I'm having the bathroom gutted. It isn't very large, the current tub
is five feet by 30". I'm getting a bit older and fairly physically
active (tennis, swimming, biking) with assorted aches and pains and
figured that a whirlpool tub might be a good idea. I just read the
previous few years messages on the subject but I'm not clear on a few
things.

The new tub will be 5 feet by 32", not much of a difference. It will
double as a shower. Will that contribute to cleaning woes? Is it a bad
idea to use a whirlpool tub as a shower? I understand that dishwashing
powder is the recommended cleaner. Someone I know of who has a tub
says that keeping the jets clean is a royal pain. They may not know
about dishwashing powder though. I'll inform them of my finding.

As for electric, there is a line added to the house (I can see it
going up the back wall) that feeds an air conditioner in the adjacent
bedroom and I've read that the tub would need a GFCI line. Could it
share the A/C line? Is that a code issue? I'm in New York City.

I have fuses and all the slots are taken. The house has 200 amps,
according to the two big fuses so there is plenty of power. But an
estimate of running another line is around $700 and I can do without
that.

I've read a few comments about folks not using these after they've
been installed, but nothing from folks who do use them. Is anyone
actually using them? They seem to sell a lot.

"dgk" wrote in message
...
I'm having the bathroom gutted. It isn't very large, the current tub
is five feet by 30". I'm getting a bit older and fairly physically
active (tennis, swimming, biking) with assorted aches and pains and
figured that a whirlpool tub might be a good idea. I just read the
previous few years messages on the subject but I'm not clear on a few
things.

The new tub will be 5 feet by 32", not much of a difference. It will
double as a shower. Will that contribute to cleaning woes? Is it a bad
idea to use a whirlpool tub as a shower? I understand that dishwashing
powder is the recommended cleaner. Someone I know of who has a tub
says that keeping the jets clean is a royal pain. They may not know
about dishwashing powder though. I'll inform them of my finding.

As for electric, there is a line added to the house (I can see it
going up the back wall) that feeds an air conditioner in the adjacent
bedroom and I've read that the tub would need a GFCI line. Could it
share the A/C line? Is that a code issue? I'm in New York City.

I have fuses and all the slots are taken. The house has 200 amps,
according to the two big fuses so there is plenty of power. But an
estimate of running another line is around $700 and I can do without
that.

I've read a few comments about folks not using these after they've
been installed, but nothing from folks who do use them. Is anyone
actually using them? They seem to sell a lot.

I have two of them in my house. I use both of them on the average of once
every two years. They are great for washing sheer curtains. As a
bathtub, they suck. They lose heat fast, use a lot of hot water, and are a
pain to keep clean. The water that stays in the jets gets skungy quickly,
shooting into your next bath water. Both are Jacuzzi, both were a lot of
money, and both were a total waste of money. I bought an actual hot tub for
as much as one of them cost, and I like it MUCH better. Save your money,
and if you want a hot tub, get a real one.

Steve

On Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:38:30 -0700, "Steve B"
wrote:


"dgk" wrote in message
.. .
I'm having the bathroom gutted. It isn't very large, the current tub
is five feet by 30". I'm getting a bit older and fairly physically
active (tennis, swimming, biking) with assorted aches and pains and
figured that a whirlpool tub might be a good idea. I just read the
previous few years messages on the subject but I'm not clear on a few
things.

The new tub will be 5 feet by 32", not much of a difference. It will
double as a shower. Will that contribute to cleaning woes? Is it a bad
idea to use a whirlpool tub as a shower? I understand that dishwashing
powder is the recommended cleaner. Someone I know of who has a tub
says that keeping the jets clean is a royal pain. They may not know
about dishwashing powder though. I'll inform them of my finding.

As for electric, there is a line added to the house (I can see it
going up the back wall) that feeds an air conditioner in the adjacent
bedroom and I've read that the tub would need a GFCI line. Could it
share the A/C line? Is that a code issue? I'm in New York City.

I have fuses and all the slots are taken. The house has 200 amps,
according to the two big fuses so there is plenty of power. But an
estimate of running another line is around $700 and I can do without
that.

I've read a few comments about folks not using these after they've
been installed, but nothing from folks who do use them. Is anyone
actually using them? They seem to sell a lot.

