How? Is Amazon actually giving you the best price? A good way to pay less for a contractor to build your hot tub deck is to have our plans ready when you hire him. You will then run 4x4 posts from the 4x4 supports to the cinder blocks, cutting … Dig holes at the stakes. It's easy to do. As hot tubs have become increasingly popular to install in gardens across the country, decking has become the platform of choice. A flat, level surface such as a concrete slab is the ideal location for a hot tub. Getting the hot tub onto the deck may involve a crane or ramp, depending on the weight of the tub and the height of the deck. But the surrounding deck was fairly high off the ground so the hot tub had to be supported by an elevated substructure. Once the location of the hot tub deck has been determined, it is time to begin building. This little known plugin reveals the answer. Then secure a 2 x 6 (.6 x 1.8m) board by "toenailing" it to the tops of the beams, perpendicular to the beams. Measure the height, and cut the other posts to the same height. An average 8×8 spa fully loaded with people and water can easily weigh 2 ½ tons. Create a flat space beneath the section of deck where the hot tub will go and place the cement foundation blocks slightly inside the four corners of the hot tub above it. Composite and Cedar Decks and Hot Tubs. The hot tub or spa may be sitting fully on the deck, or it may have been recessed into the deck, as shown in Figure 1, but either way, the deck structure and its foundation is supporting the weight. If you are not experienced in construction, take my advice and hire a professional to do this job. You will need to build a 4'x4' removable panel that will be supported on each corner. Building a gravel hot tub base The process is initially the same as making a concrete slab. What Are the Best Tips for Making a DIY Spa? You will also need to be sure that the hot tub frame is centered with the exterior frame of the deck. Especially if you want to build it yourself. All posts will be resting on concrete footers. Decks built ground level up to 2 feet off the ground can support up to 100 lbs per square foot; sufficient for most hot tubs. Most decks aren’t designed to hold that much weight. The added support posts should be no more than 30″ apart & ideally placed in poured concrete. To build such a hot tub deck, a perfect square must be determined. Also, if you can wait, hire a contractor in the fall when backyard season is over. Yes, you can put a hot tub on a deck. The results can be spectacular, but certain protocol must be followed for the sake of safety and easy use. This is where the concrete supports will be placed. Have a plan well before your hot tub’s delivery date. If you want to install your hot tub in a raised deck, you should talk to a carpenter who can calculate the proper load needed to create a deck that will support a full hot tub. It's easy to do. Greg's hot tub was 8'x8'. Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these links. @ocelot60- That is a very good point that will help some people save time and money. These professionals are less expensive and are looking for work during this off season. (Portland, Oregon). Here you will add on a second deck level built around the top of the hot tub that will give you the same desired effect. Mar 23, 2016 - Building a hot tub platform is the first step to installing a jacuzzi system in your backyard. Once the level has been determined, secure the beam to the posts and the posts to the blocks. The trick is to make your decking proportional to the hot tub. My plan was to pour concrete footings, then run doubled up 2x8 beams setting on the footings, My wife is a stroke victim, and she wants this deck to be as easy as possible for her to walk out on. 12inch nails will also work but will make the job harder, in my opinion. Simply click here to return to Pools and Hot Tubs Forum. The problem? However, the filled tub can weigh thousands of pounds, adding a lot of strain to a deck that is above the ground. Simply click here to return to. What I can tell you in a general sense is that the dimensions of the joists and frame structure including the deck boards should easily support a hot tub of that weight. Amazon Doesn't Want You to Know About This Plugin. Install decking up to ¼” from hot tub to leave room for expansion, contraction and slight shifting of both the deck and the hot tub. The hot tub will add about 100 PSF load to the normal live and dead loads. We don’t usually associate hot tubs for only one person, but if you’re someone who enjoys the hot tub as a way to bathe outdoors, relax, and detox your body, this could be perfect for you. A hot tub may weigh up to 1,000 lbs when empty and can weigh as much as 2 tons when filled with water. A new platform with large footings at least 22" in diameter should be installed below each corner of the tub to evenly distribute the weight. Also, putting extra 4x4 posts under each corner of the hot tub. The purpose of this depth is that the foundation posts should be set beneath the frost line. These provide access to stuff that is hidden underneath the deck like the service panel of the hot tub. Second, is the deck going to be built close enough to the proper power supply? Figure 1 - Hot tub on raised deck. I'm POOR! Add another board to the ends of the toenailed boards to box them in. Secure all beams together using beam ties and nails. A spa or hot tub on your deck adds a remarkable visual emphasis to your home. October 16, 2020 Pinterest; Pound stakes into the corners of the square, then determine the center point of the square. What seems like an easy project could easily become a huge headache. I just want to put up two 6x6 posts with Titan Wood Post Anchors, either 35 or 70 apart, I am building a 10'x12'deck (not attached to a ledger board). The tutorial shows you how to build a wooden hot tub meant for one person easily. With the deck being 3 feet high On one end, this qualifies for "permitting" and should go through your local building regulatory office. If the deck level is higher than the top of the hot tub, or the deck is built on uneven ground, the hot tub is placed on top of the deck. If you’re building a new deck, the slab should be formed and poured at the same time as your concrete footings. Hi! Hot tub decking is exactly the same as all other decking – the difference is in the construction of the timber deck. The kids love playing in the river – catching fish and kayaking – but the place really needed a water feature you could immerse yourself in. © 2004-2019 Decksgo.com. There are many considerations before undertaking a … Next, drop your hot tub into the deck. Will the deck as it is currently constructed carry a hot tub that will weigh 5000 lbs when full? What are the Best Tips for Choosing a Hot Tub Cover. by Dan Once the feet are lain and the holes filled with earth for support, put the center post onto the center block. For joists I would go with 2 x 10 for the entire project and for under the tub use a "tic tac toe" type of joist grid. The deck will be free standing - not attached to the house. This deck includes plans for built-in benches flanking the hot tub. According to where you placed each marker, dig out a foot square hole that should go one foot deep. Ground Installation Some deck designs can be built around a hot tub, depending on its size and capacity. Have your deck design wrap entirely around the hot tub. This deck building option is often used in a situation where you cannot recess your hot tub down into a deck but that is the functionality you want. A 4' x 4' area will usually give you enough space to perform any maintenance work on the hot tub. The hot tub deck must therefore be carefully constructed and supported properly by blocks and beams secured in the ground. Use substantial framing materials such as 2x10 or 2x12 joists installed 12" on center with nailed double beams. This lets you walk around the outside of the hot tub and create the illusion of more space. And third, how is the hot tub going to be placed on the deck? This last question may affect the height and location of the deck within a yard. Consult the manufacturer's documentation that came with the hot tub, or consult the supplier if you're going to build the deck before delivery, to learn the hot tub's maximum in-use weight. I've been asked to build a 20' x 20' deck that will have a 4 to 6 person hot tub resting on top. Lay those posts, then lay a beam across to make sure they are level. Total height of low level ground level deck. Install decking over the … I'm thinking of using 2x12 joists 12" on center. The area under the hot tub should be framed as a separate system, with its own footings. Pound stakes into the corners of the square, then determine the center point of the square. Decide where you want to place the platform. Because the hot tub is smaller, it can be done for approximately $100. A hot tub can be a rewarding addition to any home. Our intention all along with buying this hot tub was to bring it up to our weekend retreat. The property is sloped so closest to the house, the deck will be only 12" high and away from the house it will be no more than 36" high. It has double 2 x 12 on each side and then a 2 x 12 joist at 16' oc. I am looking to install privacy screens on my concrete patio. This way, he won't have to make them up himself. If the unit is used, and thus a true weight is not handily available, most hot tub manufacturers' websites give comprehensive specifications for each model they make. Repeat this process with the outer posts and beams. That’s what your hot tub needs to be. All Rights Reserved. The first is to take an 8 foot (2.4 … The deck has to have decent foundations. One option is to build the hot tub into a deck or other setting. Nine supports in all will be used. The following tips will help guide you if you choose to “build in” your hot tub. 6. Then, shift hot tub frame until the corners line up with the nylon string. It is very important to account for this additional weight when building a deck. This is our full set of plans for a deck with a hot tub. It has double 2 x 12 on each side and then a 2 x 12 joist at 16' oc. Deck Installation. Frame the panel with a double rim and joists 16" on center. If you plan to place the hot tub in a location that was previously lawn, you have two ways to do this. Add deck boards to the top of the boards to provide the top surface where the hot tub will sit. 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