According to the dictionary, a Jacuzzi is a system of underwater jets that keep the water in a bath or pool constantly agitated, while a whirlpool refers to a bath with a powerful circular current or vortex of water, usually produced by conflicting tidal currents or by eddying at the foot of a waterfall.
The Jacuzzi has been named after Candido and Roy Jacuzzi, who developed and marketed it. In the early 1900s the Jacuzzi family moved to California from Italy. The seven brothers had been working for years on fluid mechanics. A family of inventors – they have pumps, propellers and aeroplanes which carried the US mail service to their credit — the family’s hydraulic know-how proved invaluable when a child in the Jacuzzi family was in grave need of daily physiotherapeutic treatment. A bell shaped device, which when immersed in the bathtub would produce a massaging jet of water and air, was invented for: the prototype of the Jacuzzi hydro massage bath. The natural evolution from then (1956) is the Jacuzzi tub as we know it today. In 1968, it was Roy Jacuzzi, a third generation family member who designed the hydro massage system with jets integrated into the perimeter of the bath. The same scientific principles are still being observed when building a new model.
Jacuzzi is synonymous with whirlpool baths while doctors recommend hydro massage to arthritis and rheumatism patients. A whirlpool is a tub fitted with piping, an electric pump and water jets. The pump circulates water through the pipes using an underwater suction fitting and several underwater jets.
Each jet contains a venturi, a vented constriction near its opening that injects air into the water. In most cases, the ratio of air to water can be adjusted at a central control, at each jet or both sites.
But using a hot tub is not only beneficial to those with health problems. The hydro massage cleans and invigorates the body. It tones the skin from the continuous pulsation of the jets and leaves a glorious and luminous healthy skin. Cellulite is a thing of the past and a new healthier you emerges from the steaming water.
If you are considering buying and installing a whirlpool in an existing building there are three things that need to be taken into consideration: water drainage, electrical supply and connection to existing plumbing. The people you are buying the hot tub from are responsible for the installation and it is included in the price. Prices range from £2,950 to £7,000, excluding VAT. If you are building a new house your architect will take care of all the necessary steps.
Some brands are more technologically advanced than others; one brand is equipped with a device that does not allow the pump to be started unless there is sufficient water in the tub, as well as a switch which will make the system completely safe against electrical current variations.
TO enjoy the use of your outside tub, it is imperative to choose a secluded spot. A wooden structure around the tub with glass roof guarantees a clear view of the stars at night. It also offers cover during the winter months, making the use of the hot tub available all year round.
Hot tubs come in different sizes with moulded seats for four to six persons. Varying numbers of jets depending on tub dimensions are adjustable to pamper your back, legs or feet. The rotating nozzles place you in the skilled hands of an expert masseur. Two types of hot tub are available: above ground and underground, which has an overflow system similar to those used in swimming pools. Both come with a cover, included in the price.
Thermostats allow individual temperature adjustment. Some companies recommend changing the spa’s water every month if you do not use any water treatment. If you do use water treatment the same water can be left in the tub for three months. Filters last about a year, while changing and maintenance is very simple and can be done by owners following the instructions in the manual. There is a wide colour range to choose from although blue and green are the two most popular.
Accessories for an outdoor Jacuzzi differ from brand to brand. Wooden steps complement the wooden panels of the tub, a wooden trellis provides instant privacy, a wooden bench running along the sides of the bath tub provides an instant bar counter and an umbrella attached to the panels the shade everyone craves for in the summer months.
Having an outdoor hot tub will automatically add to the prestige of your property. So investing on a reputable brand guarantees longevity and better use. Another plus is that any extra features on your building will be considered an asset if you ever decide to move and will be of monetary value at the end of the day.
A possible website for images: www.jacuzzibarrie.com
