Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: benalexe on May 04, 2008, 10:49:26 am
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I have two options. The first is straight out my back door. Possible downside would be the view from my kitchen would be this big Grey colored hot tub. Not that it is a major eye sore but my wife made the comment that she does not know if that is what she wants to look at in the yard. Here is the first photo. I marked off the grass with spray paint.
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll96/benalexe/IMG_1348.jpg)
The second option would be to the right of my stairs going out to the yard from my kitchen. In this option the tub would be somewhat in a corner. My concerns are the closeness to the house... Will it be bad for the siding with the heat and moisture (not to mention the kids splashing) and also will it be hard to get to for service and maintenance? Also will the cover be more of a pain to remove. Here is the second image of the other options.
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll96/benalexe/IMG_1350.jpg)
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I would suggest option 2 with it pushed away from the house to the end of the stairs. That way you can get around it and the splash's can happen away from the siding. Also you can walk down the stairs and have full access to the side of the tub for access to the tub.
Just my 2 cents worth.....
Scott :-?
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I like option #2, but I'd pull it out from the house enough so the cover can slide between the spa and house (maybe far enough out so a cover lifter can drop the cover back there.)
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interesting idea to pull it out a bit. I had not thought about that.
How much clearance do I need for a cover lifter?
Also is it necessary to do work on all sides of the tub?
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interesting idea to pull it out a bit. I had not thought about that.
How much clearance do I need for a cover lifter?
Also is it necessary to do work on all sides of the tub?
Usually the access panels for the equipment are on the front of the tub and you will need access to that.
Scott
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How much clearance do I need for a cover lifter?
Depends on the lifter. For ones that drop it down low, typically 18" - 20".
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IMO--I agree with the guys, and keep it away from the house. I would be more concerned about the downspout causing too much water around the tub. But I am sure a concrete pad will take care of that.
CHrisi :)
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I suggest a minimum 24" clearance on all sides to accomodate covers/lifters and to facilitate any future needed maintenance.
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interesting idea to pull it out a bit. I had not thought about that.
Yes, pull it out a bit, like Windsurfdog suggested. You'll want to be able to walk all around it to keep the sides and cover maintained. I let my older kids go in "unsupervised". They are 13, 11, and 9. I do like to be able to keep an easy eye on them from our patio door. I can easily hear and see them without having to join them or pull up a chair. You will be able to do the same with it pulled out just a bit.
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benalexe......
since you are asking for opinions.....here's mine.
i wouldn't be so concerned with having it so close to the house
you dont want to end up with a "cramped feeling" when you come out your rear door
if it was me i would place it down at the far end of your existing concrete patio
several feet away from your house
that way covers/lifters/access are not a problem and it also will look better
it would be easy to dig a short trench along the edge of the concrete for your
electrical so no wires are showing
i think you may be "over-reacting" because of cold weather that you
need to have it right against the house? whatever you do, don't put it
right up against your steps....you'll end up wishing you hadn't.
But hey thats just my opinion, good luck with whatever you decide.
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/ItsZep/Hot%20Tub/IMG_1350-1.jpg)
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Why don't you place it on the concrete patio that you already have? To the far left of the stairs and out from the house would seem ok. Ready made base. :)
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Away from the house so the snow load will not come off the roof and smash the cover to pieces, plus it gives access to the tub all the way around. If I remember right it is a thermo spa and they have stuff tucked everywhere under the cabinets.
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Why don't you place it on the concrete patio that you already have? To the far left of the stairs and out from the house would seem ok. Ready made base. :)
Patio is small and would take up way too much room.
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My vote is with Zep.
I cant tell by the pictures but option #2 might cause a little bit of wind draft, where as if placed on the existing patio the house can be used as a screen. Some of the best soaking happens in bad weather, the only thing that keeps me out of my tub is the wind. I use my house as a wind screen, this allows me to enjoy my spa in moderate storms without feeling the brute force of the wind.
My two cents.
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As someone else noted you might want to keep in mind where you have to pull power. Also I think I would try to keep it behind the house unless you have or plan to have a privacy screen of some sort on that tside of the house.
My tub is relatively close to my house for 2 years now and no problems so far but I don't have kids in there splashing about. Other occasional activities in the tub sometimes create a bit of splashing...
But so far no effect on the house!
(http://home.earthlink.net/~tierneyb/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/bkyd25_1452_2_2_1.jpg)
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Thank you everyone for all of you feedback. My plan is to get the tub a week from Friday. I think right now I am realling leaning to the second option but pulling it about 3 feet away from the house so the tub starts even with the bottom of the stairs.
I am not concerned with wind as it is not a windy area. We also have a fence on the side of the house which blocks most of the wind in addition it give privacy.
The back door to my house is where my kitchen is and my table is right near the back door. I do not want to look out the back door and see the big grey hot tub/
I think putting it on the side will keep it somewhat out of the way when it is not being used. It will also not be in the way of the outside patio table.
In addition the ground is very level there.
My next step would be to get 5-6 bags of sand and make an even sand based for the pad to sit on.
We are getting there....
BTW I am still open to hearing other opinions.
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Who's doing the electrical, some codes can be a bugger regarding downspouts, aluminum framed patio sliders, also the vent for your gas fireplace/stove, if reachable from the spa in position#2 Breaker/disconnect needs to be at least 5' from the spa in most cases.
Looks like it will be a nice set up when done.