Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: fatman on July 27, 2005, 08:49:21 pm

Title: full foam shrinkage
Post by: fatman on July 27, 2005, 08:49:21 pm: No, I am not looking to start a 7 page thread on ff vs. tp so please folks, lets not go there. Just one question to ask so let's keep it civilized. I spoke with a dealer today who happens to sell a well known brand of full foam and an equally well known brand of tp. He told me that full foam will shrink 1/2" in 5 years time regardless of the density used. Is this true?
Title: Re: full foam shrinkage
Post by: Vinny on July 27, 2005, 09:07:13 pm: It depends on if it's a male tub and how cold the water is. ;D

Sorry, I couldn't resist!
Title: Re: full foam shrinkage
Post by: Brewman on July 28, 2005, 07:53:14 am: Did the dealer share with you the source of this information? I'd be curious as to what entity made the claim, and what their interest in the issue is.
Brewman
Title: Re: full foam shrinkage
Post by: fatman on July 28, 2005, 08:16:35 am: Quote
Did the dealer share with you the source of this information? I'd be curious as to what entity made the claim, and what their interest in the issue is.
Brewman
The dealer said it was a conference through the MSPI. Wish I could give more detail but I took only brief notes.....
Title: Re: full foam shrinkage
Post by: Chas on July 28, 2005, 09:50:24 am: I have not heard that - and knowing some of the places where closed-cell polyurethane foam is used, I would say he got it wrong. Some random thoughts:

I have worked on many older tubs from various different brands, and I have seen no evidence of shrinkage in the foam. The spa flex tends to shrink over time, and that can cause problems if the designers don't allow for it in the layout of jets and other fittings.

I have dug out twenty-year-old tubs and the foam was gripping all the parts just like a new spa.

I know that foam shows up inside non-reinforced masonary walls as earthquake retrofit strengthening, and I think shrinkage would have made them look for another material by now.

And what about surfboards? I see them all over here in So Cal, and they seem to be fine after many years...
Title: Re: full foam shrinkage
Post by: ebirrane on July 28, 2005, 10:06:08 am: Could he have been talking about open-cell foam under the mistaken impression that alot of manufacturers use that type of foam in their tub?

-Ed
Title: Re: full foam shrinkage
Post by: Steve on July 28, 2005, 10:21:52 am: I knew someone would go there Vinny! ;D

I have never heard of this shrinkage issue before and I doubt it has any validity to it.

Steve
Title: Re: full foam shrinkage
Post by: Spatech_tuo on July 28, 2005, 11:27:54 am: That's a new one on me.
Title: Re: full foam shrinkage
Post by: HotTubMan on July 28, 2005, 11:47:15 am: If anything, I could see some forms of foam expanding. Not the 2lb, but rather the 1/2# open cell foam. That said I have never encountered expanding or shrinking foam.
Title: Re: full foam shrinkage
Post by: East_TX_Spa on July 28, 2005, 02:26:56 pm: I'm continually amazed at the things people fret about when looking at spas.

Terminator
Title: Re: full foam shrinkage
Post by: tootall on July 28, 2005, 09:53:48 pm: Closed cell foam does not shrink other wise the bulding trade would not use it to seal cracks and holes with it.