Do-it-yourself Jacuzzi - an option for making it from an ordinary bathroom

Looking at the prices for hot tubs, you might think that almost space technology was used in their manufacture.

But if you think about it, there cannot be anything complicated in such a device: a pump, a compressor, several perforated tubes or nozzles - that’s all.

And if so, why not try to make your own hot tub? Let's see how this can be done.

Types of Jacuzzi

First of all, let's see what types of hydromassage baths are in general. Based on the type of massage, they are divided into the following types:

1. With air massage. The air pumped by the compressor is supplied through the nozzles.
2. With hydromassage (jet massage). Jets of water are supplied, which is taken by a pump directly from the font.
3. Combined. These baths offer both types of massage.

Detergents should not be used in whirlpool baths, as they may clog the jets.

Jacuzzi in the country

In addition, Jacuzzis differ in shape. The following options are available to the user:

1. Rectangular. Usually designed for one person, since a large volume of water would deform a bathtub of this shape. Installed against the wall.
2. Round. In such baths, the weight of the water does not cause bending forces to appear in the wall, but only tensile ones, so its volume can be quite large. Jacuzzis for several people are made exactly round. Among all the options, this bathtub takes up the most space, so it is only suitable for spacious rooms.
3. Angular. And this, on the contrary, is an option for compact spaces. The fact is that the corner is the least popular area of ​​the room and when installing a bathtub here it will seem that the free space has hardly decreased. It should be borne in mind that a corner Jacuzzi is slightly less convenient to use than a round or rectangular one.

The listed types of baths are the main ones. In addition to them, polygonal, arbitrary-shaped, angular asymmetrical (somewhat elongated to one side), etc. are produced.

Jacuzzi in the floor

Speaking about the types of Jacuzzis, one cannot fail to note the material of the bowl, on which a lot depends. The buyer has the following options to choose from:

1. Steel bathtubs: a very popular option because it combines a number of advantages: reasonable cost, high strength, low weight. The disadvantage is the high rate of cooling of the water, but in the case of a Jacuzzi this does not really matter: when a large amount of air at room temperature is passed through the water (air massage), it will quickly cool down regardless of what material the bowl is made of.
2. Cast iron: the only “advantage” of these heavy and expensive bathtubs is that the water in them does not cool down so quickly. But for a Jacuzzi, this advantage, as just said, is not very relevant.
3. Acrylic: a plastic bathtub is a budget option. It is cheap, but very fragile, and the surface is easily scratched.

Along with indoor Jacuzzis, outdoor ones are also available. The bowl is usually made of acrylic, but with reinforcement.

Designer version of the jacuzzi

Those who find making a full-size bathtub too complicated may be interested in a special variety - a mini-jacuzzi. This bath is designed to massage the feet, which, as you know, have many biologically active points.

Next, we will look at two options for homemade massage baths - a simplified one and a slightly more complex one.

Hydromassage is a wonderful device for relaxation after a hard day at work. Installing a jacuzzi and the procedure for connecting it to utilities is the topic of the next article.

The options and functions of hot tubs are described in detail here.

You can read about the distinctive features of cast iron whirlpool baths in this article.

What do you need to know before installation?

We have selected the tools, now we need to focus on some nuances.

The first step is to take care of the convenient location of the font. After all, the tubes and nozzles will have to be washed quite often, and the pump and air compressor will need to be maintained. You need quick and easy access to all system nodes.

Under no circumstances should you make a screen for a Jacuzzi from tiles and embed the font into the wall.
Since in this case access to communications will be significantly complicated. It is better to use a removable front panel. about how to install a front screen in our special article.
Until the installation work is completed, do not tear off the protective film from the surface of the bowl. Especially if you are installing the bathtub not in a tiled bathroom, but against bare walls, and plan to finish it after installing the bathtub.

It is very important to provide for all electrical communications in advance. For the Jacuzzi it is necessary to make a separate outlet, and there should be 3 contacts: phase, zero and ground. It is also worth taking into account the power consumption of the hydraulic system - these parameters are indicated in the technical documentation and are measured in kW.

For standard hot tubs, the power usually does not exceed 3-4 kW. Therefore, a 3-core cable with a cross-section of 1.5 square meters is suitable. mm. If the power is higher, you will have to take a cable from 2 kW. mm and thicker. We will talk more about connecting to the power grid below in the corresponding section.

Unfortunately, the water in our homes is far from ideal, and the nozzles and pipe system are very sensitive to impurities in it.

Therefore, in addition to the standard filters of the hot tub, it is necessary to install additional coarse and fine filters on the pipeline suitable for it. This will protect the system from frequent blockages.

It is very important to take into account all the nuances described above before starting the installation process. Otherwise, there is a high probability that everything will have to be redone.