I have two of them in my house. I use both of them on the average of once
every two years. They are great for washing sheer curtains. As a
bathtub, they suck. They lose heat fast, use a lot of hot water, and are a
pain to keep clean. The water that stays in the jets gets skungy quickly,
shooting into your next bath water. Both are Jacuzzi, both were a lot of
money, and both were a total waste of money. I bought an actual hot tub for
as much as one of them cost, and I like it MUCH better. Save your money,
and if you want a hot tub, get a real one.

Steve


Ah, so you really like it! Down in the basement I have a whirlpool
attachment; my father once won it in a raffle. He's been dead for
around 20 years so I'm not sure what shape it's in. It fits over the
side of the tub and has one big jet that pushes the water. I used it
once years ago. I'd use it more often but my tub has the cat litter
tray in it. I have a separate shower.

My plan was to build a shower into the tub and move the cat litter
into the old shower (which will all be redone anyway). I figure that
the shower will keep the litter dust contained and I can just run the
shower to wash it away.

Ok, so the whirlpool tub seems like a bad idea. Maybe when I look here
later today 150 people will have written in about how they use it all
the time. In the meantime I think I'll look around to see if there are
any good whirlpool attachments for when I have a bad muscle pain. It
seems that they have gone out of style though.

My plan was to build a shower into the tub and move the cat litter
into the old shower (which will all be redone anyway). I figure that
the shower will keep the litter dust contained and I can just run the
shower to wash it away.


I'm not convinced that washing clay into your drains is really
a good idea.

On Apr 24, 7:23 am, dgk wrote:
On Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:38:30 -0700, "Steve B"





wrote:

"dgk" wrote in message
.. .
I'm having the bathroom gutted. It isn't very large, the current tub
is five feet by 30". I'm getting a bit older and fairly physically
active (tennis, swimming, biking) with assorted aches and pains and
figured that a whirlpool tub might be a good idea. I just read the
previous few years messages on the subject but I'm not clear on a few
things.

The new tub will be 5 feet by 32", not much of a difference. It will
double as a shower. Will that contribute to cleaning woes? Is it a bad
idea to use a whirlpool tub as a shower? I understand that dishwashing
powder is the recommended cleaner. Someone I know of who has a tub
says that keeping the jets clean is a royal pain. They may not know
about dishwashing powder though. I'll inform them of my finding.

As for electric, there is a line added to the house (I can see it
going up the back wall) that feeds an air conditioner in the adjacent
bedroom and I've read that the tub would need a GFCI line. Could it
share the A/C line? Is that a code issue? I'm in New York City.

I have fuses and all the slots are taken. The house has 200 amps,
according to the two big fuses so there is plenty of power. But an
estimate of running another line is around $700 and I can do without
that.

I've read a few comments about folks not using these after they've
been installed, but nothing from folks who do use them. Is anyone
actually using them? They seem to sell a lot.

I have two of them in my house. I use both of them on the average of once
every two years. They are great for washing sheer curtains. As a
bathtub, they suck. They lose heat fast, use a lot of hot water, and are a
pain to keep clean. The water that stays in the jets gets skungy quickly,
shooting into your next bath water. Both are Jacuzzi, both were a lot of
money, and both were a total waste of money. I bought an actual hot tub for
as much as one of them cost, and I like it MUCH better. Save your money,
and if you want a hot tub, get a real one.

Steve

Ah, so you really like it! Down in the basement I have a whirlpool
attachment; my father once won it in a raffle. He's been dead for
around 20 years so I'm not sure what shape it's in. It fits over the
side of the tub and has one big jet that pushes the water. I used it
once years ago. I'd use it more often but my tub has the cat litter
tray in it. I have a separate shower.

My plan was to build a shower into the tub and move the cat litter
into the old shower (which will all be redone anyway). I figure that
the shower will keep the litter dust contained and I can just run the
shower to wash it away.

