Solutions to Common Hot Tub Problems

Has your hot tub water suddenly turned green? Or is it making a loud noise that doesn’t seem right? Don’t worry, common spa pool issues have simple solutions.

A spa pool is an exciting addition to your home, but as with any piece of equipment, problems can crop up due to wear and tear. As a new hot tub owner understanding the cause of the problem will help you find a solution and prevent it from recurring.  

Hot tub troubleshooting

Why is the water in my hot tub green?

Green water is likely caused by algae. This probably means that your spa pool chemicals are not properly balanced and there isn’t enough sanitiser in the water. You will need to shock the water with a dose of sanitiser to stop the algae from growing further. Speak to a technician to get the right dosage and directions of use for your tub. This should clear up the green water in a few hours. Remember to clean the hot tub filters as well. If it doesn’t clear then you may have to drain and refill the tub. 

Another common reason for the green tint in the water is an excess of metals present in it. Sometimes, this build-up is from the water source itself and at other times, it’s due to the water reacting to certain parts of the spa pool. In the case of the former, using a pre-filter will help.

How do I get the water to the right temperature? I feel like my hot tub is not heating up properly.

This is a common issue and it has quite a straightforward solution. Heating issues are generally caused either by the heater element or the water flow. Low pH levels in the water can cause the heating element to corrode and not work properly. If you replace the element, you should be able to get the water to the desired temperature. Incidentally, this is one of the most common reasons for heater elements to act up. So keeping your spa pool water balanced is very important.

If your heater is not faulty, then check the water circulation. The spa pool’s heater depends on a regular and sufficient flow of water to heat the tub properly. If the water flow falls short or it’s not circulating as required, the pool will not get hot enough. You should also check your water filters and see if they need cleaning. 

The minute I turn on the tub, the breaker trips, what can I do about it?

To prevent causing electric shocks to people, hot tubs should be fitted with a GFCI or a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. It turns off the power to your hot tub when the electrical path to it becomes unsafe. GCFIs are designed to be very sensitive as they are meant to protect you at any cost so, even the smallest of issues can set it off.  Electricity and water is very dangerous combination. Speak to an electrician.

How can I get rid of scum rings in my tub?

Scum rings are often caused by oils found on our skin and chemicals like antiperspirant, body lotion, perfume, aftershave, and tanning products. When we use the tub, these substances are washed off our skin and into the water. Over time, it accumulates, floats to the surface and forms the rings around the edge of the water.

Scaling can happen if there is an excess of calcium in the water as well. First, figure out what the cause is by testing the water. Excess calcium will show on the test and you just have to treat your water to balance it again.

If the test shows that the water is fine, the scum ring was probably caused by a build-up of oils and chemicals. To prevent this in the future, always shower before you use the tub, test and balance your pool water at least once a week and clean your tub regularly (including the filter).

The water from your tub should be drained and replaced at least once every three-month period. Shocking your spa pool routinely (with chlorine and other recommended substances) breaks down organic matter, preventing scum buildup. 

Scum rings are easy to clean with your regular spa pool-safe cleaner and a soft cloth. Just make sure that the cleaner or cloth don’t come in contact with the water as it can contaminate it, sometimes resulting in a foam.

The water pump is very noisy, what can I do about it?

A noisy pump is enough to ruin your quiet bubbly, soak and it’s best that it’s attended to right away. The kind of noise that it’s making will give you a clue as it what the problem is:

A humming sound: Suppose the pump is making a humming sound but is continuing to run, the problem is likely to be an airlock in the system. This happens when the water hasn’t been drained properly from the tub, leaving one or more pockets of air in the pipes. These pockets will prevent the pump from pushing water as it should. If this problem is ignored, the pump will eventually just break.

On the other hand, if the pump is humming but it’s NOT running, it could be because of a broken motor capacitor, input voltage issues or a leaky mechanical seal, among other possibilities. It definitely needs attending to right away by a qualified technician.  

A screeching or grinding sound: This will certainly sound more alarming and the source of this problem generally lies in the bearings of the hot tub’s motor. It’s likely that the bearings are wearing out and need to be replaced. A screeching sound could also be due to an obstruction that needs to be cleared.

The pump of your hot tub needs experienced and careful handling so that the issue is correctly identified and fixed. In order to make sure the situation doesn’t worsen, we suggest you turn off the tub and call a reliable and certified repairman. Trying to fix the problem yourself could lead to more expenses.

To get more years of enjoyment and relaxation from your spa pool without having to call in for expensive repairs, keep up with regular maintenance (especially water maintenance). This will prevent most long-term problems. When not in use, the tub should be properly covered to keep common garden creatures like frogs, mice or insects out. Protect wiring and inner machinery from mice as well.

Sutton Spas is happy to help

At Sutton Spas, we’re invested in ensuring that you get the best experience from your spa pools. Our certified team takes you through an orientation that teaches you what you need to know about balancing pool chemicals and regular maintenance. We’re just a phone call away should you require any assistance with caring for your spa pool. Just ring us on 0121 827 1868.