Large / oversized bathtub...?

[ebinmaine 67,641]

 

Any of you have a large/oversized tub?

Not necessarily a jet type. 

A "soaking tub?"

 

Trina's been looking at them for years.  

 

I've been fighting body pains for quite a while now and was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Amongst the several modes of treatment is a hot soak. 

I'm a Large Bear so we're more seriously looking at big tubs.  

 

We're thinking of removing the short walls in the bathroom that currently surround the standard sized shower unit and adding a large tub. 

 

Any thoughts comments questions suggestions? 

[Stormin 9,981]

Sorry to hear, Eric. Have you thought about trying one of the companies that make hot tubs? They may do something on a smaller scale than the usual ones.

[ebinmaine 67,641]

4 minutes ago, Stormin said:

Sorry to hear, Eric. Have you thought about trying one of the companies that make hot tubs? They may do something on a smaller scale than the usual ones.

Ehhh. 

No worries Norm.

 

We will check out the hot tub companies. Thank you.

 

[stevasaurus 22,764]

I can tell you this...I started looking at walk in tub/showers on the net a few years ago.  I started getting sales phone calls witrhin minutes from all over the states.  They were relentless for weeks.  All I did was google the tubs, did not sign up or fill out anything.  

   This is the time of year for "Home Improvement" shows.  See if there are some close by and check them out, or shop locally.  

[JCM 9,177]

Unfortunately, you will need to consider what will fill and maintain the amount of hot water you will need for a large tub, especially in the colder months.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,602]

Try Duckduckgo as search engine instead of the spyware known as google… Noticeable elimination of that nonsense… and it’s free… @stevasaurus…

 

Eric I would look at the deep tubs with walk in door. My Mom suffered from fibromyalgia and soaks definitely helped. She just stuck with her standard tub because well, she was Mom… but not needing to step over that side will be good as age does it’s thing… best wishes.

Edited March 14, 2022 by SylvanLakeWH

[Handy Don 12,237]

May need to reinforce the floor under a large tub. We have one that hold 65 gallons (can't remember when it was last filled) and that ~500 lb of water alone.

[Ed Kennell 38,227]

48 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

We have one that hold 65 gallons

But if you put a 300 lb bear in there, you may only need 10 gallons?   

[squonk 41,156]

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

1 hour ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Try Duckduckgo

 And use something else then chrome. I perssonnaly use brave as browser and duckduckgo as search engine. 

 

Eric, maybe this is an idea

 

[JoeM 7,874]

For several years we had a two person hot tub. Nice to soak. Used salt water and a salt water chlorinator. It was not to bad on up keep and power. It was outside. 

[ebinmaine 67,641]

4 hours ago, JCM said:

you will need to consider what will fill and maintain the amount of hot water you will need for a large tub, especially in the colder months

Super sized aquarium heater?

 

4 hours ago, Handy Don said:

reinforce the floor

I'm thinking it should be good. 

I'd like to find a way to prove that though.  

 

@squonk

NOW THATS WHAT I'M TALKIN'  ABOUT!!

 

1 hour ago, JoeM said:

hot tub. *****

outside

We've looked at this as a possibility as well.  

 

 

[pfrederi 17,741]

the house across the road had a hot tub in the basement... Steam water vapor and mold.. Was ripped out a few years ago... Look at your bathroom window (and exterior wall) after you take a long shower or a hot bath.  Ventilation will be an issue...

[ebinmaine 67,641]

Just now, pfrederi said:

Ventilation

Excellent point 

[JoeM 7,874]

6 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

But if you put a 300 lb bear in there, you may only need 10 gallons?

Ed you nailed it, EB can call this "Project Archimedes"

[Pullstart 62,916]

Mrs. P and I have a 6’ jet tub in our master bathroom.  I think it has a 90 gallon capacity, but for one person it only needs about 40 or 50.   It is used at least 4 times a week.  We also have 130 gallons of usable hot water during the heating months and 80 gallons during warm season.. along with a mixing valve.  Higher stored tank temp plus mixing valve = higher deliverable hot water at once.  A water heater will claim first hour delivery as a sales pitch.  That doesn’t mean in one draw.

[ebinmaine 67,641]

7 hours ago, Pullstart said:

water heater

Might need a biggah fiya 🔥🔥

[JoeM 7,874]

31 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Might need a biggah fiya 🔥🔥

Might just be the time to do the outdoor wood burning thing and plumb into the hot tub? Two birds one fire.

