Hot tubs have become extremely popular recently. And for good reason! After all, in addition to performing hygienic functions, it is also an excellent tool for raising the overall tone of the body and improving health.
Jacuzzis are extremely useful for a modern person living in the crazy rhythm of a metropolis, as they help to relax well after a hard day at work.
But there is one caveat: their installation is not so simple. After all , in addition to installing the hot tub itself, you also need to install a hydraulic system, connect it to the water supply, and also power the control controller from the mains .
In our article we will dwell on all these nuances in detail. By following our recommendations, you will install your hot tub for many years to come. Now let's get to work!
Types of massage baths.
By massage method
The following types are distinguished:
- With air massage. Compressed air is supplied through the holes.
- With hydromassage. Liquid jets are supplied.
- Combined.
By form:
- Rectangular. Small products designed for one person.
- Round. Due to their design they can be larger. Accommodates several people.
- Angular. Option for small rooms. Less comfortable, but takes up less space.
- Polygonal.
Material:
- Steel. The most popular material. It combines a number of important advantages: low price, strength, light weight. One of the disadvantages is the rapid cooling of the contents, but this is typical for all hydromassage baths.
- Cast iron. Cast iron is very heavy, but retains heat well.
- Acrylic. It has good strength and a low price.
Both indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis are available.
Features of hydromassage baths
A Jacuzzi is a technologically complex piece of equipment. The connection occurs not only to the water supply and sewerage, but also to the electrical network, which is necessary for the operation of pumps and compressors. The following characteristics must be taken into account:
- Size. It completely depends on the dimensions of the room. It must be installed at a certain distance from the wall.
- Power. The pressure of the water jets directly depends on the power of the compressor. It can fluctuate in the range of 800-1500 W.
- Type and number of nozzles. Some of them may have several hydromassage modes.
- Additional options: automatic heating, lighting, audio system, built-in aromatherapy system.
What do you need to know before installation?
We have selected the tools, now we need to focus on some nuances.
The first step is to take care of the convenient location of the font. After all, the tubes and nozzles will have to be washed quite often, and the pump and air compressor will need to be maintained. You need quick and easy access to all system nodes.
Under no circumstances should you make a screen for a Jacuzzi from tiles and embed the font into the wall.
Since in this case access to communications will be significantly complicated. It is better to use a removable front panel. about how to install a front screen in our special article.
Until the installation work is completed, do not tear off the protective film from the surface of the bowl. Especially if you are installing the bathtub not in a tiled bathroom, but against bare walls, and plan to finish it after installing the bathtub.
It is very important to provide for all electrical communications in advance. For the Jacuzzi it is necessary to make a separate outlet, and there should be 3 contacts: phase, zero and ground. It is also worth taking into account the power consumption of the hydraulic system - these parameters are indicated in the technical documentation and are measured in kW.
For standard hot tubs, the power usually does not exceed 3-4 kW. Therefore, a 3-core cable with a cross-section of 1.5 square meters is suitable. mm. If the power is higher, you will have to take a cable from 2 kW. mm and thicker. We will talk more about connecting to the power grid below in the corresponding section.
Unfortunately, the water in our homes is far from ideal, and the nozzles and pipe system are very sensitive to impurities in it.
Therefore, in addition to the standard filters of the hot tub, it is necessary to install additional coarse and fine filters on the pipeline suitable for it. This will protect the system from frequent blockages.
It is very important to take into account all the nuances described above before starting the installation process. Otherwise, there is a high probability that everything will have to be redone.
Principle of operation
A hot tub is a bathing container. Its distinctive feature is the presence of special nozzles, which are located on the walls and bottom. The system operates using a pump, compressor and pipes for supplying liquid and air.
The work algorithm looks like this:
- Liquid is taken out using a pump.
- The liquid moves through the pipes to the nozzles.
- There, under the influence of compressed air, the jet intensifies.
- When the jet hits a person, it has a massage effect on the person in it.
Features of an acrylic bath
Acrylic devices have many advantages:
- High strength.
- Long service life. A good acrylic bathtub can serve its owner for up to 15 years.
- Excellent thermal insulation. The water cools extremely slowly. About 1 degree in 30 minutes.
- Do not spoil if the water quality is poor. Some apartment buildings have rusty or chlorinated water.
- Excellent sound insulation. It does not make noise throughout the entire apartment when drawing water.
- It is very easy to clean, because there are almost no streaks left on it.
- Beautiful appearance
Counterfeits - how to avoid them?
If necessary, you can easily distinguish a plastic fake from a real acrylic product. The surface of a plastic container always has a dull whitish tint, while models made of acrylic are characterized by a glossy shine (a similar “glow” can be observed in polished marble in natural light).
