Why does my hot tub feel slimy?

• <div><p>Biofilm growth can cause a hot tub to feel slimy. Hot tub biofilm is a slimy substance that’s typically due to natural contaminants like makeup, soaps, skin oils, deodorants, or lotions. A hot tub can also have a slimy interior or slimy water if the tub’s filters are old or damaged, or if the hot tub isn’t properly cleaned. You should drain your hot tub, wipe away any slimy residue, then refill the water and use a spa purge product that prevents the buildup of biofilm. </p></div>

Get matched with top pool and spa technicians in North Chili, NY

Q: How often do you need to change the water in a swim spa?

• <div><p>How often you change the water in your swim spa depends on how often you use it. Most manufacturers recommend changing the water every three to six months. If you use your swim spa throughout the seasons, it&rsquo;s a good idea to set up a quarterly deep cleaning schedule. The ideal instructions should be in the owner&rsquo;s manual.</p></div>

Q: What should you not put in a jetted tub?

• <div><p>Using bubble bath, bath oils, bath salts, or moisturizing products that contain butters or oils can damage your jetted tub. Because of the water pump and jet mechanism, you need to be more selective with products for a jetted tub than you would for a traditional bathtub in order to keep it functioning properly and avoid expensive repairs. These products also leave residue that can feed mildew and mold, so it&rsquo;s best to avoid them.</p></div>

Q: What happens if I don’t clean my hot tub filters?

• <div><p>If you don&rsquo;t clean your hot tub filters, they&rsquo;ll build up dirt and grime, preventing them from filtering out contaminants like dirt and bacteria. The dirty water will then circulate through the filter and back into the hot tub, leading to dirty water, a damaged pump and jets, and low heat. This can lead to higher <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-hot-tub-cost.htm">hot tub costs</a> because you may have to pay for repairs.</p></div>

Q: What happens if you don’t prepare a hot tub for winter?

• <div><p>If water is left inside the hot tub pump over a cold winter, it could freeze and severely damage the pump, water lines, and jets. That can cause leaks, which require very expensive repairs. Freezing or leftover water can stain and damage the hot tub shell, which leads to replacement. Even in mild climates, leaving sitting water in the tub or pipes for a long period of unuse is a bad idea, since disinfecting chemicals fade and the water can develop bacteria, algae, and other big headaches when it&rsquo;s time to use the tub again.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Pool And Spa Servicing pros in North Chili, NY

*The Angi rating for Pool And Spa Servicing companies in North Chili, NY is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Pool And Spa Servicing needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Pool And Spa Servicing companies in North Chili, NY is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Pool And Spa Servicing needs.

Last update on November 24, 2025

Reviewed in October 2025
Jimmy did an excellent job installing my vinyl plank flooring! He was very professional and respectful. Got my project done very quickly. I highly recommend his services!
FIX-IT WITH FLANAGAN LLC
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Reviewed in June 2025
Great service. Very Accommodating! Great communication.
Finewood Enterprises
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Reviewed in August 2023
Nick was awesdome. He was knowledgeable, diagnosed my plumbing problem immediately, was very reasonable with his pricing, and did the work quickly and the same day---without delays. I would hire him again any time and plan to refer him to all my friends and family members that might need the...
Mecor Mechanical Plumbing & Heating & Cooling
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Reviewed in March 2023
Prompt courteous service
Reliable Power Systems
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Reviewed in May 2022
We hired North Eastern Pools and Spas to do a liner replacement for our inground pool. We went with them because they were a family owned business with years in the industry. We were told we needed to put down a deposit to ensure our job to be done in Spring of 2021, so in fall of 2020 we paid...
NORTH EASTERN POOL & SPA
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Reviewed in April 2018
Had water I. My basement. Very poor customer service. Had to wait a day and the. Damaged my kitchen floor. Call someone else.
SERVPRO
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Reviewed in December 2016
If I could rate higher than "A" I would. D and D electric was recommended to us by Clover Home Leisure Center to install our Hot Tub. Their quote was actually less then a competitive quote that I received from another electrician. Since Clover recommended them, it was a no-brainer. When our hot...
D & D Electric
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Reviewed in April 2016
They did an excellent job both with the pavers and the pool resurfacing. I want to particularly compliment the ladies in the office who were quite helpful. I want to thank Julie in particular for promptly answering several emails that I sent to her throughout the project as we navigated some...
Sparkling Kleen Pools & Spas
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Reviewed in December 2015
Andy was at our house within an hour of our calling. While there he also tweaked the water supply settings in the toilet tank. Prompt, efficient, friendly service.
Andy Klein Plumbing & Heating Inc
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Reviewed in July 2015
Yuri was prompt with service completed fast and efficient. Very helpful when inquiring about other plumbing questions. Would use again.
Napora Heating & Cooling
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Pool and Spa Servicing questions, answered by experts

How often you change the water in your swim spa depends on how often you use it. Most manufacturers recommend changing the water every three to six months. If you use your swim spa throughout the seasons, it’s a good idea to set up a quarterly deep cleaning schedule. The ideal instructions should be in the owner’s manual.

Using bubble bath, bath oils, bath salts, or moisturizing products that contain butters or oils can damage your jetted tub. Because of the water pump and jet mechanism, you need to be more selective with products for a jetted tub than you would for a traditional bathtub in order to keep it functioning properly and avoid expensive repairs. These products also leave residue that can feed mildew and mold, so it’s best to avoid them.

Biofilm growth can cause a hot tub to feel slimy. Hot tub biofilm is a slimy substance that’s typically due to natural contaminants like makeup, soaps, skin oils, deodorants, or lotions. A hot tub can also have a slimy interior or slimy water if the tub’s filters are old or damaged, or if the hot tub isn’t properly cleaned. You should drain your hot tub, wipe away any slimy residue, then refill the water and use a spa purge product that prevents the buildup of biofilm.

If you don’t clean your hot tub filters, they’ll build up dirt and grime, preventing them from filtering out contaminants like dirt and bacteria. The dirty water will then circulate through the filter and back into the hot tub, leading to dirty water, a damaged pump and jets, and low heat. This can lead to higher hot tub costs because you may have to pay for repairs.

If water is left inside the hot tub pump over a cold winter, it could freeze and severely damage the pump, water lines, and jets. That can cause leaks, which require very expensive repairs. Freezing or leftover water can stain and damage the hot tub shell, which leads to replacement. Even in mild climates, leaving sitting water in the tub or pipes for a long period of unuse is a bad idea, since disinfecting chemicals fade and the water can develop bacteria, algae, and other big headaches when it’s time to use the tub again.

The North Chili, NY homeowners’ guide to pool and spa services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

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