Choosing The Right Location
Indoor Installations
Hot tubs can be installed both indoors or outdoors. While installing a hot tub indoors might seem like a great idea, indoor hot tub installation pose a few problems:
- Doorways. Most exterior doors are 30-32 wide while most hot tubs are a 34-39 tall. Getting a hot tub inside therefore usually involves opening up and then fixing a section of wall.
- Moisture. Hot tubs generate a lot of steam. This can make the room the hot tub is in very humid. Over time this can lead to mould, damage to drywall and warping of wooden flooring in the room. Proper ventilation must be installed to avoid this.
- Splash. When people get in a hot tub, especially children, there will always be some water that splashes out on to the floor. Care needs to be taken when choosing flooring to make sure that it can handle water sitting on it on a regular basis without damage. You should also make sure that it wont get too slippery when wet or you may have a safety hazard.
- Drainage. In the unlikely event that your new hot tub springs a leak you need a plan for where the water will go. Without proper drainage being put in place you can end up with over 1000 litres of water in your house!
- Chemical Smell. Ever been in a hotel with a pool? You can smell it as soon as you walk in the building. Even with proper ventilation it can be tricky to stop your house smelling like hot tub chemicals.
Outdoor Installations
Service Access
What Sort Of Base Should A Hot Tub Sit On?
How To Build A Diy Hot Tub
When I wanted to put a Hot Tub in the back garden, after sizing it up, it was just not going to fit, however hard I tried. Not because of the space, just the fact that there are a few tight corners that even up ended, on its side, with lots of people to help and manoeuvre it, a regular hot tub would just not going to get through. That was not going to stop me getting what I wanted most a Hot Tub! I needed to build a Hot Tub.
Build a Hot Tub
The image above is the finished article. Its fantastic! This website is the culmination of the knowledge that I have acquired along the way that I wanted to share with you all. Ive put together this guide where I am to cover everything you need to build your own DIY hot tub.
We have high fences so it couldnt come through a neighbours garden. There is no access from the rear of my property. Having a crane do the job and drop it in apart from looking a bit of a tool in front of the neighbours, it wouldnt actually help either as the tight corners are at the bottom of the garden where I wanted the Tub to go. It was too long for a crane. Being of the mindset that I was not going to let this one go, I had the bright idea that I needed to build my own Hot Tub.
What Gravel Is Best For A Hot Tub Base
¾ clean crushed stone is the best type of gravel for a hot tub base. ¾ stone is large enough that it will lock together tightly when compacted, providing solid support beneath your hot tub. Because its a clean stone, it also functions as a drainage bed to keep excess moisture away from the bottom of your hot tub.
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Build A Hot Tub Above Ground Or In Ground
This is a crucial question as it will affect the design of your tub. Personally, I chose in ground as I wanted it to be as minimal as possible in my garden. I also liked the idea of dropping into the ground rather than being on display for all the neighbours to see. I also was a little nervous about the brickwork and how well I was actually going to lay blocks as I had not done it before. There is quite a bit of water volume in the tub, 2800 litres in my case which is nearly 3 tonnes of weight. By opting for an in ground tub, I knew that I could back fill the brick work with concrete so this was going to minimise the potential for a wall to split and flood my garden!
Digging a hole for a Hot Tub
How To Pour A Hot Tub Pad
Related Articles
A water-filled, six-person hot tub can weigh upward of two tons, so many homeowners position their tubs on concrete pads instead of setting them on wood decks. Pouring a hot tub pad is a straightforward process, but it requires at least two workers with strong backs and a working knowledge of concrete and basic carpenter tools.
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Concrete Pads For Hot Tubs
Whether youre a first-time buyer, or youre looking to repair, seal, or color a slab, Sam the Concrete Man can help.
We offer a wide range of concrete pads for hot tubs along with a number of complementary services, including:
- Hot tub pad repair
- Hot tub pad resurfacing
- Hot tub pad design , and more!
Since 1989, Sam the Concrete Man has been helping homeowners transform properties into dream homes with all kinds of concrete solutions, and now were proud to bring that signature service to families.
Hot Tub Concrete Pad Requirements
When youâre ready to install your hot tub, youâll need to make sure you have the right foundation in place. A hot tub concrete pad is the ideal base for your spa, providing a level surface thatâs strong enough to support the weight of the tub and its occupants. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a location for your hot tub concrete pad.
