Hot Tub Installation Planning Guide
Copyright © 2006 Emerson Lockwood
Super Home Ideas
http://www.SuperHomeIdeas.com
Now that you have made the decision to purchase a hot tub, you
need to think long and hard about where you install your new
hot tub. Basically, you have three choices for a location;
indoors, outdoors or inside a screened in porch. The choice is
completely up to you as to where you put it, but there are many
considerations that you should take into account before you make
you install your hot tub.
PLAN AHEAD FOR STRENGTH AND SAFETY
No matter where you decide to place your hot tub you need to make
sure that the location has a solid foundation. What this means to
you is that the foundation must be a uniformly firm, continuous,
and it must provide a level setting. The recommended foundation
is a concrete pad with a minimum thickness of 4 inches with steel
reinforced cross bars throughout.
When installing your spa on a wood deck or balcony, the same load
requirements must be met. Total load may be as much as 90 pounds
per square foot. Remember that your hot tub weights about 700
pounds on its own, then when you add water and people, it could
have a total weight of up to 4,000 pounds.
Regardless of the location that you decide upon, you need to be
sure that the hot tub is not within 10 feet of overhead power
lines and that you leave access to the internal equipment.
In order to complete maintenance or to make a needed repair, you
will need adequate space to be able to reach the internal
components. If your hot tub has external equipment you need to
know that most city codes require that the equipment be at least
5' from the tub, unless they are separated by a permanent solid
barrier.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR INDOOR PLACEMENT OF YOUR HOT TUB
If you decide to place your hot tub indoors you need to
understand that moisture will accumulate. Think about it, when
the hot tub is being used, it puts off a great deal of steam. The
steam that is created must go somewhere, and it will leave
moisture on your walls, ceiling, floor, etc.
In any indoor location, you absolutely need to make sure that you
have really good ventilation. The amount of moisture created will
vary according to how frequently you use your hot tub. The
ventilation not only helps dissipate the moisture and steam, but
it also allows the chemicals to be circulated out.
The odor of the cleaning components can accumulate indoors and
even create electrical problems, unless the area is well
ventilated. The good news is that if you place your hot tub
indoors it will probably stay cleaner and require less frequent
chemical treatments.
Here comes the big news about installing a hot tub indoors; you
should have some kind of drainage system in place! Experts
recommend that you change the water in your hot tub every four
months or so. And, the bucket brigade is not my idea of a
Saturday afternoon well spent.
You always have the option of running sewage drains to your hot
tub, and if you are placing your hot tub on an existing slab, you
will need to dig up the concrete to build your drain system.
Another option that is a little less painful would be to get a
small submersible pump. You can use the pump to push most of the
water out of your hot tub, but pumps usually fail to move the
last inch or so of water at the bottom of the tub.
Some manufacturers, build their hot tubs with a water hose
connection inside of the cabinet at the bottom of the hot tub.
This will enable you to hook a water hose to your hot tub, so
that you can easily drain the water and move it to another drain
or outside on the ground.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
No matter how well made your hot tub is, it is always possible
that after years of usage, leaks can occur due to worn gaskets or
seals. That water must have a place to go. Be prepared to deal
with this if the situation arises.
Another obvious thought that may sometimes get overlooked is that
you have to get the hot tub into your house. Measure to make sure
that you have enough room to navigate it into your house and then
measure again, after you do that, measure once more!
Many companies suggest that you spend the money to have a
licensed contractor make sure that the local building codes are
met, and the installation can occur safely, and that load
requirements can be met.
YOUR HOT TUB OUTDOORS AND UNDER THE STARS
For many people, outdoors is the best location for a hot tub. A
hot tub can be enjoyed on a warm sunny day or on a chilly night
while you stay nice and toasty in your hot tub.
Being outdoors, there are fewer concerns for the hot tub. You do
not have to worry about the steam and humidity or the chemicals
affecting your home. Locating your hot tub outdoors though does
mean that you may have to get a concrete pad laid down so that
the hot tub has a proper foundation.
Other considerations with placing a hot tub outdoors include that
it will get dirtier easier. Walking to and from the hot tub, your
feet will get dirty and that will get in the hot tub. You also
have to consider that leaves and such may end up in your new hot
tub.
A cover is very important when placing a hot tub anywhere, but it
is especially important when placing it outdoors. Always have a
cover on the hot tub when you are not in it. This is a safety
measure to prevent small children from falling into it and it
also helps it to stay cleaner and keep insects out. The cleaner
the water in the hot tub stays, the less frequently you have to
treat the water with chemicals.
There are a wide variety of pictures on the Internet of hot tubs
being placed outdoors in very creative ways. If you want to
invest the money, a stand-alone deck can be built that
encompasses the hot tub. The only limit here is your imagination
and your budget.
PLACING YOUR HOT TUB IN A SCREENED IN ROOM
Putting a hot tub in a screened in porch mostly resembles an
outdoor installation. You have to consider some of the factors
that go with both indoor and outdoor installations though.
A screened in porch will obviously allow for ventilation and the
steam and humidity will not harm your walls.
You will still need a drain put into the floor of the porch
though, if one does not already exist. If the manufacturer uses
the water hose connection, this will not be an issue for you.
Again, you can find many creative pictures of hot tubs installed
in screened porches on the Internet.
IN CONCLUSION...
In the end, the placement of your new hot tub is completely up to
you and your preferences. No matter where you decide to put it,
be sure to plan ahead. The more that you plan ahead the easier it
will be to install and to enjoy.
If you are not sure whether or not your chosen location is
suitable for a hot tub then you should seriously consider
contacting a licensed contractor to review your location and make
sure that it is suitable.
Finally, always take into account safety factors when deciding
where to put your hot tub. As stated before, a cover should
always be in place when it is not in use. Also consider the
surface that you will be walking on when going to and from the
hot tub. If the path is smooth concrete you may want to put some
mats down to prevent slipping.
Now go out and enjoy your new hot tub and take satisfaction in
knowing that your preplanning has prevented headaches and will
help to prevent any future problems.
Emerson Lockwood writes on topics related to Home Improvement.
When you are ready to buy a hot tub, please visit:
http://www.spasnstuff.com/ for
factory-direct discounts on
hot tubs and spas. Standard Features on spas & hot tubs can
be seen here: http://www.spasnstuff.com/content/view/11/62/ .
All Spas 'N Stuff hot tubs have a water house attachment at the
drain as a standard feature, to simplify drainage in every setup.
If you are interested in reading more Home Improvement articles
written by Emerson, please visit: http://www.SuperHomeIdeas.com
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