Problem with Sour Smell

[Dave_J]

Hey All --

I've been getting a sour smell around the top edge of my tub at the front. I've tried wiping it down with Clorox wipes, and have also used water from inside the tub (after adding chlorine up to 7ppm), and neither of those have helped. Yes, I've also wiped down the cover in that area. Does anybody have an idea of something better to deal with the smell? Maybe a rag with almost pure chlorine?... That's probably a bit harsh, but the smell really is unpleasant.

Thanks!
Dave

 

[PJ]

Is this a hot tub? In ground or in the deck?

 

[Dave_J]

Sorry -- this is a 2-year old Jacuzzi Hot Tub (J-355). Haven't had any real issues until this one crept up. Also, I just started the BBB method about a month ago. I had been using Aqua Finesse, but then I found this forum and became educated.

 

[PJ]

Is it leaking...or is.it set in something

 

[Dave_J]

It is above-ground - no leaks that I see. The ground is dry all around.

 

[PJ]

Have you changed the water or shocked it recently?

 

[Dave_J]

Water is about 4 weeks old. I chlorinate to about 5ppm after each soak. It never gets below 1.

 

[PJ]

With the high water temp of the hot tub and the small volume of water you need to keep it around 3 ppm. Youve been cleaning the filter I suppose.

 

[Dave_J]

Post-soak, I chlorinate to about 5 ppm.... by the time I soak the next day it is around 1 ppm. Yes, the filter is clean.

To be clear, the smell isn't coming from the water... it smells perfectly fine. The odor is coming from the surface of the hot tub above the water line in only one area of the tub.

 

[houstonTex]

Is this a fiberglass unit? Could something have crawled up into/under it and died?...or nested?...or defecated?

 

[Dave_J]

nope. Shell is intact and inside is clear.

 

[houstonTex]

nope. Shell is intact and inside is clear.

No - meant behind the shell. Between the shell and deck...where the plumbing is etc.

 

[Dave_J]

Right -- that's what I meant -- behind the deck all is clear. I've opened up the motor access area and there's nothing unusual in there.

 

[y_not]

Have you sniffed around back there too?