- The Good Life -
How to install a hot tub in your backyard

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY MERLE HENKENIUS

You don't need to spend much time luxuriating in a hot-tub spa to discover its relaxation benefits. And while you'd expect all that warm swirling water to be soothing, it can also work wonders on sore muscles and joints and it's a great all-around stress reliever. Backyard spas are ideal for families on the go. They can slow us down, help us refocus and drain away the tensions of the day - all in about 20 minutes.

Hot tubs are not for everyone, however. All those warm, massaging bubbles can raise blood pressure and heart rates, while decreasing blood sugar. As such, they're not recommended for infants, the very old or those with diabetes, hypertension or heart disease.

Choosing Your Tub

Shopping for hot tubs can be a little confusing. There are so many brands and models, and every salesperson seems to highlight a different set of features. As usual, price is a good indicator of quality. Spas range between $1500 and $10,000, with the better models starting around $3500. These are three- and four-person tubs. Larger spas cost more, and those with lots of specialized jets, DC-powered pumps and ozone-generating water purifiers, can soon reach $6000 to $8000. Add accessories and you can easily pay a couple thousand more.

A few companies offer two-person spas, but most start with three- or four-person seating and go up to the eight-person size. At least one lounge seat with back and neck jets is typical. Four-person models measure about 5 x 6 ft., and are roughly 30 in. deep. A full-size tub can measure 8 x 8 ft. and 42 in. deep. Big tubs are great for large, active households with plenty of space, but smaller tubs are no less appealing or therapeutic.

Large tubs can also limit your placement options. Filled with water, a full-size tub can weigh 5500 pounds - more than most conventionally framed floors and decks can safely manage. If you can't beef up the floor, you'll either need a smaller tub or an installation on concrete. Your spa dealer and building codes office can help you work through the options.

Most spa shells these days are made in two layers: a reinforced fiberglass base and a formed acrylic shell laminated over it. Fiberglass brings strength, and acrylic adds durability and more color and texture options. The shell is piped and fitted with pumps and jets, and is insulated. The shell is free-standing, so the wooden skirting is largely decorative, though it does conceal and protect the machinery.

Most spas are wired with 240-volt electrical equipment and some include DC converters. DC motors run more quietly and DC circuit boards are very reliable. A few economy tubs are available with 120-volt circuitry to make the electrical connections easier - you just plug these models in. However, these tubs are small, their heaters are less efficient and they shut down when the jets are turned on.

Companies typically offer 10- to 20-year warranties against leaks through the shell, but these types of leaks are unlikely given the thickness of the laminations. More probable are surface problems such as blisters, cracks and discoloration. Look for a five- to seven-year surface warranty and three- to five-year protection on the pumps.

The spa we chose is a Jacuzzi Triton - a large model with all the bells and whistles. Powered by two 4-hp DC pumps, it sports 42 jets - 10 fully adjustable and 16 directional, 10 air injector jets and a set of lounge jets that offer full back massage. Other features include a remote control for the tub operation, an AM/FM/CD player, underwater lighting, four headrest cushions and dual waterfall fixtures. Most importantly, it includes a built-in ozone generator and a water purifier that saves time and money by reducing the amount of chemicals needed. At 42 x 91 x 91 in., it's not the largest tub, but it comes close. Jacuzzi's Triton has a sticker price of $10,000, but typically sells for less.

Locating The Tub

Our backyard is small, extending only about 20 ft. beyond a large deck. The grade also steps up about 2-1/2 ft., roughly 10 ft. away from the deck. To fit the tub, we cut away some of the bank and built a small retaining wall. When deciding where to place your unit, keep in mind that spas need service access on all sides.

We moved our tub from the driveway to the site on a small trailer. Carefully slide the tub off and position it on the slab.

Setting The Tub

If you buy your hot tub from a spa dealer, the company will usually set it in place for you. If you buy through a home center or discount store, however, you may need to move and install the tub yourself. Large tubs weigh close to a thousand pounds, so this can seem a daunting task. With five or six friends and a small trailer, however, it all becomes manageable. Assuming your tub is in a crate in the driveway, remove the packing and slide the tub onto the trailer. Then, wheel it to the site and carefully slide it onto the concrete pad (Photo 4). If you need to pass through a gate or narrow side yard, stand the tub on end atop a furniture cart. The right side of our tub, as you face the front, is built for upright travel.

Electrical Work

Water and electricity don't mix, so if you're not comfortable with your wiring skills, this is a good time to hire an electrician.

In our case, local codes required a continuous bond wire from the tub to the service panel. This is in addition to the electrical ground. Codes vary on this point, so be sure to ask your local inspector. We also needed a disconnect box at least 5 ft. from the tub and a GFCI breaker protecting the entire circuit.

Because of the DC converter, we used only two hot wires, a grounding wire and a bonding wire - no neutral was needed. Our spa was close to 70 ft. from the service panel, so we ran 6-ga. stranded wire for the two hots and the ground wire, and an 8-ga. bond wire. While all outdoor wiring needs to be in conduit, we decided to install the entire run from the main panel in 1-in. PVC pipe.