The Most Important Question You Should Ask Before Buying A Whirlpool Bath.
Question: Is the whirlpool plumbed with Rigid PVC or Flex Hose?
Myths
and Misconceptions
Over
the past 25 years, we have seen a lot of "Gimmicks"
come and go. Sales people and manufacturers often
mislead customers by making claims that are unsubstantiated.
Air
baths do not provide hydrotherapy, whirlpool baths
do. Neither the New England Journal of Medicine
nor The National Arthritis Foundation endorse air
baths as a means
to enhance circulation. Whirlpool Baths which produce
warm, high pressure water have both organizations
endorsements. Whirlpool Baths are effective in
the treatment of arthritis and diabetes.
Whirlpool Baths are used in sports medicine and
physical therapy to treat pain, sore muscles and
strains, along with helping to enhance sleep and
reduce stress. With scientific research supporting
these facts, air bubbling up through water does
not provide a pressure massage. See the Benefits of Hydrotherapy.
Many
manufacturers use flexible PVC hose, also called
Flex Pipe, to plumb their whirlpool
baths. Flex PVC is treated as a
hose
by the building
code
- not a pipe. Flex pipe, hose, is not approved
by the Standard Building Code for use in any new
residential construction. All Watertech Whirlpool
Baths are plumbed with Code Compliant rigid Schedule
40 PVC pipe which meets the stringent requirements
of the Standard Building Code. Additional information
on the piping of a Watertech Whirlpool bath is
available by clicking on to Whirlpool Bath Components.
Some
manufacturers place 3-4 jets in a whirlpool then
try to promote that a swirling jet action that
has high volume but low pressure is a desirable
massage, a statement that is incorrect. They use
3-4 jets to cut material and labor costs. Multiple
high pressure jets are the desired objective. High
pressure jets increase circulation and provide
relief to aches and pains, something high volume
jets don't provide.
Chromatheraphy
-- Some companies have begun to claim that an LED
Mood light installed in a whirlpool bath has special "powers
to heal." There is no medical research
to support their claims that as the light changes
color it will promote digestion, increase brain
activity and reduce blood pressure.
Fact is, LED Mood lighting is a nice option that
produces
a special atmosphere while you relax in a whirlpool
bath.
An ozonator is a device developed for use on spas
and swimming pools. Ozonators do not work on whirlpool
baths and putting an ozonator on a whirlpool is an
expensive option that has no beneficial effects.
There is no existing laboratory testing that verifies
or certifies that ozonators installed on whirlpool
baths provide any benefits. Manufacturers selling
ozonators do so because they use flex pipe on their
whirlpools, which sag and trap dirty water in the
tub's lines. Watertech's rigid piping eliminates
water traps so the tub's lines stay clean.
Manufacturers that claim spraying insulation on the back of a whirlpool tub will keep the water warm. There is no technical or scientific data accompanying their claim. Heat rises and there is no way to keep the water from losing its temperature unless the top of the tub had an insulated cover to trap the heat.
Companies claiming they have a passive warm air system that heats a whirlpool's water provide no scientific data to support their claims. If such a device existed, every manufacturer would offer such an amazing device. An electric in-line heater with a heating element is a proven means of heating water (i.e. water heater, in a home.)
Copyright 2009
Watertech Whirlpool Baths. All rights reserved.