With the economy in the state that it’s in, most folks are not as involved in planning a new home as much as they are in trying to save the one they have or fix it up to avoid that desire for a new one. For those of us that are bold enough, and maybe smart enough, there are still people taking advantage of the depressed real estate market and fixing up homes that they are buying. In any case whether you’re thinking building a new home, remodeling the one you have or fixing up a bargain buy, money invested in bathrooms and kitchens still remains the safest investment and an expense that can make your days better and more comfortable. One of the most frequently requested bathroom features and the one that certainly returns the investment in comfort and health benefits is a whirlpool or trade name “Jacuzzi” tub. Whirlpool tubs are an efficient treatment for physical ailments and can help relieve the effects of stress, help to lower blood pressure and just outright feel wonderful at the end of a long and trying day. A whirlpool tub can be the ultimate addition to the new or remodeled bathroom and come with many options and variations. As an example National Builder Supply offers approximately 60 different brands, types, shapes and features at prices as low as $850 to as much as $3000. The one pictured is only a little over $1200 with free freight. In most cases a whirlpool is one of those options that will return a high percentage if it’s cost in resale value.
Prior to choosing a whirlpool bath you should learn about the various systems and options available to help you to select the best for yourself that will suit your requirements. In a whirlpool bath tub, jets of water and air create bubbles that ripple their way around the body providing a massage effect. These water jets are positioned along the inner sides, the back and the foot of the tub and usually come with the option of 6, 8 or 11 jets to cater to personal preferences. The jets can be of both a water and air configuration with water jets on the sides and air jets on the bottom of the unit.
OK, I’ve sold you on the idea to have a whirlpool tub. While not impossible, it is easier to have a whirlpool tub installed in a new home under construction than it is to retrofit one while remodeling. Bathtubs are large and cumbersome and are installed in a home during the framing process and are then difficult to remove in a remodel. Take a look at your existing bathroom and tub and imagine how would you remove it from the house? Will it fit through your doors, down any steps, around furniture and fixtures? Inversely the new tub will have to retrace these steps to get it in place for installation. If you can see the path easily then your home free, if not can you use a nearby window? Can a wall be easily removed and replaced? Can a doorway be widened? Another thing to consider is if your old tub is fiberglass or acrylic you may me able to just cut it up into small pieces with a reciprocating saw and will only have to worry about how to get the new tub in. Many of the new tubs come in pieces for easier installation. Make sure you have this in mind when choosing the new tub and know the dimensions you will need to get it into the bathroom. Without an easy method to accomplish the removal and installation then maybe the idea will just not work. The good news is that if you can get the old tub out and the new one in with minimal home disruption usually the plumbing will need no changes and you will just need an electrical circuit to power the new tub.
Sounds like a lot of work and effort? Sure it is but it will only take a few minutes in a whirlpool tub, if you have never experienced one, to make you forget the trouble. How about a date night at the local “no tell motel” with a whirlpool in the “bridal suite” to try one out? Make sure it’s your wife you take on the date!
Prior to choosing a whirlpool bath you should learn about the various systems and options available to help you to select the best for yourself that will suit your requirements. In a whirlpool bath tub, jets of water and air create bubbles that ripple their way around the body providing a massage effect. These water jets are positioned along the inner sides, the back and the foot of the tub and usually come with the option of 6, 8 or 11 jets to cater to personal preferences. The jets can be of both a water and air configuration with water jets on the sides and air jets on the bottom of the unit.
OK, I’ve sold you on the idea to have a whirlpool tub. While not impossible, it is easier to have a whirlpool tub installed in a new home under construction than it is to retrofit one while remodeling. Bathtubs are large and cumbersome and are installed in a home during the framing process and are then difficult to remove in a remodel. Take a look at your existing bathroom and tub and imagine how would you remove it from the house? Will it fit through your doors, down any steps, around furniture and fixtures? Inversely the new tub will have to retrace these steps to get it in place for installation. If you can see the path easily then your home free, if not can you use a nearby window? Can a wall be easily removed and replaced? Can a doorway be widened? Another thing to consider is if your old tub is fiberglass or acrylic you may me able to just cut it up into small pieces with a reciprocating saw and will only have to worry about how to get the new tub in. Many of the new tubs come in pieces for easier installation. Make sure you have this in mind when choosing the new tub and know the dimensions you will need to get it into the bathroom. Without an easy method to accomplish the removal and installation then maybe the idea will just not work. The good news is that if you can get the old tub out and the new one in with minimal home disruption usually the plumbing will need no changes and you will just need an electrical circuit to power the new tub.
Sounds like a lot of work and effort? Sure it is but it will only take a few minutes in a whirlpool tub, if you have never experienced one, to make you forget the trouble. How about a date night at the local “no tell motel” with a whirlpool in the “bridal suite” to try one out? Make sure it’s your wife you take on the date!
1 comment:
It think I'd be a little mad if I found my Whirlpool Tub at a sleazy motel. Wait I would never have that happen because I never stay at sleazy motels!
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