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Does A Hot Tub Have To Sit On Concrete
Shopping for a hot tub can be fun. But before you step into a showroom, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered, such as what its going to sit on. If youve wondered does a hot tub have to sit on concrete, read on!
Heres what I know from having owned 4 of them:
A hot tub does not have to sit on concrete and can be placed on any stable, level surface that will not become unstable due to moisture or weight. Those surfaces include wooden decks, paver stones, gravel beds, or spa pads.
Just dont place a hot tub directly on the ground or on a wooden deck that was not built to support the weight of a fully-loaded hot tub. Concrete, however, remains an excellent choice for hot tubs.
Who doesnt dream of having a hot tub in their backyard? A place to relax and soak in warm water sounds delightful!
But there are dos and donts to everything, and that applies to hot tubs too! Youll want to make sure you have a stable base that your stable base that your hot tub sits on. Keep reading to find out what bases work, and what doesnt!
Before you decide on a base, know what your hot tub weighs!
Whatever surface you choose to put your hot tub on, its important to know how much weight per square inch that surface can take.
Hot tubs weigh a lot especially when full of water and people.
But how much do they weigh and how much weight difference is there between different sizes of hot tubs? Luckily, I break it all down for you in a recent article.
Below Are The 3 Ways In Which I Think I Can Help You
Whether you are looking for some plans, plumbing diagrams, how to instructions or more, you have come to the right place.
If you have an idea for a Hot Tub but dont know how to get it off the ground, get in touch. I can help. I can create 3D CAD for you, put together plumbing designs, shopping lists and even supply parts anywhere in the World.
Check out the case studies to see how I have helped DIYers like you at Buildahottub.com
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Can You Put A Hot Tub On 4 Inches Of Concrete
You could put a hot tub on 4 inches of concrete, but it would be very difficult to level the surface and you would likely need to use a leveling compound.
Its also important to make sure that the ground beneath the concrete is sufficiently reinforced to support the weight of the hot tub and any people or equipment that might be using it.
Best In Most Cases: Concrete
Cost for 8’x8′ spa base: $400-$500
A concrete pad is one of the most common types of hot tub base. This is what most manufacturers or hot tub stores will recommend.
Concrete is a strong and durable choice for a hot tub base, but it is permanent. You’ll need to hire contractors to install the pad and be comfortable with the fact that your hot tub’s location won’t be able to change easily once it’s in place.
Depending on where you live, you may also need a permit to install a concrete slab, as it may be considered a permanent change to your property.
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How Big Of A Concrete Pad For A Hot Tub
There is no definitive answer to this question since the size of your concrete pad will depend on various factors, including the size and weight of your hot tub, the climate you live in, and whether or not you plan on installing your hot tub permanently or moving it around from time to time.
That being said, a common rule of thumb is that your concrete pad should be at least 8 inches thick in order to support a hot tub filled with water.
For larger or heavier hot tubs, you may need to go up to 12 inches thick.
Plus, if you live in an area with cold winters, you may want to add an extra layer of insulation beneath your pad to help prevent freezing and cracking.
How Do You Get The Spa To The Patio
Many hot tubs can be placed on a patio using a forklift.
Before it arrives, we recommend walking the path that your new hot tub will travel during delivery and take measurements along the way. Be sure to measure side yard dimensions, gates or doors. Any other space limiting obstacles such as trees or shrubs must be evaluated as well.
Access to your chosen installation site must be solid, level ground that has been cleared of any obstructions prior to arrival. Keep in mind that you will need to remove any doors, windows, walls, handrails or other obstructions.
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Can You Put A Hot Tub Inside
Most definitely! But there are few things to consider before choosing an indoor hot tub installation.
You will want to talk to your Master Spas Dealer to determine the exact size of the opening needed to move the hot tub into the room, as this will vary based on the model youve selected.
Also, you will want to plan for ventilation and humidity control. When the hot tub is in use, considerable amounts of moisture are produced. This moisture can damage walls and ceiling surfaces over time. Check to make sure that your paint, wallpaper, and woodwork can withstand increased humidity levels. In most cases, an exhaust fan is needed.
Because water may accumulate around the hot tub, it is recommended that a floor drain be installed. For safety reasons, proper floor materials should be installed that are slip resistant when wet.
