Would you put an access panel in a wooden skirt around a 30 yr old jacuzzi tub>

Background:

We are currently doing a bathroom remodel that includes changing the faucets on out Jacuzzi bathtub and re-tiling the tub backsplash and deck. We were planning on keeping the wooden skirt around the tub. (Tub is upstairs in corner of house so up against 2 exterior walls.) Contractor saw a couple leaks while they were replacing the faucets and suggested having Jacuzzi repair guy come out. Repair guy came out, inspected it and didn't find any issues. He couldn't see the 2 back jets, but everything else looked ok. However, he highly recommends putting in access panels while we are doing the remodel. He said our 30-yr old pump could go out any day. Of course he also said that we would probably need access to both sides of the tub skirt and even that may not give him the access he needs. There is always a possibility of having to pull up the tub, which is what he would do if the jets crack...

So is it really worth putting in ugly access panels? Thanks!

A 30 year old jacuzzi tub? I'd replace it with a regular soaking tub (no jets). I've had both and have learned a jetted tub is something I can live without and don't ever want to have to repair.

if you really want to keep it, i would put them in. find a way to dress it up somehow and blend it in. you will curse the day you need it and didnt do it when it was easy.

To answer your question, yes, put an access panel in if not multiple panels depending on where you would need to get. If it's a wooden skirt it should be pretty straight forward for a trim carpenter.

Now for some unsolicited advice - if you're going through all the hassle and expense to remodel your bathroom already, replace the 30-year-old Jacuzzi tub.

My uncle did this same thing, but he had tile around the tub. He made a removable panel that gave access, but he used a caulk that was made to look like the grout he used for the rest of the tub to go between the tiles on the tub and the ones on the panel. Looking at it, you'd have no idea there was an access panel there. If you needed access, you could remove the caulk and redo it later without tearing everything apart. Just something to think about.

I'm pretty sure it's a code requirement to have access panels by now.

Yeah, my parents have a soaking tub but it was installed with power in place should they (or future owner) ever want to install a jetted. The skirt has a caulked in panel for any access.