A Wish Come True

After a long day, you just want to relax in your spa. It's no fun to pull back the cover only to be greeted with a thick layer of foam instead of the warm, crystal clear water you have been craving. Foam doesn't necessarily indicate a malfunction in your hot tub, but it does mean that something in the water isn't quite right. The following are the main reasons why foam can form in a spa, along with what you can do to prevent it.

1. Hygiene Products

One of the most common causes for foaming is products in the hair or on the skin of those soaking in the spa. Shampoo and soap residue, lotions, and hair products are the most common culprits. The issues can also be detergent residue that remains in swimsuits after laundering, particularly if you use a powdered detergent and live in an area with hard water. This is because hard water is less efficient at removing the residue from clothing. Taking a quick rinse-off shower in your bathing suit before getting into the spa will help reduce product foaming. You should also begin adding a scum digester treatment during your normal spa water treatment.

2. Mineral Issues

Calcium is present in most water in differing amounts, and it is a key element in preventing foaming in a spa. For those that have naturally soft water or a whole house water softener installed, there may be low levels of calcium in the water that is placed in the hot tub. Reduced calcium levels in the water affect the surface tension so that foaming is more likely to occur. Fortunately, this is an easy issue to fix. Make sure to perform a water hardness test each week when you are treating the water. If the hardness levels are low on the test strip, you can add a hardness increaser that is formulated for use in a spa.

3. pH Adjustments

Many spa owners know to monitor pH levels because if they get too low, green scum can begin to form. It's also important to note that higher pH isn't necessarily better because overly high pH can lead to foaming. The pH needs to be tested at least once a week, and the proper adjuster treatment needs to be added to maintain a pH of around 7.5.

Contact a spa service if you need more help with reducing foaming issues in your hot tub.