Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: cooltoy2000 on June 29, 2006, 10:59:11 am

Title: Leveled cement (Pictures added).
Post by: cooltoy2000 on June 29, 2006, 10:59:11 am

Hello.

This would be my first post, but I have been reading this forum for about a month. The reading was very helpful in choosing my first tub. I chose the Hot Spring Vanguard, which should be delivered in a week or so.

I planned for this day eight years ago, when I first poured the cement pad for the tub. I was doing some measurements on the pad a couple of days ago and realised that the pad was slightly off level. It is tilted forward a couple of degrees.

Is that an issue? Do I need to level it before the tub goes in? If so what is the best way to do that - leveling cement?

Thanks for your help.

Title: Re: Leveled cement.
Post by: JeffB on June 29, 2006, 11:10:51 am

I had a cement pad put down last fall. It has a slight tilt for water runoff. I can't remember exactly the amount of tilt-maybe an inch or inch and a half from side to side. My new tub was installed last friday with no shims and no problems. Any lack of levelness in the water line is unnoticable. I didn't like the idea of shims and decided in advance I would live with an unlevel water line, but if it is not level, it is not noticable.   Also, I think you want some tilt with your cement pad so water will run off and not pool. Hope this helps.

Title: Re: Leveled cement.
Post by: drewstar on June 29, 2006, 11:11:29 am

What is the drop, over how long?

(ie: it drops .25" over 8 feet).  

you poured the pad 8 years ago?

Should be just about cured.  ;)

Title: Re: Leveled cement.
Post by: cooltoy2000 on June 29, 2006, 11:23:33 am

I do not like the idea of shims either.

I will check on the amount of drop when I get home tonight.

Title: Re: Leveled cement.
Post by: galen on June 29, 2006, 12:07:15 pm

I would not be concerned with an inch or so. If it was more then you may notice it. Mine has an 1 1/2 slope with no effect to the tub.

Title: Re: Leveled cement.
Post by: drewstar on June 29, 2006, 12:16:42 pm

The idea of shims also doesn't appeal to me.  

Persoanlly for me, I wouldn't want more than a .25" drop across the tub This can effect the jets not being submereged and looks funky as well.

I don't know what the tolereances that manufactuer's state. But if you do have a significant slope (they say some slope is good for water run off)  folks in this forum have talked about "mud jacking"; injecting cement under the pad to raise it to the correct slope., or  simply just pouring a new top coat on the pad and correcting the slope.

Title: Re: Leveled cement.
Post by: Brewman on June 29, 2006, 01:49:06 pm

There are leveling products that can be used to level off concrete.  Not exactly cheap, but they work well.

Title: Re: Leveled cement.
Post by: cooltoy2000 on June 29, 2006, 04:06:50 pm

How fast do they set, I only have a week before the tub arrives?

Title: Re: Leveled cement.
Post by: Brewman on June 29, 2006, 04:39:25 pm

The one I used was to level a section of basement concrete for a shower pan, if I recall, it setup and was ready for use in a day or so.  Unless the slab is way off, the coating to level will be pretty thin, and set rather quickly.

Title: Re: Leveled cement.
Post by: cooltoy2000 on June 29, 2006, 04:47:15 pm

Thanks.

This is the same stuff I was thinking off. Darker grey in colour, my builder used it to level the flour toward the drain. But will it stand up to outdoors?

Title: Re: Leveled cement.
Post by: Cola on June 29, 2006, 04:53:42 pm

Don't use the leveling products if you have frost in the winter.
Steve

Title: Re: Leveled cement.
Post by: cooltoy2000 on June 29, 2006, 05:02:05 pm

How does -30°C sound. ;D

Title: Re: Leveled cement.
Post by: cooltoy2000 on July 06, 2006, 09:38:21 pm

So my new Vanguard was delivered today.

Turns out the pad was not only tilted forward but a bit sideways two (towards one corner).

So they had to shim the tub, good thing I chose Hot Spring and shimming is possible.

Got her filled up and heating. Hoping to use it for the first time tomorrow night.

Title: Re: Leveled cement.
Post by: gores95 on July 07, 2006, 06:18:05 am

Make sure you post pics!  Have fun in the new Vanguard!   ;D

Marc

Title: Re: Leveled cement.
Post by: cooltoy2000 on July 15, 2006, 02:57:55 am

The location:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/cooltoy2000/CIMG1060.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/cooltoy2000/CIMG1059.jpg)

The close up:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/cooltoy2000/CIMG1066.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/cooltoy2000/CIMG1062.jpg)

The colours:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/cooltoy2000/CIMG1063.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/cooltoy2000/CIMG1072.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/cooltoy2000/CIMG1075.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/cooltoy2000/CIMG1076.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/cooltoy2000/CIMG1073-1.jpg)

Title: Re: Leveled cement (Pictures added).
Post by: Chas on July 15, 2006, 01:30:56 pm

Looks great. Welcome to spatopia!

May you soak long and prosper.

Oh, and change your water in one month from today.

:)

Title: Re: Leveled cement (Pictures added).
Post by: cooltoy2000 on July 15, 2006, 01:49:33 pm

Thanks.

One month from a week ago. :P ;D

Day time pics.

View from the house:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/cooltoy2000/76b615bb.jpg)

Views from the park:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/cooltoy2000/8947c572.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/cooltoy2000/1980519b.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/cooltoy2000/071c6dab.jpg)

View from Hot Tub:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/cooltoy2000/CIMG1081.jpg)

Title: Re: Leveled cement (Pictures added).
Post by: Chas on July 15, 2006, 02:38:10 pm

How cool! Sure makes a nice setting.

Here's my view from the tub:

(http://www.tonycolter.com/photos/potd/potd-20030917.jpg)
I use it mostly at night... ;)

Title: Re: Leveled cement (Pictures added).
Post by: cooltoy2000 on July 17, 2006, 01:37:22 pm

Is that Uranus I see. ;D