[ebinmaine 67,641]

38 minutes ago, JoeM said:

Might just be the time to do the outdoor wood burning thing and plumb into the hot tub? Two birds one fire.

That's something I'm going to have to run by the BBT...

 

There are some interesting possibilities there.

 

Huge issue on expense though.

[ri702bill 8,345]

19 hours ago, JCM said:

Unfortunately, you will need to consider what will fill and maintain the amount of hot water you will need for a large tub, especially in the colder months.

We had a Safe Step walk-in tub installed a couple of years ago - love it- BUT it uses 70 gallons to completely fill it up. Just finished up adding a separate 30 gallon heater to preheat the incoming water to out regular 40 gallon heater. A somewhat popular method in upstate Vermont and Canada. Best part is I can turn the 30 down, maybe off in the summer ....

Bill

[Handy Don 12,237]

2 hours ago, ri702bill said:

We had a Safe Step walk-in tub installed a couple of years ago - love it- BUT it uses 70 gallons to completely fill it up. Just finished up adding a separate 30 gallon heater to preheat the incoming water to out regular 40 gallon heater. A somewhat popular method in upstate Vermont and Canada. Best part is I can turn the 30 down, maybe off in the summer ....

Bill

We have two 3x12' solar panels and an 80 gallon storage tank for the heated water plumbed as preheat to the regular gas water heater. In summer, it needs the mixing valve to bring 180º water down to 125º and I usually bypass and shut off the regular heater for July and August (unless we have guests increase the demand ). On a sunny winter day, it'll get up to 80 or 90º which lets the regular heater work less.

[ri702bill 8,345]

Glad to see that worked for you - I considered it, but wanted something not out in the elements and dependent on the sun.

[JCM 9,177]

3 hours ago, ri702bill said:

 Just finished up adding a separate 30 gallon heater to preheat the incoming water to out regular 40 gallon heater. 

What was your choice of fuel source ?  @ri702bill

[ri702bill 8,345]

We have piped in natural gas here already. Two family house - 2 gas furnaces, now 3 gas water heaters, 2 gas stoves and 1 gas clothes dryer.

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

On 3/14/2022 at 11:24 AM, ebinmaine said:

Any of you have a large/oversized tub?

 

I put in a Kohler fiberglas tub about 5 years ago that is not 'longer', but it is 'deeper'.  In retrospect I sure wish I had gone with the six foot long one.  The extra depth is nice though!

 

This is the same tube for their jetted models without the jets.  It's kinda hour glass shaped so it uses a bit less water. Not much less though, and not sure if a big ole bear would fit between the waist part or not!

 

While you're framing, be sure to put 2x6 horizontally between the studs to bolt on hand rails... even if you don't install them right away.  When you get to be an old dude, you will want hand rails!

 

When I was shopping I believe, not certain, that there was also a six foot long model available.  Not cheap!

 

And SWANSTONE solid surface surround walls.  Again, not cheap but EXCELLENT material!  Easy to keep clean, doesn't need maintenance.

 

Did I ever mention LEXEL versus SILICONE?  No... but,  LEXEL is AWESOME stuff !  It won't stick to anything that ever had Silicone on it, and Silicone won't stick to it, but on a brand new install, it's the BEST STUFF I have ever used.  It's not available in all colors though, and  you may have to order online because the big box stores only seem to carry the clear.  It IS available in WHITE.  I installed mine at least 5 years ago, maybe longer, and the LEXEL still is perfect.  Looks like the day I installed it.  Like I said, best I've found.  Puts an end to constantly fighting the leaks that you end up with using silicone.

 

I insulated all around the tub when I installed it.  Water stays hotter longer.

 

I do therapeutic soaks at least once a week myself.  My recipe: Water at least 104°, 500 gms of Epsom Salt, one cup of Apple Cider Vinegar.  (yeah, bubbles too... I'm a bit of a girly man!)   

Soak for at least 40 minutes.  I don't know for a fact that the vinegar actually does anything but from what I've read it's supposed to enhance the Epsom Salt effectiveness.  It's cheap enough anyway.

 

The treasurer keeps threatening to pour in some food coloring and make me an Easter Egg.

 

 

Edited March 15, 2022 by Jeff-C175