How to choose a hot tub: types, design, selection criteria, care features

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Modern life dictates new trends. Now many people no longer want to just install a bathtub. Jacuzzi is the new choice of consumers. This hot tub can be bought in any, even the smallest town. The standard of living in our country is gradually increasing. This leads to the fact that more and more things that once seemed outlandish are appearing in the apartments of Russians. A hot tub or jacuzzi can now be purchased almost everywhere. But buying a bath is half the battle. Another problem arises - connecting the jacuzzi.

Scheme of a jacuzzi with aeromassage.

After all, this unit requires knowledge not only of plumbing, but also of electricians. To properly install a hot tub and then connect it to the electrical outlet, you need to be a good specialist in these areas.

Installing a jacuzzi with your own hands is a complex and time-consuming process that only a true professional can do. This article will tell you in detail how to properly install a hot tub and connect it to the electrical network.

Device Features

The main feature of such baths, as their name implies, is a hydromassage system. It includes a compressor, pump, nozzles, pipes, as well as a control panel, which can be built-in or mobile.

The number of nozzles is something that needs to be taken into account when choosing, since their number determines the power of the bath. Volume also affects this indicator.

The average bath power is 700-800 W, but in more advanced models it can reach 1500 W. Thanks to the control panel, you can set the intensity, select a mode, determine the time and other parameters.

Let's take a closer look at the components of a hot tub design:

Pump . This is a device responsible for the operation of water jets. Budget baths usually have one pump, which can slightly change the pressure. More expensive models are equipped with a compressor that mixes water and air in the nozzles. Some models are equipped with a special pump for back massage.
Injectors . They are placed in the walls of the structure. Most often there are three of them on each side. If the design has a compressor for back massage, then additional nozzles are usually installed. In hydromassage cabins with a bathtub, the nozzles may be located in the wall.
Remote Control . This is also a required element. Electronic remote controls have greater functionality, allowing you to enable additional options.

Additionally, Jacuzzis can be equipped with headrests and armrests, handles, steps, shelves and towel rails.

Connecting the hot tub to the sewer system

To connect a hot tub to sewer lines, a drain with a hole diameter of 4-5 cm is used. It is convenient if the sewer pipe is located in the floor or wall.
In the latter case, the distance from the floor should not be more than two centimeters. At the final stage, the siphon from the jacuzzi is connected to the drain with a corrugated pipe. After connecting the bath to the communications, it is necessary to check all connections for leaks. To do this, fill the bowl with water and carefully inspect the joints. Then you need to seal the junction of the jacuzzi to the walls. The water from the bowl is drained only after the sealant has hardened.

Advantages and disadvantages

A hydromassage bath has the following advantages:

Rest and relaxation . A Jacuzzi is the best way to relax your body and soul after a hard day. Streams of water hit the skin and help relieve stress. This is the main advantage of hydromassage baths and the main reason why they are actively purchased all over the world.
Positive effect on the skin . Massage improves blood circulation, makes the skin smooth and tightened, and helps maintain its health and beauty.
Prevention and elimination of cellulite . Strong flows of water have a beneficial effect on blood circulation. This helps prevent the appearance of “orange peel” or cope with this problem if it has already appeared.
Relieving pain . Hydromassage is indispensable for those who have problems with the spine. Water flows help improve blood supply to tissues, and this helps speed up recovery. Take a hot tub at least once a week and your back pain will stop bothering you.
Decor element . Hydromassage baths look beautiful and impressive, so they can be classified as elements of luxury. A Jacuzzi will be the highlight of any bath interior.
Additional features . Increasingly, manufacturers are offering multifunctional Jacuzzis. They can combine hydro and aeromassage, chromotherapy, and be equipped with a built-in TV and sound speakers.

