Funky Smell in a Hot Tub

Water Balance

• When the pH balance in the water is on the low side, it can become too acidic, creating an unhealthy environment that can lead to breathing problems. Water with a high pH level can create a funky smell, including the development of scales along the walls of the hot tub.

Environmental

• Biofilms, or skin and hair residue, left in the tub can cause odors. Similar to shower mold, a pink, slimy film develops on the walls of the spa and inside the jets and filters, causing a foul odor. Bacteria that naturally grow in spa water can cause an unappealing odor.

Irregular Maintenance

• Simple weekly maintenance of your hot tub will greatly reduce the occurrence of funky smells. When you fail to sanitize the tub, a plethora of problems can develop, such as mold in the filters and mildew along the hot tub cover. The mold and mildew creates a musty and pungent odor in a hot tub.

Considerations

• When the spa-cleaning chemicals chlorine and bromine combine, the pH balance in the spa water can change and you will need to shock the water with additional chlorine or specialized shock product from spa stores. After you shock the water, you need to let it breathe for up to two hours, that is, leave the cover off the hot tub, otherwise the gases in the water will not leave the water and the chlorine and bromine will mingle again.