Sun-Breeze Spa Service Serving Baraboo and The Wisconsin Dells

TDS-Cloudy Water and Coughing

2010-02-14T08:11:00.000-08:00

We follow the search requests closely, andof of the most questions askes are about coughing, cloudy water and other things that can be attributed to TDS or High total dissolved solids. We'll try and explain.

Let's tackle the why question first: The most common reason for draining a spa is because the amount of total dissolved solids in the water has reached its maximum allowable level. As a general guideline, spas should be drained when the TDS level reaches 2,000 to 3,000 parts per million or 1,500 ppm above the start-up TDS level.
By definition, TDS is absolutely everything dissolved in the water - from metals to chlorine to bromine, alkalinity, salts, bather waste and more. And when the amount of these substances in the water gets too high, it can cause a number of problems, including salty-tasting water, colored but clear water, algae growth, metal corrosion, cloudy water, eye and skin irritation, false test readings, coughing, and black mold.

What causes TDS levels to increase? When water is heated, aerated and agitated - as is the case with water in spas - the water's evaporation rate increases significantly. This, in turn, dramatically affects the TDS levels in spa water because only the water evaporates; anything else that may have been dissolved in the water gets left behind.
As the water level in a spa drops, the first prescribed action is to add make-up water. But while this water will have a relatively low TDS level, it too will evaporate eventually, adding its share of TDS to the remaining water in the spa. As this cycle continues, the spa water's TDS levels will continue to climb.
TDS levels are also increased whenever the spa water is treated chemically. For example, adding as little as 1 pound of dichlor, trichlor or bromine tablets to 500 gallons of water can create an increase of 240 ppm to the water's TDS level.
And it does not take long for that much dichlor to be added to the spa: In addition to the 1 to 2 ounces of dichlor needed for regular chlorination each week, many owners use their spas two or three times a week, each time adding another ounce of dichlor. At this rate, it would only take three weeks or so to raise the TDS levels by 240 ppm.
Many other common spa products also contribute to a spa's TDS count, including algaecides, algae preventers, acid, sodium bicarbonate, clarifiers, scale inhibitors, foam suppressants, stain inhibitors and nonchlorine shocks.
For example, if a spa owner adds a 2 ounce dose of a nonchlorine shock to the water after each use, that dose alone will produce about 28 ppm of TDS in a 500-gallon spa.
Another contributing factor here is bather waste. just 3 pints of human sweat can produce approximately 4 grams of salt, which would add approximately 2 ppm to the TDS of a 500-gallon spa. In the case of a commercial spa that may handle an average of 25 bathers a day, the amount of TDS from human sweat alone could be as much as 50 ppm every day.
And don't forget, bathers also bring with them residual soap, deodorant, hair spray, suntan lotion, body oil, hair gel, laundry detergent, hand lotion, cosmetics and other personal-care substances - all of which can contribute to the build up of TDS.
When you consider the possible factors that could contribute to the spa water's TDS, it's easy to see how the TDS level can climb very quickly and why frequent draining is needed.
Now, as to how often a spa should be drained, the National Spa & Pool Institute suggests the following formula: One-third of the spa's gallonage divided by the average daily bather load equals the number of days that the water can be used.

(Gallons x .33) -- bather load = days of use

For example, a 1,200-gallon commercial spa with an average bather load of 25 people a day should be drained after 16 days of use:

(1,200 gallons x.33) - 25 people = 16 days of use

For residential spas, however, most experts would agree that draining a residential spa every three months is Necessary.

Signs that may tell you that your spa has TDS. One sign is that you are constantly reading low alkalinity and adding A+ every week. Another good sign is a milky look to the water, especially when you turn the air on to your spa. I have found also that a sudden and incurable development of black mold on the cover , behind the pillows, and around the controls. And one final sign, and this is after it has gone to far is that you find yourself coughing when you are in the spa. If you are experiencing any of this change the water, it's better to change your water too often than not enough.

The Perfect Balence

2009-03-01T09:16:00.001-08:00

Water Troubleshooting

The Perfect Balance

Chlorine or Bromine Levels 3.0 ppm
pH or Potential of Hydrogen 7.4-7.8 7.0=Acid 8.0=Base
Total Alkalinity or TA 80-120 ppm Adjust TA first before pH
Total Calcium 200-400

Cloudy or Dull Water

Buildup of unfilterable material
Use water clarifier. If Foamy or Oily use an enzyme clarifier
Excessive organic contaminants or lack of sanitizer Shock with granular Chlorine or Bromine to 10 ppm. Recheck and check sanitizer before using tub
pH and Total Alkalinity out of balance Test water and adjust appropriately
Dirty Filter Clean with tap water and a quality filter cleaner
Calcium Hardness too high Drain and Clean Tub

Cloudy, green water

Low Alkalinity Use Alkalinity Plus and bring water up to 80-120 ppm
Low Sanitizer Lever Shock to 10 ppm then balance to 3,0 ppm

Clear Green or Turquoise Water

Dissolved Copper or Iron in Spa Water Add Stain and Scale Remover. Check pH

Reddish Brown water or Stains

Iron or Manganese Dissolved in Water Use stain and scale remover

Skin and Eye Irritation

Chlorine Level too high or organic contaminants in water Shock treat with chlorine or bromine
pH and Total Alkalinity out of balance Adjust levels and balance

Scum Build Up or Excessive Foaming

Oils, lotions, and detergents from bathers have caused build up Use an enzyme clarifier
Calcium Hardness too Low Increase Calcium Hardness to 200 ppm

Services and Pricing Wisconsin

2009-03-01T09:04:00.000-08:00

Services

Striving to meet or exceed your service expectations

Free Estimates

Spa and Pool Orientations $50.00 Learn about your spa or pool and take care of it yourself

Winter or Summer Shut down and start up $50.00/Hour

Safety and Mechanical inspections $50.00

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Spas and Hot Tub Service Take the guess work out of your comfort

Weekly $29.00/Visit

Bi Weekly $34.00/Visit

Once a month $52.00/Visit

Service Includes

Vacuuming and Cleaning

Chemical Balancing

Mechanical Check up

Cover Cleaning

Filter Cleaning

Maintain your chemical stock

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Extra Services $60.00/Hour Plus Materials

Complete Water Change $120.00

Repair (upon customer approval of our estimate)

Cover Repair including Locks, Clips, and Replacement $50.00/Hour Plus Materials (upon customer approval)

First time Start Up $50.00/Hour Plus Chemicals

Water Testing $25.00

Pool Service

$50.00/hour

Vacuuming and Cleaning

Chemical Balancing

Mechanical Check up

Cover Cleaning

Filter Cleaning

Maintain your chemical stock

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Payment Methods You will receive an invoice around the 15th of the month for services rendered due on the first of the month

Auto Pay Visa and MasterCard We bill you once a month on the first for services performed and generally this is on the 1st of the month

PayPal The Payment method with Pay Pal of your choice

Cash or Check

Each Service

2009-03-01T08:59:00.000-08:00

On each service, no matter what service you choose, we check water balence and level, test all equipment, thouroughly clean the spa inside and out, and then balence the water's chemicals. If the water needs to be changed then we drain and replace the water

About us

2009-03-01T08:42:00.000-08:00

Unparalleled Customer Service--Going Beyond your Expectations

Sun-Breeze Spa services brings you over 20 years of experience in hot tub service and maintenance, starting with water balence, equipment preservation and light repair. We use exclusively nature 2 ( A mineral based system) and a very small amount of chlorine to keep your water sparkling clean, and chemical free. You no longer will get red eye, tarnished jewelry, and your water will last longer between changes. Give us a call and we'll be happy to tell you more.