However, there are also negative features that you should be aware of:

Price . A hot tub is an expensive luxury. Its average cost is 60 thousand rubles. Also take into account the regular costs of maintaining the bathtub and paying for electricity, since the device is powered by it.
Installation . In addition to installing the bathtub in its place, you also need to properly connect it to the electrical network and install grounding. It is better to entrust this to specialists.
Nuances in care . A Jacuzzi requires proper care. Do not use abrasive products to clean the bathtub. In a closed environment, pathogenic microorganisms easily develop, so it is important to clean the hydraulic system regularly. Disinfect at least once a month - this will help prevent the fungus from multiplying.
Presence of contraindications . Hydromassage is pleasant and useful. However, there are contraindications to it. These include pregnancy, hypertension, and urolithiasis. Before you buy a bathtub, make sure it suits you.
Difficulty in mastering . Modern hot tubs are complex, high-tech devices. On the one hand, this provides their advantages, but on the other hand, it can be difficult for a beginner to understand how to use the technology, and it will take time.

Self-installation of a jacuzzi

If you decide that you can install a hot tub yourself, then you need to familiarize yourself with more detailed installation instructions and perform them in the same way as those recommended above.

Detailed instructions include the following points:

In the accompanying documents, find a section that describes how to install a hot tub. Find out whether the manufacturer recommends sealing the sides of the bathroom and what materials are best for doing this. Prepare them and proceed directly to installation.
Check out the set of parts for installing a bathroom: spacer dowels, support brackets, screws, washers - there should be 4 of them.
Place the bathtub in the place it is intended for, adjust the legs until the sides are horizontal, check the level, checking the horizontalness along the sides and across.
Make sure there is room for the decorative panel, if provided, install fasteners for the panel.
Draw a line on the bathroom wall along the expected line of the edges.
Mark the places where the brackets will be installed under the line at a distance of 6 cm. The location of these points should be uniform relative to the sides of the bath.
At the marked points, attach the brackets that will support the bath. Use the dowels and screws from the kit for this.
Carefully install the hot tub by hooking the sides onto the brackets.
Connect the siphon to the sewer using a hydraulic seal and a fairly long corrugated tube, which must be purchased additionally. The ability to maneuver the bathroom depends on the length.
Install decorative panels.
To seal the joints between the sides and the walls, treat the joints with silicone sealant.

The electrical connection is described above, but if you are not an electrician, then invite a specialist to check the possibility of connecting the equipment, this will be the best option for safety.

If you want to cover the space under the bathtub with a decorative panel, then between it and the floor, you need to leave a distance of 20-30 mm, necessary for the ventilation that hydromassage equipment needs.

The installation of the front and side decorative panels must be done in the correct order; first install the side panel, then the front panel.

Many Jacuzzi manufacturers recommend using decorative panels for aesthetics and do not recommend covering the space with tiles, because the panels are easier to dismantle when repairing hydromassage equipment. Using all these recommendations and tips, you can install a jacuzzi at home and use it for beauty and health.

Is it possible to wash in it?

This issue still causes a lot of controversy. In fact, you can wash in a hydromassage bath, but only with the nozzle system closed, that is, when the hydromassage function is turned off.

The use of personal hygiene products during hydromassage can render the hydraulic system unusable, and there will be a need to replace tubes and filters. The same applies to the use of bath foam - if the massage function is working, it is strictly forbidden to use it.

Kinds

Bathtubs differ in the materials from which they are made:

Plastic . Plastic models are the cheapest, and price is their main advantage. But in terms of quality they are inferior to their analogues. Plastic is susceptible to external factors and can quickly deteriorate. Over time, the structure may lose its appearance; abrasions, scratches, and cracks may appear on it. The material is also easily contaminated, but it must be cleaned with extreme caution, as it is easily scratched. Therefore, in terms of functionality and durability, this is not the best option.
Fiberglass . This material is easier to care for. It is less susceptible to scratches, but is also short-lived.
Acrylic . Quite a popular and high-quality option. Acrylic hydromassage baths are durable, their service life is at least 10 years. they are pleasant to the touch, are not subject to physical impact, are easy to clean with any means, and are not afraid of temperatures. Even if a scratch appears on the acrylic, you can easily rub it with sandpaper and polish the surface.
Cast iron . Such baths are also popular. They are characterized by high heat capacity, low noise level, durability and ease of maintenance. The disadvantage of the design is its heavy weight, which complicates transportation and installation. Moreover, these are expensive products.
Steel . Steel structures are rare today, but they have their advantages. One of them is light weight compared to cast iron. This simplifies transportation and installation. In terms of heat capacity, steel is superior to acrylic. For the production of such bathtubs, noise-absorbing materials are used, so they have a low noise level.

