Placing your inflatable hot tub on the ground without any support or base is not an option. Your portable hot tub needs a base to last long. Moreover, you need to enjoy the spa that costs you a lot to acquire.
So you need a base for your inflatable hot tub. Without a base, you will find it difficult to enjoy the spa. It’s not good to expose your hot tub to the soil because it will make it get damaged easily.
Moreover, the ground is not strong enough to carry your hot tub and still maintains its level surface. You need something strong enough to support the base and also protect it from any potential damage.
There are different types of bases you can use for your hot tub. Choosing the one that will serve you best depends on your personal preferences and factors.
What is the best base for an inflatable hot tub?
Choosing where to install your hot tub is a vital decision that every spa owner needs to think through before making the right choice. The type of base to place it on is an important factor to consider because it can affect many variables.
You have got an inflatable hot tub that will probably not be installed permanently on a particular spot. Unlike the regular hard-surfaced spa, your inflatable hot tub is not going to stay in one spot all year round throughout its lifespan. So, what base will be suitable for it?
Putting personal preferences aside and going with the general decision, a concrete pad is the best base for your inflatable hot tub. Concrete is very strong and sturdy and can provide a level smooth surface for your hot tub to sit on.
However, there are other alternatives that can also serve you well. It all boils down to what you truly need and your budget as well. Using a gravel base is cost-effective and requires fewer techniques to install. With your household hand tools, you can easily install them without the service of a professional.
With regards to budget, many inflatable spa owners have resorted to the use of grass as their hot tub base. But one thing with grass is that it is not strong enough to carry your spa for a long time. More so, the grasses die with time, exposing the inflatable hot tub to the soil.
So, the grass is not the best option for your inflatable hot tub unless it is for temporary use. However, there is synthetic grass for the hot tub base. You can use those with the support of spa pads.
Pavers are also good options for your hot tub base. Just make sure they are strong enough and well installed.
What is the best thing to put under an inflatable hot tub?
Whether you are using concrete, gravel, or grass, you need to place a protective and insulative layer under the hot tub to prevent direct contact with the base surface, especially when you are using gravel which might be too rough for your inflatable spa.
Though gravel offers good drainage for your spa base, it is not the best for an inflatable hot tub. If you are using it, you need to ensure that the surface is covered with a strong spa pad before you can place the hot tub on top of it. The same goes for other types of hot tub bases.
Deciding the type of base material to use depends on your preference. You can go for the mat, ground cloth, tiles, or plastic resin base pads. These materials are good and can give your inflatable hot tub the necessary protection and insulation it needs.
Can you put an inflatable hot tub on the grass?
Yes, you can put your inflatable hot tub on the grass. A lot of spa owners are doing it but it doesn’t mean it’s the best option for your hot tub.
Placing your spa on the lawn without a protective pad is not a good option. The grasses will eventually die when they are pressed down for a long time.
When this happens your hot tub will be touching the ground directly. Exposure to the soil has the potential to damage your spa before its lifespan.
If you consider the cost of acquiring a new hot tub after some months, it is better to install a base that will help your spa last longer. Even though you wish to place it on the lawn, ensure you place a base pad under the hot tub.
Doing so will prevent the hot tub from having direct contact with the soil when the grasses die.
Can you put an inflatable hot tub on gravel?
A gravel base is a good option for your inflatable hot tub. It’s better than grass as it offers a stronger surface base. But avoid placing your blowup hot tub directly on the rough surface of the gravel.
However, as suggested in this topic “The Best Base For A Hot Tub“, gravel is the best base for your regular hot tub because of its cost-effectiveness and drainage features. Moreover, it doesn’t crack over time.
Concrete arguably seems to be the best when you consider surface finishing and other attractive features. Even for inflatable hot tubs, gravel is not the best option for you because of its rough surface that can puncture the surface of the hot tub.
So, if you are using gravel for your base, endeavor to place a spa pad on top to make it level and also provide protection and insulation to the hot tub base.
Another thing to consider to reduce the roughness of the gravel surface is the type of grave to use.
What gravel is best for a hot tub base? Pea gravel offers better surface finishing and a stronger base than other gravel types.
The combination of pea gravel and a strong spa pad will give you one of the best hot tub bases for your inflatable spa. Nevertheless, ensure that the thickness of the gravel base is not less than 4 inches.
Can I put an inflatable hot tub on concrete?
Like we pointed out before, a concrete base offers the best surface finishing for your inflatable hot tub. Moreover, it is very strong and durable.
But the drawback with concrete base is that it requires more technical ability to install, unlike the gravel base. Also, it costs more to complete.
Another thing to have in mind is that at a point, it might crack which will demand extra expenses for maintenance. But it doesn’t mean that concrete cracks easily. If it’s well built and managed, it can stay for many years without cracking.
However, it requires a higher budget than the gravel hot tub base. If you want to enjoy your concrete hot tub the most, install tiles on top. The tiles help to improve its durability and also offer protection to your hot tub.
Can you put an inflatable hot tub on the deck?
If you have read this ‘What Is The Best Base For A Hot Tub? The Complete Guide To 5 Different Bases‘, you would know how your deck can be used as a base for your spa. Since you already have a deck, you can put your inflatable hot tub on it. In fact, it brings more aesthetics to the building. But the disturbing issue now is whether the deck can hold an inflatable hot tub.
Before you can use your deck make sure it’s strong enough to carry the weight of the hot tub when it is filled with water. Remember to add the weight of the people that will be in it.
These numbers are of importance when considering whether to place your hot tub on the deck. If it’s not strong enough, you’d need to reinforce it before installing the spa.
However, you must request professional advice before you take any action. You’d need the service of a professional to determine how strong your deck is. At least, a thorough inspection is needed here.
Can a hot tub sit on pavers?
Yes, pavers can serve as a base for your inflatable hot tub. It gives you the flexibility to add designs to and around the base of the spa.
If you are using pavers, ensure they are well set to keep the hot tub on a level surface. Also, you need a layer in-between to offer protection and insulation. So, put a mat or ground cloth under the hot tub.
Does an inflatable hot tub need to be level?
Just like your regular hot tub, an inflatable hot tub needs to be level so that the weight will be evenly spread.
If it is not level it will make it settle on one side which will cause stress on that part of the hot tub. So, the hot tub base must be level to avoid any slip, wear, and tear on the hot tub.
How do you level an inflatable hot tub on concrete?
Before you start installing the concrete base, you need to ensure that the ground is leveled. You can use a bubble level to check the surface.
If it is not level, you can level it with your shovel. Scrape the ground and fill in wholes until it becomes level.
But, if the concrete has been installed already and you notice that it is not level, you can adjust it by adding more concrete, cementing the surface, and installing tiles on top.
You can also use spa pads and levelers to level the hot tub on the concrete. Plastic shims are also good alternatives.
How do you prepare the ground for an inflatable hot tub?
From our discussions so far, we can deduce that you don’t need to put your inflatable hot tub on the ground without a pad.
But before you can install the base of your hot tub, you need to prepare the ground and ensure it is level. To prepare the ground for your inflatable hot tub and make it level:
- You need to site the pad on a level surface. Avoid sloppy areas. Even if the area is sloppy, you must level it with your shovel or spade. Scrape the ground until it becomes level.
- Clear the ground and remove dirt and debris from the site.
- Fill in any holes on the site.
- Then install the base of your choice and ensure it is level.
- Finally, layer a spa pad, mat, or ground cloth on top before placing the hot tub.
