Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: solo on September 08, 2007, 05:24:01 am
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You know, as I was marking off in my back yard where I want the tub to go, I realized that it probably needs to sit on a cement slab.
Correct?
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There are many different types of foundations suitable for spas but the one that is highly recommended is a reinforced concrete slab that has a minimum thickness of 4''.
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There are many different types of foundations suitable for spas but the one that is highly recommended is a reinforced concrete slab that has a minimum thickness of 4''.
OK...I am putting the tub in my back yard. It will not fit on myh deck. I don't have room inside. So it is definitely going in my back yard, just off the deck.
What are my options for what to put it on?
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Spa pads, pavers, concrete, decking, or just the Earth if you buy an Arctic(they have whats called Forever Floor that elimanates the need for a foundation and doesn't void their warranty). Just be careful as some manufacturers have set requirements in which you have to abide by in order to keep the spa under warranty.
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Mine is on a gravel bed, with the idea that it is more movable if needed, and it was a DYI (I have never poured cement).
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A gravel bed? It sounds like a good idea because like you said, you may wish to move it down the road.
Is that recomended?
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Anne has an Arctic, so all she needed was a level surface to place the spa on. I already told you what's recommended for most(all) spas.
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A gravel bed? It sounds like a good idea because like you said, you may wish to move it down the road.
Is that recomended?
You'd have to find out with each brand what they allow. Yes, I have an Arctic, so theoretically I could put it on level dirt......but who would do that? I think that almost all dealers will recommend cement, as it is pretty foolproof, but packed gravel or pavers is still ok with some brands to maintain the warranty.
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I was going to ask the exact same question as the origanal poster. I am literally 5 minutes removed from getting a quote of $1500 for a conrete slab. . He wants to use 2x6's and re-bar. Its a 9'x11' slab. I was thinking somewhere around $600 would be about right using 2x4s and no re-bar.
What do you guys think about the idea of no re-bar and using 2x4s? Im up for considering crushed granite or some other alternative. I need to act soon. My spa is ready for delivery once I get my act together.
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TT,
$15 per sq ft is 2 to 3 x higher than the going rate here in the STL. Have you collected multiple quotes? I think you'll be able to find someone out there to do it for cheaper.
What size spa did you buy? If it's a smaller tub, you might be ok w/o rebar or some other type or reinforcement. The reinforcement materials really shouldn't elevate the cost too much.
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I'd say using a 2x6 is overkill. You don't need 6" of concrete depth.
Go with 2x4 and, yes, I'd use rebar - just to be safe. It can't hurt and shouldn't add that much. You don't need 3/8" rebar, just the mesh stuff should be fine.
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My quote for a 4" reinforced 10' X 11' pad was $1,989.00. Way out of line for me!!!!! ( and I'm a Landsacpe Designer, go figure)
I decided to do it myself, with some friendly help. (Pullin' in those favors due) ;)
I have done slabs before, I just wanted to see what the cost might be to have someone do it for me.
What was decided is a 7' X 7' X 4" concrete slab using wire mesh w/fiber concrete. The base under the concrete will be of packed crushed limestone gravel at the depth of 4". The perimiter will have a drainage trench on all four sides. The rest will be a decking surround giving the spa a built-in look, allowing for a deck trap door for ease of acess to the inards of the spa. Bringing the whole area for the 6'6" X 6'6" spa to a total of the 10' X 11' area I originally wanted to have in all concrete.
2 X 4 is the usual way to go. I agree that 2 X 6 is over kill....My Hot Springs dealer told me that if I used a "Forever Floor" he would NOT be responsible for future problems, and may void the warranty.
I also should mention that "IF" you use gravel you may have a future problem with ants. Especially, if you live in an area that is warmer and has a problem with sugar/grease/carpenter ants...they love the gravel stuff and LOVE the foam in a spa for nesting.
If you do decided to go with a gravel base please dig out at a depth of NO LESS than 8". Place a double layer of landscape fabric at the bottom of the intended base. Then a layer of 2" min. of sand, then fill with your gravel. Pack the gravel firm (rent a tool that will hard pack it down. For the life of me, right now, I can't remember what it's called.) After you have done all that do a top derssing to the intended pad i.e. pea gravel, decorative stone, crushed granite etc...
I hope this helps....sorry it's long but, I do use this for my clients when they want an area for a heavy weight use.
Good luck in what ever you do. :)
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TT,
$15 per sq ft is 2 to 3 x higher than the going rate here in the STL. Have you collected multiple quotes? I think you'll be able to find someone out there to do it for cheaper.
What size spa did you buy? If it's a smaller tub, you might be ok w/o rebar or some other type or reinforcement. The reinforcement materials really shouldn't elevate the cost too much.
I'm in Ohio, we're about to have a concrete patio poured for about $8.50 / sq. foot. It's three separate areas, 2x4 with rebar. So, I feel better about the price now (after three quotes). I have somewhat the opposite problem - rather than wanting to move a spa someday, I figure I'll probably want to upgrade my spa in a few years, so I don't want to have to redo the patio again to support a bigger & better spa.
