can i put a hot tub on my decking

Merl1n

I'm thinking of getting an outdoor hot tub (arctic spa 6 seater)

I have decking out my back and was looking to sit it on that
The decking frame is on what used to be the back garden

Would it be OK to sit it on the deck are would the ground under need it be reinforced

Odelay

Merl1n wrote: »

I'm thinking of getting an outdoor hot tub (arctic spa 6 seater)

I have decking out my back and was looking to sit it on that
The decking frame is on what used to be the back garden

Would it be OK to sit it on the deck are would the ground under need it be reinforced

I think you would need to mount an independent subframe for the hot tub. The weight of the tub, a lot of water and six adults would most likely be far more than a small area of the deck was ever designed for.
By subframe I mean a structure that the hot tub sits on, and goes through holes in the deck to some king of platform underneath capable of supporting the weight. How many liters of water does the tub take and what is the weight of the tub?

gutteruu

1 litre of water = 1 kg. So it could weigh 2-3 tonnes. Would you put 2 cars sitting on your decking? If not, you should build a proper base.

ResearchWill

Merl1n wrote: »

I'm thinking of getting an outdoor hot tub (arctic spa 6 seater)

I have decking out my back and was looking to sit it on that
The decking frame is on what used to be the back garden

Would it be OK to sit it on the deck are would the ground under need it be reinforced

Prob need reinforcement, also watch out for vibration from pump, they click on to keep temp up. Also cost of running them can be a bit saucy, the temp is kept at about 38 c. Contrary to popular belief they are better in winter than summer, in fact they are usually too hot for summer. Taking care of them can be a pain with regular chemical checks. Finally as a person who had one don't waste your money. You will use it a lot in the first 3 months after a year you just won't bother unless friends are over, but the novelty wears off very quickly.

Also decking and wet feet can be lethal.

Merl1n

ResearchWill yo had one and got rid of it or just stopped using it?What was running costs like on chemicals and electricity

ResearchWill

Merl1n wrote: »

ResearchWill yo had one and got rid of it or just stopped using it?What was running costs like on chemicals and electricity

I had one about 10 years ago, when I lived in UK. Costs of chemicals was saucy enough, I used to check it a couple of times a week. Don't remember exactly what extra cost of electricity but it defo drove it up. A friend of mine has one here in ireland it has not been filled in I would say 5 years, he said the electricity was killing. Also remember if water metering comes in a few fills a year will cost. While there should be no need to fill it more than once, that did not work for me as a couple of times the water went so funny had to start again.

beazee

One you start using it you need to keep the water circulating (pump running 24hrs) to stop bacteria growth and allow chemicals to do their job. A calm 38 deg C hot water makes perfect conditions for bacteria and fungi growth.

Say you had friends in, had the hot tub running and you switched it off after you done with it - two days after the water is not suitable to sit in - foamy, smelly... Chlorine smell tells you there is something in the water to fight with, could be a pH imbalance, could be bacteria. A clean, safe water gives no chlorine smell with chlorine tablets in. It's foamy, smelly - either pour in a hot tub chemical flush and wait at least one day for the chemical levels to stabilize or get rid of the water and start with new, heating it up.

Bringing 1 tonne of 11 deg C water to 40 deg C takes minimum 22 hrs with 1.8kwh heating element and pump.
22hrs * 1.8kwh * 0.16c = €6.50

Had hot tub in rented apartment. Great fun for a month. Then it sat unused.

beazee

For chemicals: http://www.hottubdoctor.ie/buy-hot-tub-chemicals.html

Merl1n

sounds like a hot tub is a bad idea now

Wally Runs

Joey the lips

beazee wrote: »

One you start using it you need to keep the water circulating (pump running 24hrs) to stop bacteria growth and allow chemicals to do their job. A calm 38 deg C hot water makes perfect conditions for bacteria and fungi growth.

Say you had friends in, had the hot tub running and you switched it off after you done with it - two days after the water is not suitable to sit in - foamy, smelly... Chlorine smell tells you there is something in the water to fight with, could be a pH imbalance, could be bacteria. A clean, safe water gives no chlorine smell with chlorine tablets in. It's foamy, smelly - either pour in a hot tub chemical flush and wait at least one day for the chemical levels to stabilize or get rid of the water and start with new, heating it up.

Bringing 1 tonne of 11 deg C water to 40 deg C takes minimum 22 hrs with 1.8kwh heating element and pump.
22hrs * 1.8kwh * 0.16c = €6.50

Had hot tub in rented apartment. Great fun for a month. Then it sat unused.

You can use Milton once a week.. But you will have to empty the water and refill before useing

hallo dare

Don't let the property tax inspector see it or you'll be up to the next tax band. :-)

BasilMathews

I am mostly using bromine in my hot tub some time chlorine also. But as I researched about it, chlorine is mainly for sanitizing larger bodies of water such as swimming pools. It can be used to effectively clean hot tubs, but not with the same benefits that Bromine provides. There are a lot of hot tub spa chemicals available in market nowadays. But I am not sure which are effective ones.