Your hot tub spa is a place where you should be able to relax and unwind, but that can be difficult when you're surrounded by excessive and unpleasant foam. Hot tub foam is one of the most common issues spa owners face, and the first step to getting rid of it is working out what's causing it. Here are three of the most common possible issues.
1. Cosmetics and toiletries
Cosmetics and toiletries include deodorants, toothpaste, shampoos, soaps, and so on can cause foam. The same surfactants in these products that cause cosmetics to lather on your skin also create bubbles that build up with foam when they end up in a hot tub. If these items transfer from your body to your spa when you're in it, you'll soon end up with white or yellowish foam plaguing your hot tub. The easiest way to prevent this problem is to make sure you shower off with clean water and no soap before entering your hot tub; this will ensure all surfactants are removed from your skin.
2. Chemicals
Chemicals are essential for keeping your hot tub chemistry safe for swimming, but the wrong type of chemicals can also cause foam. Low-quality spa chemicals, for example, often include filler ingredients that can quickly foam up in hot tubs. Likewise, mixing chemicals that shouldn't go together can also cause foaming reactions. As such, it's important to make sure you always purchase your chemicals from a reputable company. If you're not sure which ones you need, don't hesitate to ask so you can avoid mixing them unnecessarily. There are even spa chemicals that can shock the foam from your pool on a weekly basis.
3. Broken filters
If you're treating your hot tub with the right chemicals and washing your body before bathing, your spa itself could be the problem. Foamy water can sometimes be caused by a broken or faltering filtration system. A spa filter draws water in, cleans it, then disperses it back into the hot tub. If your filter isn't functioning as it should, it may not be removing the particles that can lead to unpleasant foaming. Cloudiness and foul odours are also common signs of a broken filter. If you think this may be your problem, don't hesitate to call a spa repair company. They'll be able to diagnose the problem (whether that's a hole, crack, loose seal, or anything in between) and get your spa working as good as new again.
