Why is my Spa Foaming?

The formation of "suds" or foaming on the surface of your spa is typically caused by one of three factors:
 
1) Excessive amounts of lotions, deodorants and/or cosmetic products contribute to spa foaming. 
2) Aeration from the therapy jets can increase the amount of foam.
3) Low Calcium Hardness levels. This foam generally occurs when the calcium hardness level drops below 100 ppm (mg/L).

In some cases, your spa foam may be caused by a combination of 2 or 3 of these items. In any case, your first step should be to perform a full water chemical test (pH, alkalinity, metals, calcium hardness, temperature, TDS and sanitizer level). If your test kit does not test for calcium hardness levels, we suggest contacting or bringing a water sample to a pool/spa professional. If your calcium levels are too low, calcium hardness may be increased by the addition of calcium chloride (calcium increaser).

With regards to causes # 1 and # 2, a defoaming product may be used to reduce the visual effect of foam. These products typically contain silicone emulsions that will help break down the foam. Besides being visually unappealing, foam is often full of contaminants. When contaminants are allowed to concentrate, foaming similiar to dish soap will occur. If defoamers, oxidation treatments and water clarifiers don't take care of the problem, a full spa dump and fresh fill may be justified.