If you feel there’s no replacement for the spa-like experience of lounging in a warm, jetted bathtub, you might be thinking about installing one in your own home bathroom. But this isn’t the kind of remodeling decision you take lightly -- jetted tubs come with a lot of responsibility and a few tradeoffs.

Sign Up for the Royal Flush newsletter today!

The Good

The benefits of a jetted bathtub are fairly straightforward -- you get to soak in a warm, jetted bath whenever you want! If that’s your preferred way to relax and melt away stress, a bathtub upgrade could be one of the best purchases you ever make.

Jetted tubs can also be an effective part of a health or physical therapy regimen if recommended by a physician. If you have problems with sore muscles and joints, poor circulation or limited flexibility, ask your doctor whether the occasional jetted tub massage may help.

The Bad

All that comfort and relaxation comes at a price. Jetted tubs tend to start around $1,000 and can even exceed $5,000 for high-end models with all the bells and whistles -- and that doesn’t include installation. For even a modest tub, it’s reasonable to expect the total costs to be at least $2,000.

Installation can also be complicated because jetted tubs are large, deep and heavy. It takes a large bathroom to comfortably accommodate one, and it may be necessary to build an above-floor platform to support the tub. You’ll need to consult an experienced plumber to discuss exactly what it will take to install a jetted tub where you want it.

It’s also important to remember that because jetted tubs are much larger than standard tubs, they use a lot more water -- hot water. So not only should you expect an increase in your water bill, you’ll put a heavy load on your hot water heater. Some hot water heaters may even be completely emptied in the course of filling a large jetted tub.

The cost of heating all that water and powering those air jets will add to your other utility bills, so the overall costs of the jetted tub lifestyle are important to take into consideration.

The Ugly

Unfortunately, not all aspects of the jetted tub experience are so luxurious. There’s a fair share of cleaning involved -- not only is there more bathtub surface to clean, there’s also that whole network of air tubes to consider.

Cleaning processes vary among models, and higher-end models may feature self-cleaning cycles that blow all excess moisture out of the air tubes. But regular cleaning can’t be ignored; neglected tub jets can become breeding grounds for mold, mildew and algae.

And even though jetted tubs are all about relaxation, you might not always find the noise they make to be so relaxing. Some tub jets are louder than others -- but none are completely silent. Reading user reviews is a good way to get an idea of the noise level you should expect from a particular model.

It’s a lot to consider, but it all goes to show that purchasing a jetted bathtub for your home isn’t something you’ll want to do on a whim. If you’ve thought about it and are ready to take the next steps, reach out to your local plumbing pros! Contact us at 1-877-BEN-1776!