Ok, so the whirlpool tub seems like a bad idea. Maybe when I look here
later today 150 people will have written in about how they use it all
the time. In the meantime I think I'll look around to see if there are
any good whirlpool attachments for when I have a bad muscle pain. It
seems that they have gone out of style though.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


I agree with Steve B. If you want something that works well and you
will actually use, get a real spa and put it outside or in a finished
basement area. I think they are far superior to the bathtub type and
would go that route unless you can't for some reason.

wrote in message
ps.com...
On Apr 24, 7:23 am, dgk wrote:
On Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:38:30 -0700, "Steve B"





wrote:

"dgk" wrote in message
.. .
I'm having the bathroom gutted. It isn't very large, the current tub
is five feet by 30". I'm getting a bit older and fairly physically
active (tennis, swimming, biking) with assorted aches and pains and
figured that a whirlpool tub might be a good idea. I just read the
previous few years messages on the subject but I'm not clear on a few
things.

The new tub will be 5 feet by 32", not much of a difference. It will
double as a shower. Will that contribute to cleaning woes? Is it a bad
idea to use a whirlpool tub as a shower? I understand that dishwashing
powder is the recommended cleaner. Someone I know of who has a tub
says that keeping the jets clean is a royal pain. They may not know
about dishwashing powder though. I'll inform them of my finding.

As for electric, there is a line added to the house (I can see it
going up the back wall) that feeds an air conditioner in the adjacent
bedroom and I've read that the tub would need a GFCI line. Could it
share the A/C line? Is that a code issue? I'm in New York City.

I have fuses and all the slots are taken. The house has 200 amps,
according to the two big fuses so there is plenty of power. But an
estimate of running another line is around $700 and I can do without
that.

I've read a few comments about folks not using these after they've
been installed, but nothing from folks who do use them. Is anyone
actually using them? They seem to sell a lot.

I have two of them in my house. I use both of them on the average of
once
every two years. They are great for washing sheer curtains. As a
bathtub, they suck. They lose heat fast, use a lot of hot water, and
are a
pain to keep clean. The water that stays in the jets gets skungy
quickly,
shooting into your next bath water. Both are Jacuzzi, both were a lot
of
money, and both were a total waste of money. I bought an actual hot tub
for
as much as one of them cost, and I like it MUCH better. Save your
money,
and if you want a hot tub, get a real one.

Steve

Ah, so you really like it! Down in the basement I have a whirlpool
attachment; my father once won it in a raffle. He's been dead for
around 20 years so I'm not sure what shape it's in. It fits over the
side of the tub and has one big jet that pushes the water. I used it
once years ago. I'd use it more often but my tub has the cat litter
tray in it. I have a separate shower.

My plan was to build a shower into the tub and move the cat litter
into the old shower (which will all be redone anyway). I figure that
the shower will keep the litter dust contained and I can just run the
shower to wash it away.

Ok, so the whirlpool tub seems like a bad idea. Maybe when I look here
later today 150 people will have written in about how they use it all
the time. In the meantime I think I'll look around to see if there are
any good whirlpool attachments for when I have a bad muscle pain. It
seems that they have gone out of style though.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


I agree with Steve B. If you want something that works well and you
will actually use, get a real spa and put it outside or in a finished
basement area. I think they are far superior to the bathtub type and
would go that route unless you can't for some reason.


I use my spa a lot. I don't use either of my Jacuzzi tubs at all. I like
the convenience of the spa, and when you soak in it, the heat goes down in
the muscles. In the tub, you have to make the water hot, and it cools off
faster, and just doesn't seem to be as relaxing for the same amount of time
spent.

Like the man said, unless you have some reason NOT to have a spa, they're
better than a tub.

Steve

On Tue, 24 Apr 2007 10:39:32 -0400, Goedjn wrote:


My plan was to build a shower into the tub and move the cat litter
into the old shower (which will all be redone anyway). I figure that
the shower will keep the litter dust contained and I can just run the
shower to wash it away.


I'm not convinced that washing clay into your drains is really
a good idea.

I'm not sure about that either. We're talking a small amount of dust
from the walls and such with a lot of water. Currently I've been using
the tub with a litterbox in it for over ten years. I clean it every
other month or so, sweep out all the various solid grains that have
fallen into the tub, and then run the water and wash away what can't
be swept away. I really can't see that small amount of clay dust
causing a problem.

I didn't mean to imply that I clean the litterbox every other month. I
clean that twice a day.

Folks claim that some clumping litters are flush safe but I prefer to
just throw it out. Supposedly flushing litter can also affect marine
life negatively because of toxoplasmosis.

