Does your spa or hot tub smell? Is there odors that you just can’t eliminate? Let’s try to figure this out. More often than not, many spa owners blame the odors on “too much chlorine.” Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case – especially if you’re not using chlorine! Some odors are chemical, some are environmental. Most odors could be successfully treated and cured. Odors can also be prevented with proper maintenance.
Smelly Spa & Spa Odors are caused by:
Improper sanitizer use
Improper water balance
Lack of standard maintenance
Insufficient drain & refill procedures
Environmental reasons caused by uncontrolled biofilm build up
Do not attempt masking odors with spa fragrances & aromatherapy products. You’ll only make the situation worse. Deal with the root causes.
Chlorine and bromine are generally excellent sanitizers utilized in spas and hot tubs. When they’re used, they do breakdown, actually match, waste products of what they have sanitized. These wastes are usually in the form of nitrogen so when the nitrogen combines with the chlorine, they become smelly chloramines; when coupled with bromine, they become bromamines. The real bad news is the fact that chloramines are virtually worthless at killing bacteria. Bromamines however, are still somewhat effective sanitizers.
Consumer research indicates that people actually like the odor of chlorine; at least when it is in its useable state! A “fresh” chlorine odor reminds people of cleanliness & sanitary conditions. Chloramines really are a different matter particularly when further coupled with carbon dioxide gassing in the air jets, whilst driving in the pH. That is what provides you with that acrid or acidic “chlorine” odor that nobody likes. That’s one of the “false” reasons people then switch to bromine. But bromine has its own di-stink-t odor (sorry, I could not resist).
In order to break up these combined chlorines & bromines, it is necessary to shock the water. Shocking, using additional chlorine or a non-chlorine oxidizer such as potassium mono-persulfate, breaks caffeine bonds. The trick would be to allow the waste to completely gas removed from the spa water. What goes on if the waste isn’t permitted to gas-off? Chloramines and bromamines recombine having a vengeance. Excess chloramines & bromamines may also result in “red-eye” (tear gas is really a form of chloramine). You will not only smell the problem, different parts of your body will have the problem.
The gassing-off process is straightforward: after shocking, leave the spa cover off of the spa not less than One to two hours (ideally). If the waste isn’t fully allowed to gas-off, the waste chloramines and bromamines literally hit underneath of the spa cover and fall into the water! Even if your spa is not regularly used, it’s an excellent idea to get rid of the cover for at least one hour weekly to let the “bad air” gas-off.
Keep in mind that as similar thing happens with an indoor spa thereby requiring good & constant ventilation especially while the spa is being used. The condition can become worse because the waste gasses and un-oxidized bacteria are aerosolized into the room. Individuals with asthma or other breathing trouble can experience a condition known as “hot tub lung.”
We very often hear of customers noting similar “choking” odors when utilizing biguanides for example BaquaSpa or Soft Soak or Free time Free. A similar scenario is taking place: “used” biguanide molecules with attached wastes are being aerosolized from the spa and to your face! Proper shocking with the peroxide shock is necessary every week to interrupt up this un-filterable waste. You shouldn’t be afraid to double or triple shock. Don’t however, use swimming pool hydrogen peroxide – the odor will be worse. Just use spa formulated biguanide products.
Poor water balance – especially really low or high pH – will modify the chlorine & bromine levels leading to chloramines and bromamines as stated before. Low pH (under 7.0) can cause water to provide off very acidic gases leading to coughing, wheezing or other health issues. Water having a High pH (over 7.8) can result in stale & funky smells plus additional scaling.
Regular upkeep of your spa includes periodic (weekly a minimum of) cleaning or wiping down of the spa surfaces (waterline, pillow areas, drink-cup rests, etc). This wiping also aids in removing the biofilm build-up on visible areas. Further regular cleaning involves cleaning the filter (chemically cleaning, not just rinsing) and cleaning the inside of the spa cover (monthly spray of Pristine) helps kill mold & mildew that grow in or around the insulating foam.
Draining & refilling of the spa or hot tub on a regular basis is the simplest, single best thing that you can do to control odors. Make sure to know often to drain & refill; this varies with spa size, use, time of year, parties, even showering BEFORE using the spa. Typically every 4 to 12 weeks is nice. Smaller 2 person spas normally need more frequent water changes than larger 8 person spas (except if 8 people are using the spa a lot more than twice a week!). Take a look at our article about Purging, Draining & Refilling. After that formula be sure to Purge (removes biofilm build-up), Drain, Clean (all surfaces & filter), and Refill.
Environmental causes of spa & spa odors are due to the build-up of bio-films on spa surfaces and plumbing lines that bring about the formation of Whitewater river Mold and Pink Slime and all of their odors. As biofilms build, multiply, and spread all through the spa system, odors worsen dramatically. For that reason it is almost mandatory to use plumbing line cleaning products such as Spa System Flush or Spa Purge.