Strong Spas Water Chemistry Imbalance / Contamination

Spa water is foamy and has a strong odor despite normal operation

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Possible Causes

High levels of body oils and detergents, Low sanitizer levels, High total dissolved solids, Infrequent water changes

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Poor water chemistry can irritate skin and eyes. Avoid soaking until water is balanced.

Steps to correct foamy, smelly water:

  • Test water: Use Strong Spas-recommended test strips or a test kit to check sanitizer, pH, alkalinity, and hardness.
  • Shock the spa: Add a non-chlorine or chlorine shock according to label directions to oxidize contaminants.
  • Use foam reducer sparingly: A defoamer can provide temporary relief but does not fix the underlying issue.
  • Drain and refill: If water is old (3–4 months or more) or heavily contaminated, drain the spa completely, clean the shell, and refill with fresh water. Replace or deep-clean filters.

When to call a technician: Not typically required unless there are persistent issues with the ozonator or salt/chlorine generation system.

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Repair Difficulty

Very Easy 1/5
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