Caulking around jets degrading?

[darcNL]

Hey everyone,
I'm new here, hi! But this place seems really good. I can't wait to do a bit more reading and searching. Anyways, on to the issue...

I own a Beachcomber 380 since 2014. I used Beachcomber brand chemicals for the most part, except for baking soda instead of 'Resist'. [Side bar: reading things on here, I'm already going to try and more DIY approach to chemicals from now on] and feel like my tub is always nice and balanced. Never really had any issues... until last Fall...

I started noticing whenever I took the filter out, the water in the hole had a ton of white floating particles. I'd even sometimes use the shopvac to suck them out. I'd clean the filter and put it back, but every time I took it out - more white particles in the filter hole.

Last summer (prior to this issue beginning) there were 2 changes. First, my friend to me that she washes her filters in the dishwasher with baking soda & vinegar. So, I started doing this. I was thinking the white particles could of been a degrading filter? I've stopped using vinegar, but continued to use the dishwasher and baking soda. [Side bar, after reading here, I'm going to start just soaking in TSP from now on - no more dishwasher.]

Also, Beachcomber switched their tub cleaner (pipe cleaner) solution for one that needs a double rinse - add pipe cleaner, run for 24hrs, drain water, fill, run for a # of hrs, then drain & fill again. Their previous product did not require this extra drain & fill. Making me think it a more intense product that could be breaking down the filter?

Now, I just drained the tub and did a good thorough cleaning of the tub and found this:

The caulking around the jet insert is very malleable and you can see how it is crumbling too. These are the white particles I am seeing! Which leaves me to thinking ... is it this new pipe cleaner that is breaking down the caulking? Or is this a manufacturer defect? Or is this something that happens from time to time? I can't seem to find any info about this or anyone else with a similar problem.

Thanks everyone for the read and any help! Greatly appreciated!

 

[kimkats]

Hi! I wonder how long that caulking can/will last in a hot tub. That is something I will let someone else answer.

What I wanted to touch on is your cleaning stuff. I found this link for you:

Ahh-some treatment

This is the treatment TFP has found to do the best job cleaning a hot tub.

The video is very telling

How old is the tub?

Kim

 

[darcNL]

The tub is only 3 years old. I'm going to contact the company I bought it from. See if warranty will help. Thank you for you're reply. I'll try the stuff you recommend. Its likely cheaper too! Thanks again.

 

[kimkats]

I have read that you should use the ahh-some before you even get in or use a brand new tub as there is stuff from when it was made that needs to be cleaned out!

Kim

 

[darcNL]

Wow, ahh-some is really expensive. There seems to be an alternative product on amazon with good reviews for half the price: Oh Yuk. Thoughts? Half the price = half as good? lol.

 

[kimkats]

I don't know............what you can do is look at what the product is made of. See if they match. If you cannot find that info let me know and I might have someone who MIGHT know or can find out. If you would try first that would be helpful.

 

[darcNL]

Thanks, kimkats!
The active ingredient in Oh Yuk is quaternary ammonium cation. I cannot, however, seem to find any info on the active ingredient(s) in Ahh-Some. Any help?

 

[kimkats]

I am sending this to my chemical guy. It might be a little bit until he gets back with you so hold on please.

Kim

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Oh Yuk will be weak compared to Ahh-some. Quaternary Ammonium cations is just another was of saying it's a linear quat algaecide. Linear quats act as clarifiers at high concentrations and will only take out suspended solids already in the water. Ahh-some is more than just a clarifier, it also contains a proprietary mix of concentrated surfactants that strip biofilms off of plumbing surfaces. So, when the surfactant strips and breaks up the biofilms, the linear quat causes the tiny particulates to coagulate into larger particles that stay suspended in solution. This is the brown, mucky film that sticks to the side of the tub when draining.

In short, you can try the Oh Yuk, but it will likely do less than half the job or, more likely, no job at all.

 

[darcNL]

Thanks for that! I'll skip the Oh Yuk and just get some Ahh-Some. You guys are all great!