Wait! Before You Buy – Pros and Cons of Whirlpool Tubs

Ask most people and they will quickly tell you that a luxury bathroom isn’t complete without a whirlpool bathtub. These tubs are outfitted with jets in the sides that propel water with enough force to create a vigorous massaging motion. A simple soak in a whirlpool tub is able to loosen tense muscles and create a sense of relaxation. However, before you head out to your local home improvement store with credit card in hand, it is important to review the pros and cons of whirlpool tubs:

Pro: Increased home value

Take a quick tour of million dollar homes and you will notice that many of these spaces include luxurious bathrooms complete with whirlpool tubs. If you’re currently remodeling or redesigning your space, it pays to think proactively about increasing current home value. Undoubtedly, the inclusion of a whirlpool tub in your bathroom is a huge selling point that can dramatically increase the return on your upgrade.

A note of caution: Make sure you completely think your decision through before you buy a bathtub. It is a short-sighted decision to simply upgrade your tub without paying equal attention to the rest of the bathroom. Along with your shiny new bathtub, you will also want to invest in upgraded fixtures and accessories. Paying close attention to these details can spell a dramatic jump in your property value!

Con: Expensive cost

This is especially the case for those you on a strict remodeling budget. Some of the best quality tubs can cost several thousand dollars! And this is just for purchase of the tub itself! Most people are not duly trained in installing whirlpool tubs so it is strongly advised to hire a contractor for installation. Hiring a quality contractor may add several hundreds of dollars to your budget. Most experts recommend adding a minimum of 10% of your total budget to hire a contractor for installation.

Pro: Relaxation at your fingertips

This almost goes without saying. Taking a nightly dip in a relaxing whirlpool tub is one of the major reasons why most people desire one! You can make this a quickly nightly ritual to de-stress and wind down from your day – or you can use your tub to replicate spa-like treatments for a fraction of the price. Beware – contrary to popular belief, whirlpool tubs are not designed for the use of bubble bath or salts.

Con: More Challenging Cleaning Regimen

These tubs can be more challenging to clean in comparison to some of your other jetted tubs. With air jet type tubs, you can simply drain the tub after you finish a bath and turn on the jets to allow dry out the tub. You cannot do the same for whirlpool tubs without risk of damage. A small amount of water – even as little as 1 cup of water – left in the jets can cause bacteria to begin growing. You will want to be extra diligent in keeping your tub clean in comparison to air jet tubs.