If you’re new to the hot tub scene, it’s only natural that you’ll have questions about how they work and how easy they are to install. Of course, you want to get your new hot tub up and running as soon as possible, so it’s good to know if there are any initial preparations that can be made to speed up the process. Many people wonder about plumbing when it comes to hot tubs. Do you need plumbing for hot tub installation? To help inform you about how hot tubs work and how they’re installed, we’ve put together this primer.
Do You Need Plumbing for Hot Tubs?
Most of today’s hot tubs come completely self contained. That means the hot tub will already come with all the plumbing parts needed to make it run. You won’t have to hook up the hot tub to any existing plumbing or water source. When you fill up your hot tub you simply use a garden hose. Once the tub is filled the water is circulated in a closed system. You’ll continue to reuse the same water until it’s time to drain the hot tub, give it a deep cleaning† and refill it with fresh water. So, there will be no need to hire a plumber to get your hot tub up and running as all the plumbing necessary will be contained within the hot tub cabinet.
How Should I Prepare for Hot Tub Installation?
There are many things to keep in mind when it comes to the installation of your new hot tub. Creating a checklist and ensuring each step is taken care of will go a long way to making the installation process as quick and painless as possible. To help you create a checklist, we’ve listed some of the major considerations when it comes to hot tub installation.
Delivery
The first consideration when it comes to installing a new hot tub is often the most overlooked. Getting the hot tub from the dealership to your chosen location is something that’s not always thought through properly by new owners. Even if your hot tub dealer will deliver to your property, you’ll still need to ensure they can get it from the back of the truck to its final resting spot. Make sure to measure any overhead clearances, gateways, doorways and other tight spots to guarantee that the hot tub will fit. Getting this wrong can leave your hot tub stranded on the day that you thought you’d be soaking in it. Study the hot tub specs carefully and measure judiciously.
The Hot Tub Base
Once filled with water and people a hot tub can weigh several thousand pounds. For this reason, it’s absolutely necessary to place it on a stable base. Simply plopping it onto your lawn isn’t going to cut it. Most hot tub bases are created out of concrete, prefabricated hot tub pads or crushed gravel beds. Whichever base you decide on, you’ll want to have this set up and ready to go before your hot tub is scheduled to arrive.
Power
Unless you choose to buy a plug and play hot tub, you’ll need to hire an electrician to install a GFCI protected 220 volt 50 amp (or higher) circuit for the hot tub to be hardwired into. They’ll also have to install a disconnect switch located at least 10 feet away from the hot tub. Again, you’ll want to have this in place before the hot tub arrives. You should also keep in mind that the electrician will need to hook up the hot tub upon its arrival as well.
To learn more about hot tub operation and installation, download a free buyer’s guide today, or visit us at our London hot tub store.