Spa water has a strong chemical or chlorine smell and causes eye or skin irritation.

Safety first: Avoid using the spa until water chemistry is balanced; high sanitizer levels can cause health issues.

• Test water: Use a reliable test kit or strips to measure free chlorine/bromine, pH, alkalinity, and combined chlorine.
• Adjust sanitizer: If sanitizer is high, leave the cover open and run pumps to off-gas. Do not add more sanitizer until levels drop into the recommended range.
• Balance pH and alkalinity: Adjust pH to 7.2–7.6 and total alkalinity to the manufacturer’s recommended range using spa-specific chemicals.
• Shock appropriately: Use a non-chlorine shock to break down chloramines if combined chlorine is high.

Persistent odor issues may indicate biofilm in plumbing; consider using a spa pipe cleaner before the next water change.