When deciding on a location for your new hot tub, proximity to the house is often one of the main concerns. You don’t want your hot tub to be so far away from your house that you’re reluctant to make the walk when the weather is bad. But you also don’t want it to be so close to your house that it could possibly cause damage. How far away from the house does a hot tub need to be? In this article, we’ll cover some of the main concerns that you should be considering when choosing a location for your hot tub.
Dealing With the Weather
When it’s raining or snowing, you probably want your hot tub as close to the house as possible. Being pelted with cold rain while walking outside in your bathing suit in sub-zero weather could make for a tortuous journey to the warm and bubbling water of your hot tub. Ideally, your hot tub would be close enough to the house that you don’t have to spend too much time in the elements when the weather is bad. For longer journeys, you should consider having a dedicated bathrobe and pair of warm, slip-free shoes to ward off the cold.
Electrical Outlet
Your hot tub will need to be close to an electrical outlet so that your water heater and pumps can operate. 110 volt hot tubs simply require access to a three-pronged electrical outlet. Placing your hot tub close enough to one without having to use an extension cord will prevent the need for an electrician. 220 volt hot tubs, on the other hand, require an electrical outlet similar to the ones used by your stove or washing machine. Unless you happen to have access to an existing 220 volt outlet already, you’ll need to hire an electrician to have one installed. Choosing to have the outlet installed close to where you’d like your hot tub will give you some flexibility when it comes to location whether that be close to the house or not.
Drainage Issues
Hot tubs need to be emptied three or four times a year to allow for regular maintenance. Draining your hot tub too close to your house could cause a flood and/or structural issues. If you install your hot tub close to your house, make sure you have a plan for where the contents of the hot tub will go when it’s time to be drained. You should also pay attention to the fact that significant quantities of water are splashed out of the hot tub by its users. Locating the hot tub too close to the house can result in those splashes affecting the integrity of your foundation.
Water Source
You’ll need to refill your hot tub after draining and cleaning† and top it up when the levels drop from regular use. You want your hot tub to be close to a source of water to enable easy refilling. Being a garden hose length away from an outdoor water spigot will reduce the effort necessary to refill your hot tub. Running a hose from your kitchen sink or carrying buckets of water from your bathroom is not only a lot of effort but can be a recipe for disaster.
How Close is too Close?
You should check your overhead clearances when choosing the location for your hot tub as well. Overhead wiring, leafy dropping trees, or steep, overhanging roofs can all cause problems for your hot tub and its users. Make sure that the hot tub is far enough away from the house that you don’t have to worry about runoff from the roof, overhead icicle formation or the possibility of a downed powerline falling into the hot tub.
Have we answered your questions about how far away from the house does a hot tub need to be? Download a free buyer’s guide for extra information, or visit us at our hot tub store.