When thinking about installing a hot tub there are a few key factors that you need to consider. Often, the supplier will help you install your hot tub, but you may need to outsource things such as crane hire if it needs to be lifted over your house. And you will need to consider location. Read on as we outline these considerations.
1) Location
This one is a multi-part consideration as there are a few factors you’ll need to account for. Firstly, you will need to place your hot tub on stable flat ground. Many people like to use decking, but you’ll need to make sure that your decking can withhold the weight of the hot tub once it’s filled with water. Otherwise, you may need to put your hot tub on slabs, bricks, or hot tub pads. Grass is not a good or stable option as it will be displaced by rainwater and water from the hot tub.
Secondly, you will need to consider drainage and access. Your hot tub will need to be drained and refilled at least once a year, and you will need to be able to access it to change filters and for maintenance reasons. Make sure it’s in an accessible space that can drain large quantities of water well.
Thirdly, you might want to consider the aesthetic viewpoint. Placing your hot tub near lighting where it can be easily accessed in the dark and placing it somewhere that has a nice view. Additionally, if privacy is important to you, you will want to place it somewhere that is a little more hidden away.
2) Dedicated Power Supply
You will need to decide how you are going to power your hot tub, you can plug it into an outside wall outlet in which you’ll need an electrician to install a waterproof socket protected by a circuit breaker or residual current device. The other way to connect your hot tub to the power supply is via the mains. You need to ensure that your hot tub complies with Part P of the Buildings Regulations. As a homeowner, you are responsible for the safety of electrical work in your house and could be prosecuted if work you have done yourself is deemed unsafe. This is why it is best to hire a qualified electrician to install your hot tub and make sure it meets safety regulations. Hot tubs and spas requiring over 13amps will need a dedicated supply.
3) How are you going to get your hot tub to your location?
This is an important one, these hot tubs are large and heavy. They arrive pre-built and are not likely to fit down the side of a regular garden gate. This means that if you want your hot tub in your garden, you will probably need to hire a crane to lift it over your house and into the desired location. Make sure that you are prepared.
4) Do I need planning permission?
The short answer is no, probably not. You will need to seek permission if you live in a conservation area or listed building.
5) Plan efficiently
You will need to know the exact sizes of your hot tub if you want to fit it into a particular space. You will also need to make sure that you can get the garden space you desire by considering landscaping around your hot tub. The key to this is planning extensively, you’ll even need to think about things such as – if you place your hot tub under a tree, you might end up constantly scooping up leaves and debris and cleaning your cover of bird mess. Similarly, if you place your tub near grass or gravel, this is likely to get onto your feet and come into the hot tub with you. You also won’t want to place your tub on a surface that is very slippery when wet.
6) Final Step
Once all of this is done and your hot tub is finally delivered, it will need to be filled with water. Generally, it is up to the installation team to make sure that everything is working correctly and talk you through how to operate the hot tub. It will take some time to fill up the hot tub and for it to heat up, so don’t expect to be able to jump in straight away.
Once you’re up and running, it’s smooth sailing from there. Just make sure to clean and maintain your tub, service regularly and keep on top of the PH and chlorine levels!