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FWIW,
I went through the same decision process. Slab was expensive and pretty permanent. I chose to have a vibrated gravel base and I'm really happy! Any water from rain or from draining it, or just the drips off the emerging nudies (!) just soaks into the ground summer or winter. No problems in three years with critters making their way into the interior. My research really showed that it is personal preference. There is not a correct answer!
Cheers,
BearBath
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Pack the gravel firm (rent a tool that will hard pack it down. For the life of me, right now, I can't remember what it's called.)
Hand tamp or vibrating plate tamp.
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I was going to ask the exact same question as the origanal poster. I am literally 5 minutes removed from getting a quote of $1500 for a conrete slab. . He wants to use 2x6's and re-bar. Its a 9'x11' slab. I was thinking somewhere around $600 would be about right using 2x4s and no re-bar.
What do you guys think about the idea of no re-bar and using 2x4s? Im up for considering crushed granite or some other alternative. I need to act soon. My spa is ready for delivery once I get my act together.
If you live in a warm climate part of the country a no rebar patio will do. We were having a patio poured and didn't see rebar in the 'hole'. I asked some of the engineers at work about it. Their suggestion was that if the patio isn't too large, ours was 16x16 and they used figerlass reinforced concrete it would be fine, but as I somewhat eluded to, we live in the south where there isn't much ground buckling. We have 6" of concrete under the spar area.
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[quote: Hand tamp or vibrating plate tamp]
Thanks Chad, I was having a part-timers moment. :-[
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My Hot Springs dealer told me that if I used a "Forever Floor" he would NOT be responsible for future problems, and may void the warranty.
"Forever Floor" is a registered trade mark of Arctic Spas. I believe this poster may be referring to any of a variety of ground mats. We are currently researching these for their effectiveness with our product.
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Ooop's sorry for using a "trademark" name.....it's like Kleenex and Xerox....just becomes part of the nomenclature. I was referring to the Spa pad's used under the spa for a base....Sorry for using a brand name insted of the venacular term. ;)
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Ooop's sorry for using a "trademark" name.....it's like Kleenex and Xerox....just becomes part of the nomenclature. I was referring to the Spa pad's used under the spa for a base....Sorry for using a brand name insted of the venacular term. ;)
Well, you're certainly forgiven. And it's sure great to be lumped in with big brands like kleenex and xerox! 8-)
Apocryphal story from our UK distributor is that "Arctic Spa" is becoming as generic over the pond as Jacuzzi is in America. He claims he heard a neighbor say, "I got a new arctic spa in my garden." When he asked what model, neighbor said, "Oh, it's a Jacuzzi." >:( :D :D
But to get back on topic, No, Solo, you do not necessarily need a concrete pad. Many feel that this provides the best base, but there are alternatives that you can consider.
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I put in a 8' by 8' 4-inch deep concrete with NO rebar in mine. I am in Charlotte, NC and although it does get below freezing here (about 3 times a year), I have had no cracking or breaking issues at all. Cost was $700 and included the Circuit breaker work from a local handyman 4 years ago. So, I guess that'd be around $1,000 in today's figures.
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My Jacuzzi dealer told me that if I had an existing concrete pad, that it would be fine to go ahead and use that but that if I did not have a concrete pad, he recommended setting the tub on a pea gravel base of about 4 inches. He went on to state that he prefers the pea gravel base for the Jacuzzi's with the black molded bottom and that his personal tub sits on a pea gravel base. Since my ususal therory is that if 4 inches is good, then 6 must be better and thus I went with 6 inches of pea gravel base (2 below ground level and 4 above ground level framed in with 2 by pressure treated lumber. I am very happy with my decision and given the make and model of my tub (Jacuzzi j-355), I will do the same thing again if I ever move and take this spa with me.
Very happy without concrete pad.
Tyhee
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Sorry--got excited and hit the "Post" button a little prematurely. :-[
Anyhow--$15 bought me all the gravel my 3/4 Dodge truck could haul and approximately $40 for the wood to make the frame/form to hold the gravel. The rest of the cost was sweat and time.
Tyhee
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That is pretty much what I did, tyhee, and my only complaint what the gravel blowing around in the fall when I used the blower for leaves. I have HUGE oak trees. Solution: square paver-like patio steps covering the gravel where the tub is not.
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Thanks for the great paver idea Anne. What a wonderful way to cover up, protect, and keep the gravel in the right place!
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Solo,
Had an interesting converation with an old client of mine....He has an older HS spa "Hot Springs Classic", similar to the one I once owned...he put a gravel base down 3" deep and sprinkled it w/quikcrete, wet it and let it set over a day or two. (He kept it damp. not wet) He them put a layer of pea gravel down over the quikcrete base. He's had the spa in for 6 1/2 years w/ no problems. The base has remained level all this time.
He told me that the old-timers used something simalar to this when doing a driveway, that was gravel. They would dust the gravel w/concrete mix, wet it and keep it moist for a few days (lightly spraying it). That left it like a hard pack similar to using "crush run" as a base but, more lasting.
I thought I'd pas that on to you. I have found that many of the "old time" methods have great use in our day and age. Less work, less envioromental inpact, and saves a lot of our hard earned $$$.
I'm thinking of giving it a try....sans the extra digging and drainage.....but, I will go the 4" just to be safe on drainage..... :)