5 things you need for your hot tub installation

This handy hot tub installation guide talks you through the most important considerations and requirements so if you are looking into buying a hot tub you know what you need before your supplier can deliver your new oasis of relaxation.

1. Access to your hot tub installation site

This might be stating the obvious, but if you are considering the purchase of a hot tub then you will need to consider how to get your new spa into situ.

Is there clear access to the installation site for an item of this size or are there any obstacles such as garden gates, steps, flower arches or similar to navigate? If access around the house or through the garden is not an option then is there a route through the house that is wide enough to manoeuvre a spa?

Or, if access to your hot tub installation site is challenging, would it be necessary to hire a crane to lift the hot tub into the right place? Or would it be worth considering a Softub hot tub?

If in doubt, you can always contact your local hot tub dealer for advice. A reputable business will usually offer a site survey if you are concerned about access requirements.

2. What base do I need for my hot tub installation?

Your hot tub needs to sit on a sound and level base. Possible options for your hot tub installation could be a flat and even patio, decking or a dedicated concrete pad. With all of these options the important thing is to ensure that the base is level and smooth and that it is strong enough to support the weight of your spa even when filled with water and friends.

If you have a patio that is not terribly even because some of the slabs have moved over time then this is not ideal because the weight of the spa cannot be evenly distributed. This may cause the acrylic to crack over time.

If your base slopes to one side you may also have the problem of the water in your spa being higher at one end than it is at another end. Not the most elegant look and in extreme cases it may leave you with jets above the water line at one end while water is overflowing at the other end.

So, a level base is definitely a must!

In terms of strength, joists under a decking would need to be strong enough to support the weight of a spa as would the hardcore under a patio or concrete slab.

If you are creating a new base for your hot tub installation then we would recommend a smooth concrete base with a minimum of 100mm hardcorde under  100mm concrete.

If in doubt, your local hot tub dealer will be able to advise.

3. What power supply do I need to put in for my hot tub installation?

The required power supply will depend on your hot tub. Some spas run on a 13amp supply and can be plugged into a standard outdoor socket. Others may use 16amp up to 32amp and will either need a blue ceeform socket or an electrician to hard wire the spa in for you.

Either way your power supply should be around 2 meters away from the spa to avoid water splashing onto the socket and needs to be installed by a licensed electrician.

4. How much space do I need to leave around the hot tub?

This will depend on the accessories you wish to install alongside your hot tub. You may wish to install a lid lifter to make it easier to open the thermal cover on your spa. If so, you would need to decide on which side you would like the hot tub to open and allow for approximately 30cm clearance on that side for the lid lifter to work.

You may also wish to add a set of hot tub steps to your hot tub installation to make it easier to climb in and out of your spa. Again, you would need to consider on which side of the spa you want to position the steps and ensure there is enough space for them.

Finally and most importantly, you need to leave enough space for a technician to access the components inside the hot tub for maintenance and repair work. This means that on the side where all the components are located (this tends to be the side with the control panel but do double check with your supplier) you would need to leave enough space so a technician can take off that side panel and move freely to carry out any service and repair work. We would advise to allow at least 50cm on that side.

5. Do I need a cover for my hot tub installation?

Some customers like to add a gazebo or pergola to their hot tub installation for added shelter and privacy whereas others prefer to be able to stargaze and feel more connected to nature.

This is very much down to personal preference. Your hot tub is designed to be outdoors and should not mind either way.

If you do decide that a hot tub gazebo is the right choice for you, be it because you have a nosy neighbour and wish for more privacy, your garden is very exposed to the elements and a gazebo would offer shelter from wind and rain or simply because it would add a beautiful feature to your hot tub installation the our team can help!

We offer a range of steel as well as hand crafted wood gazebos and garden buildings to compliment your hot tub installation.

Get in Touch

If you have any more questions or would like to discuss your hot tub installation requirements in more detail then don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our friendly team would be happy to help and can be reached on 01904 948800 or via email on info@hottub.demo.cmsminds.net