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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