You’re looking to upgrade your garden with a hot tub but want to be sure of every requirement needed before moving ahead with purchase. You’ve found yourself scouring the internet for answers. Well, welcome to the class, today we’re teaching hot tub installation requirements 101.
A hot tub is a luxury purchase, and like any other high ticket item, may cause nerves before installation. You want to make sure everything goes to plan. That makes sense! We are here to guide you through hot tub installation preparation. So leave your worries behind and focus on the relaxation and hydrotherapy benefits that are to come.
Don’t worry about preparing for hot tub installation, we’ve got you covered. Just make certain you’ve read the following carefully to learn the basics of what you need before installing your garden hot tub. For a standard above ground hot tub installation, you really just need to sort three things: garden access, garden size, and electrics. We’ll end with the other styles of installation (inground hot tub, partially inground hot tub, decking surrounded hot tub, etc) which will decide other additional pre-install or even post-install requirements for your hot tub.
But… What if you have none of the above, and it’s truly difficult to access your garden? Fear not! Hydropool North West has connections in high places. We can hire a hi-ab or crane if it’s really inaccessible (like a high-rise in Manchester for example- yup we’ve done it!) Just make sure you factor in that extra cost - starting from £450.
If you are worried about access, Hydropool North West always does a site visit to check garden access and the area you’d like your hot tub to be placed. Just another way we like to help alleviate any worries about our installation process.
Most customers that are interested in a hot tub know the space that they have. The most prepared will come to our show site with measurements so they can get the exact size hot tub they need. Garden measurements are a great way to check if you are able to go bigger with your hot tub model choice or if you need to go smaller than intended. A rough estimate of the size of the space you’d like your hot tub in is all you need.
But, if you have any worries or are between sizes and haven’t measured, we will check at the site visit. Just make sure to let us know, so we can bring the tape measure!
One could say that getting your hot tub into the garden and making sure it fits is most important- but having a hot tub that safely turns on is pretty important too. Hydropool North West recommends all customers get their electrics done before installation.
Your electrician will need to fit a suitably rated RDC dedicated to the hot tub. This will either be 20, 32, or 40 amp, depending on your model of hot tub or swim spa. This RCD will then run to a rotary isolator located a minimum of 2 metres from the area of the spa. This will need to be readily accessible to isolate the hot tub if required. A suitable length of cable will then need to be left, ready to be connected to your hot tub in install. We always recommend leaving as much cable as possible to reach the front of the hot tub, plus extra to enter the cabinet and be wired in.
If you don’t have an electrician, we can recommend one to you. Having electrics ready ensures that we can commission the hot tub after installation. We’ll fill up the tub, turn it on, and run through care and chemical basics with you.
Above Ground Hot Tubs - The most common hot tub installation method, as mentioned above these hot tub installs just require knowing your garden access, having the space and base required, and getting electrics sorted.
Partially Inground Hot Tubs - The least common hot tub installation method, often seen as the answer for hot tub installation in tiered gardens. This hot tub installation type requires a pit with retaining walls, proper drainage, and service access. You’ll also need to know your garden access, have a level and sturdy base, and need your electrics sorted.
Fully Inground Hot Tubs - The luxurious hot tub installation option. With plenty of surround options, this hot tub installation method has endless customisability. Wood, composite, tile- any surround with any landscaping. Everything required for partially inground hot tubs is also required here.
Most standard hot tub installations simply plunk the spa in the garden on a level, sturdy base. We only ask for maintenance clearance space and cover lifter clearance, and we set the new hot tub owners up both steps and a cover lifter with cover. It’s up to the owners to decide how to landscape around the tub after installation. Upon returning for servicing, we see that most customers opt for a garden path to the tub and some owners end up installing a gazebo or pergola over the hot tub.
There’s always the option to install decking around an above grade hot tub. You do want to consider this before choosing the place your hot tub will go, because the installation of decking may necessitate more maintenance clearance around the spa. Make sure posts aren’t too close to the shell, so that panels may be taken off. Also consider the hatch area, and how easy it will be for any maintenance workers to get in and out of the under-deck area. Everyone will be happier if access to any issues is easy!
You can sink your hot tub fully inground, and have a deck around the hot tub. This means you’ll be able to step right into the hot tub from the deck. This can be great for accessibility with use of a handrail or even a hoist if needed!
A partially (or semi-) inground hot tub has part of it below ground and part above. Reasons for choosing this style of hot tub installation include landscaping reasons, accessibility, or adaptation to sloping garden terrain.
Regardless of being inground or partially inground, you need many more specific parameters before installation compared to above ground hot tub installation preparation. These are the main things to consider with a sunken hot tub: your pit, retaining walls, a sturdy level base, proper drainage, and an adequate pit size (allowing unimpeded serviceable access).
Please note that in best practices with inground or partially inground hot tubs, decking should be completed after the hot tub is installed! You also need to speak with your sales associate to make sure that there is a serviceable area around the tub. If it is a fully sunken hot tub it most likely needs a hatch for access. It’s also imperative that decking posts don’t impede access. For these reasons, doing the decking surround of a hot tub should come last!
Inground and partially inground hot tubs have strict parameters for a reason! When we install hot tubs, we do check that everything is visually up to scratch, but we provide the parameters for builders or contractors to complete. This means that if we can’t see that something is wrong visually, problems can and will occur.
If a pit is built with improper walls, it is at risk of collapse, potentially ruining your hot tub investment. If a pit is built with improper drainage, it can flood and wreck your hot tubs internal electric components. Improper installation that causes these issues will almost certainly void warranty. Make sure the building works are completed by trusted professionals, and you are certain the above parameters are met before install of your hot tub.
As was the case with inground or partially inground hot tubs, all surrounds must allow serviceable maintenance space. Although customers may choose to have an above ground hot tub installation, they may want built-in steps, decking surround up to any height, or even a bar built around the hot tub. Make sure you and any builders know we require the surround to be easily removable so accessibility to the interior of the tub is available should it get a leak or other problem. Also check air flow around the tub and that water is able to drain and not sit around the tub. As shown in the images to the side and below, bar additions are a popular choice!
Hot tubs can be placed on top of decking, however when installing on existing decking, it must fulfill the necessary load tolerance requirements. An engineer may be required for consultation. The hot tub still needs to be accessible for maintenance when installed atop decking! These maintenance requirements differ from brand to brand, but a safe way to approach serviceable hot tub access would be to leave 1.5 meters around, with extra care to see that the front side is accessible (where the hot tub control is).
With every purchase of a swim spa or hot tub, Hydropool North West emails customers an even-more in-depth guide which matches their chosen method of installation. Believe us, our customer won’t be left in the dark when it comes to preparing for hot tub installation in their garden! We even speak to builders as necessary to ensure a smooth process.
If we haven’t answered all of your questions on hot tub installation requirements, we're always available to discuss more in-depth.
Ready to dive into hot tub ownership? We’re only a call away…