How To Move A Hot Tub

A common question we get here at Brady’s Pool & Spa Care is if hot tubs can be moved. While their large size and heavy weight can make it a difficult task, any hot tub can be moved. Today, we will explore how to properly prepare your hot tub for a move, review the steps required to safely move your hot tub, and give you a few other things to consider before deciding to move your hot tub.

Preparing To Move Your Hot Tub

When it comes to moving your hot tub preparation is key. There are two main phases of preparation; before moving day and moving day.

Before Moving Day

The first thing you should do to prepare for your move is to plan out your route from the hot tub’s current location to the street. Measure your hot tub, then measure out the path your hot tub will need to travel to ensure that the hot tub can fit. Keep in mind that if you don’t have room to move the hot tub flat you can also move hot tubs on their side. For most hot tubs, you’ll want to have a route planned out that is at least 42″ wide by 8′ tall; though you should check the measurements of your hot tub to confirm that it will fit.

Note: Ideally you should also measure the area where the hot tub will be moved to so that you can ensure that it can be easily delivered to its new home.

Finally you’ll want to make sure that you have all the tools that you will need to successfully move your hot tub. These tools are:

A 4 wheeled furniture dolly.
Moving blankets.
Shrink wrap.
A moving truck or trailer.
Tie down straps.
A few extra people to help move the hot tub.

Along with these tools you might also want to get some sheets of plywood or particle board to more easily move the hot tub across your lawn. The wheels of a standard furniture dolly are typically quite small and can easily sink into the ground otherwise.

Moving Day

When moving day arrives you’ll first want to drain and clean the hot tub. For step by step instructions for how to properly drain and clean your hot tub, consult this guide.

Once the hot tub is empty you can disconnect it from the power source. For plug and play hot tubs this is as simple as unplugging the hot tub. For standard 220V hot tubs, this means unhooking the hardwired power cord from the spa pack (after turning the power off from the GFCI breaker that is).

Once the power has been disconnected, you should then remove anything attached to the hot tub (like cover lifters or safety grab bars) as well as anything not firmly attached, such as pillows, filters and filter covers. Once those have been removed we recommend wrapping the shell of the hot tub in a few layers of shrink wrap. This will protect the cabinet of the hot tub from potential scuffs and scrapes that can happen when moving a hot tub. You can also shrink wrap the cover and cover lifter for easier transport.

The first step in moving a hot tub is getting it on the dolly. If you have enough space to move the hot tub flat, simply lift one side of the hot tub enough to get the dolly centred underneath it. Once the dolly is centred let the hot tub down and wheel it to your trailer or moving truck.

If the hot tub needs to be moved on its side you will first need to lift it onto its side using at least three people, then have two people lift on one the ends so that the hot tub is sitting on one corner Another person should be holding that bottom corner to prevent it from sliding. Center your dolly under the hot tub, then slowly lower the hot tub on to the dolly. Once the dolly is fully supporting the hot tub, secure the hot tub to the dolly using tie down straps and move it to your trailer or moving truck.

You will now need to load the hot tub onto your trailer or moving truck. If the hot tub was transported flat, you will need to lift it on to its side with the bottom of the hot tub facing the trailer / moving truck. With one person holding each top corner and one in the middle, rock the hot tub slightly and then slowly lower it down until its leaning on the trailer or moving truck. During the lowering process we recommend having a fourth person on the other side of the hot tub holding the bottom so that it doesn’t kick out.

Once the hot tub is leaning on your trailer or moving truck you can remove the tie down straps, move the dolly out of the way, and have everyone lift the other side of the hot tub and slide it onto the trailer / moving truck. You should then secure it with tie down straps to prevent the hot tub sliding while it’s transported.

Other Considerations

Is The Hot Tub Worth Moving?

Before you decide whether to take your hot tub with you, it’s worth taking some time to make sure that it is actually worth moving. If the hot tub has any major problems or if it is 10+ years old, it simply might not be worth the trouble and expense of moving it.

Moving A Hot Tub In The Winter

If you’re moving your hot tub in below freezing conditions you will want to add some anti-freeze to the plumbing once you’ve drained the hot tub to prevent the remaining water in the plumbing from freezing during transportation. To do this you can simply pour a small amount of anti-freeze into filter area and into the jets (removing the jets first and pouring the antifreeze directly into the plumbing behind will give better results).

If there is snow on the ground you will want to shovel out a path to your trailer / moving truck as the furniture dolly simply won’t work in snowy conditions.

Should You Get Professionals To Move Your Hot Tub?

If any of this sounds like it is outside of your comfort zone, or if you simply don’t have the manpower required to safely move your hot tub, we strongly recommend hiring professionals to move your hot tub for you. Your local hot tub retailer will have the knowledge, expertise and the correct equipment to move your hot tub safely to its new location.

Wrapping Up

While moving a hot tub can be complicated and difficult, it is possible to do in almost every situation. That said, if you’re not fully confident in doing the job yourself, it can make a lot of sense to get a professional to do the job for you.