Hot tub help!

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

My husband is currently serving in Afghanistan in the Army. As a surprise “Welcome Home” present (next May), I’ve decided to buy him a hot tub.

It’ll be outside on an uncovered patio.

So, what do I need to know?

[ul]Are there differences in the materials used for construction?[/ul]

[ul]Is there anything in particular I should be looking for in the mechanicals?[/ul]

[ul]Do the number and position of jets make a difference?[/ul]

[ul]Are those screened gazebos a good thing? (I’m afraid of moisture damaging the wood?)[/ul]

[ul]If you have one, what do you like and dislike about it?[/ul]

2

I’ve got no experience with these things, but some quick googling lead to this Popular Mechanic’s Installation Guide

I always though that these things were just purchased whole and plopped down on the concrete with some hose connections. Like a portable dish washer or something.

Best wishes to you and your husband. Hope he comes home safe and soon.

3

My only comment is that rules for hot tubs, regarding electrical supply, connection, and so forth are found in Article 680 of the National Electrical Code, division IV, 2005 edition. Spacing from the water line to convenience receptacles, disconnecting means, and overhead lighting fixtures are all important for a safe installation, should be handled by a qualified electrician, and inspected by an independent agency.

4

I say: Get a Softub spa! I’ve had one for over 8 years, and it takes minimal maintenance, and has held up wonderfully on the deck outside thru all weather! Holds up to 6 if you go for the large size. No fancy plumbing or electrical needed at all! Plugs into a standard outlet, fills with a hose, has 6 jets at varying heights inside, and was the best toy Mrs. Mercotan and I have gotten in ages and ages!

Check it out: http://www.softub.com/home.html

5

What an awesome gift!
We’re on our second hot tub. The first one, my husband bought used before we got married. We bought a new one probably about a year ago. I’ll tell you what I know.

  • Are there differences in the materials used for construction?

Yes. At least on the inside. When you’re looking at different models, ask to see a diagram showing what’s inside. Some hot tubs essentially have air between the outer wall and the water. You want your tub to be well-insultaed, obviously, to cut down on the cost to keep that water hot.

  • Is there anything in particular I should be looking for in the mechanicals?
    Okay. I’m not the best to answer this one.

  • Do the number and position of jets make a difference?
    Oh, hell, yeah! Our old tub had very few jets compared to our new one. The old one was nice to sit in, but this one is absolute heaven! Each spot in ours targets different areas. In one, the jets target your neck and shoulders. In another, you can lean back and stretch out to give your legs and feet a massage. It’s awesome! The more jets, the better, IMO.

  • Are those screened gazebos a good thing? (I’m afraid of moisture damaging the wood?)
    We don’t have one. Both our hot tubs have been outside, and haven’t had any problem with them getting damaged. Our old one got a little faded looking by the time we traded it in, but you should have seen what it looked like after they redid it! Looked like new again.

  • If you have one, what do you like and dislike about it?
    Call me cheesy, but the thing I like best about having a hot tub is that when we’re sitting in it, we talk to each other. I mean really talk to each other. I think it’s been good for our relationship. It’s also great having friends over and sitting in the tub with a pitcher of margaritas. And if you’ve got sore muscles, twenty minutes in the hot tub does a world of wonder before you go to bed. You’ll sleep like a baby.
    What I don’t like? Well, the biggest thing I don’t like about our new tub is that it’s huge. I have a hard time getting in and out because it’s so tall, and practically need a booster seat when I’m in it. And I’m not exactly a small woman (5’9"). We need steps and booster seats for it, and you can buy them.

Hey, I found this site for you. Hope it helps.

6

What an awesome welcome home gift that’ll be Ruby. Mine is a jacuzzi and I love it. Many good times have been had in there with a certain someone(s) and a nicely chilled bottle of champagne.:smiley: Here’s their website:

Jacuzzi

7

We’ve had one for seven years, and it’s been outside (in Northern California) with no issues. The first thing you should think about is the cost - not of the tub, but the heating. It uses a lot of electricity. Maybe they are even more energy efficient these days, but insulation will pay for itself in no time.

