<p>I’m replacing a tub (regular cheap one) and I’m thinking about putting in something that’s either a whirpool type or air bubble type. Any opinions on this? I’ve never actually used one before except in a hotel in a very cold location and it didn’t seem that useful since the water got cold quickly. Since then I’ve learned that some models have heaters to overcome this. I’ve owned an outdoor spa so I’m familiar with that - just not a bathtub one.</p>
<p>Whirpool or bubbles?</p>
<p>Opinions on brands/models?</p>
<p>Does one typically still use the whirlpool/bubble feature after a while or does it get passe?</p>
<p>I have lived in our house in MI for 15 years. I think (but am not sure) that I might have used our whirlpool tub once. I use the tub frequently, but never the jets - too noisy, water gets cold. If I were replacing it, I would put in a soaking tub.</p>
<p>I have a Jacuzzi brand jetted tub in my master bath. I LOVE it!! It has a heater which keeps the water at whatever temperature I initially fill the tub with. I have never once gotten out of the tub because the water was cold. In fact, I’ve had to get out because I was too hot - after soaking for 30 minutes. It’s a corner tub, quite large, with controls for the jets (heavy, moderate, or light jet action).The jet at my back is especially helpful when I’ve had a stressful day and my back aches. A good long soak before bed and I sleep like a baby.</p>
<p>We remodeled our master bath last year and I got a Kohler air jetted tub. A heater is a must! I only use it about once a week, but I definitely enjoy it.</p>
<p>We have a jacuzzi whirlpool that we mainly use to soak in. I hardly ever use the jets but my husband does when he hurts his back. I just love having a deep tub. Wish we had the heater!</p>
<p>I would get a tub from a major manufacturer who has more than one service representative in your area. After buying an outdoor hot tub from a regional company with poor service and non standard parts serviced by no one else, I can tell you that it is a bad recipe (for any appliance, but particularly for those like whirlpool or steam shower.) </p>
<p>To me if Kohler or Jacuzzi have a number of reps in your area, I would go with one of those or other major nationwide company.</p>
<p>I’m in the process of adding a new master bedroom bath and have spend a lot of time researching this.</p>
<p>We had a whirlpool bath in our last house. The problem people run into with those is the water sits in the jets and gets moldy and yucky between baths. And then when you turn on the bath next time, all that mold shows up in your bath water. I got numerous bladder infections from this. The work around this is to put a little bit of chlorine bleach in the tub with you as you bathe as well as running a lot of bleach through the whirlpool when you get out of the tub but the water is still in it.</p>
<p>They have developed jets that can be popped out and put in the dishwasher and there are a few brands that are suppose to ‘dry’ themselves after the water is drained from the tub.</p>
<p>The ‘air baths’ are a new alternative to this problem with whirlpools (and are therefore, more expensive) because sales of whirlpool tubs have fallen out because of the mold problem. The air baths simply blow air into your water making it bubbly. Really no therapeutic massage benefits here, although some people find it relaxing (I tried one out in the store - wasn’t impressed).</p>
<p>If all you want is to keep the water hot, you can get a ‘soaker’ tub with a built in heater.</p>
<p>Both whirlpools and airbaths can be pretty noisy while in operation. I never found that to be particularly relaxing, though with some models you can locate the motor away from the tub to cut down on the noise.</p>
<p>I take a bath most every night. I’m getting just an old-fashion soaker tub with an in -line heater to keep the water warm but in full disclosure, we do have a very high-end hot tub with tremendously therapeutic massage jets in our backyard so having a whirlpool tub isn’t a necessity for me. I would probably lean toward getting a whirlpool tub if we didn’t have that, though honestly, I didn’t use it that much in our last house. Good luck - my advice is to be very careful about what you get. A lot of people get whirlpool tubs and find the don’t like them because of the mold and noise issues.</p>
<p>I have a Pearl brand whirlpool. It only has 3 jets and creates a circular motion in the water. Supposedly, the design of the jets keeps water from sitting and getting yucky. I have never had a problem with that. Pearl was recommended to me over the other better known brands like Jacuzzi but I can’t remember why now. I have had it for 9 years and still enjoy it. It is noisy but that doesn’t bother me. The intensity of the jets can be controlled - wouldn’t get anything without that control.</p>
<p>Master bath was done about 13 yrs ago. I love to take a hot bath and the tub was very important to me. I didn’t care about jets but H did. The tub I loved was a Kohler soaking tub. We bought all our fixtures from a plumbing supply place that serves the trades. They were able to take the tub I loved and turn it into a whirlpool tub. I take a bath nightly but only use the jets occasionally. I have had no problem with mold. I also have never had a problem with my water getting cold and I don’t think I have a heater.</p>
