| Problems |
Possible Causes |
Solutions |
| Algae growth |
Low sanitizer
levels |
Shock the water.
Brush the pool walls. Run the filter for a 24-hour period to
increase distribution of sanitizer. Add an algaecide. |
| Cloudy water |
High calcium
hardness levels
High total alkalinity levels
High pH levels
High TDS levels
Algae growth
Low sanitizer levels
Rain
High swimmer load
Pets |
Test all
chemical levels and make the appropriate adjustments. |
| Colored water |
For green or
blue green|high pH levels
For brown to red|overall water imbalance |
For green or
blue green|Test the pH level and make the appropriate
adjustments.
For brown to red|Test pH, total alkalinity and calcium
hardness levels. If necessary, drain all or part of the water
and refill with fresh water. |
| Corrosion |
Low pH levels
Low total alkalinity levels |
Test pH and
total alkalinity levels, make appropriate adjustments and
consult a professional service technician or your pool supply
store for more information. |
| Etched
plaster |
Low pH levels
Low total alkalinity levels |
Test pH and
total alkalinity levels, appropriate adjustments and consult a
professional service technician or your pool supply store for
more information |
| pH bounce |
Low total
alkalinity levels |
Test total
alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments. |
| pH resistance |
High total
alkalinity levels |
Test total
alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments |
| Poor
sanitizer efficiency |
High pH levels
High total alkalinity levels |
Test pH and
total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments. |
| Scale
formation |
High pH levels
High total alkalinity levels
High TDS levels
High calcium hardness levels |
Test pH and
total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments.
If necessary, have a pool professional drain the pool, scrub
down the walls and refill with fresh water. |
| Skin and eye
irritation |
Low or high pH
levels
Low or high total alkalinity levels
Low sanitizer levels |
Test pH and
total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments.
Sanitizer levels and, if extremely low, shock the pool water. |
| Stains |
Low pH levels
Low total alkalinity levels
High TDS levels |
Test pH and
total levels and make the appropriate adjustments. If
necessary, have a professional drain the pool, scrub down the
walls and refill with fresh water. Consult with a professional
service technician or a pool retailer for more information. |
| Problems |
Possible Causes |
Solutions |
| Algae growth |
Low sanitizer
levels |
Shock the water.
Brush the spa walls.
Run the filter for a 24-hour period to increase distribution
of sanitizer.
Add an algaecide |
| Cloudy water |
High calcium
hardness levels
High total alkalinity levels
High pH levels
High TDS levels
Algae growth
Low sanitizer levels
Rain
High swimmer load
Pets
|
Test all
chemical levels and make the appropriate adjustments. |
| Colored water |
For green or
blue green|high pH levels
For brown to red|overall water imbalance |
For green or
blue green|test the pH level and make the appropriate
adjustments.
For brown to red|Test pH, total alkalinity and calcium
hardness levels. If necessary, drain all or part of the water
and refill with fresh water. |
| Corrosion |
Low pH levels
Low total alkalinity levels |
Test pH and
total alkalinity levels, make appropriate adjustments and
consult a professional service technician or your spa supply
store for more information. |
| Etched
plaster |
Low pH levels
Low total alkalinity levels |
Test pH and
total alkalinity levels, make appropriate adjustments and
consult a professional service technician or your spa supply
store for more information. |
| Foaming |
A buildup of
organic dirt, soaps, shampoos and oils |
Drain and clean
the spa and spa filter. |
| pH bounce |
Low total
alkalinity levels |
Test total
alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments. |
| pH resistance |
High total
alkalinity levels |
Test total
alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments. |
| Poor
sanitizer efficiency |
High pH levels
High total alkalinity levels |
Test pH and
total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments. |
| Scale
formation |
High pH levels
High total alkalinity levels
High TDS levels
High calcium hardness levels
|
Test pH and
total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments.
If necessary, drain the spa, scrub down the walls and refill
with fresh water. |
| Skin and eye
irritation |
Low or high pH
levels
Low or high total alkalinity levels
Low sanitizer levels |
Test pH and
total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments.
Test sanitizer levels and, if extremely low, shock the spa
water. |
| Stains |
Low pH levels
Low total alkalinity levels
High TDS levels |
Test pH and
total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments.
If necessary, drain the spa, scrub down the walls and refill
with fresh water. Consult with a professional service
technician or a spa retailer for more information. |