Note also that acrylic is not flexible, so you can conduct a fairly simple experiment to identify a fake. Lightly press the bottom of the model you like to determine how it behaves under load. A plastic bathtub is not cast, since the technology for its manufacture differs from the “extrusion” described above using a press. Consequently, the plastic product will “play” (bend under load).
How to choose a genuine acrylic bathtub
Algorithm for installing a hydromassage mechanism
Installation of a whirlpool bath begins with the manufacture of a rectangular frame. It will be located at the bottom, and it should be tightly fixed in a stationary position. Next you need to install the tee. After that, holes are made in the tubes, the interval between holes is 100 mm. The diameter of the holes is 1.5 mm. They should be directed from the bottom, to where the person lies. A plastic hose is attached to the tee. The second end of the hose is connected to the vacuum cleaner, which serves to supply air.
Required Tools
First we need to decide on the tools that we will need when installing the structure:
- building level - to set an even horizon for the sides of the font;
- hammer drill - for drilling holes in the wall in order to secure the font on additional supports;
- a set of keys - for assembling the frame and adjusting the legs;
- tape measure - for measurements;
- screwdriver - for assembling frame elements and attaching them to the bowl;
- side cutters - for electrical installation;
- multimeter - for checking electrical circuits;
- construction marker - for marking.
Another way to create a jacuzzi
Another method involves making it yourself:
- A recess is made in the concrete floor. The size is selected based on the situation. A Jacuzzi for two has an average size of 2*1.5m.
- All protrusions are sanded using a grinder. The bottom is leveled using a cement-sand screed.
- A frame is assembled from pipes (the same as in the previous method).
- The frame is installed, connected to the sewer system and filled with cement.
- A hose is connected to the outlet, which serves to supply air.
- A special brick edge is laid around the recess. The depth of the bathroom should be approximately 50cm.
- The surface is covered with waterproof tiles; this procedure can be done using glue or “liquid nails”.
- After the glue has completely dried, the seams are treated with silicone.
You should also equip the product with a water heater; it will maintain a comfortable temperature and you will not have to constantly add hot water.
Connection
Next, connect the device:
To water supply
When connecting to the water supply, one important circumstance must be taken into account: usually the Jacuzzi equipment is designed for a water pressure of no more than 5 atm. In houses connected to a centralized water supply system (except those powered by a water tower), pressure surges are very likely, so a reducer must be installed on the water supply.
Otherwise, the process of connecting a jacuzzi is no different from connecting a regular faucet. Today, it is customary to use flexible hoses for this - it leaves the installer freedom of maneuver, and also eliminates the need to separately seal the connections (the threaded ends of the hoses are already equipped with gaskets).
Working bath
The hoses should be of such length that the bathtub can be moved 0.5 m away from the wall - this may be necessary for maintenance.
Remember that Jacuzzi equipment, especially nozzles with their thin channels, are very sensitive to the presence of mechanical impurities, so at least a coarse filter must be installed on the water supply. And ideally, it’s also thin.
To sewer networks
In order to ensure high-quality drainage of water, the bathtub drain hole must be located at least 10 cm above the axis of the sewer bed at the connection point. If the Jacuzzi bowl is too low, the frame must be raised on stands.
It is best to connect to the sewer with a rigid pipe with smooth walls. If this is not possible, use a corrugated hose.
Bath installation
If you have to buy a siphon yourself (the one included in the kit is not always of high quality), then you need to choose a model with an outlet for connecting the overflow.
The siphon is connected to the sewer according to the standard scheme: a rubber ring gasket is installed in the socket of the sewer pipe, lubricated with silicone sealant for reliability, after which the pipe coming from the siphon is inserted into this gasket. It is also advisable to fill the space around this pipe with sealant.
Power supply
If it is known for sure that the wiring will withstand the current consumed by the Jacuzzi, then the outlet for it can be powered from the general (apartment or house) electrical network.
If in doubt, it is better to connect the outlet to the distribution board with a separate wire.
Core cross-section - 2.5 - 3 sq. mm, that's usually enough. For a separate connection, the line must have its own circuit breaker installed.
For safe operation, the following must be done:
- In the switchboard on the Jacuzzi power line, install an RCD with a leakage current setting of 10 mA (so low due to high humidity).
- It is imperative to use a socket with a grounding contact and connect this contact to an actual grounding circuit.
- Also, the socket must have a moisture and dust protection class of at least IP44 (when installed inside the bathroom).
Imported electrical equipment does not tolerate power surges typical of our electrical networks, so it is recommended to connect the jacuzzi through a stabilizer.
In what room can installation be carried out?
