"Understanding Your Home" by Building Inspector Mark Visser
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Jacuzzi. Jacuzzi maintenance.
Jacuzzi health warnings

WARNING
The following is condensed from an article printed in the "CSA + The Consumer" This information is intended for hot tub and spa users but may apply to Jacuzzis as well. Contact your family physician to make sure.
"Pregnant or possible pregnant women should not use hot tubs or saunas.
Studies show that women during early pregnancy face up to triple times the risk of bearing babies with spina bifida or brain defects.
Important
- Contact a physician before taking a spa or hot tub if you take medication.
- Do not go into a spa immediately after a strenuous exercise.
- Do not take alcohol before or during use.
- Keep water temperature at 38 degrees C. or lower. Prolonged immersion or water temperatures above 38 degrees C., may induce hypothermia. The effects of hypothermia include failure to perceive heat, physical inability to leave the spa or hot tub, and unconsciousness"



Jacuzzi Bathtubs





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Jacuzzi. Jacuzzi maintenance. Jacuzzi health warnings
Jacuzzi is the name of a company that makes whirlpool bathtubs and spas. However, "jacuzzi" is often used generically to refer to any bathtub with massaging jets such as in a whirlpool bath.

HEALTH - BENEFITS
The jets can be directed at sore, strained and hurting back and leg muscles.
The hot water and bubbling of a Jacuzzi will cause body temperature to rise, which in turn will dilate blood vessels. This improves circulation which is beneficial to your overall health. The National Sleep Foundation finds that soaking in hot water before bedtime can help bring about a good night's sleep. Arthritis sufferers can have better movement and less joint pain. The rotating jets can also be used to strengthen weakened muscles due to an accident or illness. Muscles can be strengthened by pushing against the jet's water flow.

HEATH - DISADVANTAGES
- Chlorine in the water may cause an allergic reaction for some users. However, there is a disinfecting agent known as an ozonator system supplied by the Jacuzzi company which decreases chemical usage.
- The other concern about the use of a Jacuzzi is when you are pregnant. It is important to regulate your body temperature during pregnancy as studies have shown that, by increasing your temperature above 102 F for more than 10 minutes in the first 7 weeks of pregnancy, you can increase the risk of miscarriage or some neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Because of this risk, avoid Jacuzzi use during the first trimester if you are pregnant and only use the Jacuzzi occasionally, for short periods of time (less than 10 minutes) and at a lower temperature setting for the rest of your pregnancy.







MAINTENANCE
As a building inspector I always filled the Jacuzzi to check if it was working properly. On more than a few inspections black gunk/dirt was discharged from the jets indicating to me that the Jacuzzi hadn't be used for a long time or lack of regular maintenance . I would suggest to contact your Jacuzzi dealer to find out what product works best to clean/disinfect the jets, jet stream valves and plumbing pipes to prevent a build-up of bacteria, algae and fungi.
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