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Home improvement can also mean backyard improvement. And adding a hot tub to your backyard is a big improvement.
Hot tubs are far more common now than they ever were and their popularity is growing every month. Let’s face it, most of us would take one if we could. I even have a cement patio ready and waiting. But I do have a few other things to get out of the way before that happens, like my fence.
Hot tubs are easy to buy these days and the quality and features has only improved in the last few years. We all know someone that has one I’m sure. Hot tubs are very different from a swimming pool. They are designed for soaking and not breast stoking.
They take up a lot less room because you’re not expected to swim around, just sit and enjoy. After a hard day — or any day for that matter — a soak in the soothing hot water can be its reward. You can be invited to some one else’s hot tub but we all know that it’s not the same as your own. In your own hot tub you decide the dress code and who you sit across from.
Most of the time hot tubs are installed somewhere away from the general view of the neighborhood. It’s your backyard and you have the right to put your hot tub where you want. Who wants the funny guy across the alley looking at your flowered swim trunks anyway? In your yard you wear what you want.
Once you have decided to look into getting your own backyard retreat there are a couple of things you will need to look into. First of all, do you have the room? Hot tubs take up a bit of room so walk around the tub you want in the show room and plan out how it will fit at your house.
Next would have to be the spot you plan into place it. Is it a sturdy location? Hot tubs are heavy and need a strong foundation like a cement slab or re-enforced deck. This is something that you can’t overdo you don’t want issues like your deck collapsing and your new hot tub falling off into the neighbor’s fence. We have been involved in many hot tub installs over the years and one thing that stands out as perhaps the most important issue is placing the tub on a sturdy foundation. They should be pretty level too. The one we worked on last week was a good example. It was to be placed in a spot in the backyard where there was grass presently.
We had to dig up the sod and work the ground level down a few inches to make the area level and ready for the gravel and so on. After all the grass and dirt was removed we tamped the ground so it would be as firm as possible. After that we added landscape fabric and three to four inches of gravel and sand. Tamped it all again, watering the ground as we tamped.
After the gravel and sand was fairly level and firm we added twelve inch paving stones to cover the area the tub would sit and a little wider to make up a walk way all around the tub. Placing the pavers is a slow process but done right it looks great and makes for a perfect strong location for the new hot tub.
Ground level is maybe the best because we don’t have to worry about taking up too much room on the deck or the deck not being strong enough to hold the tub. Another issue is the electrical. Can you add the new breaker to your electrical panel? You will have to get an electrician to help you with that.
Newer hot tubs are very energy efficient. They use far less power than older models so the daily cost is only pennies compared to hot tubs of years gone by. This is also another advantage to hot tubs rather than swimming pools. They operate all year round and better yet they are easier to maintain. New hot tubs come in many sizes with lots of options that will surprise you so choose carefully.
When it comes to the neighbors pass out the invites carefully. Remember, you don’t want to see his flowered trunks either.
Gerry Frederick is in the renovation business in Cranbrook
