Are whirlpool tubs worth the trouble and cost?
Question:For those who have or have had a whirlpool tub only please. What kind so you have? Do you like it? Are they hard to keep clean? Expensive to run? Trying to decide whether to get one or a big tub without the jets.
Thanks
Answers:
I vote soaking tub. No jets. I've put in a lot of both and feel that the designs, the options, shapes, the configurations, the upkeep, the cleaning, the new research about bacterial infection, the hassel, the costs for installing, running and maintaining, how dated, how quickly it becomes dated, SIMPLY is not worth the investment. I have remodeled the same bathrooms over and over to keep up with the technology, and those clients could have installed a portable jetted hot tub outside once with less costs involved. Every time you turn around there is a new study about hot tubs, jetted tubs, whirlpools, etc.
One installation, one time, one effort, one expense. I think most people stop paying to use their jetted bathroom whirlpools after they get the bills for a while or they wouldn't keep calling to have soaking tubs replace them.
We had one and it was heavenly. It was really heavenly. We didn't have to do much upkeep on it. This was quite a few years ago.
We have had both.Jacuzzi was the whirlpool model we had. We thought we would really use it but we didn't. I mostly like to take bubble or oil baths and you can't use those in a whirlpool without really gumming up the works and tiresome to clean. Somehow just sitting in a tub of bubbling hot water didn't seem as relaxing especially with the jet noise. We chose a much larger tub in the next house and used it constantly. Doing the same with our new house now. It's up to you of course.
Some thoughts on the tub debate. I am a high end construction plumbing contractor. I have installed many large jetted and non jetted deck mount tubs. First of all, think of what you want the tub for. Are you really going to spend much time in it? Think of your bathing habits now. If you never take a bath, you probably wont regularly just because of a fancy tub with a few jets. Most people end up never using them, and just add the tub to the resale value. If you arent going out of budget or bankrupt by installing the jetted style, they are a good upgrade from just a garden tub. If you do choose your material wisely. I find acrylic tubs last longer, are usually a little thicker, and wear better than fiberglass models. There are many name brands out there. More than likely alot of local ones too, just ask a local plumbing contractor or even look in the yellow pages. Online purchased fixtures are usually as they advertise but the shipping added in and you probably spent the same amount anyway. Remember to plan for a dedicated electrical line added in from the tub to the main electric panel. Also plan for an access large enough to remove the motor for future service. Plan for the drain and seating location. (Where your back will be and what you will look at when sitting in the tub.) Make sure your tub deck has at least 3" - 4" from floor to the finished height of the deck.That will provide the need room for supporting the tub, and room for the drain to be hooked up properly. Request that a sand mix concrete, wet mix be used under the tub when finially set in place. It will conform perfectly to the bottom of the tub to provide the weight distribution needed. The weight should be supported by the base, not by the edges of the tub. hope this helped a little! good luck!
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