So, you’ve made the decision to buy a new hot tub spa, but have you determined the ideal hot tub for your lifestyle? There are several factors to think about and a little more planning will go a long way toward a trouble free installation.
Most hot tubs are used in an outdoor setting, but there are those who prefer the privacy of indoors. Selecting the right location and giving the proper attention to site preparation will add heightened pleasure when you experience that new hot tub. A useful tool for gaining a visual perspective as you choose an ideal outdoor location, is to outline the hot tub’s dimensions either with chalk, a garden hose or a rope. Then imagine how it will look. Then consider where the hot tub is in conjunction with your electrical service, the accessibility to the those soaking in the tub, the privacy you’ll want and finally the view you’ll want.
Outdoor hot tubs are installed on the ground, on a deck, on a floor, patio or concrete slab, but proper preparation is vital. The base must be firm and level; an unsound or an uneven surface will cause damage to the hot tub. For a low maintenance, long-term base, consider poured concrete. Not only can you pick the color of the concrete, a poured slab adds value to your home. The concrete needs to be reinforced, must to be 4 inches or more thick and must be fully cured before placing the hot tub. There is an alternative to poured concrete and that is a prefabricated pad. The pads interlock to form a rigid base, easy to install and are maintenance free.
Other base materials like crushed rock or gravel can be used once the ground underneath has been thoroughly compacted. But, which ever material you decide to use, make sure there is a well designed rainwater drainage system and a nice perimeter walkway by either using pavers or flagstone, these will only enhance the ascetics and aid in keeping the hot tub clean, because there will be no debris accidentally brought into the hot tub by a user’s foot.
For indoor installations, extra attention is required. Using a hot tub of 15 minutes will release the same amount of water vapor that a shower can create. So, ventilation is required to reduce the excess condensation in the hot tub room. Verify the supporting floor structure will hold the filled water weight of the hot tub, plus its occupants. A floor drain should be considered for the room, because there will be water splashed on to the floor. Finally, pick a flooring product that will help reduce slipping when wet.
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Tags: flooring product, hot tubs, rainwater drainage system