Those with whirlpool tubs....

[ilovepcot]

Tell me everything! We've decided to gut our largest bathroom and I want a spa type environment...whirlpool tub being the main thing. Since you can't "try before you buy" I have no idea what to look for in a really nice tub. What features do you have and think are "must haves" and what are some things to avoid?

 

[Sarah7401]

We got one that was longer and wider than a normal bathtub so we could stretch out in it. I looooove it!!

Good luck!

 

[disney junky]

We went with what fit the space. I think it has eight jets...a fairly modest model. Keep in mind that the amount of water it takes to fill them is a great deal more than a typical tub. We ran a larger diameter line so it would fill faster.

I will add, when we put it in, we thought we'd use it all the time; we also have a shower, but I doubt that we use it more than a couple times a year, usually for stiffness or soreness. Recently we went to a couple open houses of new homes and they aren't putting them in any more.

 

[ducklite]

I love mine, but it does take a lot of water to fill it, so I do'nt use it as often as I'd like to.

I've got six jets, but only one speed. Had I known better I would have upgraded to one with two, or even three speeds.

Mine also has built in armrests which is very convenient if you want to soak while you read. I use it a couple times a month.

Enjoy it!

Anne

 

[camreesmom]

Ours is really large and our water bill has definitely gone up since we got it. We do use ours a lot though and the kids even beg to use it. DH uses it at least 3 times a week and I use it at least twice a week. I wish ours had arm rests in it, other than that no complaints.

~julie

 

[clarabelle]

Maybe they have changed (mine is about 8 years old) but it shoots out mildew when you don't use it frequently. I think the jets are set too high up in the tub -you have to fill it really full. So too clean out the jets I have to fill it up -let it run -then fill it up again.
Soo not worth it. When you don't use the jets they get scuzzy on the outside too. So even a regular bath might have a few bits of gunk floating around in it.

 

[Amlee]

Vinger will stop the build up. It takes about a gallon to do my parents (two Person) tub. Fill the tub up with warm water just over the jets and then add the vinger. Run the jets for some time and then drain it. You can do this about once a month and it should stop it.

My parents put their tub in a few years ago and now it's hardly used. When I redid my bathroom last Nov, I looked at all types of tubs and decided the whirlpool tub wasn't what I wanted. I had them order me a whirlpool size tub with out the jets. It has the arm rest and is large enough for me to soak and relax. I wouldn't trade it for anything else!

 

[MRNsMommy]

We have one of the corner types. It has 5 jets and 6 or 7 levels (can't remember exactly). I LOVE it...when I actually use it! Like some of the PPs have said, it takes SO much water to fill it up and it takes a while to fill up, too. So, sometimes it's more trouble than it's worth. Mine also has the built-in arm rests which are a must if you do reading in the tub.

 

[KristiKelly]

I haven't read all of the responses but I will tell you what I did (and regret).

When we were building, I put a large 2 person tub in. I don't know why, I guess I had visions of us being Johnathan & Stephanie Hart (anybody remember them?). Anyway, I always run out of hot water trying to fill it up. It has not been used since June 2005, I was 39 weeks pregnant, feet & ankles were the size of the Titanic and I filled it with cool water to try to shrink my feet some. I have to vacuum it out about every other week, it is a dust trap. If I had it to do all over again, I would put a smaller, single, jetted tub in but - too late.

My kids however did practice swimming in it when they were little.

 

[sue1013]

I have a single size with 8 jets. My sister has a large two person size and doesn't use it since it takes so long to fill it. We use ours about once a week not a lot but I'm glad we put it in. Mine also has the arm rests I'd make sure to get one with those. About once a month I fill the tub then add some bleach turn the jets on for a few minutes then repeat with plain water.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I have a standard tub size Jacuzzi brand bathtub. It has 4 jets. I love it because with it being a normal size bathtub I can use it every day! With it being a Jacuzzi brand it has very powerful jets. About once a month you want to fill it up with water and pour a gallon of bleach in it and turn the jets on for about 10-15 minutes.

TC

 

[ilovepcot]

These responses are great!

We have a Jacuzzi outside and the whirlpool is to take the place of it. You see, I have an auto immune disease that causes horrible pain in my joints and there are times I can hardly walk. I'd love to go outside to use the Jacuzzi but there are *so many snakes.* Over the years we planted tropical foliage to surround it and it looks fabulous, but....brings snakes and other wildlife. Also, it seems DH is always tied up at work or asleep...always something that prevents his being able to sit with me to soak and I do like to soak for *long* periods of time. So, we are thinking this may be a partial solution to this problem.

Please keep the info coming!

 

[jillyjoey]

Ours sounds alot like ducklite's. Ours is a Jacuzzi brand tub.

Additionally, it is really deep though and you have to fill it because there are 4 jets for your back and the two top ones are pretty high up. It has the built in heater but only keeps the water to the temp that you put in. I enjoy it but you run out of hot water before it's filled. The other thing -- I have one of those huge faucets on it. When you turn it on - you have no pressure any where else in the house. It took us calling the water company and the plumber about 5 times when we first built our house to figure this out. We were sure we had a leak or something. They told us the faucet pulled too much water. It doesn't really bother us.

 

[ducklite]

Mine is mounted in a base with a step up, it's actually a little awkward to get in and out of. The easiest way is to sit down and swivel your legs over into the tub, stand, then sit again. I'm tall so if I didn't ahve the fancy tile platform I could just step in, so it feels awkward to me.

I haven't had a problem with running out of hot water--I've got a gas HW tank that's got some sort of "fast heatr" feature, maybe that makes a difference?

Anne

 

[MareQ]

We used to have a 2 person Jacuzzi brand tub in our old house- boy I miss it....

DH and I used it every weekend! NOTHING more relaxing than HOT water - lots of bath beads with oil and peace and quiet.

We did have to buy a bigger water heater though to make sure we had enough hot water...

This house just has regular bath tubs - I miss my big tub

 

[salmoneous]

We use ours a lot and really love it. One think I wish were different is the jet arrangement. It has 6 - two on each sides and two at your feet. Really wish it had jets at the back.

One think I wish it has was a quiet mode, if that's even possible. With the jets on, its loud. So if you want to relax to mood music or something, you have to turn the jets off. Then what's the point?

 

[Chilehead Too]

Ours is about 7 years old or so and I am sure there are many more sophisticated models out now. But we have a single deep with 8 jets. As previously reported it takes so much water to fill. Honestly it was a novelty that wore off rather quickly. I too had visions of taking a nice hot jacuuzi nightly with candles, wine and good book, but then I woke up

 

[MosMom]

Just make sure it is big enough for you both to fit in it. We really enjoy taking a bubble bath together. Not always "kinky" just relaxing and it is quiet. I feel like there are no other distractions and it is just us.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We love ours. It is a deep single with 4 jets and 1 speed.

The thing we do not like is that the drain overflow is right where somebody sits.

 

[jillyjoey]

Just make sure it is big enough for you both to fit in it. We really enjoy taking a bubble bath together. Not always "kinky" just relaxing and it is quiet. I feel like there are no other distractions and it is just us.

Not always kinky, huh? Does that mean sometimes kinky?