QUESTION FROM Robert Glaser

I have a 500 gallon hot tub on our deck. It has two filters.

I checked the filters today and one of them had a glue-like, mucous looking covering all over the filter. what is the substance and what can I do to stop it from happening again?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD

Robert:

It sounds like you may be having a problem with a build-up of oils and lotions that is washing off from people coming into your hot tub spa. Many hot tub manufacturers will tell you to have people take thorough showers with soap before entering your hot tub. Of course, in reality, this is not always practical.

Here are some links to information on causes and remedies for build-ups forming on hot tub spa filters, and hopefully one of these will apply to your specific situation:

http://hottubsource.blogspot.com/2006/07/what-causes-yellow-scum-build-up-in.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080303115711AA2icpA

http://www.squidoo.com/hot-tub-filters

http://www.rhtubs.com/info/filter.htm

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com

QUESTION FROM Al Downs

I have a hot tub in my house and don't use it very often but I do keep it going year round.

My water stays crystal clear and I change water twice a year.

I get something white that grows on the jet holes throughout the tub. Can you tell me what it is and how to deal with it?
Thank you

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD

Dear Al:

Could you please tell me a little more about this white substance that you are finding growing on your jet holes.

Is it flaky? Or is it a white-ish film on the silver parts of your jet? And are you finding this white substance just on the jets of your hot tub, or are you seeing it elsewhere as well?

Home-Wizard.com

FOLLOW-UP FROM Al Downs

It is more like a white gel, and it is only on the air holes, not the jets.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD

Dear Al:

If you had said white and flaky, then I would have said that it was likely to be mineral deposits. Or if you had said white and scum-like, and found around the waterline, then I would have said it was from oil/lotions from bathers. But a white, gel-like substance building up on the air holes is a new one to me.

If it helps you, here are some links to some online troubleshooting guides for hot tub spas:

http://www.northlineexpress.com/help_water_problems.asp

http://www.spadepot.com/spacyclopedia/water-problems.htm

http://www.thermospas.com/hot-tub-repair.html

http://www.ezhottubs.com/faqs/trouble_shooting.htm


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FOLLOW-UP FROM Al Downs

The white substance is like a gel. On one hole it has grown to about the size of a grape. We changed the water in October and it has only been used about three times since then so I don't think it is from anything in the use of the spa.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD

Dear Al:

I am wondering if maybe what you are describing is a build up of organic contaminants.

You might want to contact your local hot tub spa supply store, and see if they can recommend a shock treatment for your hot tub. If you can, it would be great of you could take a sample of the gel-like substance that you are seeing build up around your air holes.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com