<p>We built out house about eleven years ago, and I insisted on a large tub in our master bath. At the time, I was told if we chose anything with jets, I would not be able to use any kind of bath oils/beads, etc., in the tub. I take a lot of baths, especially in the winter, and preferred to be able to use oils, bubbles, etc. without limit, so we chose just a soaking tub. I also do not find the noise associated with the jets to be particularly conducive to relaxing. Even if I’m in my soaking tub for a half hour or more, I have not experienced an issue with water getting cold. I think this tends to happen more if you’re stirring the water up with jets. The heat is more easily released. </p>
<p>Recommendations about the use of oils and/or beads may have changed, but I remember that being a big enough issue for me back then that I chose a non-jetted soaking tub.</p>
<p>I had a whirlpool in my last house and, while I used it occasionally, I didn’t care enough to put one in my current home. When we remodeled this master bath I put in a nice deep soaking tub from MTI (and a good light for reading).</p>
<p>How timely this is! I meet with the contractor tomorrow for our Master Bath remodel. We currently have a HUGE jacuzzi tub in our bathroom that I want taken out and put in a soaking tub. The jets are so very loud on the jacuzzi and not just in our bathroom but all over the house! We have an outdoor hot tub that we love so I don’t feel like we are giving anything up and we are also going with body sprays in the shower. My initial research has shown that you can get tubs with heaters or you can now get insulated tubs that hold the heat longer. The first contractor also suggested we look at Pearl. Ahhh…1moremom…thanks for the reminder about a reading light!!! </p>
<p>Mold issue…I think this was an issue several years ago but many manufacturers have changed their designs to alleviate this problem. We have never had issues with this and I do use oils and bubbles also. I bet this tub is at least 20 yrs old!</p>
<p>There are some great resources on the Gardenweb bath remodel site.</p>
<p>Pearl says it is okay to use a small amount of bubble bath in their tubs. I’m not a bubble fan, so I don’t bother. I do use bath salts, but only those that use essential oils.</p>
<p>Hmmm - it seems to be leaning in favor of a soaking tub rather than a whirlpool or bubbler. I’m sure I’d never actually use the tub since I prefer showers and have 2 others of those in the house and I’m not sure if others would routinely use the whirlpool part. We’ve had a regular outdoor hot tub for many years until it recently broke and I got rid of it but I might replace it someday so that would take care of anyone who wants a regular hot tub experience. </p>
<p>I never really thought that much about the noise in the house because of the tub but it sounds from what you’re saying that it’s actually pretty loud. </p>
<p>When I mentioned the heat - it was just that I noticed that turning the jets on cooled the water quickly and I’ve read that point before also hence the heater but this was in Brianhead Utah at 9200 feet in the dead of winter when it was very cold out. Around here it never really gets very cold so I don’t think the heat retention will be much of a factor.</p>
<p>Since I’m still re-framing that area putting in a soaker vs the other means one less dedicated circuit to run and I won’t need to build in a service access which will decrease the cost/hassle.</p>
<p>Part of my thoughts were just the ‘upgraded’ feel with a whirlpool tub that might be nice if we ever sell the house although that’s not a major factor, but it sounds as if many of you are saying you’d value a nice soaker as much or more than the whirlpool ones - correct?</p>
<p>I don’t think a whirlpool increases the value of a home so I wouldn’t factor that in. I have lots of friends with whirlpools who never use them. Some have had them removed. I happen to love mine. When I moved in, the master bath had a large walk in shower only. I hated it and replaced it with the whirlpool tub with a shower. The tub is designed specifically to be used with a shower.</p>
<p>I love it. I didn’t get the whirlpool option (I like a quiet soak). It is especially nice that it takes so little water to fill, as it only takes about ten minutes to fill completely and I don’t use all the hot water.</p>
<p>That is a another thing I like about my tub; it is just the right size so I don’t waste a lot of hot water. I recommend trying out any tub you are considering to make sure it is comfortable. One end of my tub is slanted and the slope is just perfect for my back; the other end is straight so I can “brace” my feet against it. If the tub were any longer it would be less comfortable.</p>
<p>2nd getting in the tub and seeing if it is comfortable.
I just checked my paperwork and my tub is Kohler but the whirlpool is by Hydro Systems. I use bubble bath with my jets. I checked the manual and my whirlpool does not say you can not use oils, bubbles or salts. It does say you should run the jets every 90 days with bleach and water to clean the jets. As far as noise goes I guess my tub is well insulated since I don’t find it loud. You definitely don’t hear it outside of the master bedroom.</p>
<p>I have a “bubbles” type bathtub. It feels like taking a bath in a vat of warm champagne. Tingly, but really no therapeutic benefit whatsoever. IMO a huge waste of money.</p>
<p>I would MUCH rather have a whirlpool with jets.</p>