Types of spa system

There are two types of spa – or hydrotherapy – systems for the bathroom. The first is a hydro spa system that draws water into a pump and then pushes it out through a jet to provide a powerful, invigorating massage.

The second type is an air system that blows cool air into the water, creating a soft, gentle massage that stimulates blood flow. Some spa baths have a dual system that combines the two.

Materials

These days, most spa baths are made from moulded acrylic, but they’re also available in pressed metal, timber and fibreglass. If it’s hospital-grade hygiene and durability you’re after, look for spas with ‘isothermic’ gel coatings.

Jets

The typical, off-the-shelf spa bath has around four to six jets, but if you want something a bit more special, or have particular muscular-skeletal problems you wish to treat, then it’s possible, with the guidance of a chiropractor, to have your jetting custom designed to suit your body.

If you prefer a gentler form of relaxation, there are now a number of ‘immersion’ baths available that produce tiny, effervescent bubbles instead of powerful jets. Some of these have infinity edges whereby water continuously overflows on all sides into a second tub, before being recirculated. This is said to relax the mind as well as the body.

More recent developments in spa technology include ‘river’ baths, which re-create the experience of sitting in a river rapid, and chromatherapy baths that use coloured lights to alter mood and aid relaxation.

Installation

Once you’ve settled on the kind of spa bath you want, the next step is getting it installed. Here are a couple of things to be wary of:

• If you can afford the extra cost, opt for a spa bath with self-supporting base pads. Unlike spas that require mortar beds, these are less likely to flex and crack.
• Make sure your spa is plumbed with hard PVC piping, not flexible rubber hosing. This will minimise the amount of stagnant water left in the system, thereby inhibiting the bacterial growth associated with ear, eye, hair-follicle and wound infections.

Contact your local spa specialist to find out how you can install a home spa bath.