Common Pool & Hot Tub Issues and What You Can Expect

At Palmway Pools & Spas, our goal is to maintain crystal-clear, safe, and balanced water—but certain conditions outside of routine service can affect water quality. Below is a list of common issues that may arise, what causes them, and how we typically address them.

1. High Metal Content (Iron, Copper, Manganese)

Symptoms: Discolored water (brown, green, orange), staining on surfaces, or a metallic smell.
Cause: Often from the source water (well water or aged plumbing), or corrosion of pool equipment.
What to Expect: If metals are present, we will treat the water with a sequestrant to bind the metals and prevent staining. Stains may still occur and require separate treatment. In some cases, a partial or full drain and refill may be necessary. Ongoing monitoring is required.

2. Cloudy or Hazy Water

Symptoms: The water appears dull, murky, or lacks sparkle.
Cause: Poor filtration, imbalanced water chemistry, high bather load, or early signs of algae.
What to Expect: We’ll test the water chemistry and inspect your filtration system. Treatment may involve balancing pH and sanitizer levels, cleaning or backwashing the filter, and using clarifiers or flocculants to restore clarity. Multiple visits may be needed in severe cases.

3. Algae (Green, Yellow, or Black)

Symptoms: Slimy walls or steps, green water, black specks, or yellow dust-like buildup.
Cause: Low sanitizer levels, warm temperatures, poor circulation, or infrequent brushing.
What to Expect: Algae treatment may involve a shock dose of chlorine, algaecide application, thorough brushing, and enhanced filtration. Black algae is more stubborn and may require follow-up treatments. Preventive maintenance is key after eradication.

4. Foamy Hot Tub Water

Symptoms: Bubbles that linger and create a soapy or frothy layer on the surface.
Cause: Residual soaps, lotions, cosmetics, detergents on swimsuits, or aged water.
What to Expect: We may apply a defoamer as a temporary solution, but the underlying issue is typically addressed through a full drain and refill. Regular maintenance and bather hygiene help minimize recurrence.

5. pH and Alkalinity Imbalance

Symptoms: Itchy skin, burning eyes, scale formation, cloudy water, or corrosion of equipment.
Cause: Rainwater, source water variations, frequent use, or improper chemical additions.
What to Expect: Technicians will test and adjust pH and total alkalinity levels using balancing agents. Maintaining an ongoing balance is crucial for maintaining water comfort and protecting equipment and surfaces.

6. Calcium Hardness (Scaling or Corrosion)

Symptoms: White crusty buildup on tiles, cloudy water, or eroded surfaces.
Cause: Hard water (high calcium) or extremely low calcium levels.
What to Expect: We’ll test for calcium hardness and make the appropriate chemical adjustments. Severe buildup may require specialty scale removers or even physical descaling.

7. Low Sanitizer Levels (Chlorine or Bromine)

Symptoms: Cloudy water, unpleasant odors, or potential for bacterial growth.
Cause: High bather load, sunlight degradation, or outdated sanitizer systems.
What to Expect: Immediate chemical treatment to raise sanitizer levels. Persistent low levels may indicate a need for more frequent service, stabilized chlorine levels, or a system inspection.

8. Dirty or Clogged Filter

Symptoms: Poor circulation, cloudy water, low jet pressure.
Cause: Overdue filter maintenance or excessive debris.
What to Expect: Filters will be cleaned or replaced as needed. We recommend filter cleans every 3–6 months. We’ll notify you when one is due, and it will be billed separately from routine service.

9. Equipment Malfunction (Pump, Heater, Blower, etc.)

Symptoms: No water movement, cold water, error messages, or leaking.
Cause: Age, wear and tear, power surges, or freezing damage.
What to Expect: Our technician will notify you immediately. We can provide diagnostic services and coordinate repair or replacement with your approval. Service cannot continue properly until the equipment is operational.

10. Airlocks in Hot Tubs or Weak Jet Flow

Symptoms: Jets aren’t working, or pressure is significantly reduced.
Cause: Air trapped in plumbing after draining or improper water level.
What to Expect: The technician will attempt to purge air from the system and prime the pump. If unsuccessful, a second visit or manual air removal may be required.

11. Surface Staining (Metal, Organic, Tannin)

Symptoms: Brown, green, or reddish stains that don’t brush off.
Cause: Metal in water, leaves left in the pool, or water runoff containing tannins.
What to Expect: Spot treatments with stain removers may resolve mild staining. Persistent or deep stains may require more advanced chemical treatments or professional cleaning.

12. Water Loss or Leaks

Symptoms: Needing to add water more frequently than normal.
Cause: Evaporation, splash-out, leaks in plumbing or structure.
What to Expect: If we suspect abnormal water loss, we may recommend a leak detection test (which is a separate service). Leaks must be addressed before normal maintenance can resume.