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The spa shell easily can withstand the effects of a properly administered sanitizer. Floating dispensers can become trapped in one area and cause
an over-sanitization (or chemical burn) of that particular area.
If the dispenser setting is too high, the high concentration can discolor the spa shell and damage the underside of the cover.
Automatic floating dispensers have a tendency to either over-brominate or under-brominate as the rate of erosion varies greatly. Damage to the
spa and cover can occur very quickly.
WARNING: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation DOES NOT recommend the use of any floating chemical dispenser. Damage to the spa shell
or components caused by a floating chemical dispenser is specifically not covered under the terms of the limited warranty.
• DON’T use a sanitizer which is not designed for spas.
• DON’T use household bleach (liquid sodium hypochlorite).
• DON’T broadcast or sprinkle the chemicals onto the water surface. This method may cause chemically-induced spa surface blistering
(chemical abuse).
AUTOFRESH
TM
WATER CARE SYSTEM
If you have an AutoFresh water care system installed on your spa, please refer to the AutoFresh Owner’s Manual for proper water care
instructions.
COMMON WATER CHEMISTRY QUESTIONS
Question: Why can’t I use a floater to sanitize my spa water?
Answer: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation does not recommend the use of a floater for three reasons:
1. The floater is unable to control the rate at which the sanitizer is dissolved into the water. When a floater is first placed in a spa, the sanitizer
level can be extremely high. High sanitizer levels can chemically burn or discolor the spa’s shell or the underside of the cover. Then, after a
period of time, the sanitizer level dispensed by the floater will fall to near zero. A low sanitizer level will allow viruses, bacteria or algae to grow.
2. Floater tend to stay in one area of the spa most of the time (usually over the cool down seat), causing this area to be exposed to extreme
sanitizer levels.
3. The floater may allow pieces of the highly concentrated sanitizer to fall out and settle on the floor or seat of the spa shell. These pieces of
sanitizer will chemically burn (blister) the spa shell. Although your spa shell is specifically designed to resist the effects of spa chemicals, no
spa surface can withstand this type of highly concentrated chemical. Remember, chemical abuse is specifically not covered under the terms
of the warranty.
Question: When I open my spa, I smell chlorine. How do I get rid of this smell?
Answer: There are two types of chlorine in your spa. The first is the Free Available Chlorine (FAC), which is the chlorine available to sanitize your
spa. This type of chlorine does not have an odor. The second is Chloramine, which is residue from chlorine already expended. Chloramines have a
strong chlorine odor. The smell from Chloramines can be eliminated by “shocking” the water. If you smell chlorine in the water, your spa is
reminding you to add a shock treatment.
Question: Why can’t I fill my spa with soft water?
Answer: Soft water is essentially the same as regular water except that most or all of the calcium has been replaced by sodium. Soft water may
be corrosive to the heater and other components. Replacement of spa components damaged by soft water is extremely expensive.
Question: I am trying to reduce the number of chemicals to which my family is exposed. Do I really need to use so many chemicals and in such
large amounts?
Answer: While over-exposure to any chemical can be unhealthy, many low levels of chemicals are effective and beneficial. In the case of spa
water, the chemicals recommended in the Hot Spring
®
water maintenance program are needed to protect the user from water-borne pathogens
(disease-causing microbes) and to prevent corrosion of spa components. The EverFresh
®
water care system minimizes the use of chemicals with
harsh side effects, such as halogen sanitizers.
Question: Why isn’t water chemistry damage covered by the warranty?
Answer: The chemical levels and water quality of the water in the spa are under your direct control. With proper basic care, the spa will provide
many years of hot water relaxation. If you are unsure about any chemical or its usage in the spa, contact your Authorized Dealer, or Watkins
Manufacturing Corporation.
WATER TERMINOLOGY
The following chemical terms are used in this Water Quality and Maintenance section. Understanding their meaning will help you to better
understand the water maintenance process.
Bromamines: Compounds formed when bromine combines with nitrogen from body oils, urine, perspiration, etc. Unlike chloramines,
bromamines have no pungent odor, and are effective sanitizers.
Bromine: A halogen sanitizer (in the same chemical family as chlorine). Bromine is commonly used in stick, tablet, or granular form. See the DO’s
Water Quality and Maintenance
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