Living the Home Spa Life
Shopping CartI drained and refilled my Optima, due to a FLO error, which included replacing the filter. When I started it up, it would not come on. Serviceman determined bad circulation pump, so I had to drain the spa again and wait 2.5 wks for him to return. He replaced the pump, and when I refilled and started the spa, lots of whitish, flakey gunk blew out of the jets. Spa Store advised it was "water mold?" and to put in 1/2 bag of pool shock and circulate for 1 hr., then drain and refill, which I did. At startup, even more gunk blew out of the jets. I have used a skimmer to capture as much as I can, but feel like there is something else going on. Any ideas on how to resolve?
Gunk blowing out of jets
(6 posts)-
Posted 3 weeks ago #
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Spa water mold does look like a whitish gunky material sometimes flaky like little bits of tissue. I am not sure this is what you have but does sound like it. Did the spa store test your water to determine? If so then they are advising you correctly. If they didn't test the water you should have it tested at a pool/spa store. If it is indeed spa water mold you must treat immediately and don't skimp. You want to clean all spa surfaces, including behind spa pillows, inside spa jets, and any spa toys you may have had in the spa. Also make sure you clean inside the spa filter compartment. Even though your filter is new I would recommend it is soaked in a filter cleaning solution. You then want to shock with a triple or quadruple dose of the proper shock treatment for your spa run for one hour then drain and refill. If your situation is very bad then you may want to shock with chlorine and circulate one full day then drain and refill. Make sure after it's been refilled to maintain proper water balance.
Posted 3 weeks ago # -
I just want to make sure I understand the process: The gunk came out after a spa cleaning,drain & refill that began with circulating 1/2 bag of pool shock (Burnout 35) for 1 hour. So, is your recommendation to clean spa w/ water in it, removing as much mold as possible, then adding the shock (is the other 1/2 bag of Burnout enough or should I use something else?), circulating for 1 - 24 hours, then drain and refill? How likely is it that more gunk will come out at startup after refill? I've had spas for 10 yrs without this kind of issue - what do you think caused it?
Posted 3 weeks ago # -
It is usually caused by poor or non circulating water. I don't know how long the water sat in the lines due to the circulation pump being out. That may have caused it, but I don't know if they actually tested your water to verify that is what you are actually have. This can attach to the pvc and behind jets, etc. It is very difficult to get rid of so I cannot say if it will come back. Since you have already shocked it once and drained and refill I would do the following. While the water is still in brush or wipe sides down, shock with remainder of your shock and circulate at least 24 hour, drain and refill. There is a product called Spa System Flush that is to be put in right before draining and refilling. I have no experience with this but it is suppose to help remove build up on the wall of the pvc pipes.
Posted 3 weeks ago # -
Thanks so much for your help - I will give it a try.
Posted 3 weeks ago #
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