Hot Tub Installation FAQs

Buying your first hot tub is exciting, but can also bring some uncertainty when it comes to the installation and setup of your new hot tub. In this article, we will answer some of the most common questions we get from new hot tub owners leading up to delivery day.

Where Should I Put My New Hot Tub?

We generally recommend placing your hot tub as close to a door as possible. This is because the closer your hot tub is to a door, the shorter your run to the hot tub is in the dead of winter! The shorter your run is the more you will use it in the colder months (which are, in our opinion, the most enjoyable months to be in a hot tub).

When deciding where to place your hot tub, you should also consider which way to face your hot tub. Take note of which way you will be facing and place the hot tub in a way that optimizes your view based on the layout of the seats. Covers installed on cover lifters can be used as a privacy wall or a wind break.

What Sort Of Base Should A Hot Tub Sit On?

A hot tub should always be installed on a strong, level base to evenly distribute its weight and ensure a long life. The ideal base for a hot tub is a 4”-6” concrete pad installed on a base of 4”-6” of crushed gravel. To maximize the strength and stability of the base, make sure that it extends beyond the hot tub by 6” on all sides.

If pouring a new concrete pad is out of the budget, a base of patio stones on top of 4”-6” of crushed gravel makes for a solid, and much more budget friendly, alternative.

If you plan on installing your hot tub onto a deck, first make sure that it can properly support the weight of a full hot tub. When full of water, hot tubs can easily weigh over 5000lbs. Most decks cannot simply support this kind of weight without some kind of reinforcement. We strongly recommend talking to a contractor before installing a hot tub on a deck to ensure you won’t run into any issues.

What Sort Of Service Access Is Required For A Hot Tub?

No hot tub manufacturer is perfect. In the event that your hot tub ends up having an issue, you want to make sure that it can be easily serviced. If the hot tub is installed in such a way the service panel is blocked, the hot tub will need to be drained, moved and refilled before it can be properly diagnosed and fixed. This adds a lot of time and expense to the hot tub repair, expenses that won’t be covered by your manufacturer’s warranty!

To make servicing your hot tub as simple as possible, we would recommend leaving at least 36″ of room around the hot tub. This isn’t always possible however; either due to spacial restrictions or design. Before making any final design decisions, consult with your local hot tub retailer to see where the service panel is located on your hot tub. If you’re planning on a partially sunk or in-ground install, make sure to leave at least 3ft open in front of the service panel to allow a service technician to work. This area can be then be filled in with a “trap door” style cover.

When Should I Schedule The Electrical Hookup?

The electrical installation required for a new hot tub has two steps:

1. Connecting a GFCI breaker box to the main panel in the home and running cable from the GFCI to where the hot tub will be located.
2. Wiring the hot tub to the GFCI breaker.

The first step of this process is much more time consuming and costly than the second. In fact, wiring a hot tub is actually quite a simple process that generally only takes a couple of minutes for an electrician to complete. For this reason, we recommend bringing in the electrician prior to delivery to connect the GFCI box to your home’s main panel and run the wire. You can then schedule them to return on delivery day to complete the installation.

What Should You Do Before Delivery Day?

To help delivery day go smoothly we recommend ensuring that the base and electrical are ready and that the path leading to the hot tub’s final location is clear.

Hot tubs are delivered on their side using a specialized cart. To ensure a smooth, trouble-free delivery, you should therefore make sure that you have at least a 42” wide path throughout with a clearance of at least 8’. Any gates, trees, large stones or other obstacles within that 42” x 8’ pathway must be removed before delivery day. If you have any concerns contact your salesperson. They will be able to schedule a free site inspection to assess the situation.

What Should You Do On Delivery Day?

Once delivery day arrives we recommend:

• Checking the hot tub’s delivery path to remove any obstacles (gates, rocks, furniture, barbecues, flower pots etc) that might get in the way.
• Having a garden hose ready to fill the hot tub. If you’re on a well and don’t want to fill the hot tub with well water, schedule a water truck to arrive 2-3hrs after the delivery crew arrives.
• Reviewing your owner’s manual. It will help you figure out the basic functions of your hot tub. (setting the desired temperature, setting filtration times, turning on your jets and lights etc.)

Once the hot tub has been delivered and installed it’s time to fire it up! Start by filling the hot tub with water through the filter area to prevent air locks in the pumps. Once it has completely filled, turn on the hot tub by flipping the breaker on its GFCI. Wait for the hot tub water to reach 70F-75F, then add in the amount of bromine (or chlorine) powder recommended to your by your salesperson. Wait until the water has fully heated and enjoy!

What Chemicals Do I Need To Add To The Water?

So what chemicals will you need to add to your hot tub when you first start it up? You’ll first need to “shock” the water with a bromine or chlorine shock. This will kill any bacteria in the water and make it safe to use. You can then add bromine or chlorine tablets to the water to maintain a lower level of sanitizer in the water to keep it safe in the long term.

Along with sanitizing the water, you’ll also want to make sure that it is “balanced”. To do this, we recommend bringing a water sample in to your local hot tub store 1-2 days after the hot tub has been delivered. Balancing the water with regular water testing is the best way to extend the life of your new hot tub and ensure your own comfort.

How Long Do You Need To Wait To Use The Hot Tub?

Everyone’s first thought when they get their hot tub running is “how long until I can use it?”. Generally speaking, we recommend waiting at least 8 hours after you initially shock the water to use the hot tub.

Wrapping Up

Learning more about hot tub preparation and installation is an important step when getting your first hot tub. Following these tips should help ensure you get your hot tub installed in the right place and that your delivery day is smooth and stress-free.