Caldera Highland Series Spa Water Maintenance Troubleshooting Guide, Problem, Probable causes

WATER QUALITY AND MAINTENANCE

Chlorine: An efficient sanitizing chemical for spas. Watkins® Manufacturing Corporation recommends the use of sodium dichlor-type granulated chlorine. This type is preferred because it is totally soluble and nearly pH neutral.

Chlorine (or Bromine) Residual: The amount of chlorine or bromine remaining after chlorine or bromine demand has been satisfied. The residual is, therefore, the amount of sanitizer which is chemically available to kill bacteria, viruses and algae.

Corrosion: The gradual wearing away of metal spa parts, usually caused by chemical action. Generally, corrosion is caused by low pH or by water with levels of TA, CH, pH or sanitizer which are outside the recommended ranges.

DPD: The preferred reagent used in test kits to measure the Free Available Chlorine.

Halogen: Any one of these five elements: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine.

MPS: Monopersulfate is a non-chlorine oxidizer.

Oxidizer: The use of an oxidizing chemical is to prevent the buildup of contaminants, maximize sanitizer efficiency, minimize combined chlorine and improve water clarity.

Pathogen: A microorganism such as bacterium that cause disease.

pH: The measure of the spa water’s acidity and alkalinity. The recommended pH for the spa water is 7.4 to 7.6. Below 7.0 (considered neutral), the spa water is too acidic and can damage the heating system. Above 7.8, the water is too alkaline and can result in cloudy water, and scale formation on the shell and heater.

ppm: The abbreviation of “parts per million”, the standard measurement of chemical concentration in water. Identical to mg/l (milligrams per liter).

Reagent: A chemical material in liquid, powder, or tablet form for use in chemical testing.

Sanitizer: Sanitizers are added and maintained at recommended residuals to protect bathers against pathogenic organisms which can cause disease and infection in spa water.

Scale: Rough calcium-bearing deposits that can coat spa surfaces, heaters, plumbing lines and clog filters. Generally, scaling is caused by mineral content combined with high pH. Additionally, scale forms more readily at higher water temperatures.

Shock Treatment: Also known as “super-chlorination” when chlorine is used. Shock treatment is a process of adding significant doses of a quick dissolving sanitizer (sodium dichlor is recommended) to oxidize non-filterable organic waste and to remove chloramines and bromamines.

Total Alkalinity: The amount of bicarbonates, carbonates, and hydroxides present in spa water. Proper total alkalinity is important for pH control. If the TA is too high, the pH is difficult to adjust. If the TA is too low, the pH will be difficult to hold at the proper level. The desired range of TA in spa water is 125 to 150 ppm.

SPA WATER MAINTENANCE TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Problem	Probable causes		Solutions
Cloudy Water	•	Dirty filters	• Clean filters
	• Excessive oils / organic matter		• Shock spa with sanitizer
	•	Improper sanitization	• Add sanitizer
	• Suspended particles / organic matter		• Adjust pH and/or alkalinity to recommended range
	• Overused or old water		• Run jet pump(s) and clean filters
			• Drain and refill the spa
Water Odor	•	Excessive organics in water	• Shock spa with sanitizer
	•	Improper sanitization	• Add sanitizer
	•	Low pH	• Adjust pH to recommended range
Chlorine Odor	•	Chloramine level too high	• Shock spa with sanitizer
	•	Low pH	• Adjust pH to recommended range
Musty Odor	•	Bacteria or algae growth	• Shock spa with sanitizer – if problem is visible or persistent, drain, clean
			and refill the spa
Organic buildup /	•	Buildup of oils and dirt	• Wipe off scum with clean rag – if severe, drain the spa, use a spa surface
scum ring around spa			and tile cleaner to remove the scum and refill the spa
Algae Growth	•	High pH	• Shock spa with sanitizer and adjust pH
	•	Low sanitizer level	• Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level
Eye Irritation	•	Low pH	• Adjust pH
	•	Low sanitizer level	• Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level
Skin Irritation / Rash	•	Unsanitary water	• Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level
	• Free chlorine level above 5 ppm		• Allow free chlorine level to drop below 5 ppm before spa use
Stains	•	Total alkalinity and/or pH too low	• Adjust total alkalinity and/or pH
	• High iron or copper in source water		• Use a metal deposit inhibitor
Scale	•	High calcium content in water – total	• Adjust total alkalinity and pH – if scale requires removal, drain the spa,
		alkalinity and pH too high	scrub off the scale, refill the spa and balance the water

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