Every hot tub owner desires a hot tub that is problem-free. After a stressful day, you would want to come back to your tub to relax and wind down. However, that was not to be, because as you pulled back the cover, some slimy , smelly foam greeted you. This doesn’t make you happy, as you have no choice but to change your plans.
However, this doesn’t have to be the case as there are ways to get rid of such foam. One such way is by the use of a defoaming agent.
Follow me in this article, as I will show you how you can get rid of that unsightly foam building up in your hot tub.
How do you get rid of too much foam in a hot tub without draining it?
It would be good to take a trip down to our chemistry class before diving in. For foam to occur, it requires three ingredients: surfactants, air, and water. Surfactants, in simple terms, are compounds that lower the surface tension of water.
When they get into your tub, they make air, and other substances easily mix with water. They create a layer of water in between themselves whilst pushing those water molecules into balls. And voila, you have a bubble. When these bubbles begin to accumulate or stack, there you have a case of foaming on your hands.
Now to business. Without draining your hot tub pool, the only other alternative is to make use of a defoamer. A defoamer is a substance which penetrates the surface of a bubble, causes its exterior to thin, and then burst.
They enter the interface between the air and the foam’s lamella. As the antifoam makes its way across the foam’s surface, it causes the foam thickness to wane. Stress begins to appear on this surface. In no time, this surface bursts and air is released.
Defoamers are very effective at this, and they are of different types. I will list them below:
- Oil defoamers: These defoamers work best in a non-aqueous medium. They use oil carriers such as mineral oils and vegetable oils. They usually contain wax or hydrophobic silica. They might contain some surfactants that help to increase emulsification in the foaming medium. They disperse well and are very effective for defoaming and quick foam suppression. They are one of the best at eliminating any surface foam.
- Powder defoamers: Powder defoamers are basically oil defoamers. The only difference is that they are carried on granular carriers like silica. Cement and detergents contain powder defoamers.
- Water-based defoamers: Water-based defoamers consist of oils and waxes dispersed in a water carrier. The oils used are mineral oils and vegetable oils. On the other hand, the waxes used are long-chain fatty alcohols, esters, and fatty acid soap. They consist majorly of water and are basically oil-in-water emulsions. The primary function of water-based defoamers is deaeration. This means that it works best at releasing entrapped air in bubbles.
- Silicone-based defoamers: These defoamers come in an oil-or water-based emulsion and have a noticeable silicone structure. Additionally, silicone glycols and other modified silicone fluids may be present in the silicone compound. These heavy-duty defoamers are effective at eliminating surface foam and releasing trapped air.
How do you defoam a hot tub without a defoamer?
If you don’t want to make use of a store-bought defoamer, you could always follow these methods I will list below. These are cost-effective and quite affordable methods.
- Vinegar: Vinegar is quite a powerful defoamer. It is quite common in most households. You might be familiar with it as just a cleaning agent. However, vinegar has proven to be multipurpose. And in the case of foaming, this fact has proven true.
It can prove a cheap and readily available alternative to specially manufactured defoamers. If you are experiencing just a thin layer of foam, you can use white vinegar to break it up. It is quite easy to use and doesn’t create toxic byproducts.
To use vinegar, add 1 gallon of vinegar to every 100 gallons of water. It should disperse the foam quickly. The only side effect might just be the lingering smell of vinegar. However, it will dissipate with time.
- Vinegar and baking Soda: To create an additional or stronger defoamer, this vinegar and baking soda mix is the way to go. Mixing these two together will create some initial foam. However, they will help to dissolve the products that cause the foaming in the first place.
- Vacuuming the foam: In some situations, you can manually remove the foam without the need for any additives. Just using your wet/dry vac and targeting it at the problem areas could be enough.
- Draining and refilling: Draining and refilling could be the way to go. You do this when there is a severe chemical imbalance in your hot tub. You do this by plugging a hose into your drain plug and then emptying your tub into a desired spot. You clean the tub thoroughly, and then you can refill it with fresh water. You can now go on to shock the water properly to prevent this foam from reoccurring.
Will shock get rid of hot tub foam?
Yes, it could. However, shock is best used as a preventive measure. Shock helps to break down those contaminants. Surfactants that cause foam to build up in your hot tub.
After you have manually removed the foam, you can shock your pool to break down those surfactants causing the foam, although you can still make use of store-bought defoamers or household alternatives like vinegar.
Will baking soda clear up cloudy hot tub water?
No, it won’t. Cloudy water, most of the time, is caused as a result of high alkalinity. One of the problems with high alkalinity is that it could cause your water scale to form. That is, it makes your water precipitate calcium carbonate a lot, thus making it very cloudy.
Another reason for the cloudy water could be algae and bacteria buildup. A highly alkaline environment makes chlorine and bromine ineffective. This gives algae and bacteria room to grow totally unchecked.
From what has been explained above, adding baking soda, which is an alkaline substance already, could worsen the situation. However, the best course of action is to run tests on your water before proceeding with any addition.
Why is my hot tub foaming so much?
The primary cause of foam in your hot tub links back to your failure to regularly sanitize your pool. The surfactants that cause this foam buildup can come from different sources:
- Beauty products: Your beauty products, such as lotions, make-up, shampoo, and hairspray, are major contributors to this foaming. They can cause your sanitizers to overwork. Soap and detergents can also get into your tub. This can come from your swimsuit. All these contribute to foaming.
- Chemical imbalance: When the chemical balance is off, the pH of your tub can be greatly affected. This can be the result of using cheap chemicals. As a result, you end up with smelly, foamy water.
- Regular use: Your regular use of the tub could be a major factor too. When you dip in the tub, dead cells and oils from your body deposit into the water. They build up over time, and they can contribute to your tub foaming.
- Food and drinks: Bringing food and drinks to your spa can also contribute to the foaming. When particles from your food or spills from your drink get into the pool, they can also cause foaming.
Does high pH cause hot tub foam?
Yes, it does. High pH can greatly contribute to hot tub foam. High pH is even more likely to cause foam than low pH. This is because algae and bacteria thrive more under more alkaline conditions. Hence, their buildup can lead to foam and cloudiness in your hot tub.
Can too much bromine cause foam?
Not necessarily. Bromine on its own won’t cause foam, even if it’s in excess. The combination of other surfactants, such as the one listed above, and other chemical imbalances, is what will lead to foam formation.
What causes foam in a spa?
As mentioned above, the presence of numerous surfactants can cause the formation of foam. These surfactants push their way between water molecules and then force them into spheres. These spheres are the foam that you see.
How often should you change the water in your hot tub?
The water in your hot tub should be changed quarterly. This is good sanitary practice. It will help you eliminate contaminants and some of those surfactants that could be residing within the tub’s circulation.
