Creating a Beautiful Outdoor Space

Types Of Whirlpool Tubs And A Quick Look At Having One Installed

28 March 2019 by Delores Chavez

Some people are shower people and others are bath people. If you love to take long baths and you do so frequently, then you'd probably enjoy a whirlpool tub. You could enjoy a relaxing water massage while you soak and use the tub for therapeutic reasons as well as bathing. Here are some options you have when buying a whirlpool tub and a look at having it installed.

Types Of Whirlpool Tubs

Whirlpool tubs operate with water jets or air jets. Each has a different feel, so you can choose what feels best to you. Air jets agitate the water with air so the feeling is more gentle. Water jets can give a strong massage, and they feel much more powerful against your skin. Plus, you can buy a tub with several small water jets or a few large water jets so you can get the degree of firmness with the massage that you like. Some whirlpool bathtubs even combine the jets so you get both an air and water massage.

Besides a different feel, the tubs differ in another way. Tubs with water jets need to have the jets cleaned frequently because they hold water and can grow mold, especially if you don't use the tub frequently.

What's Involved With The Installation

One thing to consider is the size of your hot water heater. Whirlpool bathtubs are large and they hold a lot of water. You usually have to fill them all the way up for them to work properly, so you'll need a large hot water tank, or you could install a tankless heater just for the tub. To install the tub, you'll need the help of a plumber, electrician, and tub installer for tile work. The electrician will install a dedicated GFCI plug for the tub, and the tub might even need more than one plug. The amount of work the plumber has to do depends on whether the whirlpool tub is replacing an old tub or being installed where there is no plumbing hookup. A whirlpool bathtub has more parts than a traditional tub, such as the hoses and pump, so considerations have to be made about where to install the pump, timer, and other parts that make the system work.

A whirlpool tub can be a big expense, but it is worth it if you're a tub person and you like to take baths every day to relax or soak away pain. Your tub will come with a manual, and you should read it and follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to clean the tub and what types of products you can add to the water so your tub has a long life and doesn't need many repairs.

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