A 10-15cm thick reinforced concrete slab is ideal, but not a requirement. In most cases your spa can be placed on a properly fitted existing patio. Your spa can be mounted on a deck, but it must be of solid construction. Either way, it is recommended you install your spa at ground level to allow easy internal access.
The hot tub might begin to sink into the ground over time, and it may or may not stay level. A hot tub requires a stable surface — whether it's a concrete slab, reinforced deck, or firmly compacted soil with crushed gravel.
It has been the industry standard for years and it still is the best method of supporting your tub: A concrete pad is best because it is the flattest and the strongest.
The recommended foundation material for a hot tub foundation includes a concrete hot tub pad, concrete paver/patio, pea gravel, crushed rock, or a reinforced deck. Authorized Bullfrog Spas dealers can also sell or recommend pre-formed hot tub pads.
A concrete surface is an excellent base for your hot tub as this material is extremely sturdy and long-lasting. If you have an existing patio made of concrete bricks, make sure it's in good condition and is level (not angled for drainage). A customized poured concrete pad is an even better choice.
While concrete is a great option, your hot tub can be placed on any stable, level surface that will not become unstable due to moisture or weight. Other installation surfaces include wooden decks, paver stones, gravel beds, or spa pads. Do not place your hot tub on grass or bare ground.
Gravel is a popular choice due to its constant drainage and affordability. To create your gravel hot tub base you will need to measure out space where your hot tub will go, plus 6-12 extra inches circumference. You need to dig a six-inch deep pit, ensuring the bottom is as smooth and level as possible.
We recommend a gravel base as the best all-around hot tub base, particularly if your hot tub will be installed in an area that doesn't already have concrete or pavers. (Technically, your hot tub should be installed on crushed stone “gravel”, not actual river gravel, which won't tamp down properly.)
Outdoor hot tub placement, such as decks, concrete or brick patios, is common. However, the hot tub can be placed on any solid, uniform, level surface. Do not place your hot tub on grass or bare ground.
Can You Put a Hot Tub on Pavers? The answer to that is yes, provided you have a professionally built base supporting the pavers underneath. The base is there to ensure your pavers will remain in place and won't move with water running through them and the ground below them.
The floor load of a hot tub filled with water is around 115 lbs. per square foot. Your base should have at least 125 lbs.
Usually a concrete slab made to building code is suitable to hold a hot tub. However, many patios and other concrete slabs are pitched for drainage, which may make an unsuitable base for your hot tub.
Hot tubs should sit on a flat, level, and sturdy surface. The base should be able to support the weight of the hot tub when it's filled with water and people. It's important to choose a base that will provide adequate support and prevent any shifting or settling over time.
For portable spas up to 3.5m, a reinforced concrete slab with a minimum thickness of 100mm is required to ensure adequate support and stability.
A hot tub must sit on level and smooth ground so that it remains stable when installed and the water level is equal.
Yes, even inflatable hot tubs benefit from hot tub pads. They provide a level base and can help protect the hot tub from any sharp objects on the ground that could potentially puncture it.
Foundation and Support: Like any other hot tub installation, you'll require a stable base made from materials like concrete or crushed gravel. These materials prevent sinking and ensure the longevity of your installation. Gravel is particularly common for this type of installation due to its drainage capabilities.
A solid, level base is crucial for the stability and longevity of your hot tub. Concrete slabs, gravel pads, and prefabricated pads are popular and reliable base options. Proper site preparation, including drainage considerations, ensures a durable foundation.
Exposure to wet soil and grass will reduce the life of your hot tub and expose it to insects and moisture. The extreme weight of a hot tub filled with water could also cause it to sink into a lawn or wet soil. A hot tub should never be installed in soil or on a lawn.
A concrete slab is the best base for a swim spa or spa pool– it's strong and stable.
The hot tub must be on a uniformly firm, continuous and level surface. The recommended foundation is a concrete pad with a minimum thickness of four inches with steel reinforcement bars crossed throughout the pad. If located outside, the area around your hot tub should drain well and slope away from the hot tub.
A hot tub foundation is not only essential for protecting the longevity of your spa, but it is also a great way to decorate your yard further. There are many different types of hot tub foundations including a patio, deck, concrete, paver stones, and crushed gravel.
The answer is wide-ranging and complex (more on that later). On average, though, homeowners can expect to pay between $20 and $75 a month to run and maintain their hot tub. Of that, between $20 to $50 can be attributed exclusively to energy costs.
Once you've got the pea gravel tamped down and leveled, you are ready to place your hot tub on the base. Simple, quick, and effective. With a combination of crushed stone and pea gravel, you get the best of both worlds. Crushed stone gives you the stable, interlocking base you need.