According to the massage regime, baths are divided into two types:

Regular baths . In them, the nozzles are located on the sides, and the massage is provided by the action of an air-water flow on the body.
Combined baths . In such products, massage is performed not only with air-water, but also with air-bubble flows. This ensures the presence of both hydro and air massage nozzles. Such baths are considered more effective.

Also, hot tubs differ in shape and size. When choosing, it is recommended to take into account the size and features of the room where the jacuzzi will be installed.

The most popular baths:

Corner

Convenient if the dimensions of the room do not allow placing a rectangular structure. Typically, such designs are developed taking into account the human anatomy - you can sit and relax in the bathtub as comfortably as possible. The length of the structures is usually 140-180 cm, depth - 60-70 cm.

Round

Round bathtubs are less popular than previous options, as they require more space for installation. The minimum diameter of this design is 1.3 meters. At the same time, these baths look expensive, beautiful and unusual. Some of them are designed for two people.

Rectangular

The most common option that is suitable for almost any room. The standard sizes of such a bathtub are 180 cm in length and 80 cm, but there are others.

Injectors

All models of hydromassage baths are necessarily equipped with nozzles, which can be presented:

hydromassage devices that supply water under certain pressure levels through small holes;
air massage devices that blow thin air jets through thin holes;
combined devices designed for simultaneous supply and mixing of air masses with water.

The design of the nozzles determines the type of jet, as well as its intensity. The simplest designs vary in size, while more advanced ones direct air and water flows by changing the position of the nozzle. High-quality and reliable plastics, as well as stainless metal, can be used as the main material for manufacturing.

Experts recommend giving preference to plastic nozzles, which do not rust and are not capable of serving as a conductor for electric current, and are also quite affordable.

Features of choice

When choosing a bath, you need to take into account all the above parameters.

Basic Rules:

First you need to decide what effect you want from the massage - just relaxing or comprehensive wellness. Taking this into account, it is worth choosing the option with an air massage or a combined turbo massage.
Consider the location of the nozzles and their number so that the massage is aimed at your problem areas.

To obtain maximum comfort, you can pay attention to additional functions: chromotherapy, audit system and others.
The shape and size of the bathtub must correspond to the dimensions of the room and its overall style. Please also consider your individual preferences.

How to properly care for a hot tub

Installing and maintaining a hot tub has its own nuances. It is better to entrust the installation to a professional. But the owners will have to take care of the structure.

Care involves the following features:

It is important to monitor the water filters that are installed near the injectors and prevent them from clogging. Otherwise, the injectors may quickly fail.
To prevent the occurrence of unpleasant odors and the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, disinfection is provided in the baths. It works differently in different models, so it is worth studying the instructions in advance.

It is important to regularly clean the bathtub with detergents. Use a soft sponge or brush. Abrasive agents and hard brushes are not suitable for cleaning - they can leave scratches and abrasions.

A hot tub is a worthy addition to any home. It helps you rest, relax and improve your health. Modern manufacturers offer a wide selection of such models, and everyone can choose what suits them.

Some recommendations

Regardless of the connection method, the cable leading from the switch or socket is connected to a safety circuit breaker, which is mounted on the electrical panel.

Diagram of a jacuzzi.

The most reasonable option is to use a differential switch. It is also worth calculating in order to choose the right one. The choice depends on the power consumption of the bathroom. Taken with a small margin.
When using a three-wire cable, you must ensure that all wires are attached to the correct terminals and connectors to prevent short circuits. Now the wires are designated in different colors, so it is quite difficult to mix them up.

The following color scheme is accepted worldwide:

red or brown is a phase;
yellow-green - grounding;
blue - zero.

It is important not to confuse anything in order to avoid the unpleasant consequences of a short circuit. Many people try to combine phase with zero when using a three-core cable. This should not be done under any circumstances.

Grounding should not be installed on sewerage, water supply and heating systems.
this may one day lead to dire consequences. Sometimes situations arise when a phase falls to ground.
Related article: Choosing the right short curtains for the kitchen
And at this moment a tragedy may arise when connecting to the above communications. After all, current will begin to flow through them, which will lead to electric shock to anyone who touches the corresponding pipes.
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