On 24 Apr 2007 10:07:46 -0700, wrote:

On Apr 24, 7:23 am, dgk wrote:
On Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:38:30 -0700, "Steve B"

....

Ok, so the whirlpool tub seems like a bad idea. Maybe when I look here
later today 150 people will have written in about how they use it all
the time. In the meantime I think I'll look around to see if there are
any good whirlpool attachments for when I have a bad muscle pain. It
seems that they have gone out of style though.- Hide quoted text -




I agree with Steve B. If you want something that works well and you
will actually use, get a real spa and put it outside or in a finished
basement area. I think they are far superior to the bathtub type and
would go that route unless you can't for some reason.

I just finished researching how to clean a whirlpool tub and I think
that put a stake through the whirlpool idea. I'm not a neatnick to
begin with, and having to spend an hour cleaning the pipes a few times
a month is just not going to get done.

I tracked down this thing:

http://www.conair.com/thermal-bath-p-202.html

Apparently you can get them for around $50, and it's supposed to be
very good for aches and pains. And, if it ever starts getting skungy,
I can get another one. It doesn't seem to be as much fun as a
whirlpool bath, but somehow it seems more practical. Damn but I
enjoyed looking at those tubs though.

There is one company that makes pipeless tubs:

http://www.sanijet.com/

but they start at over $2000. You get what you pay for I think.

Maybe sometime in the future I'll get a real spa thing, but it looks
dead for now. Or at least it has a skin infection.

On Tue, 24 Apr 2007 11:04:09 -0700, "Steve B"
wrote:
....

I agree with Steve B. If you want something that works well and you
will actually use, get a real spa and put it outside or in a finished
basement area. I think they are far superior to the bathtub type and
would go that route unless you can't for some reason.


I use my spa a lot. I don't use either of my Jacuzzi tubs at all. I like
the convenience of the spa, and when you soak in it, the heat goes down in
the muscles. In the tub, you have to make the water hot, and it cools off
faster, and just doesn't seem to be as relaxing for the same amount of time
spent.

Like the man said, unless you have some reason NOT to have a spa, they're
better than a tub.

Steve


I have to redo the bathroom so I figured a tub is easy as long as I'm
already having the old one replaced. A real spa would be nice but the
bathroom isn't big enough for one. It would have to be in the basement
or outside and I don't think it's really practical. The tub idea
appears dead simply because of the cleaning issue. I just keep hearing
that over and over. And there are so many conflicting stories of what
is safe and what isn't.

I think the Conair Thermal Spa Bath Mat looks like a nice compromise.

"dgk" wrote

I have to redo the bathroom so I figured a tub is easy as long as I'm
already having the old one replaced. A real spa would be nice but the
bathroom isn't big enough for one. It would have to be in the basement
or outside and I don't think it's really practical. The tub idea
appears dead simply because of the cleaning issue. I just keep hearing
that over and over. And there are so many conflicting stories of what
is safe and what isn't.

I think the Conair Thermal Spa Bath Mat looks like a nice compromise.

A simple bathroom remodel will be enough work, and trading up to a much
larger Jaccuzi from any size tub will involve a lot more space and internal
workings. So, yes, you will use up a lot of space with a circulating water
tub.

As for conflicting stories, bath water is waste water. Waste water that
sits just gets skungier. Unless you want to spend an extra half hour or
more EVERY time you use the tub, you do have to deal with the waste water
that doesn't drain out. And that contains a lot of dead skin cells, plus
whatever body fluids a frolicking couple may add. I don't see how there
could be any conflicting stories about the health aspects of the water,
there just must be some conflict as to how much hassle they are to proper
clean between uses.

A drop in circulator would give you a compromise on a tub. And a real spa
takes a good bit of space, and some special wiring.

Steve

I installed a Maax Picadilly Aerosens about 1 year ago I love it but it's
alittle strong (no gentle air bubbles caressing you skin) for my Hubby but
the shape of the tub is very comfy he almost falls asleep. I didn't know you
can get a switch to adjust the strength .. .too late now. There is no water
in the holes because it gets blown out about 20 minutes after you get out
with no extensive plumbing.

No problem with cleaning but I am noticing alittle rust on the acrylic I
cannot get off with everyday cleaners.

