Installing an Outdoor Hot Tub
If you’ve just purchased a new home, or have been living in a home for several years and are looking for a new feature to install, you might consider an outdoor hot tub. If properly installed and maintained, you can enjoy an outdoor hot tub year-round, even in cold climates; there’s nothing more relaxing than letting your sore, overworked body lie back among all those jets of warm water! And if you’re handy and can do the installation yourself, you’ll save on the total cost.
First, you’ll need to decide where to locate your tub. You should find a spot with some privacy; if you have neighbors nearby, you might even consider raising a wooden fence around part of your tub. For most people, it’s easier to completely relax knowing that you will be unobserved. Do not locate your tub within 10 feet of any overhead power lines; read up on your municipality’s safety codes regarding hot tub installation. And ensure that there is adequate space not only for the tub but also for the associated plumbing connections and pipes. To roughly calculate the space you’ll need, measure the actual footprint of the tub itself, then add 2 feet of additional perimeter around the entire space. For example, if your tub is oval-shaped and measures 6 feet wide by 10 feet long, then provide for space that is at least 8 feet by 12 feet.
For a ground installation, the ideal base is a concrete pad; this will ensure maximum stability. You can also use gravel or sand for a base, but ensure that your substrate layer is tightly packed and level. If you have an outdoor deck, a hot tub can also be fitted into that, partially or completely recessed into the deck floor.
Next, find out how heavy your tub will be. A gallon of water weighs 8.35 pounds, so if your tub holds 700 gallons, the weight will be 5,845 pounds plus the weight of the tub itself. Finally, add the approximate weight of four adults, and you may have a final figure of around 6,500 to 7,000 pounds. Your mounting surface must be able to support this weight.
For a ground installation, be sure to level the surface first, using a rake and a long two-by-four. Make sure there aren’t any sharp stones or debris that might puncture your tub. If you plan for a raised tub, whether using a wooden or concrete platform, you will have a beautiful addition to your garden. Raising the tub also helps prevent moisture build-up around the base, which might in turn lead to mildew and wood rot.
Laying a concrete platform will require that you construct a wooden form; if you’ve never poured concrete, at least get the help of a friend with some experience. Pouring concrete is a multi-step procedure; you must ensure that you use the correct concrete for your job and that is mixed properly; that the formwork is secure and strong enough to hold the concrete in place while it’s drying; that you install adequate reinforcement, whether steel mesh or rebar; that you tamp the concrete while pouring to expel air pockets, and level it properly once poured; and that you allow it to properly cure afterward. Concrete work is a skill that requires much training and experience, so don’t take this part of the installation lightly; get help if you need it.
You may opt for a wooden platform structure rather than concrete; this kind of structure may blend in more attractively with your garden. You can start with a series of twelve 6 x 2 tanelised timbers laid on edge; “tanelised” refers to a process of timber preservation that will protect your wooden framework against fungal decay, insect attack, and other natural processes that cause wood to rot. (Treated timbers first assume a green coloration, which fades to honey brown and eventually a silver gray.) You can border the 6 x 2s with additional 6 x 2s, attached via L-braces on a platform of 4 x 4s; this structure can safely support a medium-sized hot tub. Gaps between joists should be no more than 12 inches; boards can be attached via bolts and nuts through pre-drilled holes, or by L-braces.
Once your platform is in place, whether concrete or wood-frame, you are ready to position the hot tub. These can weigh hundreds of pounds or more, so you’ll need to enlist the help of several friends.
For wiring, it is recommended that you hire a licensed electrician. If you do the work yourself, it would be advisable to at least have a professional inspect your work before you fill your tub with water. You want to make sure that the wiring has been done safely and correctly.
Once you’re all done, you’ll be ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor!
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