The area around the tub should have low-level showers so that you can wash your feet and prevent dirt from being tracked into the hot tub. Some people level the ground before building a new home, especially when the property has hills. Using pea gravel as a base for your hot tub has some distinct advantages. The pictures pretty much show how fast and easy it is to install an above-ground, outdoor (exterior) hot tub. To use the base pad hot tub, it is as same as the others hot tub base pad. I was so excited; then they said they could not place it where we want because it is not level enough and the tub would eventually crack. The safest way to ensure the working area is flat is to order a truckload of dirt and distribute it around the yard. Unfortunately, I discovered that due to the slope of the concrete patio, the hot tub … I like to see about 12" of the tub exposed above the decking and if possible I like to not completely surround the tub with decking. Contact a professional to have the site leveled or have a top cap poured. Do not try to “shim” your swim spa by placing objects underneath to make it level. My last house I installed directly on Pea gravel and it was a bear to keep level, for my current hot tub I used pressure treated 2X4s directly on concrete pavers and the lowes housebrand composite decking. The concerns with lowering a hot tub in-ground are similar to that of a deck application because access is required on at least one side of the hot tub in order to service the equipment. A position relatively near the house will always make the installation easier and ultimately cheaper. A hot tub base has to be level and capable of withstanding the weight of the hot tub plus water and bathers. A level area is key to a successful hot tub base. Construction gravel isn’t the most pleasing to the eye. The hot tub was set upon a concrete pad that was cut into the slope. As some pavers are raised in height, this can impact how level the base is and cause problems down the road for your hot tub frame and shell. Keep in mind the composite decking never rots but … Operation of your new hot tub will vary according to model. How to Lay Pavers on Dirt The Coleman Saluspa Inflatable Hot Tub Spa is an excellent entry-level unit that will create a warm, bubbling hot tub experience. A pressure treated 2x4 on the low side would likely get you close to level. 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. Bricks, pavers or poured concrete can form the walls of a hot tub. If your hot tub is going to be situated outside in a specially built enclosure, it could sit on a concrete foundation. A hot tub on a patio can be either installed so that the lip of the hot tub is level with the patio surface, or it can be installed so that the hot tub sits on top of the patio. Both pavers and concrete are strong enough for the job. From a practical standpoint, a pea gravel base offers the advantage of easy drainage, unlike a solid brick, concrete or wood base. Your Authorized Hot Tub Dealer can help you get the basic operations down in no time. Before laying pavers, you need to start by ensuring the ground you’re working on is flat and free of any obstructions. If your hot tub is sitting on a surface that isn’t level, the weight of the hot tub will not be distributed evenly. The area where the spa sits must support the weight of the spa, the water, and those who use it. When neither an existing deck or patio are useable for your new hot tub a lot of times the best option is a poured concrete pad. The contractor who build the patio was recommended by the hot tub dealer. A hot tub should never be installed in soil or on a lawn. Once filled with water, the tub will weigh quite a lot, and this weight will shift around as people get in and out of the tub. Of course, preparing the ground and pouring a concrete pad for the hot tub is the hardest part of the entire installation. If you build your own hot tub surround, it will require both … To prevent your pavers from moving around, install edge restraints around the perimeter. Just got my hot tub delivered today! Remove an area sod, lay and level some sand, and carefully place the pavers in place. It probably runs away what an inch every 6 feet maybe? Positioning the hot tub in the most remote corner of the garden is not going to make this easy. Elevated or Sunken. After it was delivered and set up on my poured concrete patio, I expected to begin to enjoy its use. What should I do to prepare the site for a hot tub install? If you've got other plans on where to install your hot tub, one of the most important things to have is a solid and stable base for the hot tub. Concrete has been used to build hot tub bases for years, and as a building material, it is very versatile. Basically, you need to make sure that you have access to the backyard; a solid, level place to set the spa; and electricity, and a garden hose in close proximity. You want the slab running away from the house from a drainage standpoint. In fact, many prospective hot tub owners don’t realise that in fact there are more options for hot tub bases than just concrete or pavers. Generally this patio is much larger than just the hot tub base and we make sure the area where the spa is placed is perfectly level and then pitch the patio of rain run off after the spa area. One problem people may run into when using pavers is working with an uneven surface. Once the ground is level, your next step is to learn how to lay pavers on dirt. The prefabricated base pad is a pre-made plastic pad. One store we asked they