What causes hot tub foam and how to get rid of it?

“What causes Hot Tub foam and how to get rid of it?

Do you ever open your hot tub/ spa and find that the water is all foamy?  This is a common hot tub/ spa issue and many people wonder why this happens and how do I get rid of it?

The are many reasons that your hot tub water could become foamy, I have listed some below and have suggested what to use to get rid of hot tub water foam.

High Concentrations of oils and organic contaminants being agitated by the jets can cause foamy water.

Most commonly are Beauty Products, Low Calcium hardness, High or low pH, Cheap Chemicals or Spilling drinks in your hot tub.

Beauty Products: Suntan lotions, hair products, make up, skin oils, sweat, soap residue from bathing suits and fabric softener are a few things that cause foamy hot tub water.

Using a product like a Zorbie hot tub bobble works great for absorbing and removing contaminants right off the surface of the water, stopping bacteria, laden dead skin and body oils from going round and round within your circulatory system.  The majority of the oils will collect on your Zorbie rather than congeal to your filter.

You can also use a Spa Shock after each use.

Low Calcium Hardness:  If your spa has low calcium levels this can decrease the surface tension in the water and allow for excessive sudsing or foaming. 

To prevent this problem check and maintain your calcium levels once a week, if it is low use a Calcium Hardness Increaser.

High or Low pH:  If you water is imbalanced that can cause all sorts of water chemistry issues, from green water, to stinky water, to foamy hot tub water.

To prevent foam due to high pH use a pH decreaser or pH increaser to raise low pH.  Test your water weekly to maintain a healthy hot tub.  You can also use a product called Defoamer, it is an effective liquid that eliminates foam in hot tubs/ spas in seconds, just pour a capful in the water and watch it disappear.

Cheap Chemicals & Excessive Chemical use:  Chemicals bought at a discount type store often have fillers in them.  These fillers often dilute the chemicals effectiveness and often cause foaming.  

Try and buy your hot tub or spa chemicals from a trusted hot tub store, because they carry high quality chemicals.  Also read the instructions on the bottle and follow them as closely as you can.

Spilling Drinks in your hot tub:  Be careful not to spill anything you are drinking in your hot tub or spa as some drinks can cause foaming.

If you are still having issues with foam and your spa water is older than 3 months, the best thing to do is drain your hot tub or spa, clean it, clean your filter, and refill your hot tub or spa. 

If you have any questions please comment below.

Why your hot tub cover is so important to replace every few years.

              Our hot tubs are made hot by pumping water through an element (warming it up), and then pushing that warm water back into the main vessel through the jets. But how we do KEEP our hot tubs hot?  Through insulation, and more importantly our COVERS. 

             The cover to your spa helps to maintain temperature when not in use, prevent debris from building up in your water, and protects your spa shell from extreme heat and sunlight (which can cause warping and fading over time).  There are several things we can do to care for our cover to prolong its life. Regularly cleaning your cover prevents dirt, leaves and pollen from building up on the top. Using protective wipes such as "armor all" help keep your cover from drying out, cracking and splitting. If you live in a region that gets snowfall, using a broom instead of a shovel (which can snag or rip the fabric) is also beneficial to your cover. However, even while practicing these methods, your cover will not last forever, and will eventually need to be replaced. 

             

             Spa covers typically last 3-4 years before they need to be replaced completely. A good way to determine when your cover needs to be replaced is when it is displaying one or more of the following attributes;

                    Warning signs: 

                                      Dryness

                                      Cracking and splitting at the edges

                                      Fraying at the straps

                                      Added weight

                                      Small punctures

                    

                 *Serious Factors:

                                       Rips and tears in the fabric top

                                       Damage to the underside of the cover

                                       Sagging or Drooping towards the center

                                       VERY HEAVY 

                                       Broken straps

                                       Breaks/ damage to the foam 

                Why is it so important to replace my cover when it begins to show the previously stated symptoms? 

                 Its more energy efficient to run your spa with a cover in good quality and condition. Using a high quality cover can cut your electric bill almost in half! However, a waterlogged, or damaged cover can have the opposite effect, causing your spa to work harder to produce and maintain heat. It is also important to keep your cover in good condition for the safety of children and pets that may attempt to climb on top of the cover. 

                Choosing the RIGHT cover is key. Not all covers are created equally. Often, you get what you pay for. Taper, thickness and foam density are 3 things to consider when purchasing your new cover.  Tapered covers are highly recommended over flat covers. A tapered cover allows rain water, and other debris to slide off the cover at an angle, preventing added weight from sitting on the top. This taper is always tallest in the middle or fold, and lowers the closer to the edge you get. There are 3 common tapers. The first being a 4"-2" taper, (generally the most cost effective), 5"-3" taper being the second, and the strongest (and most expensive) being a 6"-4" taper. The thicker the cover, the firmer, and better insulated it will be.  Once you've selected your thickness and taper, you will then need to decide on a foam density. The higher the foam density, the more weight the cover can bear. Common foam densities range from 1 Lb - 2 Lbs. The 1 Lb option tends to be the standard choice, with 1.5 Lb being the second most popular. Increasing the density of the cover can increase the price. You will need to factor in your families lifestyle and location. If you live in a region with bitter, long lasting winters spending the extra cash on a higher density foam would be completely worth it, while those living in mainly warm weather climates would be ok with a 1 or 1.5 Lb cover. 

      

             If your still unsure which cover is the right choice for you stop in and talk to a local spa company, like Honey Spas, they will be happy to help you and answer your questions. 

                                     www.honeyspas.com       honeyspas@aol.com