JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.
Customer Service: [email protected]
How to Stop Your Hot Tub from Foaming
Adding a hot tub to your garden is a wonderful luxury, but there’s a lot that goes into keeping it sparkling clean!
Even if you keep to the strictest chemical regime with your chlorine tablets and regular testing, there’s a chance you’ll experience foaming in your tub. It is, after all, one of the most common problems, and many things can cause it to appear.
It is possible to stop your water foaming if you keep up with regular maintenance and manage how people use your hot tub.
It is worth noting first of all that we are not referring to bubbles in your hot tub, nor do we mean cloudy or green water.
Hot tub foam is the build-up of thick, foamy gunk on the surface of your hot tub water.
If you’ve ever visited the sea, you may notice around rocks the build-up of a foamy substance. What happens in your hot tub is somewhat similar.
The foam is primarily the result of chemicals classed as surfactants, sticky molecules which seek to combine with water and air, creating bubbles.
Hot tub foam is one of the simplest problems that can occur, but also one of the hardest to resolve if left untreated for too long.
One of the reasons why hot tub foam can be so common, particularly among new owners, is because of the many reasons why it develops. Surfactants come from a wide range of sources.
You’ll be unsurprised to hear that having unbalanced chemicals can contribute to the build-up of foam.
Calcium levels are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to foaming. One of the side effects of low calcium hardness can be the development of bubbles which turn into foam.
Your pH balance also plays a significant role. Surfactants can result from cheap or poorly managed chemicals, so maintaining the overall balance is critical.
Another thing to bear in mind is your tub’s total dissolved solids (TDS). When your chemicals enter the water, many of them remain inside, which can lead to the creation of surfactants.
If your hot tub’s TDS gets too high, this can increase the chance of surfactants creating foam.
We all love to live a life of luxury now and then, but dropping food and drink into your hot tub is not great for the health of your water!
Foods and particularly fizzy drinks are full of chemicals which lead to foaming and generally make your tub a sticker place. Avoid making these mistakes if possible, or make sure to clean effectively afterwards.
This point is as old as hot tubs themselves but is still rarely acknowledged by owners. Our bodies and the products we use are the biggest culprits when it comes to foaming.
We naturally produce oils which sit on the surface of our skin. While chemicals are designed to deal with these, they can only go so far and, eventually, unclean bodies will lead to excess foam.
Another major culprit is the products we use. Things like shampoos and sun creams are foaming machines when they enter the water!
As with everything to do with hot tubs, prevention is better than remedy. Not only is your hot tub more enjoyable to use without worrying about hot tub foam, but it can also be cheaper long-term if you keep on top.
The best way to prevent hot tub foam is to keep on top of your water’s chemical balance. As with many hot tub problems, doing this regularly will drastically reduce the chances of anything bad happening to your tub or water.
The chemicals you use can also be a factor. Make sure you’re using high-quality chemicals, as these are often stronger and will leave less of a residue behind, which can turn into foam.
The second best thing you can do is make sure people shower before entering your hot tub. While it can feel like a chore, we are responsible for most foaming, so having a clean will go a long way.
If you already have hot tub foam, then its severity will influence what action you take to get your water back to its sparkling best.
If you only have light foaming, you may be able to remedy the issue by rebalancing your water.
Your first step should be to check the calcium hardness and pH levels, as these are often the biggest culprits.
In some circumstances, a chlorine shock can also prove beneficial, especially if there are a lot of oils etc. in your swimming pool.
If foam remains after you’ve rebalanced your water, the issue may be deeper. Those sticky surfactants can cling to the edges and corner of your tub, making foam an ever-present problem.
In this instance, the best option is to drain your hot tub completely. Once all water’s been removed, perform a clean over the surface, pipes and filters to remove any lasting gunk.
Once you have cleaned the hot tub, refill with water and balance the chemicals. Do this, and your foaming issue should be resolved for good!
Certain products are designed to reduce the amount of foam that appears in your hot tub. These products only brush the surface, however, and don’t get to the root of the problem.
Antifoam products tend to eliminate hot tub foam for a day or so. However, it will return soon after, just with added chemicals inside. Hot tub clarifier does a similar job and, while useful, shouldn’t be used as a replacement for good, regular maintenance.
We hope this guide will help you get on top of any foaming problem you may have. If you want more advice, check out the rest of our blog, which is filled with helpful tips!
