Jacuzzi in the interior - affordable luxury

Just a couple of decades ago, few of our compatriots could boast of a bathtub with a hydromassage or, as it is commonly called, a jacuzzi. Nowadays, the jacuzzi has ceased to be a luxury and has become quite affordable in terms of cost and installation options for adopting useful water procedures. What else does a city dweller need after a busy day, if not relaxing, curative and such relaxing hydromassage? Today it is safe to say that a jacuzzi is an affordable luxury with health benefits. That is why many owners of apartments and houses try to integrate this wonderful device into the interior of the bathroom. It is not necessary to have a spacious utilitarian room for the adoption of water procedures. Jacuzzi manufacturers offer a wide range of economy class models that fit compactly into a medium sized bathroom.

For the first time, the world heard about a hot tub in the distant fifties of the last century. It was then that the Japanese brothers presented their invention - a bath with a pump connected to it. The transformation of the surname of the brothers became the name for the novelty. Starting its triumphal march from Germany, the jacuzzi gradually spread throughout Europe, and then around the world. Nowadays, it is customary to call a whirlpool any model of a bathtub with hydromassage and other auxiliary functions.

Structurally, the jacuzzi is a bathtub with integrated hydromassage nozzles. It is to them that the construction is obliged to have medicinal properties. The nozzles are also called jets - water enters them, is enriched with air and the jet, already saturated with oxygen, is supplied under pressure to the space of the bowl.

 

The effectiveness and saturation of the hydromassage directly depends on the number of nozzles, their size and location in the space of the bath. Standard jacuzzi models have 4-6 jets. In the premium spa baths, their number can reach several dozens, despite the fact that there are large-sized models designed for a large group of people. But it’s important to understand that the more nozzles in your small jacuzzi, the weaker the flow rate of the air-water jet will be.

In many models (even small and inexpensive), it is possible to change the direction of the nozzles, or rather, their angle of inclination. As a rule, such manipulations are carried out using the remote control, which comes complete with a spa bath. Conventionally, all nozzles can be divided into two types:

• ball - powerful jets with a narrow focus;
• rotational - spirally twisted nozzles of softer effect.

If you plan to purchase a small jacuzzi, then experts recommend choosing models with nozzles aimed at more sensitive areas of our body - feet, lumbar and cervical.

Many modern models of hydromassage baths have, in addition to nozzles, additional options - additional mixers, water supply connectors that simulate small waterfalls. But if this is not enough, then you have the same built-in features as the use of chromotherapy (illumination with different colors has different effects on our body, emotional state) and aromatherapy (the effect of using aromatic oils is proved by a long history of application and positive properties).

To create a more comfortable location in the jacuzzi, many models are additionally equipped with armrests, head restraints and other devices.Some hydromassage bathtubs have an acoustic system, automatic control of the water level in the bowl, and self-disinfection options.

 

If you classify a jacuzzi on the principle of creating a hydromassage, then you can divide all models into two classes:

1. Traditional - hydromassage is created by mixing water with air and feeding through nozzles under pressure, as a result, a drilling effect is observed in the bowl. These baths offer anaerobic massage.
2. Combined - in addition to conventional nozzles, these jacuzzis have additional jets that can create a directional flow of water. Such nozzles will provide you with a sinusoidal and pulsating massage.

In addition to differences in size, shape and feature set, the jacuzzi may also vary in color. And this is not only a matter of various shades of white, but also the use of bright, colorful tones for the performance of modern models.

Not only the appearance of the device, but also its strength, wear resistance, ease of maintenance and durability directly depend on what material your future device for creating turbulent jets is made of.

Acrylic bathtubs with hydromassage are considered the simplest from the point of view of transportation, installation and care. The products have low thermal conductivity (which means they stay hot longer) and easily resist the accumulation of bacteria (which means that the process of care and cleaning will not take much time). Acrylic does not fade in the sun and retains its shine for a long time, but only on condition that the product was originally made from quality raw materials. If you come across a model made in violation of the technological process or even made of plastic disguised as acrylic, then such a design may fail already in the first year of operation.

Acrylic whirlpool bathtubs represent the budget line in modern sales. Quaril products possess higher strength characteristics (the acrylic in them is hardened with finely dispersed quartz chips). But such products cost a little more.

 

When buying an acrylic whirlpool, it is important to pay great attention to the study of the manufacturer, to find out about the warranty provided and to be very concentrated during a personal inspection. The product should be homogeneous over the entire surface, no bulges, even the smallest. The wall thickness of acrylic should not be less than 5-7 mm.

But acrylic bathtubs with hydromassage options can be presented in a wide variety of variations. Designer models with original shapes are most often made from acrylic or quaril. You can choose a model that will fit most organically into your room and the interior you are creating will correspond to the chosen style of room decoration.

