How to Deal With Flakes in Your Hot Tub

A one minute tutorial to watch and learn quickly

You're not alone if you notice white flakes in hot tub. This is a common problem that hot tub owners face. But don't worry; you can take steps to get rid of the flakes and prevent them from coming back. Here's what you need to know.

Flakes in Hot Tub Water

Have you ever wondered what those white flakes are in your hot tub water? These flakes are a type of algae known as bacillariophyta, commonly found in lakes and ponds but can also thrive in hot tubs.

Although not harmful to humans, bacillariophyta can cause cloudy water and form slime on the hot tub walls if left untreated. Regular cleaning and proper water chemistry are crucial to prevent this issue and ensure clear water year-round.

What Causes Flakes in a Hot Tub?

There are two possible main reasons for white flakes in your hot tub, and knowing which one you are dealing with will help you treat your hot tub properly.

The two possible causes are calcium scale deposits and biofilm growth from white water mold.

Calcium Scale Deposits

The first is that the water contains high calcium levels or other minerals. When these minerals come into contact with the air, they can form a hard residue on the hot tub's surface. This residue is often visible as white or brown flakes.

Biofilm Growth from White Water Mold

The second reason for flakes in a hot tub is that the water contains high levels of bacteria or other contaminants. These contaminants can cause a biofilm on the hot tub's surface. This biofilm is often visible as cloudy water or flakes floating on the surface.

Testing White Flakes in Your Spa Water

If you're seeing white flakes floating in your hot tub water, don't panic:

  • Collect hot tub water and flakes in a clean glass or bowl, add 15-20 drops of bleach or liquid chlorine, and stir.
  • Let it sit for 30 minutes.
  • If the flakes disappear, you have biofilm buildup; if not, you have calcium deposits.

For biofilm, use regular shock treatments with chlorine or bromine, or a non-chlorine shock. For calcium deposits, use a descaler like Calcium Out. With these steps, you can quickly diagnose and solve the issue, keeping your hot tub sparkling clean.

hot tub filters

Removing and Preventing White Flakes

Flakes can occur when residue or biofilm is removed from the hot tub. Use a tube or pipe cleaner to flush your hot tub, run the pumps on full speed as often as possible and remove the filters to maximize water flow.

After this drain, your hot tub put the filters back and fill it up again.

If you still notice too many flakes… repeat the process or wait until the filters pick up the leftover residue.

Be patient. This process takes time.

O-Care was pacifically developed to prevent this problem; you should give it a try when you're tub is clean again… and make water maintenance easy.

Biofilm

If you're noticing white flakes in your hot tub, it's likely because of a biofilm buildup. Biofilm is a slimy substance that can form on the water's surface and on various surfaces in the hot tub. It's made up of bacteria, and if it's not cleaned off regularly, it can cause problems like algae growth and bad odours.

To remove and prevent biofilm buildup, you should clean your hot tub regularly and consistently check and balance the hot tub chemicals in the water.

Make sure to clean the hot tub cover, filters, skimmer and all other elements of your tub. You should also shock the water to kill all of the bacteria.

Once you've completed these steps, your hot tub should be free of white flakes and other problems caused by biofilm buildup!

Read more: Green Water

Use O-Care To Keep Your Hot Tub Clean

If you're having trouble keeping your tub clean, you should try using O-Care. O-Care is specifically designed to prevent build-up and make water maintenance easy. By using O-Care, you can keep your tub looking clean and new for years to come.

"Benefits of this product can simply not be understated. While the price may initially raise an eyebrow, the reduction in overall cost of maintaining my hot tub has gone down. On top of that my skin is soft and my hot tub has become easier to maintain." - Bo Pablo on Trustpilot

Find a nearby O-Care store to elevate your hot tub experience with a product that is gentle on your skin, protects your equipment, and benefits the environment.

Calcium Scale Deposits

When dealing with calcium scale deposits in your water, it's important to ensure that the pH alkalinity is properly balanced. A calcium scale will form when the pH levels are too high, so you'll need to bring those levels down and soften the hot tub water.

You can also use a scale preventer regularly, which will help break down existing particles and prevent the problem from occurring again.

Read more: Fix Calcium Scaling For Surprisingly Better Hot Tub Water

How to Get Rid of Flakes in Your Hot Tub

Here is a step-by-step guide to eliminate flakes in your hot tub:

Step 1: Flush the System

  • Run the pumps at full speed as often as possible to flush the system.
  • Remove the filters to ensure maximum water flow.

Step 2: Drain the Hot Tub

  • After thoroughly flushing the system, drain the hot tub completely. Use a garden hose is you need to.

Step 3: Replace the Filters

  • Put the filters back in place after draining the water.

Step 4: Refill with Fresh Water

  • Fill the hot tub with fresh water.

