From an external vantage point it may be hard to understand the inner workings of a hot tub. Do you need plumbing for hot tub use? Where does the water come from? How is the hot tub installed? They’re all legitimate questions that may not be readily apparent to someone who doesn’t own a hot tub. To clear up some of the mystery, we’ve put together this article.
Do You Need Plumbing for A Hot Tub?
Most of the hot tubs available on the market these days are closed systems that contain all the plumbing necessary for operation. You won’t have to connect the hot tub to your municipal plumbing system, nor will you need to hire the services of a plumber to get the hot tub up and running. All the essential components will normally be found within the hot tub cabinet and it will be ready to use once you’ve connected it to an electrical supply.
Where Does the Water Come From?
To fill a hot tub up with water, you’ll need access to a water tap. Most hot tubs are not connected to a water source. This usually means you’d run a garden hose from a nearby water tap. You could also do it the old-fashioned way and run a bucket brigade from your water source to your hot tub. However, because you’ll need to drain and refill your hot tub a few times a year, this isn’t recommended. Generally speaking, access to some sort of external water source is a must for most hot tubs.
How Is A Hot Tub Installed?
One of the most overlooked aspects of installing a hot tub is actually getting it to the installation site. Hot tubs can be quite large and won’t necessarily fit through the spaces regularly used by people. Before purchasing a hot tub it’s important to compare its measurements with the route to where you want to install it. Failure to get this right could leave you with an interesting lawn ornament instead.
Hot tubs require a solid, stable base. They can weigh thousands of pounds once they’re full of water and people. Failing to account for this kind of weight can lead to the hot tub cracking or collapsing altogether. Concrete pads are recommended, but it’s also possible to use reinforced decking.
When it comes to electricity, there are two main types of hot tubs: plug and play and hardwired. Some plug and play models can be powered by a regular household electrical outlet. Hardwired hot tubs, however, require the services of an electrician to wire it directly to the house’s main electrical panel. If you bought a hardwired hot tub, you should also arrange to hire a certified and licensed electrician.
Where Should A Hot Tub Be Installed?
Indoors versus outdoors is usually the first major decision when it comes to hot tub location. There are advantages to both, so it really comes down to a personal decision.
If you do choose an indoor hot tub, two of the most important things you need to be aware of are ventilation and drainage. Hot tubs create quite a lot of humidity and while this isn’t a problem outdoors, it can have devastating consequences indoors. A high-power exhaust fan is often necessary to combat the excess moisture. You’ll also need to drain your hot tub on a semi-regular basis, so access to a floor drain will be necessary. Either locating your hot tub near one or having one installed is essential.
For outdoor hot tubs, exposure is usually your main concern. Privacy, access to sunlight and shelter from wind and airborne debris are often the main factors that dictate location. You don’t want to be overlooked by neighbors or passersby all the time, nor do you want to be disturbing them whenever you use the hot tub. A location with an ideal weather mix can be the difference between a comfortable and uncomfortable hot tub. Keeping your hot tub away from leaf dropping trees and pollen shedding plants can greatly reduce the amount of maintenance tasks you’ll need to perform.
To learn more about hot tub ownership, download a free buyer’s guide today.