About Portable Hot Tubs

Archive for the ‘How To’ Category

If you are an avid do-it-yourselfer, you might want to try out building your own hot tub. The first thing you need to know are the details about each and every component of the hot tub you wish to build. This may involve a wide assortment of products from different manufacturers, depending on your personal preferences.

These days, there are hot tub designers who are willing to share their expertise and can help you with setting up your own hot tub system. The manufacturers also provide a complete set of instructions that would help any ordinary homemaker create his or her own spa fantasy. All you have to do is ask around about how to coordinate and combine all these components just by using the simplest and most basic of tools.

Pump details to keep in mind for your hot tub

Nowadays, all pumps are single phase and dual speed, although single speed and other voltages are also available. The advantage of full service pumps is that they have integral hair and lint strainers (trap) whereas unity service pumps typically do not; another plus being that the former can be located remotely while the latter has to be located right next to the tub, or performance will suffer.

Steps to building your own

First of all, choose the hot tub model and the benches, after which you could begin selecting the components for the tub. These are: a heater, a jet set, a pump, a control set, a filter, and a plumbing kit, plus other accessories which you may need. There is a wide variety of bench (slab type or circular) and tub styles available in cedar wood. Ensure there’s enough space for all.

For five-, six-, and seven-foot-diameter hot tubs, you can purchase a maximum of three slab benches. For round hot tubs that are eight feet in diameter, it is all right to use up to four benches. For all oval-shaped hot tubs and those that are 3′ to 4′ in diameter, there should be no more than two benches. The pump size should be proportional to the number of jets used by following this rule of thumb: Use only four jets per HP or fraction of HP. However, pumps that are close to the tub can easily accommodate more jets if desired.

The best person to install a hot tub is a professional contractor, but if you’re an avid do-it-yourselfer, you can always ask about the procedure and read the manual carefully to be able to perform the installation of a hot tub on your own. The most important details you should be careful about are the gas line installation for the hot tub’s heater and the circuitry for pump installation. Start the process by first deciding where to best set up your hot tub. Decide on the location

The hot tub can be located indoors or outdoors. If you opt for an outdoor location, choose the place properly as it is difficult to relocate the hot tub once it’s installed. Do not use an existing deck to put your hot tub on as it may not be designed to hold extremely heavy weights such as a hot tub filled with water. Your best bet would be a concrete surface. You should also keep into consideration the tub’s height.

When installing indoors, ensure that the room or area where your hot tub would be located is adequately ventilated. This is because steam can easily accumulate within the closed space when the hot tub cover is removed.

Preparation

Installing a hot tub would require three main elements: the gas line, the electrical circuit and a pad for the tub to be placed on before installation. A 20-amp, 240-volt circuit is commonly used, together with a 100k- BTU heater. The gas lines are preferably installed by professionals to avoid any untoward incidents. A basic equipment package normally requires a concrete pad measuring 24 by 54 inches.

Types

Hot tubs come in different shapes such as round, oval or hexagonal. They also come in various colors to suit your preference or its surroundings. Hot tubs are made from various materials and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Hot tubs can be manufactured from teak, redwood, cedar, pine or fiberglass.

Hot tubs can either be situated indoors or outdoors. Spa enthusiasts prefer to have their hot tubs indoors for several important reasons:

1. Obviously, an indoor hot tub or spa is weatherproof and is thus accessible day or night;

2. An indoor hot tub is a better alternative for those who value their privacy and don’t want to be burdened with having to construct a hot tub gazebo;

3. An indoor hot tub is much easier to monitor when it comes to the safety of little children. A hot tub room can easily be locked or the tub itself can be closely monitored to prevent toddlers from coming near the area.

Choosing an indoor hot tub is not without its setbacks. It would be difficult to install an indoor hot tub in an already existing home. Integrating your indoor hot tub would then require a lot of planning. One of the disadvantages of having an indoor hot tub is its effect on humidity. This is especially a cause for concern if you’re living in a naturally muggy area. To solve this, your home’s HVAC system should be customized. This includes ventilation, air conditioning and heating.

Fitting an indoor hot tub into an already organized house can be a daunting task — a heavy object that measures at least five feet across cannot just be placed anywhere. You won’t only have to look for a vacant space; you also need to concern yourself about the water source, the ventilation, the outlets, etc.

Next, the supplies to be used for installation must also be given a bit of thought. Two of the most important concerns during installation of an indoor hot tub are humidity and weight. Standard floors are designed to support only around forty pounds per square foot. What’s the potential weight of a filled indoor hot tub with two adult bathers in it? About 250 pounds per square foot! This is why you have to choose a place where there is a very strong foundation, or at least make provisions for constructing one.

It’s best to think about installing an indoor hot tub before the house is constructed or renovated. This is because building codes require a lot of other items to take into consideration as far as indoor hot tub installation is concerned — plumbing, wiring and ventilation.

The location’s flooring should also slope in the direction of an existing drain and should be made from materials such as reinforced PVC, rubber, ceramic tile, concrete or masonry materials that would not be affected by large amounts of moisture. Ceilings and walls should also be equipped with good insulation using a vapor fence to repel moisture. Even the rest of the home should be protected from the potential rise in humidity levels.