said they could put some planks under the tub and level it that way and it would work so I didn't think to ask this store when we finally chose. Lowering the hot tub into the ground also makes getting in and out of the hot tub very easy for bathers and also reduces the need for external steps. This helps eliminate a stagnant environment for mold and mildew. We just got a tub also, and when I had the slab poured, I told them it was for a tub and they poured it level for that reason. Many people install a hot tub on their deck. By raising your hot tub off a patio, you will allow water run off and air circulation under your hot tub. That's a tough one. Poured Concrete Spa Pad. I know several other people who put their tubs on pavers without problem. Question: How easy is this Hot Tub base (pad) preparation and hot tub installation? Concrete Foundation. Risks associated with placing a hot tub on pavers. Even if your hot tub has wood sides or is sunken and therefore flush with the level of the ground, you'll need a cement foundation so that it rests evenly. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. "The Spa Level-R™" is designed to sit completely under your hot tub base. Your dealer will be a valuable resource in setting up your spa with the right chemicals for your area. Based on the “prefabricated spa pad” actually is a sale hot tub base pad. the slope is 3 inches over the distance of the - Answered by a verified Structural Engineer. If the foundation is inadequate, it may shift or settle cause severe stress to the spa’s shell and frame. I want to put pavers over an existing stained concrete slab. Need to level hot tub that will be installed on a concrete patio. Or, you’re your local hot tub dealer is happy to provide an on-site inspection or discuss alternative spa bases, from pouring a new hot tub slab to using pavers or spa pads. One of the most used products for hot tub and spa bases is the Handi-Spa Pad. I ordered my hot tub after months of research spent deciding on the one that would be perfect to meet my needs. Other swim spa installation options include a reinforced deck, professionally installed pavers, and a … Best of all, while they are adequate to support for the tub, they are not necessarily permanent. A spa needs a solid level foundation. Cement pavers from the home improvement store is another option. Not sure it it's "right" but it's been great so far. Without removing the tub and adding some sort of layer to the slab, not sure what you can do. Consultation with a concrete contractor is advisable when deciding where to locate your hot tub. It is easy to make level and will out-live your hot tub if built correctly. A full hot tub is heavy, and if it's simply placed on the ground, it may shift and settle over time. Hot tub sanitation procedures can also vary according to the water type in your location. Getting a hot tub installed in the backyard is a much simpler process than you might imagine. There is an alternative. 5. A spa cannot be set on the grass! It is important that you have level ground to put your hot tub on. The way I see it, if it will hold a car (2000 lbs nominal, maybe one square foot of bearing space for the four tires for a load of 2000 lbs per sf, it should handle a tub. From an aesthetic standpoint, gravel can complement a variety of types of landscaping. The disadvantage is it can be expensive, and it is not very environmentally friendly as some of … Access to the tub should be easy. What I did for a base for my hot tub. With the right expert advice, you can figure out if your current slab is a solid start for your new hot tub. How High to Set a Hot Tub Into Deck by: Editor - Rich Bergman Here are my thoughts but keep in mind other experienced might have differing opinions. For ensuring the drainage, drain tile was placed around the pad and covered with granular stone before the cement was poured. 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. Hot tub Pads are a really easy DIY project that can be accomplished pretty quickly over a weekend. A hot tub can weigh from 2,000 to 8,000 pounds when filled (and even more when you add people), so it needs a suitable base. Why don't you just shim the hot tub on the low side with some pressure treated wood. Finally, add a layer of bedding sand, and place your pavers on top. Problem is you need even support under the entire base so shimming is out of the question. In addition to being level, the surface beneath an inflatable hot tub must also be sturdy and firm. Some people even level the ground before planting grass seed, flowers and vegetable gardens. Others level ground to prepare for new above-ground swimming pools, swing sets, driveways, sheds or patios. Moreover, you can buy this base pad at the stores that provide the hot tub kits. This can lead to cracks, stretching and structural damage of the hot tub shell. Hot tub Pads are a really easy DIY project that can be accomplished pretty quickly over a weekend. You should thus avoid muddy or sandy surfaces that might not provide the support an inflatable tub needs. The extreme weight of a hot tub filled with water could also cause it to sink into a lawn or wet soil. You need to keep in mind this hot tub base will need to accommodate the hot tub weight and electrical requirements. You can choose to use this type of gravel to fill the entirety of your base, but it doesn’t have to be. For more advice from our co-author, like how to use landscape fabric to level the ground for pavers, scroll down! 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