I do have a shower installed with mine and that was a concern of leaking for
my carpenter as I was putting it in a alcove. No one told us we needed a
special tiling flange ? to go around the tub....just found that out on the
website after we finished tiling.

I did buy the skirt but it didn't fit right and had to be filed down ...very
flimsy and pricey

http://www.maax.com/en/Products/Aqua.../aquasens.aspx

CathyLee

Ah, so you really like it! Down in the basement I have a whirlpool
attachment; my father once won it in a raffle. He's been dead for
around 20 years so I'm not sure what shape it's in. It fits over the
side of the tub and has one big jet that pushes the water. I used it
once years ago. I'd use it more often but my tub has the cat litter
tray in it. I have a separate shower.

My plan was to build a shower into the tub and move the cat litter
into the old shower (which will all be redone anyway). I figure that
the shower will keep the litter dust contained and I can just run the
shower to wash it away.

Ok, so the whirlpool tub seems like a bad idea. Maybe when I look here
later today 150 people will have written in about how they use it all
the time. In the meantime I think I'll look around to see if there are
any good whirlpool attachments for when I have a bad muscle pain. It
seems that they have gone out of style though.

I was looking at jet type baths a few months ago and it seems to me that
there have been design changes which permit the water from the pipes to
completely drain. We have an old Jacuzzi in our bathroom. When I used to
mow my own lawn I would then take a shower and follow that with a few
minutes in the Jacuzzi. Amazing how much dirt/dust it can remove from your
clean skin. Now I hire someone to mow my lawn.


"Steve B" wrote in message
...

"dgk" wrote

I have to redo the bathroom so I figured a tub is easy as long as I'm
already having the old one replaced. A real spa would be nice but the
bathroom isn't big enough for one. It would have to be in the basement
or outside and I don't think it's really practical. The tub idea
appears dead simply because of the cleaning issue. I just keep hearing
that over and over. And there are so many conflicting stories of what
is safe and what isn't.

I think the Conair Thermal Spa Bath Mat looks like a nice compromise.

A simple bathroom remodel will be enough work, and trading up to a much
larger Jaccuzi from any size tub will involve a lot more space and
internal workings. So, yes, you will use up a lot of space with a
circulating water tub.

As for conflicting stories, bath water is waste water. Waste water that
sits just gets skungier. Unless you want to spend an extra half hour or
more EVERY time you use the tub, you do have to deal with the waste water
that doesn't drain out. And that contains a lot of dead skin cells, plus
whatever body fluids a frolicking couple may add. I don't see how there
could be any conflicting stories about the health aspects of the water,
there just must be some conflict as to how much hassle they are to proper
clean between uses.

A drop in circulator would give you a compromise on a tub. And a real spa
takes a good bit of space, and some special wiring.

Steve

On Apr 23, 12:26 pm, dgk wrote:
I'm having the bathroom gutted. It isn't very large, the current tub
is five feet by 30". I'm getting a bit older and fairly physically
active (tennis, swimming, biking) with assorted aches and pains and
figured that a whirlpool tub might be a good idea. I just read the
previous few years messages on the subject but I'm not clear on a few
things.

The new tub will be 5 feet by 32", not much of a difference. It will
double as a shower. Will that contribute to cleaning woes? Is it a bad
idea to use a whirlpool tub as a shower? I understand that dishwashing
powder is the recommended cleaner. Someone I know of who has a tub
says that keeping the jets clean is a royal pain. They may not know
about dishwashing powder though. I'll inform them of my finding.

As for electric, there is a line added to the house (I can see it
going up the back wall) that feeds an air conditioner in the adjacent
bedroom and I've read that the tub would need a GFCI line. Could it
share the A/C line? Is that a code issue? I'm in New York City.

I have fuses and all the slots are taken. The house has 200 amps,
according to the two big fuses so there is plenty of power. But an
estimate of running another line is around $700 and I can do without
that.

I've read a few comments about folks not using these after they've
been installed, but nothing from folks who do use them. Is anyone
actually using them? They seem to sell a lot.



Have you thought about a bubble tub or air bath with a water heater?
as an example http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/detail.jsp?
from=thumb&frm=&module=ExperienceBubbleMassage&ite m=8782002&prod_num=1418-
GCR&section=2&category=9 don't let the price freak you out...you can
do MUCH better.