The Beginner’s Guide To Cloudy Spa Water
Unlike large pools, spa and hot tubs have a low volume of water set at high temperatures. This multiplies the effects of contaminants caused by the bathers and nature. Believe us when we say that your hot tub can become a dirty stew if you don’t take proper care. It would be filled with bacteria and debris that can cause sickness, resulting in rashes and respiratory issues. Indeed, cloudy spa water is a huge problem.
What are the Causes of Cloudy Spa Water?
On average, the home spa contains around 400 gallons of water. Most probably, you’ll keep the temperature somewhere between 98°F to 102°F.
A low volume of hot water with high temperature is the ideal breeding ground for dangerous bacteria such as Legionella, which causes Legionnaires’ Disease. However, bacterial growth is only one of the many reasons for cloudy spa water. Let’s take a look at some other common reasons.
Algae and Helicopters
We aren’t talking about the actual helicopters. By helicopters, we mean tree seed pods. Along with this, grass clippings, dead leaves, and other natural elements can land in the hot tub during use or if left uncovered.
The sanitizer tries to break down all large and small invaders and gets quickly used up. This implies that chlorine won’t be able to kill bacteria because it is instead trying to destroy whirligigs inside.
Another cause of cloudy spa water is algae. It mostly grows in poor water chemistry.
Low Amount of Sanitizer
Did you have more than expected bathers last night? If yes, there are high chances that you didn’t add enough sanitizer to take care of the additional matter, such as body oil and shampoo residue.
Insufficient sanitizer can cause cloudy spa water after increased use of the hot tub. We are sorry to say that without enough chlorine or bromine, bacteria, sunscreen and algae, and even fecal matter can linger in the spa water, causing cloudy spa water.
Humans
When you own a hot tub, you obviously want your loved ones to join you but wouldn’t it be nice if they didn’t bring any contaminants along with them?
Some products which can make your spa water cloudy include makeup, sunscreen, lotion, sweat, body oil, and the two you don’t even want to think about — urine and fecal matter. Hey, even we don’t like talking about it, but you must know what you’re up against.
Cloudy spa water is a serious problem for hot tub owners. It is caused by various factors; however, excessive use without enough sanitizer, natural contaminants, and human-caused contaminants are the worst offenders. If you can prevent such problems, cloudy spa water won’t be an issue anymore.
