6 Placement Considerations for Your Outdoor Hot Tub

Hot tubs provide revitalizing experiences and multiple health benefits. If you have decided to buy a tub, you may wonder where to place it in your backyard. Explore the considerations to make during hot tub placement by reading this blog.

1. Accessibility

When you buy a hot tub, remember that it will be delivered to your desired location. So, determine how easy the delivery people can access the spot to install and maintain the equipment. 

Get the hot tub's measurements and determine if the path to your chosen area has enough clearance. You may need to remove rail sections, gates, or fencing to provide enough leeway. 

If you are short on clearance to the backyard, ask the installation team about crane delivery, in which a crane lifts the hot tub over your house and lowers it into your backyard. Also, consider accessibility to the maintenance panel, as even the best-maintained hot tubs require regular servicing. 

Your family and guests should be able to easily access the hot tub, especially on winter days when no one wants to walk too far for comfort. Many homeowners situate their tubs near a doorway to the house. If you have a pool, you naturally want to place the hot tub nearby. You can also fashion a changing room close to the tub to make it easier to change clothes when it is freezing.

2. Structural Support

Hot tubs can weigh up to 4,000 pounds when filled with water, and they require adequate support. Placing a hot tub on a grass plot is dangerous because it can easily shift and cause injury or property damage.

The equipment needs a level, solid surface, which you can achieve with reinforced concrete. A patio with a good foundation is a great place to place your hot tub, but have a structural engineer verify the patio's suitability. 

3. Safety

Choose a hot tub location not within 16 feet of overhead power lines to avoid electrocution. The equipment should also be 5 feet away from any other structure to reduce the risk of flooding. 

Many homeowners opt to place their hot tubs in-ground to protect family and guests from slips and falls. The hot tub should be visible from all points in the yard, and you should install handrails to facilitate entry and exit. 

4. Zoning Requirements

Your municipality's zoning requirements also influence hot tub location. Typically, most zones dictate barrier, foundation, and electrical codes to enhance safety, and you get a permit if you satisfy the stipulated requirements. 

Most localities enforce similar codes for pools and hot tubs. Before you install the hot tub, check the most up-to-date zoning regulations for hot tubs to avoid fines and legal trouble. 

5. Plumbing and Electricity

Outdoor hot tubs consume a lot of electricity, and an electrician either plugs yours into a wall outlet or your home's main circuit-breaker box. The further away your hot tub is from your home's electrical systems, the higher the installation costs. The tub should also be close to an outside tap and a water drainage system that can handle large amounts of water, like a storm drain.

6. Protection From the Elements

A well-sheltered location from the wind enhances the hot tub experience. If your yard is too windy, install windbreaks, covers, and fences to tame the wind's intensity. The spot should also offer a happy medium of sun and shade to suit people who use it during the day. While trees provide natural shade, bear in mind that twigs and leaves will fall into the water. If your tub is well placed, however, trees provide privacy from neighbors and passersby.

At Wellis Hot Tubs of Colorado, we have the perfect hot tub for your backyard. Our options include compact models for one or two people to large tubs that host a party of nine. Contact us today to explore our luxurious hot tubs.