Required tools and materials

To work you will need the following:

• drill and drill bit with a diameter of 1.5 mm;
• knife;
• heater for welding polypropylene pipes.

For the second, more complex option, construction tools will be required:

• Master OK;
• putty knife;
• grout;
• level;
• plumb line

You also need to prepare materials:

• polypropylene pipes and corners;
• tee made of the same material;
• flexible polymer hose.

If you have an old, no longer used clamshell, the aluminum tubes of its frame can be used instead of plastic ones.

For a more complex option, you will still need to prepare:

• brick;
• cement;
• sand.

Purchase ceramic tiles and waterproof adhesive for them.

Cast iron vat at home

Of course, it’s unlikely that anyone can make a cast iron vat on their own. But if you wish, you can order it and make the famous Carpathian Jacuzzis on your site, to visit which people come from all over the world. The principle of constructing such a font is quite simple. The cast iron vat is heated by the heat generated by the fire. Thanks to the cast iron body, the water in the font heats up evenly to 30-40 degrees, allowing the human body to completely relax.

Of course, for complete authenticity with the Carpathian health resorts, you will also need water from mountain rivers or mineral water. But even the external similarity, the beauty of the font, along with its benefits for the body, will bring satisfaction from its location on its site.

How to make a jacuzzi with your own hands from an ordinary bathtub

So, let's start with the simplest solution: we will make an air massager that can be installed in a regular bathtub, and removed after the procedure. It is done very simply:

1. A frame is assembled from aluminum or plastic tubes of such a size that it fits on the bottom of the bathtub with some spacer force (then it will not dangle). If a plastic pipe is used, such a frame can be made with crossbars (several tees are needed) so that it looks like a ladder.
2. A tee is cut into one of the frame tubes.
3. Holes with a diameter of 1.5 mm are drilled in the frame tubes every 100 mm. All of them are performed on one side - the one that, after installation in the bathtub, will face the user, that is, upward.
4. A plastic hose is connected to the outlet of the tee.
5. All that remains is to connect the free end of the hose to the vacuum cleaner on the air discharge side.

Jacuzzi from a regular bathroom

To turn an ordinary bath into an air massage bath, just place this product in it and turn on the vacuum cleaner. After the procedure, the frame is removed and the bathtub can again be used in the usual way.

Features of installation work

If the equipment will be used indoors, then before carrying out work it is necessary to complete the finishing of the floor and walls. Water mains are equipped with filter blocks that allow mechanical impurities to be separated from the liquid. Since electrical circuits are laid in a room with high humidity, RCD protection units are provided in the sockets. It is possible to switch the equipment to the distribution panel; the circuit is provided with an automatic fuse and an RCD unit.

If the owner intends to install hydromassage equipment on the terrace or in the open air, then regulatory requirements must be taken into account. The container is located at least 1.5 m from the walls of the building, and the distance to overhead power lines should not be less than 3 m.

A foundation made of monolithic concrete or prefabricated slabs is built on the surface of the field. The dimensions of the base depend on the dimensions of the container. Electrical power is supplied to the installation point, and lines are installed for water supply and drainage of liquid into the sewer system.

Jacuzzi for rooms with concrete floor

In this option, it is proposed to make the bath bowl yourself by lining its walls with brick.

In this case, “concrete floor” means a slab or a home-made foundation on the ground, but not an interfloor slab.

The work order is as follows:

1. A recess is knocked out in the concrete floor, the dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the bowl. If the bathtub is designed for two, then the optimal size would be 2x1.5 m.
2. The walls of the recess are leveled and polished with a grinder. The bottom can be leveled with a cement-sand screed.
3. A circuit with holes is assembled from plastic or steel pipes in the same way as was done for a regular bath (see above). It must have an outlet for connection to the compressor.
4. The assembled circuit is placed in a recess and filled with cement, but not completely, but so that the upper part with holes protrudes by 1 - 2 cm. Before pouring, you need to install and connect to the sewer a water drainage device with a lid (ladder), if it is intended to be installed in the floor. But a drain hole can also be made in the wall by placing a piece of pipe in the masonry.
5. A pipe or hose is connected to the outlet of the circuit, through which air will be pumped into it by a compressor.
6. A brick rim is built around the recess, so that the depth of the homemade jacuzzi will ultimately be approximately 50 cm.

The walls are plastered with a solution containing liquid glass (provides water resistance), after which the inside of the bathtub is covered with special waterproof tiles for finishing swimming pools.

It must be glued to “liquid nails” or special tile adhesive. The tiles laid on the bottom where the pipes are located must be trimmed accordingly.

Self-installation of a jacuzzi

As a result, the outline should only slightly peek out from the cladding. Choose tiles without a pattern. Otherwise, the image on adjacent trimmed tiles will not match, and this is very noticeable.

