Bathtub replacement w/jets
#1
01-27-08, 08:18 PM
Bathtub replacement w/jets
I'm considering to remodel my bathroom and I'm looking at my options for a bathtub replacement. The current tub is just a standard (+40 yr old??) tub. I'm looking at replacing it with a jet tub. Is ee there are difffernt types such as water jets vs air jets, tub depth etc...
Does anyone have any good, bad or in different experiences with jetted tubs?
How about noise, temperature controls, bathroom steaming up issues??
Thanks for your help!!
Does anyone have any good, bad or in different experiences with jetted tubs?
How about noise, temperature controls, bathroom steaming up issues??
Thanks for your help!!
#2
01-28-08, 06:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Outhouse
Does anyone have any good, bad or in different experiences with jetted tubs?
The reason this can happen is because few owners of these tubs realize that they are supposed to be cleaned (purged) at least monthly, and that some manufacturers (ex: Jacuzzi) recommend that you purge them after every use:
http://jacuzzi.com/pdf/BR28000.PDF
We always include this information in the FYI section of our home inspection reports when we encounter a jetted tub, and may people are quite surprised to discover the amount of maintenance recommend to keep a jetted unit in sanitary condition.
Last edited by Michael Thomas; 01-28-08 at 07:35 AM.
#3
01-28-08, 07:27 AM
Super Moderator
tub
Hi Outhouse
Some things to consider...
1st floor or 2nd?? If above a living space, consider times of use and activity below. The newer ones are better..but you can still get quite a bit of noise.
Temps..When the jets are running, the water can cool off very quickly. Consider one with a built-in heater. The heater will complicate the install due to the higher current requirements over just the pump motor.
Deeper and wider is better, but depending on the person using it, can make ingress and egress more difficult.
Steaming up..not really that big an issue if you have adequate ventilation in the bathroom.
As MT stated, they require more maintenance than a standard tub.
Installation is everything!! Do it to the manufacturers specs, no messing around or it will come back to bite you!!
Buy a good name brand... support, parts, build quality is everything. Go to a bath showroom and actually get in a few tubs dry. Many of them actually have tubs plumbed in, so you can see and hear how the suit you. They can help you choose the style that fits your need and installation.
That said, I'll never have another one as long as I can fit a spa somewhere on my property.
Some things to consider...
1st floor or 2nd?? If above a living space, consider times of use and activity below. The newer ones are better..but you can still get quite a bit of noise.
Temps..When the jets are running, the water can cool off very quickly. Consider one with a built-in heater. The heater will complicate the install due to the higher current requirements over just the pump motor.
Deeper and wider is better, but depending on the person using it, can make ingress and egress more difficult.
Steaming up..not really that big an issue if you have adequate ventilation in the bathroom.
As MT stated, they require more maintenance than a standard tub.
Installation is everything!! Do it to the manufacturers specs, no messing around or it will come back to bite you!!
Buy a good name brand... support, parts, build quality is everything. Go to a bath showroom and actually get in a few tubs dry. Many of them actually have tubs plumbed in, so you can see and hear how the suit you. They can help you choose the style that fits your need and installation.
That said, I'll never have another one as long as I can fit a spa somewhere on my property.
#4
01-28-08, 07:54 AM
We've had a couple of jetted tubs, one for 10-12 years and the other a couple of years. Both are MAAX tubs. One has a heater and one doesn't. Probably a personal preference thing, but we seldom use the heater.
Maintenance is not really an issue for us. It's pretty easy to "purge" the piping, it takes just a few minutes after a bath. IMO, one of the reasons for the gunk in the pipes (we haven't seen that) is that people use oil based soaps and bath products in the tub. The literature with our tub recommends that bath oils not be used.
The pumps are noisy, but you can cut that quite a bit with insulation around the tub.
Our tubs required a floor rated at 50#/SF live load. I had to double the joists under the tubs in both baths. The tub also needs a dedicated 20Amp, GFI served circuit. My local code requires that this circuit be switch controlled. The heater also required a dedicated circuit.
I'm a shower guy and I probably get in the tub only once or twice a month. It's great for stress relief and sore muscles. The wife uses it a couple of times a week.
Maintenance is not really an issue for us. It's pretty easy to "purge" the piping, it takes just a few minutes after a bath. IMO, one of the reasons for the gunk in the pipes (we haven't seen that) is that people use oil based soaps and bath products in the tub. The literature with our tub recommends that bath oils not be used.
The pumps are noisy, but you can cut that quite a bit with insulation around the tub.
Our tubs required a floor rated at 50#/SF live load. I had to double the joists under the tubs in both baths. The tub also needs a dedicated 20Amp, GFI served circuit. My local code requires that this circuit be switch controlled. The heater also required a dedicated circuit.
I'm a shower guy and I probably get in the tub only once or twice a month. It's great for stress relief and sore muscles. The wife uses it a couple of times a week.
