Hot Tub Prep and Installation

Take a look at your outdoor space and decide where you want to put the hot tub. Maybe it will work best on a deck or patio close to your house. Or perhaps the ideal spot is away from any structures on your property.

The area you choose must be large enough and strong enough to hold a hot tub. Hot tubs can weigh up to 3,000 pounds, so you need to ensure your foundation can handle it. The hot tub should be close to a hose so that you can get water to it easily.

You’ll also need to leave some room for entering and exiting the hot tub. Also think about the space you might need to clean and maintain your hot tub. A foot or two of clear space around the hot tub, at minimum, is recommended.

Other things to consider:

• Does the location you’re considering offer enough privacy?
• What will the view from the tub look like?
• Will the location offer any shade?
• Will there be protection from the weather?

Once you have decided on the location of your hot tub, the next step is choosing a foundation.

Deck: Because a deck is already a level surface, it is a great spot to install a hot tub. However, you should have the deck area inspected before installation to ensure it can support a hot tub properly.

Concrete: A popular choice due to its durability, concrete can be poured fast and made level if you need a custom foundation. If you already have concrete in your yard, you’ll just to need to make sure the existing area is level and sturdy.

Spa pads: These interlocking grids, which are easy to use, provide a foundation on grass or soil. They can be removed if you decide to remove or relocate your tub. Spa pads are a great solution if you don't have a deck or patio with enough space for a hot tub.

A hot tub needs to be plugged in to heat up. As you plan for your hot tub, check your home’s electrical connections. The electrical system for your hot tub should meet the specifications of the model you selected. You may need to have a new electrical system installed. Don’t ever use extension cords with your hot tub.

• Standard hot tubs require 110V or 220V of electricity. You will need to be sure which option your home's connection can support.
• The 110V hot tub models are popular because they don't require any special wiring. You can literally plug the spa in and prepare to use it. If a hot tub is more than 10 feet away from a 110V electrical connection, however, it will need its own hard-wired circuit.
• A 220V hot tub model, however, will require you to work with an electrician to determine if your house can power the hot tub.
  It will need to be hard-wired to your home’s power supply.

If you’re not comfortable working with electricity, call an electrician to do the job. Professionals are also available if you need help with any other aspect of hot tub installation.

Once you buy a hot tub, you have to get it home. You might transport it yourself or have it delivered. Either way, you need to make sure there won’t be any issues with moving the hot tub.

• Make sure the hot tub will fit around any corners and turns along the driving route.
• If your hot tub will be delivered, plan to be home on the delivery day.
• A delivery service may drop the hot tub off at the edge of your property. Before it arrives, figure out how you’ll get it from where the delivery company leaves it and where it needs to be.
• Measure the width of any gates, doors and entry points that the hot tub will encounter on the route from your vehicle or the delivery truck to your backyard. Compare those measurements to the delivery dimensions of the hot tub. Will the hot tub fit?
• Create a clear path for moving the hot tub. Get patio furniture, plants and anything else that might be in your yard out of the way.
• Remove any overgrown branches or prune any shrubs that may be blocking the path.

Even when they’re empty, hot tubs weigh a lot. When your hot tub is in transit, use caution. Wear shoes with closed toes to protect your feet.

Don’t try to move a hot tub alone. At the least, you’ll need three other people to help you.

If you can’t find enough people to help you move your hot tub, hire a licensed and insured contractor to do the job for you.

Read the owner’s manual that comes with your hot tub before you fill it with water. Get familiar with the parts of the hot tub and how it works. The owner’s manual will also provide details on any special features of your hot tub.

Many hot tubs, especially the 110V models, are ready to be filled with water once they’ve been placed. You may want to use your hot tub right away. However, you need to allow for time for the water to heat up and the chemicals to work. Getting your hot tub ready to use can take up to 24 hours.

Some hot tubs require assembly. New models may take less than an hour to put together. Once the hot tub is assembled, it's time to fill with water.

• Before you begin to fill the tub, turn off the electricity to avoid getting shocked.
• Clean the tub and open the air valves.
• Use a hose to fill the hot tub with water. You don't need to use any special type of filtered water when filling the tub.
• Turn the power back on and let the tub heat up. Hot tubs can take as long as four to eight hours to get hot.
• Add in sanitation chemicals. Allow time for them to work. It may take as long between 12 and 24 hours.
• Test the water with a kit to make sure the chemical levels are right before you use the hot tub.
• Once the water is hot and the chemicals are balanced, it’s finally time to relax in your hot tub.