Jetted Tub Installation Question

[InsideOut]

It is my understanding that most jetted tubs cannot be installed with a showerhead that is located above the tub. Is this a true statement and does anyone know where I can find the installation instructions to back up this claim? Thanks in advance.

Reis

[jadnashua]

Not necessarily true. Most jetted tubs are available as drop-in without a tiling flange. Many of the manufacturers offer an add-on tiling flange. As long as you have one of these (one with a factory tiling flange is preferable), a shower is possible to produce that will be water-tight.

Now, considering the recommended monthly maintenance of a jetted tub, you may not want to use it daily for a shower...keeping it clean around the jets when used in that manner could be an issue, but doable.

[hj]

That is not the case, but most jetted tubs are installed in a deck with a tile surround. In these installations a shower head will spray water outside the tub and that water will eventually end up on the floor somewhere.

[GregO]

It is my understanding that most jetted tubs cannot be installed with a showerhead that is located above the tub. Is this a true statement and does anyone know where I can find the installation instructions to back up this claim? Thanks in advance.

Reis

This is where I'd recommend an airjet tub. We bought ours (bain ultra) and had a tiling flange installed and after daily showering, run the blower motor program to purge any water residue. Been working great for 6 years now.

[jadnashua]

I put in a 6' Jason International air tub. Keep in mind that the interior dimmensions of a tub like this is shorter than you think with the sloped back. They need room for the motor and the plumbing. I truely would have been in heaven with a 7' tub, but there wasn't room where I wanted it to go; the 6' is good, a standard 5' tub in this type would have been horrible (I'm 6'2" or so, your results may vary?!).

[hj]

A bit confused. How does running the air motor remove water around the outside of the tub on the tile border?

[jadnashua]

HJ, it doesn't, but does dry out the internal passages, unlike a whirlpool, the air tub turbine likes to run dry, as opposed to the pump. An air tub is much easier to keep sanitary verses the maintenance required on a whirlpool.

If the tile flange is installed, and the walls tiled as if it was a tub with a built-in tiling flange, done properly, it should work as a normal tile-in tub. The trick comes in how you handle the outside edge.

[GregO]

A bit confused. How does running the air motor remove water around the outside of the tub on the tile border?

HJ, Jim beat me to it.

Ours is a drop-in design fitted with tiling flanges for the typical alcove installation - no water pools on the edges and the tub is fitted with a front skirt for plumbing/motor access.

Greg