Choosing a Whirlpool or Air Bath
Functions: Whirlpool • Air Bath • Combination Bath • Heated Soaking Bath
Style: Alcove • Drop-in • Undermount • Freestanding
Options: Pump Location • Tile Flange • Inline Heater • Tub Drain
Considerations: Size • Acrylic
Would you like a whirlpool, air bath, combination or soaking bath?
Whirlpool Bathtub
Vigorous, concentrated, deep tissue massage
A whirlpool uses a pump (motor) to force the water through the jets. The amount of force depends on the jet design, horsepower of the pump and the amount of air added to the water. (There is more volume with less pressure when air is introduced into the water as it goes through a jet.)
Customized massage
Jets can be adjustable in direction (angle) or volume. The number and location of the jets are set most of the time.With Neptune and Hydro Systems jets may be added. Motors can be one or multiple speed. A multiple speed motor with adjustable volume and direction jets provides for the most customizable massage.
Look for:
A run dry pump: The pump will not be damaged if accidentally turned on without water. This is standard with most of the whirlpools we carry, for others it is an option.
Rigid PVC piping: All the baths we carry have this feature. No water will sit in the pipes only to come out next bath time as … something you don’t want to see. Whirlpool pipes can be cleaned with low foaming dishwasher soap. Fill the bath, add a few tablespoons, let dissolve and run the system for about 7 minutes. How often this needs to be done depends on how often salts and oils are used.
Jet location: Where do you want the massage? Back (upper or lower), feet and hips? Jet location or emphasis varies among the manufactures: Jason is known for their lower back jets. Some manufacturers even offer a handheld jet. Unplug a jet in the bath, plug in the handheld and direct the jet where needed. Warning – this is not the same as a handheld shower. If you remove this jet from under the water you will give your room a powerful massage
A whirlpool bathtub is best suited for: Those looking to massage sore muscles and joints.
Air Bath
Subtle, bubbly massage
An air bath uses a blower to push heated air through multiple small air ports (holes) in the bottom or lower sides of the bath. There are two air system styles. Channel - air is forced through a series of channels then through the air ports. Injector - each air port has a valve that will allow air to go through but not allow water to get into the system. All the air baths we carry have a purge system: an automated drying cycle dry air system.
Customized massage
Most air systems have a volume control. The bubbling effect can be at a low simmer or full power moving the water vigorously. Even at the highest setting the massage is soft tissue. The force is spread through out the bath, not in concentrated areas (as in a jetted tub). Many also have a wave and pulse feature – amount of air is preset to change according to a pattern. There is more noise with an air bath. It is not the sound of the pump that you here but a “popping sound” that occurs when the air surfaces from the water.
Look for:
Air Port Location: The air ports can be located on the floor of the tub or around the sides near the bottom of the bath. With bottom ports, the bubbles will come underneath you, directly bubbling against your skin. With ports around the sides, the air will come out horizontally then up vertically causing the bubbly water to move around you. Both are good systems, just a matter of preference. Some manufactures combine both options with ports around the perimeter and on the bottom. Others add ports to the back.
An air bath is best suited for: Those looking for a softer, sit back and relax, bubbly massage
Combination Whirlpool & Air Bath
Varied massage
The best of both worlds: choose a deep tissue massage then lay back with the bubbles of an air massage. Both systems can be on at the same time. Two electrical connections are needed – one for the blower and one for the pump.
A combination whirlpool & air bath is best suited for: Those wanting total control of their massage possibilities
Heated Soaking Bath
New to the bathing world, a soaking bath with an in-line heater. Soak as long as you would like with out a drop in water temperature. See inline heater below.
A HotSoak bathtub is best suited for: Those wanting to soak without losing water temperature
How is the tub going to be installed?
3-wall alcove (Niche Installation)
This style of installation requires a rectangular or corner bath. The tub is placed against two (corner bath) or three walls. A rim with a flat side is needed for this style. A front skirt hides the mechanics for the whirlpool or air bath system. An acrylic front skirt is an option for most rectangular and corner baths. A skirt can also be created from other materials i.e. wood or tile. Access will be need to the motor or pump. See pump location below. A tile flange is used when tiling down the wall to the edge of the tub. With a tile flange it will need to be decided whether the drain will be on the left or right side (as you enter the bath). See tile flange below. If the bath is also going to function as a shower look for a tub that is straight up and down by the drain end. This will allow the most room for showering. Avoid baths with seats or uneven bottoms to avoid trip hazards.
