Cloudy, milky, or bubbling water in your hot tub is a problem that most hot tub owners have. While hot tub chemicals may help prevent these problems, there are some issues that chemicals can’t solve. In this article, we’ll look at the causes of cloudy, bubbling hot tubs and how to fix them.
Why Your Hot Tub Is Cloudy, Milky, or Foamy
Even if you add chlorine disinfectants or other chemicals to your hot tub, your hot tub may still be cloudy, milky, or bubbling. This phenomenon can often be caused by the following:
Imbalanced water chemistry
One of the most common causes of cloudy or milky water is an imbalance in water chemistry. Hot tub water needs to be carefully balanced to ensure that disinfectants such as chlorine or bromine can work effectively. Common imbalances include:
- High pH or alkalinity: When the pH or total alkalinity is too high, it reduces the effectiveness of the chlorine in the pool, making it less effective at disinfecting. The water can also become cloudy and scale can form on pool equipment.
- Low levels of disinfectant: Inadequate levels of chlorine or bromine can cause bacteria and organic matter to accumulate in the water, resulting in cloudy water and algae growth.
- High calcium hardness: Excessive calcium levels in the water can cause scaling, cloudy water, or mineral deposits to form on the surface of the hot tub.
Body oils, lotions, and other contaminants
Body oils, lotions, sweat, makeup, and other personal care products mix with the water when people get into a hot tub. These contaminants can cause the water to foam or become cloudy, especially if it is not filtered or balanced properly.
Dirty or contaminated filters
Over time, hot tub filters can accumulate debris, oils, and other contaminants. This buildup can clog the filter, reducing its efficiency, and trap particles in the water, causing the water to become cloudy or foamy.
How to Fix Cloudy, Milky, or Foamy Hot Tub Water
Inspect and Clean Your Hot Tub Filter
A dirty or clogged filter is a leading cause of cloudy water. To clean your hot tub filter:
- Remove the filter from the hot tub.
- Rinse it thoroughly with a garden hose to remove loose debris.
- Soak the filter in a filter cleaner solution for several hours (following the manufacturer’s instructions).
- After soaking, rinse the filter again to ensure it is clean.
- Allow the filter to dry completely before reinserting it into the hot tub.
If the filter is severely clogged or worn, it may need to be replaced with a new filter to restore proper filtration.
Test and Balance Water Chemistry
The first step to troubleshooting cloudy or milky hot tub water is to test the water chemistry. Use a reliable test strip or liquid test kit to check the following parameters:
- pH pH levels typically range from 7.2 to 7.8.
- Alkalinity: The recommended range is between 60 and 180 ppm (parts per million).
- Free chlorine levels: Make sure these levels are within the recommended range of 1-3ppm.
- Calcium hardness: 150-1000ppm to prevent excess calcium from causing cloudiness.
Adjust chemistry levels as needed.
If your water has become cloudy or milky due to a buildup of organic matter, body oils, or bacteria, shocking the water may help. Shocking is the process of adding a large amount of disinfectant (chlorine or non-chlorine shock) to the water to break down contaminants and restore water clarity.
- For a chlorine shock, add 2-3 times the normal dose of chlorine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- For a non-chlorine shock, follow the product guide for the correct amount.
After adding the shock, run the hot tub’s jets for at least 15-20 minutes to help it circulate through the water. Let the water sit for a few hours (for non-chlorine shock) or overnight (for chlorine shock), then retest the water chemistry and adjust as needed.
Remove Foam with Defoamers
If there is foam in the water, adding a defoamer can help eliminate the excess bubbles. Defoamers are specially formulated to break up the foam without affecting the water chemistry. Simply add the defoamer according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the foam will dissipate in minutes.
Regular Maintenance
To avoid cloudy, milky, or foamy water in the future, be sure to maintain the hygiene of your hot tub. This includes:
- Regularly testing and balancing the water chemistry.
- Cleaning the filter monthly or as needed.
- Shock the water weekly or after heavy use.
- Drain and refill the hot tub every 3-4 months to prevent braces and other problems.
Cloudy, milky or foamy hot tub water is a common problem, but with care and maintenance, you can restore the quality and clarity of your hot tub water. By testing and balancing the water chemistry, cleaning filters, shocking the water and using defoamers when necessary, you can keep your hot tub’s water carp appealing.
Hot tub chemical suppliers remind you that it is especially important to regularly clean and maintain your hot tub.
Why Your Hot Tub Is Cloudy, Milky, or Foamy
Post time: Jan-17-2025