the most common spa water problems-and how to fix them

The Most Common Spa Water Problems—And How to Fix Them

Your spa should be a place to relax—not a source of mystery foam, cloudy water, or strange smells. But without proper water care, even the cleanest-looking spa can turn into a breeding ground for bacteria, irritation, and unwanted surprises.

If you're constantly fighting your spa water, you're not alone. Here are the most common spa water problems we see in South Florida—and how to fix them with the right spa chemicals and maintenance routine.

1. Cloudy Water

Cloudy spa water is usually caused by poor filtration, excess oils or lotions, or unbalanced water chemistry. High calcium levels or a clogged filter can also contribute to haziness.

Fix: Clean or replace your filter, check sanitizer levels, and use a non-chlorine shock or spa clarifier. At Sparkling Pools, we carry professional-grade clarifiers and test kits to help you rebalance quickly.

2. Foamy Water

Bubbles are fun—foam is not. Foam is often caused by soaps, detergents from swimwear, body oils, or low calcium hardness. It can also build up when water isn’t drained regularly.

Fix: Use a foam reducer, increase calcium levels if needed, and rinse swimwear thoroughly before soaking. We carry anti-foam products made specifically for spas that work instantly.

3. Strong Chlorine or Chemical Smell

If your spa smells more like a pool supply warehouse than a relaxing oasis, it’s not because there’s too much chlorine—it’s because there’s not enough. That smell comes from chloramines, which form when chlorine is working too hard to break down waste.

Fix: Shock your spa to break up chloramines and sanitize properly. We recommend using a spa-specific shock, available at our store, that’s safe for high-temperature systems.

4. Itchy Skin or Burning Eyes

If your guests leave the spa scratching, something’s off. Unbalanced pH or high sanitizer levels can irritate skin and eyes. It's a sign that your water needs testing—fast.

Fix: Test and adjust pH and alkalinity. The ideal pH for spas is between 7.2–7.8. We stock fast-dissolving balancers and easy-to-use test strips to help you dial it in.

5. Staining or Scale on Surfaces

White scale on jets or brown stains near the waterline? That’s usually caused by hard water and poor calcium or metal control. Left untreated, scale buildup can damage your spa components.

Fix: Use a scale & stain control product and check calcium hardness levels. Stop by Sparkling Pools for trusted spa-safe stain removers and protectants.

Preventing Problems Before They Start

• ✅ Test your spa water at least 2x per week
• ✅ Drain and refill your spa every 3–4 months
• ✅ Use spa-specific chemicals—not pool chemicals
• ✅ Rinse off before entering to avoid body oils, deodorants, or detergents building up

Just like your pool, your spa needs regular attention. But because spas have smaller water volume and higher temperatures, imbalances can happen faster—making it even more important to stay on top of your routine.

Need Help Balancing Your Spa Water?

At Sparkling Pools, we carry a full line of spa-specific chemicals, clarifiers, defoamers, shocks, balancers, and water test kits. Whether you're dealing with cloudy water, itchy skin, or just need a little guidance, our team is here to help.

Stop by our store today for expert advice and top-quality spa chemicals that actually work—so you can get back to relaxing.

□ Visit us in-store or call to ask about our weekly spa specials!