Cast iron baths with nozzles are much stronger and more durable. But, as you know, a heavy structure will be more expensive to deliver and install. But the product itself will cost a lot - it’s much more difficult to build jets in a cast-iron bowl. When buying a cast-iron hot tub, special attention should be paid to inspecting the enamel, which will necessarily cover the product. Enamel is the weak point of such models. A poor-quality coating may turn yellow during the first months of use and have a very high susceptibility to various cleaning products. Another nuance associated with the acquisition of a cast-iron bathtub is the simplicity of models, it is difficult to make designer models with intricate shapes from cast iron.

 

Marble whirlpools, or rather bathtubs made from the so-called liquid marble, are the most durable. At the same time, the appearance of such designs bring notes of luxury and nobleness to any interior. Obviously, a product made of such a durable material will have a rather high cost. The price will depend on the size of the bath, the number of nozzles and their modifications, the availability of additional functions.But we can safely say that the standard model of liquid marble will cost three times more than a similar product made of acrylic.

In the elite class lines there are models made of tempered glass or precious wood. Of course, such hydromassage bathtubs look luxurious and with one of their presence fill the interior of the bathroom with sophistication, luxury and uniqueness. But for exclusive and have to pay in full.

Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of hot tub models with various options and additions. But the obvious selection criteria will always be the size of the products. Formally, the choice of a particular model is influenced by the capabilities of your bathroom (or other place for installing a jacuzzi) and the budget for the purchase.

A modern hot tub can be successfully integrated even into a small bathroom, with which panel high-rises are “rich”. The angular model is ideal for utilitarian spaces of modest sizes. The circle-shaped whirlpool is compactly integrated into the corner of the room, does not take up much space and even contributes to the visual expansion of the room area.

There are such small-sized models of hydromassage bathtubs that you can only be in them while sitting or reclining (people of miniature complexion). Such models are shown to people with disabilities and suffering from heart disease.

Rectangular and square models of hydromassage bathtubs are much easier to fit into the interior of a small room than oval, round and asymmetric shapes.

For owners of bathrooms of large areas, the range of models is much wider - there are practically no limits to the variety of options. In addition to various forms, you can purchase models for two or more people (there are jacuzzis for a company of 10 people). When choosing models designed for more than one person, do not forget about the possible weight load. Acrylic bathtubs are not able to support the weight of several people, cast-iron models - your option.

In some apartments, for the installation of a jacuzzi, it will be necessary to make a redevelopment - a bathroom connection. For such manipulations, it will be necessary to obtain permission and draw up a plan for the relevant authorities. You do not need permission to install the hot tub itself. Unlike shower cabins with hydromassage, you don’t even need to find out about the current pressure of the water supply system in your apartment building. Nozzles in the jacuzzi turn on even when the bowl is full and are not dependent on the flow of water in the water pipes.

All self-respecting plumbing shops selling jacuzzi have staff or contractors who install bathtubs with hydromassage. It is better to entrust the entire process of delivery and installation to one company that provides a guarantee for its services. You will need a drawing (plan) of the location of the plumbing in the room and the supply of communications - water, sewage and electricity.

 

Of course, before installing the jacuzzi, it will be necessary to dismantle the old bath, and also install a water filtration system on the pipes of hot and cold water. Water in Russian pipes often does not have high quality, and nozzles are prone to clogging, deposition of limescale on surfaces. To maximize the life of the jacuzzi in its original form (as on the day of installation), you will need to spend money on filters for tap water.

In order for your bathroom with a hydromassage to also look great and after many years of use, you must adhere to simple rules for the care of its surfaces. Every month it is necessary to carry out a general disinfection of the structure.In plumbing stores, as well as in points of sale of household chemicals, there are special tools for structures with nozzles (do not use abrasive substances and chemical solutions that can harm the surfaces of a jet).

The disinfection algorithm is quite simple:

• water is collected in the bowl with a temperature of about 20 degrees 5-8 cm above the level of the nozzles;
• then add a disinfectant to the bath (approximately 50-80 ml, the exact dosage is indicated on the packaging of the solution and will depend on the size of the jacuzzi);
• then the pump is turned on, for about half a minute to mix the water with the solution;
• turn off the pump and leave the jacuzzi with water and a tool for 15-20 minutes;
• flush water and rinse the surface with warm water.

About 1 time per year (it all depends on the frequency of use and the quality of the water in the water supply), the jacuzzi must be cleaned of deposits of water stone (limescale). The algorithm of actions is in tune with what needs to be done to disinfect the bath every month, only a solution of citric or acetic acid (about 1.5 l) is added to the bowl of water. After the pump is turned off, the bowl with the liquid will need to be left overnight - 12 hours. After this, a standard flush will be necessary.