1. After a day or two, when the glue has completely hardened, the joints are grouted with a waterproof silicone-based compound.
2. If the bathtub is adjacent to a wall, the latter must be protected from moisture with a special side.

The bath must be located in such a way that there is easy access to the pipes and equipment for maintenance.

Jacuzzi installation

It is very advisable to equip a homemade jacuzzi with a water heating device. As already mentioned, during aeromassage the air takes away a lot of heat. If there is no heater in the bath, the user will not be able to fully relax, since he will have to constantly add hot water.

The heater must be manufactured in accordance with all electrical safety rules, so only a purchased version should be used - a homemade one can be hazardous.

Wood burning option

Some owners of country houses prefer wood-heated hot tubs. The system works quite simply and consists of a spiral heat exchanger, which is connected to the main tank by tubes. In this section, wood is burned, which heats the liquid and causes it to circulate due to the temperature difference.

The construction of the structure consists of the following stages:

1. To begin with, a platform and a bowl of stones are arranged.
2. The surface is poured with concrete, after which a wooden formwork in the shape of an octagon is made on it. The resulting voids and gaps are filled with concrete mortar.
3. Next comes the installation and lining of the stove. The internal parts are covered with a primer and waterproofing film. External ones are treated with porcelain stoneware.
4. Having completed the finishing, it is worth building a wooden side for a comfortable stay in the bath.
5. The water is heated using a coil, which is made from a bent copper tube.
6. Next, the coil is immersed in the stove and connected to the sleeves using pipes.

Compressor installation

The set of equipment that will need to be installed on a homemade jacuzzi bathtub depends on what type of massage it is designed for:

• aeromassage: it is enough to install only a compressor;
• aeromassage and hydromassage (supplying jets of water): in addition to the compressor, you will need a pump.

When choosing the second option, it is necessary to provide a hole in the wall of the bowl through which the pump will draw water to supply it to the massage circuit.

The equipment does not add aesthetics to the bathtub, so it should be installed hidden. To do this, a recess is made in the floor or a niche in the wall, which will be covered with a lid. The switches connected to the devices must be installed in some place convenient for the bather - on the bath itself or nearby on the wall.

Don't want to go through the hassle of installing a jacuzzi? Buy a hydromassage bath mat that does not require special installation but performs similar functions.

The types of whirlpool baths, as well as their sizes and prices are listed in the following article.

Bath design

For a long time, a private pool was considered a luxury in private baths. Soon it was replaced by swimming pools, and the jacuzzi remained the subject of dreams. But it’s quite simple to equip a bath structure with your own hands. A similar arrangement stands out:

1. Economical use of space, provided that the bowl is smaller in size than a regular bathtub.
2. The presence of filtration and mechanical cleaning of the bath contents.
3. Possibility of temperature adjustment.

In addition, there is no need to dig a pit under the system and carry out concreting.

You can install a jacuzzi in a separate room, reminiscent of a bathroom, or in the washing department.

If you choose the first option, you can install a system with several hydromassage seats, organize sound and atmospheric lighting.

Operating rules

To avoid possible problems, follow these recommendations:

1. Install coarse filters on the water supply in front of the jacuzzi so that the holes for supplying water jets (hydromassage) do not become clogged with sand.
2. To prevent the pump and compressor from failing due to overheating, limit massage sessions to 30 minutes and after each one, turn off the equipment for at least 10 minutes.

If there is a hydromassage function, periodically pump a disinfectant solution through the pump and massage circuit.

To do this, you need to fill the bathtub and dissolve a special disinfectant composition in water (you can buy it in stores like “bath supplies”), then let the equipment run for 10 minutes.

Manufacturing of hydromassage frame

You can get the hydromassage effect using a special mat. It is sold in every plumbing store and is inexpensive. In addition to the mat itself, the package includes a pump, a hose and a control panel (optional). Under the pressure of the pumping system, water comes out through the holes, providing hydromassage. The solution is low cost and easy to implement.

Accessories

If the Jacuzzi is installed outdoors, one of the necessary accessories is a cover. It prevents contaminants such as leaves, grass stems, pollen, etc. from entering the water. To keep the water clean, filters are needed, sometimes also special chemicals such as bactericidal and fungicidal granules, as well as a product that allows you to maintain an optimal pH water.

Additional features

While a Jacuzzi bathtub itself is enjoyable, there are some features that can positively impact your comfort. We are talking, for example, about a water heating system with a thermostat that allows you to maintain the temperature you set. The best hot tub also has a filter and softener feature.

Another useful feature is the LCD screen, which allows you to constantly monitor the water temperature with the ability to display its value in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit, depending on individual needs. Some Jacuzzi models are equipped with lighting (helps you relax) or a system for drying and disinfecting the nozzles.