Help! My Hot Tub Is Foamy

It happens sometimes. You go out to your hot tub, anticipating a long, luxurious soak, but when you take off the top, you’re greeted by cloudy, foamy water. How did that happen? It may surprise you to know that it’s not uncommon, and it’s completely treatable.

Why does it happen? If the water is cloudy, it could be insoluble particles, dead algae, or organic debris. Your filtration may be compromised because of a dirty hot tub filter, or you may have poor water chemistry. Check the filters first, and if cleaning doesn’t work, consider replacing them. Check the levels in your water, and if correcting issues with the water balance, pH, and sanitizer doesn’t work, shock the water with a non-chlorine shock. Still cloudy? Empty the spa.

Foam in your hot tub can sometimes be resolved using an all-natural enzyme solution. If you want a quicker fix, an anti-foam product can be used, but be cautious not to use it frequently. A foamy hot tub is usually the result of one of three things. It could be beauty or skincare products, it could be low calcium hardness, or it could be a pH imbalance.

• Products: It could be lotion, makeup, or hair products, but it could just as easily be detergent from your swimsuit, residue from your shampoo, or even deodorant. You can prevent these products from becoming a problem by showering or rinsing off before you enter the hot tub. Using a scum digester can get rid of foam caused by body products; putting a floating oil absorber into play can prevent future issues.
• Calcium: If calcium levels are too low, they can damage your equipment and decreases the surface tension in the water, allowing excessive sudsing to occur. This is one reason to use hardness test strips once a week and make sure your levels are correct.
• pH: When your pH is too low or too high, you’re in for a world of problems. In fact, a foamy hot tub may be the least of your worries, considering that it could be green or stinky! Since you don’t want to have to deal with any of those problems, it’s wise to test your pH once a week, raising or lowering it as necessary to keep your hot tub clean and healthy.

Owning a hot tub requires some maintenance, but it’s well worth it for the benefits you’ll enjoy. When you’re ready for a hot tub, call Aaron Pools. Established in 1972, this family-owned-and-operated business has a dedicated, award-winning team with over 400 years of combined experience. We love to help improve the quality time that families spend together at home, and that’s why we’ve installed more than 2,000 swimming pools and hot tubs, from Cape Cod to Connecticut. For the best possible service from our highly experienced installation team, call 508-689-5042 or contact us today.