Myths and Misconceptions

Over the past 25 years, we have seen a lot of "Gimmicks" come and go. Sales people and manufacturers often mislead customers by making claims that are unsubstantiated.

• Air baths do not provide hydrotherapy, whirlpool baths do. Neither the New England Journal of Medicine nor The National Arthritis Foundation endorse air baths as a means to enhance circulation. Whirlpool Baths which produce warm, high pressure water have both organizations endorsements. Whirlpool Baths are effective in the treatment of arthritis and diabetes. Whirlpool Baths are used in sports medicine and physical therapy to treat pain, sore muscles and strains, along with helping to enhance sleep and reduce stress. With scientific research supporting these facts, air bubbling up through water does not provide a pressure massage.
  
• Many manufacturers use flexible PVC hose, also called Flex Pipe, to plumb their whirlpool baths. Flex PVC is treated as a hose by the building code - not a pipe. Flex pipe, hose, is not approved by the Standard Building Code for use in any new residential construction. All Watertech Whirlpool Baths are plumbed with Code Compliant rigid Schedule 40 PVC pipe which meets the stringent requirements of the Standard Building Code. Additional information on the piping of a Watertech Whirlpool bath is available by clicking on to Whirlpool Bath Components.
  
• Some manufacturers place 3-4 jets in a whirlpool then try to promote that a swirling jet action that has high volume but low pressure is a desirable massage, a statement that is incorrect. They use 3-4 jets to cut material and labor costs. Multiple high pressure jets are the desired objective. High pressure jets increase circulation and provide relief to aches and pains, something high volume jets don't provide.
  
• Chromatheraphy -- Some companies have begun to claim that an LED Mood light installed in a whirlpool bath has special "powers to heal." There is no medical research to support their claims that as the light changes color it will promote digestion, increase brain activity and reduce blood pressure. Fact is, LED Mood lighting is a nice option that produces a special atmosphere while you relax in a whirlpool bath.
  
• An ozonator is a device developed for use on spas and swimming pools. Ozonators do not work on whirlpool baths and putting an ozonator on a whirlpool is an expensive option that has no beneficial effects. There is no existing laboratory testing that verifies or certifies that ozonators installed on whirlpool baths provide any benefits. Manufacturers selling ozonators do so because they use flex pipe on their whirlpools, which sag and trap dirty water in the tub's lines. Watertech's rigid piping eliminates water traps so the tub's lines stay clean.