Installing a Hot-Tub

Have you finally caved in and decided you need to be installing a hot tub for your home?

A hot tub is a great way to unwind after a long day of work, but this isn’t the only benefit of installing a hot tub in your home. Relaxation is the least of its merits. The therapeutic effects of a hot tub are vast, ranging from providing you physical relief through hydrotherapy to emotional and mental calmness.

So if you’re planning on installing a hot tub, smart decision! You won’t regret this investment.

Before you head out to shop for your hot tub, there are some things you need to think about. We’re going to discuss all of them in detail, in this article.

Know your tubs: hot tub vs. spa

The first thought that pops into mind is what type of tub to buy: a hot tub? A spa?

This train of thought is usually followed by the question, “What’s the difference between the two?”

It is true, the two share common uses. They’re all used for relaxation, massages, hydrotherapy, and entertainment. The warm, gurgling water provides a relaxing atmosphere to its users where they can let go of all the stress and worries.

The terms are used interchangeably quite often. So much so that people often mistake a spa and hot tub.

A hot tub is a small pool filled with heated water. A hot tub may or may not have jets installed for massaging bathers. Hot tubs can be equipped with features such as fancy lights, speakers, etc.

A spa on the other hand usually refers to a small pool made up of acrylic, concrete, etc that also has many accessories. The primary difference between a hot tub and spa is usually the construction material used. Hot tubs have been traditionally built from wood – though you may find hot tubs made from several other materials too – while spas are built using a variety of items such as acrylic, concrete, or fiberglass.

Approval to install a spa

The first thing you should do is find out if you are required to fulfill any legal formalities in your area before installing a hot tub. Laws vary from state to state so you might have to find out through the local municipal area.

Size

The next step is to determine the size of hot-tub you need How many family members do you have? What are you using the hot-tub for?
If you are buying it for medical purposes such as muscle and joint pain-alleviation, you probably will not have a lot of bathers in the tub at any one time. If you are buying it to relax, surrounded by your family, buy one big enough to accommodate your family.

Budget

For many people, the cost is the primary factor when buying a hot tub. Big or small, even the richest have a budget. Do the purchasing and installation costs fit in your budget? Can you afford the increased electricity bill?
When researching hot tubs many people stumble across hot tub DIYs. These are tempting and offer a cheap solution to buying one.

But…

DIYs for large projects like spas and hot tubs are not the best decision. There’s a reason why companies manufacture these units and provide installation help.

Don’t fall for the frugality trap and end up wasting money. Instead, you could check out the pool and spa warehouse for the perfect hot tub and get it installed at competitive prices. How’s that for saving money, eh?

Find the perfect location

The budget issue has been solved, now it’s time to move on to the next part: finding the right space for installation. There are a couple of options available to you. You could put it on your deck if there’s space or in the backyard over a concrete patio.

Before installing the unit on your deck, you must have it inspected by a professional to make sure it is sturdy enough to hold it.

For backyard installations, make sure you have a walkway leading up to the tub to avoid contaminating the water with dirt and debris.

Consult an electrician

You have the approval of installing a hot tub, you have enough space, the budget allows this investment, and we’re good to go, right? Not quite. There’s one last important step left. Have you consulted a licensed electrician yet?

Do you have a source of power near the designated place of the hot tub? Will the source be able to support powering the hot tub?

You can have all these questions answered by consulting licensed electrician instead of just winging it. Don’t forget to make sure he has a permit if you want the insurance company to pay for any troubles that arise.

Hot tub miscellaneous

You’re almost good to go. You just need to make sure of this final checklist before heading out hot tub shopping.

If you are installing a hot-tub indoors, is there sufficient ventilation? What about proper drainage?

If you have any questions about installing a hot tub, don’t hesitate in contacting us!