What Are The Electrical Requirements For Hot Tub Installation
Hot tubs either require 110V or 220V of electricity. If you choose a 110V model often referred to as plug-and-playthen you may be able to simply plug the spa into an electrical outlet in the backyard. If you choose a 220V model, then you will need to work with a certified electrician to ensure you have enough electricity to power the spa, and then the electrician will be required to run the appropriate wires from your electrical panel to the hot tub. Your dealer can help you understand the pros and cons of the two electrical configurations and can explain the specific electrical requirements for the model you choose.
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Did I Cover All You Wanted To Know About Whether Hot Tubs Need To Sit On Concrete Or Not
There is no exact best base for a hot tub.
All of them have their pros and cons. You can use a concrete slab, pavers, decking, heavy-duty plastic, or gravel beds. You just have to ensure that your desired base can support a hot tub full of water and occupants.
The base of the concrete slab concrete should be about 4 inches thick.
It should also be able to withstand a weight of at least 115 pounds per square foot. Additionally, concrete takes around a month to cure properly. So dont put your hot tub on until it is done.
Build A Hot Tub Lights
Having a light in the hot tub is must. It adds to the atmosphere, means you can use it at night and it really looks the part too. Out of all the parts of my build, I expected the light to be the easiest. Yes, it was simple to fit, but has caused me some problems which I will come on to. Because of the size, I wanted to go for a swimming pool sized light. I chose a large LED multi-coloured one which I thought would look great and it does by the way but not without causing me problems.
Build a DIY Hot Tub
Fitting the light is pretty straight forward. The cable sits inside a 1/5 solid pipe and then the light module slots in and twists into place. There are just a neutral and live cable that need to be connected. The cabling needs to go in at a very early stage, eg before you are putting in blocks and once your blocks and concrete are in, that is it.
The problem I had was I wanted to control a swimming pool light from the Spa control pack. Straight away there should have been alarm bells ringing. I also noticed that the output from the Spa Pack was 10vAV and the light was 12vAV. I thought, that is fine, it will just tun a little dimmer than it would at 12V, no problem. I hooked all the kit up in my office testing it and yes, it worked great. Not so great as I found out 3 months after the build was complete.
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Clear The Area For A Concrete Slab Or Base For Your Hot Tub
Next up: make sure all of this space has been cleared out for construction purposes too . Its important not just because they can get damaged during installation but also due their roots getting into concrete which could cause problems over time as welland we dont want anything like a tree root coming through our new flooring now do we?
Ok, so once the area has been cleared, next it s time to start building the foundation for your hot tub. The first thing that you need to do is to cover the area with a type one ballast or small gravel that you will then pound flat with a whacker or similar machine.
How Thick Should A Concrete Slab Be To Hold A Hot Tub
How thick should a concrete slab be to hold a hot tub? Who doesnt want a hot tub right in their backyard? No matter what time of year, a hot tub can offer a nice, relaxing soak to take away the stresses of the day.
Not only that, but there are a plethora of health benefits that can be felt by having a hot tub. But it is not as simple as buying a hot tub and sticking it in the backyard.
You need to have a base for your hot tub and picking the right one is crucial. Here is all that you need to know about having a base for your hot tub: what works, how to acquire one, and what not to use.
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How Thick Does A Concrete Slab Need To Be For A Hot Tub
A concrete slab designed to support the weight of a hot tub should be 4 inches thick minimally.
A hot tub filled with water and occupants is very heavy, so you must ensure that it rests on a strong and level surface. Unsound and uneven surfaces can damage the hot tub and even invalidate your warranty!
Concrete can be a good foundation base. However, it is expensive. But it only requires a small amount of maintenance and adds value to your home.
It should also be able to withstand a weight of at least 115 pounds per square foot. This is especially important for larger hot tubs. Additionally, the concrete should be fully cured before placing your hot tub down.
How long should you let the concrete cure before putting a hot tub on it? We get into that next!
Curing In Construction | Concrete Cure Time | Methods of curing
Krunal Rajput
Tips For Creating A Custom Hot Tub Pad
A hot tub pad is essential as it will keep the tub off the ground preventing uneven sinkage and damage to the bottom of the spa. You need to keep in mind this hot tub base will need to accommodate the hot tub weight and electrical requirements. Hot tub Pads are a really easy DIY project that can be accomplished pretty quickly over a weekend. There are even new synthetic options that a lot of hot tub owners are using because they are less expensive and quicker to install than concrete or wood. One of the most used products for hot tub and spa bases is the Handi-Spa Pad.
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