invermere, Banff, Canmore, Radium, Golden, and the surrounding areas.