It’s actually very important for the installation of your hot tub to be on a flat, level, and compact surface. Hot tubs of any size are very heavy, so you have to make sure that they are not bending to one side or the other.
This is even more important for any Intex hot tub, which is also known as an inflatable hot tub unit, and what you need to be sure of is that the ground is completely leveled.
And most importantly, raising your hot tub should be done at a reasonable level. Anything more than half to three quarters of an inch from side to side is too much and you can end up having problems with the structure of your hot tub because it will always be bending off to one side.
Also, make sure that the ground where you install your inflatable tub is compatible, flat, level and free of stones, nails, twigs, and other sharp objects.
Should I put a tarp under my hot tub?
Many people want to own a hot tub that would be kept in their compound, but one thing limiting them is the grass, stone, and fear of the tub getting punctured beneath.
Tarpaulin has proven to be a very reliable waterproof material used to protect the underside of hot tubs placed on rough and unequal ground.
Instead of just leaving the hot tub outside on the bare ground, making it prone to getting torn by twigs, stones, and nails and even putting you in discomfort when you are swimming, you can use tarps because of how strong and durable they can be.
What is the best surface to put a hot tub on?
There are so many surfaces to put your hot tub on, but a crushed concrete surface is the best of all. However, it is your choice to use which one suits you best. Let us list them and tell you why you should preferably use the crushed concrete surface.
- A wooden platform: A hot tub alone weighs 3000 pounds when full with water, and building a suitable and strong surface that can hold that quantity of water will not only cost more but will also degrade with time when compared to other materials because water makes wood get soft.
- Plastic/Tarpaulin: This surface seems very appealing and affordable, but it requires a flat and even solid surface before use. So before using it, you have to dig around or add sand.
- A concrete pad: To use this method, combine cement, sand, and concrete to form a solid mixture before spreading it on the ground and allowing it to dry.
- Crushed concrete: the concrete pad and this method are almost the same, but it is more structurally efficient. That is why it is used as a base material for the construction of roads. This offers good drainage to the tub so that rain or spills around the hot tub would get through and would not cause a water clogging issue. It is not time-consuming to set up and level or re-level in the future.
Can you put an inflatable hot tub on decking?
Firstly, you have to know the length of your deck. If your deck is slightly above ground, at least 2 feet off the ground, it has a higher chance of supporting the weight of your hot tub without any other additional support.
These kinds of deck can support up to a hundred pounds per square foot, which is just okay for most small and medium-sized hot tubs, or even a large one, as long as it is not overcrowded with people.
You just have to figure out the length of your deck and how many people it can carry. If it would not hold many people, you can add an addition to the deck before placing your tub to avoid too much pressure that could cause the deck to collapse.
What to put under hot tub on decking?
Some hot tub owners begin to notice that the deck where the hot tub was placed has started degrading or rotting. This is because no protector was kept for the wood.
Installing a solid flat surface on the deck before placing the hot tub on the floor or placing a strong and durable tarpaulin is very important.
It is not enough to always clean the deck once you finish swimming. You should also seal or paint the deck when necessary.
How big of a pad do you need for a hot tub?
When getting a hot tub pad done, you want to make sure that it is at least 3 inches wider than your hot tub. Let’s assume you have a tub that is 93 inches wide and long. You can make the pad as big as 97 inches.
This space is to be able to accommodate equipment like the pump around the tub and let splashes of water when swimming fall just on the pad.
Can I put an inflatable hot tub on grass?
If you leave an inflatable hot tub on grass for about 3 to 5 days, it will not really affect your tub, but the problem is when you make it its permanent location, especially without anything under it to protect it.
Placing the inflatable hot tub on grass permanently can cause it to sink and tear over time because water from the tub causes little erosion in that area as it pours or splashes onto the ground.
Not just that, chemicals like chlorine and bromine are efficient sanitizers we use in the pool that can kill bacteria and other pathogens, and when the water pours continuously on the grass, with time, they dehydrate, get dry, and even make that part of the land bare.
Can an inflatable hot tub sit on gravel?
Gravel provides a very solid base for the inflatable hot tub, making it rigid and preventing any form of movement when swimming.
Since you have spent a lot of money to get an inflatable hot tub, why not enjoy the comfortable feeling it can provide by placing it on a good surface where water can easily get through without being logged in one spot, and the gravel also adds an aesthetic view to your pool.
However, the inflatable pool can easily get ripped out by gravel. That is why you should use a spa pad or any other solid and smooth surface beneath the tub.
Can inflatable hot tubs stay outside?
There is absolutely no point in having a tub if you can not place it outside. In fact, that is one point of having an inflatable hot tub, to be able to change its location when the situation calls for it.
An inflatable hot tub can be placed anywhere as long as it makes you feel comfortable and meets all of the hot tub placement requirements, such as low sunlight, good decking, and padding.
When placing your inflatable hot tub outside, make sure that it is placed in a location where the sun will not be direct, so that UV rays will not interfere with the chlorine or bromine in your water. And the tub is not kept on the bare ground to avoid sinking and ripping.
How do you protect an inflatable hot tub?
Unlike a pool that is built with concrete, tiles, or acrylic, the hot inflatable hot tub is very delicate because of the cost of maintenance and how easy it is for it to be ripped or worn out. You should follow the steps below to protect your inflatable hot tub so it will last a long time.
- Always cover when not in use or when not in use.
- If you do not want to use chemicals, drain the water.
- Do not place the tub on the bare ground, grass, or mud. Keep a spa pad beneath the tub.
- Avoid overfilling the tub.
- Always insulate your home during the winter.
- Deflate once you notice a leak and repair it.
- The inflatable hot tub should not be overcrowded.
- Do not try to puncture the tub to test its durability.
Can you leave an inflatable hot tub out in the rain or winter?
If you still use the inflatable hot tub during winter, it is advisable that you insulate the hot tub cover when not in use, especially if it is left outside, and make sure the temperature of the water is always kept steady.
According to the manufacturers, you should not leave the hot tub at a temperature that is lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but many portable hot tub owners still leave their hot tub outside during the winter and it does just fine.
Although you should always check the water temperature and turn it on every day to avoid frozen pipes.
How far should a hot tub be from the house?
It is inevitable for equipment, machines, and even our hot tubs to malfunction. Therefore, to avoid flooding and electrocution in your home from a tub that can hold about 3000 gallons of water, it is necessary that you keep it about 15 feet away from the house or any electrical source.