Step 5: Check for Flakes

  • Observe if the problem persists.

Step 6: Repeat if Necessary

  • If there are still too many flakes, repeat the flushing and draining process.
  • Alternatively, wait until the filters have had a chance to pick up any leftover dust.

Step 7: Use O-Care

  • Consider using a product like O-Care, which is specifically developed to prevent flake buildup and make water maintenance easy and hassle-free.

Step 8: Identify the Cause

  • If you still notice white flakes, you likely have a buildup of biofilm or calcium deposits.

Step 9: Thorough Cleaning

  • For biofilm, a thorough cleaning is necessary to eliminate deposits.
  • For calcium flakes, regular balancing of water hardness and minerals is required.

Step 10: Maintenance

  • Regularly maintain your hot tub to prevent future flake buildup. Using O-Care can help simplify this process and keep your hot tub in excellent condition.

There are a few simple things you can do to keep the flakes away for good:

Tips For Cleaning Up Calcium Flakes In The Water Of Your Hot Tub

So you're experiencing problems with calcium flakes in your hot tub? Not to worry – it's a common issue and can be easily fixed. Here are a few steps you can take to get rid of the excess calcium and restore balance to your water:

pH Effect

First, make sure that the pH alkalinity is properly balanced. A calcium scale will begin to form if your pH is too high so bring those levels down to reduce the hardness of the water.

Try a Scale Preventer

Hot tub manufacturers and suppliers all make different scale preventers that you can add to your water regularly to reduce calcium buildup. This can be especially important if the water in your area is particularly hard.

These treatments often have to be added monthly or quarterly, so check with your supplier for more information.

Balance Your Water Temperature

An unbalanced water temperature contributes to calcium deposits. Make sure that the temperature of your hot tub is consistent, and try not to let it fluctuate too much.

Clean Your Filter Regularly

Clean it regularly and replace it when necessary. A clogged filter will only aggravate the problem of calcium deposits.

If you're again noticing calcium flakes in your water, Look no further than O-Care! This specially designed product helps prevent biofilm and calc buildup, making water maintenance easy and hassle-free. Download our aqua tool app for more guidance!

How to Prevent & Get Rid of White Flakes 

Biofilm is a type of bacteria that thrives in warm, moist environments. If flakes remain untreated, it can cause skin infections and flaky water. Following regular cleaning, a schedule is the best way to prevent biofilm growth.

Sanitize your hot tub regularly using chlorine or bromine-based sanitizer. Make sure to clean the filters and drain the spa at least once a week. You don't have to worry about biofilm growth if you're on a regular cleaning routine.

Conclusion: Try Using O-Care

Flakes in your hot tub can be annoying, but there's no need to panic. In most cases, they can be easily removed by flushing the system and running the pumps at full speed.

O-Care is an all-natural, enzyme-based treatment that breaks down organic matter and prevents biofilm growth. It's safe and will not affect your hot tub's pH levels.

O-Care is an innovative new product that helps prevent the formation of biofilm. It's a great way to keep your hot tub clean and free of harmful bacteria.

If you already have biofilm in your hot tub, you can get rid of it by draining the spa and cleaning it well. Be sure to use a strong sanitizer to kill any bacteria that may be present. Order O-Care today and start enjoying your hot tub again!

Here are some links to follow if you want to enhance your hot tub experience:

  1. Download the O-Care app for weekly maintenance and step-by-step problem-solving.
  2. Use our online water assistant to diagnose your water quality issues.
  3. This article covers more situations if the app didn't help solve your problem.
  4. I need to solve an underlying contamination issue in my hot tub; maybe it's biofilm?
  5. How to avoid future problems and keep your hot tub clean?
  6. What kind of sanitizers can I choose from?
  7. What is the best way to maintain my hot tub water?
  8.  How to test the water in my hot tub?

flakes in hot tub water
Prevent & Get Rid of White Flakes Caused by White Water Mold & Biofilm

Try Using O-Care

O-Care is an all-natural, enzyme-based treatment that breaks down organic matter and prevents biofilm growth. It's safe and will not affect your hot tub's pH levels.

O-Care is an innovative new product that helps prevent the formation of biofilm. It's a great way to keep your hot tub clean and free of harmful bacteria.

If you already have biofilm in your hot tub, you can get rid of it by draining the spa and cleaning it well. Be sure to use a strong sanitizer to kill any bacteria that may be present. Order O-Care today and start enjoying your hot tub again!

Wrapping up Flakes in your hot tub

Flakes in your hot tub can be annoying, but there's no need to panic. In most cases, they can be easily removed by flushing the system and running the pumps at full speed.

If you still see flakes after taking these steps, simply repeat the process or wait until the filters have had a chance to do their job. With patience and perseverance, you'll soon have sparkling clean hot tub water again!