Water Treatment & Chemicals
Keep your spa feeling fresh and looking new all year round!
- Based in Farnham
- Serving Surrey and Hampshire
- All makes and models
Is Your Hot Tub Water Causing You Problems?
Hot tub water chemistry is one of the most misunderstood aspects of spa ownership. It involves balancing multiple interdependent parameters simultaneously, and when any one of them is out of range, the effects can cascade—cloudy water, foaming, scale, irritated eyes and skin, and an unpleasant bathing experience.
Many hot tub owners spend a small fortune on chemicals, adding increasingly large doses trying to fix a water problem, only to make it worse. The reason is almost always that the underlying chemistry hasn’t been measured and addressed in the correct sequence.
Hot Tub Tech provides professional water testing and chemistry correction for hot tub and swim spa owners across Farnham, Guildford and the wider Surrey area, along with practical, straightforward advice you can apply at home between visits.
Common Water Quality Problems We Solve
Cloudy or Hazy Water
Cloudy water is one of the most common hot tub complaints. It can be caused by high total dissolved solids (a sign that the water needs changing), high calcium hardness, poor filtration, a high pH that is preventing the sanitiser from working, or insufficient circulation time. We will test and identify the specific cause rather than simply adding chemicals and hoping for the best.
Foamy Water
Foam is almost always caused by organic contamination — body lotions, cosmetics, hair products, detergent residue in swimwear, or elevated TDS. A mild defoamer will temporarily suppress the symptom, but the correct fix is to address the root cause. In many cases, this means a water change with a proper bioflush.
Green Water
Green water indicates algae growth, which occurs when sanitiser levels drop sufficiently for a long enough period. It requires a shock treatment followed by careful rebalancing, and — depending on how established the algae growth is — potentially a full drain, bioflush and refill.
Strong Chemical Smell
A strong chlorine smell is often misinterpreted as a sign of too much chlorine in the water. In fact, it usually indicates the opposite — the smell is caused by chloramines, which form when free chlorine is depleted and has been used up by organic contaminants. A shock treatment is typically the correct response.
Skin and Eye Irritation
Itchy skin or irritated eyes after bathing are most commonly caused by an incorrect pH level or a sanitiser that is out of range. Both are straightforward to correct with the right testing and treatment. If irritation is persistent, it may indicate a deeper water chemistry problem.
Scale and Calcium Deposits
Surrey and the surrounding areas have hard water, and scale build-up is a common issue for hot tub owners in this region. Calcium deposits on the shell, jets and heating element reduce efficiency, look unsightly and — if left untreated — can cause lasting damage to the heater. We can address existing scale and advise on how to prevent recurrence.
Professional Water Testing
We use professional-grade electronic water-testing equipment that accurately measures key parameters: pH, total alkalinity, free chlorine or bromine, combined chlorine (chloramines), calcium hardness, and total dissolved solids. Strip tests, whilst useful for quick home checks, are not accurate enough to diagnose complex water chemistry issues.
Based on our test results, we will either provide you with a clear, step-by-step treatment plan to follow yourself, or carry out the full correction on-site — whichever you prefer.
Chlorine or Bromine?
Many hot tub owners are unsure whether to use chlorine or bromine as their primary sanitiser. Both are effective, and both have their advantages. Bromine is more stable at higher temperatures and is gentler on sensitive skin; chlorine is faster-acting and works more efficiently at normal spa temperatures.
We are happy to advise on the best option for your specific spa and usage pattern.
Ready to Book?
Getting in touch is easy. Call us on 07810 487534 or use the contact form, and we’ll get back to you within 1 working day.
Not sure if you need a callout? Ring anyway — many common issues can be resolved over the phone at no charge.