We’ve found the seating important. One side is high enough to let me lay down on, which is great for reading. If you are going to do that, make sure you have enough lights outside. We installed a flood light with it, which is fine, and which can be turned off if we want to look at the stars. Our tub also has regular seats. I agree with yellowval about closeness being good also. I don’t care too much about the jets, not getting sore often, by my FIL uses it every day when he visits, and it helps him relax.

You might think about how you’ll drain it, and make sure it is close enough to a hose to fill it. We needed a permit from the city for ours. I don’t consider putting a spa in a do-it-yourself project, since the slab has to be level.

But it’s a great present, and you’ll both love it.

8

Yes, you will definitely need a qualified :smiley: electrician to install the electrical. This is NOT a do it yourself project.

9

Later remembered items: check with the local municipality regarding permits. Also, the spa/hot tub should be equipped with a UL listed cover if it is accessible from outside your home, e.g. open deck or patio, as it represents a drowning hazard to youngsters.

Having done flatwork and electrical for a number of them, a scaled drawing is usually required, along with manufacturer cut sheets reflecting listing and labeling of product.

10

As stated before, research the construction of the tub thoroughly before you purchase it. We bought a CalSpa a year ago and it is wonderful! It’s got a little waterfall jet, fiber optic lighting (that changes colors), and a “volcano jet”- basically a really huge jet that comes up from the middle of the floor with some huge pressure!

Look at the insulation and cabinet construction- I would recommend a foam insulated cabinet, as it helps keep the heat in (look for utility bills about $35-50 extra for the pump and heater- the extra insulation is worth it!). The main drawback of the foam insulation is that, if there were a leak in the jets/ supply lines, it may be hard to get to.

Consult an electrician to find out if your electrical service is large enough to handle the amps that a hot tub may draw ( ours required a 50 amp GFCI breaker- which means we had to upgrade our electrical service from 100 amps to 200 amps- to the tune of $1100). Certain code requirements must also be met (depending on your locale). We had to have a shutoff box located at least 6’ away from the edge of the tub, but within a direct line of site of the tub. Cable had to be 6/3, no more than 200’, etc…

Slab/ ground preparation is key, your hot tub weight will be in the tons- my CalSpa weighs 5915 pounds with 475 gallons of water in it! I poured my own 10’x10’ slab and saved a bunch of money. I used 2x6s for the forms, dug 10" deep, put 4" of crushed limestone down, compacted it, and poured a 5 1/2" slab with remesh in the center. Concrete cost was $178, wood $40.00. Obviously the key to the slab is making sure it is level and will stay that way.

Buy a good cover and a cover lift- the bestinvention for hot tubs. You can remove the cover with one hand, and it stores on the side of the hot tub… We had a tub at our old house without a lift, and it was a pain in the ***. Lift example

Try to get a tub with an ozonator- it helps to keep the tub clean and cuts down on the amount of chemicals needed. This is a big help, because it is not easy to keep the pH levels consistant if you are not used to it- took us about 2 months to get it right.

Just a few suggestions while I had time. If you have any other questions, just let me know- I’ll write more advice/ experiences later.

11

I second this suggestion! They’re great… go for the small or the large size, but not the medium: the small and medium have the same number of jets, but since there’s less water in the small, you get better water agitation with 'em.

They’re nicely portable: get tired of where it is? Empty it, detatch the pump, and roll the tub to the new location! (Then reattach pump, fill back up, etc.)

But, they are essentially a pot of hot water: if you reallllly want those seats with 50-million jets in them, etc., etc., then a Softtub isn’t for you. But if you find hard plastic icky to sit on, you’ll love the squishness of the Softtub.

<< Now that the deadline’s past, can I please have the spec? >>

12

You guys rock! I’m going to research these options and try to make the best choice. It’s hard making a decision this big without hubby to confer with! :smiley:

I couldn’t think of a better way to relax and unwind after eating sand for 18 months than a hot tub. He’s wanted one for quite a while and it’s never been “in the budget.”

I’m not going to try to do this myself. I’m having a patio poured (hopefully) next week right outside our bedroom so the concrete shouldn’t be a problem. As for the electrical, I don’t have a clue how they do that so hopefully the place where I get it has certified installers, too.

Thanks, everyone.

13

With the Softub, you don’t have to worry about electrical, plumbing, or building a damn structure around the thing. Just so you know!