{"id":200,"date":"2021-08-16T01:48:26","date_gmt":"2021-08-16T01:48:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hottubzone.com\/?p=200"},"modified":"2023-02-06T18:20:32","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T18:20:32","slug":"hot-tub-level-base","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hottubzone.com\/hot-tub-level-base\/","title":{"rendered":"Does a Hot Tub Need to Be Level?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Creating the foundation for your new hot tub can be a bit of a pain. If your yard is uneven, you’re probably wondering: how important is it to level a hot tub?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hot tubs need to sit on a perfectly level base to ensure the weight of the water is evenly distributed. If your hot tub sits on uneven ground, the lack of support creates stress on the shell and frame, which causes fractures and cracks. An uneven surface also means the water cannot drain, creating unwanted pooling.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many believe that concrete is the best foundation for a hot tub, but it does have its drawbacks. Later on, I explain all of the pros and cons of the different foundation materials available to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How important is it to level a hot tub?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A hot tub can weigh more than 6600lbs (3000kg) once it’s been filled with water, which is why it’s so important that the hot tub is sitting on a strong, stable surface that’s perfectly level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lack of support causes fractures and cracks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Any dips in the ground where the hot tub sits puts unwanted stress on the hot tub shell and frame, which can lead to cracking, fractures, and structural damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to being level, the foundation your hot tub sits on needs to be sturdy and firm. The most common option is a concrete foundation, but a hot tub base doesn’t have to be made from concrete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a number of options when it comes to the surface that your hot tub sits on, and I’m going to take you through all these later on in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whichever base you choose, it has to be strong enough that it can support the weight of the hot tub over a prolonged period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, placing a hot tub on an unstable surface such as grass may cause it to sink or shift as people get in and out, causing damage and making it unsafe to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lack of drainage creates pooling and damage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another reason it’s so important that your hot tub sits on a level surface is so that it can drain properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The base should be at a maximum of 1\/2″ (1.27cm) slope\"Opens<\/a> in an 8 foot (2.44m) run. This slight gradient allows the water to run off freely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a hot tub sits on a bumpy, uneven surface, the water cannot drain, creating pools of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter how careful you are, water is going to find its way onto the ground around the hot tub as people get in and out. This is even more of a problem if youngsters are splashing around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In regions where freezing temperatures occur, there is a real risk that pooling water could form beneath the base, shifting the support structure and causing damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll need to perform maintenance to your hot tub several times throughout the year, such as draining all of the water and performing a thorough cleaning, so it’s important that the water can escape properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to creating a level base, you should choose a location where the water can drain freely, such as into a nearby drain. If you don’t have a drain nearby, you can have one easily installed\"Opens<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you level the ground for a hot tub pad?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I highly recommend that you watch the following video for an in-depth guide on how to prepare and level the ground for your hot tub. The video also shows you how to build a trench for all the electricals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=bKhnBD1zWxA&ab_channel=MyBoringChannel<\/a>