The Spa Guy Gives If the intent is to recess the hot tub or spa into the deck, you can construct a separate support system for the hot tub or spa with posts or piers laid out in a grid of no more than 30 inches from center to center where the hot tub or spa will be supported. 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. It is usually only necessary to add extra structural support to the area under the hot tub or spa, not the entire deck. google_ad_client = "pub-5983667043256677"; A solid, flat surface is required for a hot tub. This photo about: Hot Tub Deck Ideas for Extra Relax, entitled as Installing A Hot Tub On A Raised Deck - also describes and labeled as: Deck Designs With Hot Tub And Pergola,Hot Tub Deck Designs Plans,Hot Tub Deck Plans,How To Reinforce A Deck For A Hot Tub, with resolution 1280px x 960px When installing the hot tub, it may end up being more expensive to have it placed in a difficult location. A concrete slab is effective at supporting a hot tub. Most raised decks are constructed to hold a family, maybe a few friends, a barbeque and some outdoor furniture. Aug 25, 2020 - We have all seen pictures and movies where people walk out from the back of their home and there on their raised deck is a hot tub or spa. /* Link 120x90, created 9/2/09 */ If you combine that with the weight of 2 people, plus the weight of the hot tub or spa and you will have over 2,000 lbs of weight in a relatively small footprint. The tub is installed close to the sitting area for a convenient use. A standard wood raised deck 10 feet deep by 20 feet long would have piers or posts in similar locations to those shown in Figure 2. and can hold 7 people. We have all seen pictures and movies where people walk out from the back of their home and there on their raised deck is a hot tub or spa. Note:Most jurisdictions will require a building permit for the addition of a hot tub or spa on a raised deck. If you are installing a hot tub, you may need to accept that at some point repairs will be needed. Most hot tub and spa manufacturers will be pleased to assist you with your deck design and provide information about specific weights and construction considerations. Note: If rim joists are connected to the house, as they would be in Figures 2 and 3 they should have additional lag bolts installed in line with the hot tub or spa footprint. But decks 2 feet or higher will need added support. Note: An inspection should be made of all decking and joist lumber to ensure that all the wood is sound and there is no rot or other damage. A hot tub is installed in a lower area of a raised deck, which creates an in-ground installation look. Determine how much extra room will be needed to allow for the deck to expand and contract. But it is something that needs to be considered. The hot tub or spa may be sitting fully on the deck or it may have been recessed into the deck, but either way, the deck is supporting its weight. Place additional piers or posts, including foundations that are at a minimum 1 foot below the frost line at distances of less than 30 inches from the center of one post or pier to the center of the next post or pier below the foot print of the spa or hot tub to be added. Most raised decks are constructed to hold a family, maybe a few friends, a barbecue and some outdoor furniture. That way, bathers can sit on the rim, swing their feet over, and enter the water. Then, shift hot tub frame until the corners line up with the nylon string. google_ad_slot = "6474314598"; Then, installing your hot tub under the deck (rather than on top of it) will create it look more modern and sophisticated. The added support posts should be no more than 30″ apart & ideally placed in poured concrete. /* Link 120x90, created 9/20/10 */ The deck has treated 2x10 joist 12' on center spanning 12'6" and a beam that is a double 2x12 with 6x6 post 7' on center. Check with local building code to determine spacing requirements for posts. One of the best places to install your new Nordic Hot Tub is on your deck! Decide where you want to place the platform. Figure 3 - Typical raised deck pier positions for hot tub or spa. I have received a lot of emails from visitors asking us how to actually design and calculate the loads and forces that a typical hot tub exerts on a deck. //-->, . My plan was to level the area and install 4-6” of pea gravel. At some point, you may need access to the entire hot tub. With 8,000 lbs of hot water and people your hot tub deck design had better be engineered to stand up to the test or it could be disasterous. google_ad_slot = "2351018255"; Jul 21, 2020 - We have all seen pictures and movies where people walk out from the back of their home and there on their raised deck is a hot tub or spa. It is highly unlikely that the construction of a standard raised deck is adequate to hold a hot tub or spa. Note: The supporting structure of the deck can most likely be modified to take the additional weight of the hot tub or spa. Note: Most jurisdictions will require a building permit for the addition of a hot tub or spa on a raised deck. From a small square landing pad outside the back slider to expansive multi-tiered, multi-functional space, one thing they all have in common is the welcoming draw for a hot tub.Hot tubs, however, are very heavy, especially when filled with water, and chances are that your existing deck can’t safely support it without additional reinforcement. The website is 100% free. It is usually only necessary to add extra structural support to the area under the hot tub or spa, not the entire deck. Warning: If the deck is at a height where it is possible for someone to actually crawl or stand under the hot tub or spa footprint that area should be fenced off. Can a raised deck that was not originally constructed to hold a hot tub or spa take the added weight? Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these links. google_ad_client = "pub-5983667043256677"; We have a 94” square hot tub coming in two weeks that we plan to place on the ground next to a deck. Deck reinforced. Larger spas and hot tubs filled with water and people moving around can easily exceed 10,000 lbs, and while the footprint may be larger, the weight is still transferred to the support posts or piers through the footings to the ground. Can a raised deck that was not originally constructed to hold a hot tub or spa take the added weight? It also makes the deck look more spacious. No doubt you’ve seen spas that are flush with deck surfaces – an elegant look but one that can prove hazardous. For demonstration purposes only. If you are planning on installing a deck surrounding a hot tub or spa that is set on top of a concrete pad, you will need to create an access hatch for the hot tub electrical hookup, pump and controls. Fix them in place using proprietary deck fasteners; these are designed to resist weathering, corrosion and warping in the lumber. I'm installing a hot tub on a raised deck. At no time should anyone be under the hot tub or spa when it is filled with water. See these beautiful outdoor retreats and get design ideas and inspiration from HGTV. Most raised decks are Always make sure you plan ahead to provide access to the controls. If you plan to place the hot tub in a location that was previously lawn, you have two ways to do this. You will also need to be sure that the hot tub frame is centered with the exterior frame of the deck.