Should I Put My Hot Tub Above Ground?
When most people buy a hot tub, one of the first questions that usually comes to mind is “Should I put my hot tub above ground?” and for most people, the answer is yes. Above ground installations are the most popular choice for backyard hot tubs. This is due to several reasons, including the ease of installation, cost-effectiveness as well as having so much variety as to how to incorporate your hot tub into your landscaping design.
If you are planning to install your hot tub above ground, here are a few ideas as well as some important pointers to keep in mind to ensure that your installation goes smoothly.
Using an Existing Base
It is possible that you may already have a patio or deck that you would like to install your hot tub on. There are two essentials must-haves for wherever you choose to install your hot tub and these are:
- The base must be level
- The base must be sturdy
It is absolutely vital that if you place your hot tub on your existing deck or patio that your base is able to properly and safely support the weight of your hot tub. It is highly recommended to hire a contractor or structural engineer to perform an inspection and confirm if your existing base will be suitable for your new hot tub.
While an empty hot tub may only weigh several hundred pounds, once it is filled with water and bathers, this number quickly reaches several thousand. If the base isn’t perfectly level, it will cause the hot tub to shift, forcing too much water pressure on certain areas which will eventually cause warping or even cracking of the hot tub shell.
Building a New Base
If you need to build a new base for your hot tub, there are several options. Aside from a patio or deck area, there are a few simple base options:
Concrete Pad - An area large enough to accommodate your hot tub and steps to the hot tub is measure and a concrete pad is poured. It is recommended that it be at least 4” thick, with a preference for 6” thickness. Once the concrete has dried, the hot tub and steps can simply be placed on top of the base.
Gravel - Another easy to install, cost-effective hot tub base is gravel. The gravel needs to be placed in a dugout area of your lawn and needs a border (usually wooden) to keep the perimeter stable. A benefit of using gravel is that it also provides good drainage.
Pads - There are also bases, called hot tub pads which are designed to sit under the hot tub. These are very quick to install as they are made from interlocking pieces that can quickly be assembled on a flat, level surface.
Landscaping
Once you decide on what type of base you will be using for your above ground hot tub, you can finalize any landscaping decisions. Think about if you need to create a path from your home to the hot tub as well as what to do for privacy. If you are not planning on building a structure, such as a gazebo, strategically placed plants can provide coverage. Adding a row of shrubs to block a neighbours view or even placing some large potted plants on a surrounding wall will keep your privacy and add to the beauty of your backyard.
Now that you know what to be aware of if you are putting your hot tub above ground, download a hot tub buyer’s guide to learn more about their wellness features and benefits.