Drop-in (or Deck Mount)
A drop-in bath can be any shape. A tub deck is created for the tub (with an opening in the center) and the tub is dropped into the surround.
Undermount
This installation requires a bath with a flat rim, any shape. The bath edge is mounted under the deck material making the rim of the bath invisible. Make sure to order as an undermount so the electronic controls will either not be installed or installed in a location that won't interfere with the under mounting.
Free Standing
Free Standing bathtubs are installed away from the wall, even in the middle of the room.They have a skirt that surrounds the bath. Free-standing baths may require a finished drain (the drain will be visible) and a freestanding bath faucet.
Where is the Pump and/or Blower Located?
This is an important consideration no matter which installation is chosen. It is Murphy’s Law: Build access and it won’t be needed, don’t - and the results may be very scary! Recommendations for access size vary among manufacturers: Jacuzzi 12” x 18”, Hydro Systems 14” x 16”, Aquatic 16” x 16”. Down load the instructions from the manufacturers web site to see what size you will need.
Remote mount blower
It is not recommended to remote the pump or blower unless it is need to gain access. In the tub lines we carry it is difficult to hear the motor over the sound of water movement. Because of this it is not necessary to remote mount to cut down on motor noise. On some freestanding baths and combination tubs the blower will need to be mounted remotely.
What size bathtub?
Part of size will be determined by the space allowed. While that will give you the length and width – what about depth? Some manufacturers are known for deep baths. This is great for not having to decide if your knees or chest are going to be under water, yet, it may be more difficult to use as a shower/bath combination. Look at the tub’s Specifications. It will give overall height (how easy to climb into). Also look at depth to overflow (how deep the water will be on the inside). Another measurement to use when comparing baths is the bathing well measurement, the length and width of the bottom of the tub. Lean against a wall and measure from the wall to your toes. Will you be able to stretch out sufficiently? Another useful measurement is water capacity. Does your water heater have the need capacity for it? Many things affect this; temperature of water supply, temperature the heater is set at, distance of heater from tub and on and on. I found two general rules of thumb: 75% and 2/3. The capacity of the hot water heater needs to be at least 75% of the capacity of the whirlpool. If the whirlpool is 100 gallons the heater needs to be 75 gallon. In the second opinion the heater should be 2/3 of the capacity of the tub. If the whirlpool is 100 gallons the heater needs to be 67 gallons.
Don’t forget to check that the tub will fit through the door.
What options are available?
Options do vary between manufactures. Here are a few of the standard ones.
Tile flange
A tile flange is used when the walls surrounding the bath are going to be tiled down to the top of the bath.
If there is a gap between the edge of the tub and the wall, or with front tile apron installation - a tile flange is not needed.
Drop-in bath - No tile flange:
Front Apron - No tile flange:
Here is a very good link discussing the installation of tile with a flange: http://www.thetiledoctor.com/installations/st_tubs.cfm (opens in a new window)
Inline heater
An in-line heater will keep the temperature within 1 to 2 degrees of what the bath water was poured at for as long as the whirlpool is running. When pump is turned on heater automatically turns on. This is a whirlpool option. With an air bath there is a heater on the blower system. It works like a hair dryer, warming the air in the room and pushing it through the system.
Tub drain
Bathtubs will come with a hole drilled for the drain (in the bottom of the tub) and one for the overflow (side of the bath). A drain and overflow will be needed to fill these holes. In most cases they come as a set. Here are some popular drains: Lift & Turn Drain- Reach down to the bottom of the tub and lift and turn it to open the drain. Cable Waste & Overflow- Reach to the side of bath, to the overflow, turn the overflow and a cable will open and close the drain at the bottom of the tub. Soft (or Toe) Touch- Step on the drain to lock it shut, step on it again to open it.
Why acrylic?
Durable, non-staining, non-fading are just three of the reasons to use acrylic.
Two more considerations: any scratches can be removed, cleans up easily with a mild liquid, non-abrasive cleaner. Good articles on bathtub materials can be found at:
http://www.bathworld.com/Advantages_and_Overview.asp?which Section=Home_Remodeling
©Tubz 2006