Trustpilot
June 13th, 2023 by
Autumn, Winter, Spring or Summer any time of year is a great time to relax in the fresh clean and bubbly water of our hot tubs. Whether you are enjoying a hot tub party, relaxing with your family or simply taking some time to unwind on your own after a long hard day hot tubs are a great addition to your home. They are however an expensive investment and they require proper care and treatment to keep functioning correctly, that being said it is incredibly easy to overlook some areas of hot tub care especially if you are new to owning one and this can often lead to water becoming murky and clouding looking – which not only looks unappealing but can affect both you and your hot tub directly. But why does water turn cloudy? Especially if you believe you are doing everything necessary to keep it clean and in working condition. Well in this blog we will discuss some of the most common issues that can lead to hot tub water losing its clear and inviting colour and how it can be fixed!
What Can Cause Murky Water?
So, let’s first take a look at some of the most common causes that can make the water in our hot tub become clouded or even discoloured to hopefully help you more easily identify the issue.
Chemical Imbalance
One of the most common problems that can cause water to become cloudy is a chemical imbalance or just a complete lack of certain chemicals. In order to understand if this may be the issue you are dealing with is to check your water levels – this can be done with a testing kit that can be easily purchased online and there is a wide range of different tests for cost-effective paper strips to the more advance electronic reader – either one will do the same job so it is a matter of preference. These tests will check the pH, Alkaline and Chlorine levels if any of these levels are not measuring correctly they can affect your water and your hot tub.
Dirt and Bacteria
Another common cause of water becoming murky is the build-up of bacteria or general dirt and grime this is unavoidable as unfortunately, bacteria are everywhere and other contaminants that can come from our own bodies such as sweat, sun lotion and hair. These contaminants will build up over time and if left untreated will cause water to look dirty and cloudy, for the most part, your filter will take care of the contaminants so you don’t have to however times these particles are so small that your filter is not able to effectively pick them up.
Algae and Mould
Unfortunately, hot tubs are a prime place for Algae and Mould to develop due this is due to the fact that both of these things thrive in damp and warm atmospheres. You can prevent this from building up with correct water maintenance so the presence of either these things will suggest that water is not correctly been taken care of or they can also suggest that there is an issue with the circulation of the water this may be because by a blockage in the jets.
Problems with Filters
Finally, if you are finding your water seems to be getting murky and contaminant very quickly, this may suggest a problem with your filter after all the main job of your filter is to capture dirt, grime and other contaminants in your hot tub and remove them from the water, if your filters are not doing their job correctly these contaminants will remain circulating around your hot tub.
How Can I Clear My Water?
Now that we have a better idea of what can cause your water to become murky and dirt-looking, it’s time to look into how we can treat our water. The good news is that not all these solutions involve completely emptying your hot tub, however, this may be necessary on some occasions.
Check Water Levels Frequently
As mentioned above a chemical imbalance can affect your water, and it may affect your hot tub’s functionality as well so it is important to correctly balance them. After testing your water levels, you should then correct any issues you see, if you are not sure here are the recommended levels for these three key chemicals are as follows:
pH Level: between 7.2 - 7.8
Alkalinity Level: 80-120mg/l ppm
Chlorine Level: 1 - 3 parts ppm
When balancing your levels, make sure to leave around an hour between adding each chemical if you need multiple in order to give it to fully dissolve so they do not react with one another as this can also cause water to the cloud. You should frequently check water levels, once a week is ideal so try to include this in your water maintenance routine.
Use A Spa Clarifier
So, if you suspect there may be a build-up of bacteria or microbes in your water that is making it appear murky then you can give your filter a helping hand by using a spa clarifier. This special formula uses a binding agent that will cause even the smallest particles to gather together this then makes it possible for your filters to remove them from the circulation of the water and should clear up your water in no time at all.
System Flush
Alternatively, for more severe cases of bacteria and dirt build-up then a system flush may be required. A system flush is a product that will break down dirt and grim from the inside of your hot tub before then being flushed out with the old water. During this period, it is also recommended to thoroughly clean the surfaces, walls and bottoms of your hot tub with an appropriate surface cleaner too before refilling. In order to prevent this from happening again it is recommended to do a full system flush every 3 months.
Algaecide
If you notice algae in your hot tub then you should use an algaecide in your maintenance routine. We would recommend draining the water and cleaning the hot tub surfaces thoroughly, then once the water has been refilled you should add a shock treatment of algaecide before then keeping up with weekly treatments to prevent it from coming back especially if your hot tub will be sat for extended periods without the jets being used.
Filter Cleaning or Replacement
Finally, if you suspect the issue may lay with your filters then you should promptly remove and inspect them, if you notice any damage then it is important to get these replaced before continuing to use your hot tub. You may also just notice that there is a build-up of dirt on your filter which needs removing, after all, if your filters are full they are unable to collect any more dirt. Filters should be cleaned regularly and also use a suitable cleaner. The frequency will depend on how often your hot tub is used, however, if you do use your hot tub frequently then you should be rinsing your filter twice a week one of these times using a detergent to thoroughly clean.
Instant Hot Tub & Spa Filter Cleaner Spray 1 Litre Price: £15.95
What Will Happen If I Don’t Treat My Water?
If you are wondering if not tending to murky water can impact your hot tub in any other way then simply look unsightly the answer is, yes. Incorrect water maintenance and hot tub care can greatly affect the longevity of your hot tub and its integral parts, some of which can be incredibly expensive to replace if they do break down. Failing to correctly treat water can also directly affect you and any other who uses it, for example, the incorrect chemical balance cause rashes, and irritation to the skin and eyes, whereas letting bacteria sit in your water can lead to something known as hot tub rash or in some case lead to eye or ear infections, so it’s really not worth it for yourself or your hot tub to leave water untreated.
We hope this blog will be helpful for you in identifying issues with your hot tub that can result in murky water, and that you have a better understanding of how it can affect both you and your hot tub. The most important thing to understand about hot tub maintenance is to have a regular routine that will cover all your bases and you can address any issues before they arise at a minimum this routine should include checking water levels, cleaning filters, cleaning surfaces, and system flush every 3 months!
Comments
Leave a reply
Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required
