The placement of spa jets is a super tricky part when building a pool. This is mainly because you cannot be completely sure how you will like it, unless you have already experienced it. Moreover, most technicians are not completely aware of the hydraulics involved with spa jets.
If you are getting the spa jets for therapeutic purposes, which is quite common these days, the placement of jets can make or break it. Its role in pools with recreational purposes cannot be undermined either.
What is the best placement for spa jets in a pool?
Before getting into the nitty gritty, it is important to mention that the most significant factor in deciding where to place the spa jets is your personal preference and liking. Another key factor is the number of people that are expected to use the pool.
For most therapeutic and relaxing purposes, the jets work best when they are placed on or near the seats or benches in the pool. If you prefer the water stream to hit you directly and relax your muscles, the spa jets should be placed on the wall above the seat. You can place two or even three spa jets above one seat if you prefer.
What is the best height for spa jets in a pool?
The spa jets are typically placed focusing on either the lower back or the upper back. If you want the water to hit your lower back as you recline on the bench or seat, it can be placed about 4 to 6 inches above the bench.
We would highly recommend not placing the jet at 3 inches or less from the bench, despite some companies doing so. This height is too low, and the spa jet would lose its therapeutic and relaxing effect.
If you like the water to hit your upper back or shoulders, jets placed at 7 to 11 inches above the bench should do. Depending on the individual’s height, they can be placed a little higher than that too. However, in most cases a maximum of 11 inches above the bench does the job perfectly.
Ideally, we recommend that you measure your height, both sitting and standing, and the width of your shoulders. This can help you in deciding the height for your spa jets more accurately.
How far apart should spa jets be placed in a pool?
This depends essentially on the dimensions of your pool, as well as the number of spa jets that you intend to install. Although there is no hard and fast rule, it is better to place the jets at equal distances. So for a pool that is 8×6 with 4 jets, it is designed to have a minimum spacing of 2 feet between the jets.
An important thing to keep in mind here is that, under most circumstances, you cannot use the whole length of the wall for jet placements. Instead, it has to be from one corner of the bench to the other. Spa jets placed at the corners of the pool do not serve their purpose well. So a distance of 25 to 30 inches between the jets should do for most pools. For smaller pools, the jets can be placed as close as 18 inches, but ideally not closer than that.
How many spa jets does a pool need?
The number of spa jets that a pool needs is directly proportional to its size. A pool that is 8×8 in size would need 7 to 8 spa jets to yield the desired results. A 6×6 pool can work well with 4 to 6 jets, and so on. It also depends on individual liking. If you prefer a strong water stream in your pool, you can choose to add extra jets.
It is pertinent to mention here that you need to consider the power of your pump when installing spa jets. One spa jet needs water flow of about 15 gallon per minute (gpm) to maintain the pressure. This means that 6 jets would need 90 gpm, which is quite feasible for a good pump like the Vevor pump.
However, if extra jets are installed, the water pressure will fall considerably, to about 10 gpm per jet. This can adversely affect the therapeutic effect of the jet. Therefore, if you wish to add more than 6 spa jets to your pool, it is advisable to install 2 pumps to maintain the water pressure.
If you liked this guide, make sure to check out our other, equally helpful guides like:
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