Whirlpool bath - very slow to fill

It sounds like you have the water pipes connected to where the air blasts through in to the bath! It will probably be cold by the time it is full, I would definitely contact the company concerned in case you require a pump of some sort. get some instructions from them and check everything. I thought you were meant to fill it via the taps on the top of it, or certainly on the one you linked to.

Hi Mark, I have exactly the same problem with a different spa bath. The design of the inlets, mixer and filler pipes is too restrictive. I think a separate, full bore filler is required but I have yet to sort mine out. I am still looking for full bore taps with 3/4BSP inlets to replace mine.

This sounds like an example of a plumbing product designed for the majority of the world market where water, including hot, is delivered at mains pressure to the point of use as opposed to the UK where it is commonly fed from loft tanks at lower pressure but wider bore pipes.

The design that you describe would be typical of that. For example, there are taps designed specifically for the UK market with wider bore than those sold in the rest of the world and one has to be careful when selecting.

The bath would probably fill respectably quickly with water under greater pressure.

There are a few solutions:

- Change the bath to one designed specifically for the UK market with wide bore filling. One wonders whether that would be available for the price point of this one.

- Add filler tap(s) (UK versions) above the bath fed from the existing

- Add a fairly powerful shower pump in line with the feeds to the bath

- Change the hot water system for one that is directly mains fed.

Thanks for the replies and your explanation above Andy, this makes sense. Returning the bath isn't an option unfortunately. We did think about a pump, but have decided to add wall-mounted filler taps.

I wish the resellers of these whirlpool baths were a bit more upfront about this - we've just refitted the entire bathroom and it would have been far easier installing bath taps when the walls and plumping was getting done...oh well.

Mark.

Out of all of them it's probably the most practical solution, although I thought I'd mention the others just in case other works were happening

The important thing is that when you select taps, make sure that they are suitable for low pressure operation (I would ask the manufacturer directly).

Filling the bath from inlets below the water level of the bath is not allowed unde water regulations. Get some proper taps for filling, and use the underwater jets only with the circulating pump. I would get the installer back to correct things, and if he doesn't within reasonable time, take it to the county court small claims track.

That's not true, as long as non return valves are fitted!

Sounds like it's basically for high pressure water and yours is low pressure judging by the 3/4" pipes. Plenty of taps etc around that suffer the same fate - continental types 'adapted' for the UK which simply don't work properly.