Installation of hydromassage in an acrylic bathtub must be carried out in certain rooms. This is necessary to increase its service life. Below are the main requirements:
- The room must be spacious enough to accommodate this plumbing equipment. The distance from the device to the wall should be about 1 meter.
- It is recommended to waterproof the floor before installation.
- Installation is only possible on concrete floors. This is due to the heavy weight of the hot tub.
Dismantling old plumbing equipment
Before installing anything new, you must first remove the old one. The most difficult thing to dismantle is cast iron. This hard material will have to be sawed with a grinder and chipped off with a hammer. A steel product is dismantled in a similar way, only it is much less hassle than with cast iron. Dismantling work is carried out as follows:
- Disconnection from water supply.
- Unscrewing the screen.
- Unscrewing the mixer.
- Breaking the body into pieces.
- Garbage collection.
After dismantling, new plumbing equipment is installed.
Step-by-step installation instructions
Installation is carried out in 5 simple steps.
- Installation of gearboxes and filters. The reducer allows you to control the pressure. And filters will ensure cleaning.
- Height adjustment. It must be placed in a predetermined location and adjusted in height using adjusting bolts.
- Installation of a drainage system. Connecting a jacuzzi to the sewer system is extremely simple. You need to connect the hose to the drainage system using special fittings.
- Mixer installation.
- Network connection. Before carrying out work, it is necessary to ensure that the place where it is carried out is de-energized. All wires in contact with water must be made waterproof.
- Starting up the devices and checking their functionality. It is necessary to monitor all systems in order to avoid problems in the future.
These tips will help you install a hydromassage in an acrylic bathtub with your own hands.
DIY frame assembly
The first step is to assemble the frame of the font. To do this, you need to carefully study the instructions from the package, which indicate the order in which to attach the elements to the bowl itself. After the supports are assembled, you need to level the bathtub. A hydraulic or laser level and a wrench will help you with this.
Place a level on the side of the bathtub and adjust the legs until all sides are level. It should be noted that you should not make an additional slope to drain the water. It has already been taken into account by the manufacturer!
Installing a hydromassage bathtub at this stage is completely identical to installing a regular acrylic bathtub.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you study the following articles: “ installing an acrylic bathtub on a frame ” and “ installing a bathtub on legs .”
They describe all stages of assembly in as much detail as possible, indicating important nuances and common problems. After you have leveled the font, you can attach the hydraulic system elements to the places specified in the instructions.
Installation Tips
- The shape depends on the size of the room. The corner shape is designed for installation in a corner. The round one should be located in the center of the room. The oval one should stand a little closer to the wall than the round one.
- It is necessary to ensure a free approach to it. To do this, do not place it too close to the wall.
- The floor or supporting structures must be able to withstand this load.
- It is necessary to prepare the room long before installing the equipment.
- Before installation, be sure to read the instructions.
In the Aquasan store, you can purchase a ready-made version of a hydromassage bath. The consultant will help you choose a model based on your preferences and purchasing power.
Preparatory stage
The installation of a hot tub requires a number of requirements, both for the room where it will be installed and for the entire structure of the house. All this must be taken into account at the design stage. If the jacuzzi will be installed in an already built house, its choice should be based on the available data. The following considerations must be taken into account:
- The dimensions of the hydromassage bathtub must be such that this product fits freely in the bathroom.
- There should be enough free space around the jacuzzi so that if the need arises, such a bathtub can be moved to the required distance. This means that such a bath should not be installed tightly.
- The geometry of this type of bathtub should be in harmony with its location. For this reason, it would be optimal to place a corner Jacuzzi in the corner of the bathroom, place a round one in its center, and install an oval Jacuzzi close to the wall.
The Jacuzzi should stand freely in the bathroom so that there is plenty of space next to it. As for the requirements for the room that will be intended to house a Jacuzzi, the floors located under this bathtub must receive appropriate vapor and waterproofing, and the supporting structures of the building must be able to withstand the weight of the Jacuzzi when filled with water. The room itself must be equipped with ventilation outlets. It should also have high ceilings.
Complete turnkey apartment renovation
- Everything is included The cost of repairs includes everything: work, materials, documents.
- Without your participation After agreeing on the project, we only bother the owners when the repairs are completed.
- The price is known in advance. The cost of repairs is fixed in the contract.
- Fixed repair period Turnkey apartment renovation in 3.5 months. The term is fixed in the contract.
Read more about Done
A Jacuzzi, in comparison with a standard bathtub, has a significant mass, so it is not adjustable in height, but placed strictly in the horizontal plane. The basis for it is a rigid frame made of pipes and attached to the floor. For this reason, before installing the whirlpool bath, it is necessary to carefully level the floor.