Spa Deck Requirements
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TerryinMD
Veteran Member
My neighbor put a spa outside and his spa dealer gave him the directions to build the base for his spa.
His is 92" square and we did the following. The area he chose was fairly level and we had to dig down maybe 8-10" to get it level to the ground. The directions specifed that the base be either a 4" concrete slab over 4-6" of pea sized stone or that the base be built of 6X6" pressure treated lumber over on the ground or on some pea sized stone. He ordered 6 6X6's. we build the square frame with the ends butt jointed with 12" lag bolts to hold the frame together. The whole thing was then filled with the pea sized gravel to act as a dampener. It cost him about $250 for the materials and the spa is rock solid. OBTW, you need to install electrical conduit coming up from the bottom in a central location which in his case was in the center of the "back" side of the spa where the access panel exists. Make sure you get your local codes straight before you start.
Hope this helps.
TerryinMD
His is 92" square and we did the following. The area he chose was fairly level and we had to dig down maybe 8-10" to get it level to the ground. The directions specifed that the base be either a 4" concrete slab over 4-6" of pea sized stone or that the base be built of 6X6" pressure treated lumber over on the ground or on some pea sized stone. He ordered 6 6X6's. we build the square frame with the ends butt jointed with 12" lag bolts to hold the frame together. The whole thing was then filled with the pea sized gravel to act as a dampener. It cost him about $250 for the materials and the spa is rock solid. OBTW, you need to install electrical conduit coming up from the bottom in a central location which in his case was in the center of the "back" side of the spa where the access panel exists. Make sure you get your local codes straight before you start.
Hope this helps.
TerryinMD
Great, thanks alot guys for taking the time to post on this one. All great ideas.
I am now of version 1.2 of the plan, and am going to make the new deck 12' square, adding some steps later to make it blend in more with the existing deck. Should look nicer as someone had mentioned, as well as more room for cover, stepping in and out, etc.
I hope that this isn't one of those "if you have to ask you should not be doing this project" questions, but what is the general rule for footings? I am in cold country up here and with that kind of weight do I need to go down to the frostline?
And do I need to go down that far anyway?
I have seen a "2'x2' rule" where the footer is 2x2x2 deep. I would think that I would not want this deck "floating" because of the weight and hurting the new spa by not having proper support for it.
The dealer I was at didn't have any advice on the structure, most likely due to possible liability and the desire to have his crew do the work. There's not a whole lot of local dealers around here either.
Sounds like in my situation I would be off to a good start to get the ground as level and as low as I can. (my limitation is the existing deck that I plan to use for the entry point to the spa).
Then depending on the footer issue, I may go the concrete route, depending on local lumber pricing.
I hate to be a sap and have local contractors come out and estimate this when I have no intention of using them.
My previous experience was from working with my Dad, he was a carpenter. So I know basic framing stuff and have been exposed to most everything else except foundation design and requirements.
I am spending about all I can afford on the spa so I have to do this myself - huge difference in price, and I like to think that my work rivals the professional's.
And of course, more seat time!
Any and all ideas are welcome, again thanks to those that have already taken the time to help.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I am now of version 1.2 of the plan, and am going to make the new deck 12' square, adding some steps later to make it blend in more with the existing deck. Should look nicer as someone had mentioned, as well as more room for cover, stepping in and out, etc.
I hope that this isn't one of those "if you have to ask you should not be doing this project" questions, but what is the general rule for footings? I am in cold country up here and with that kind of weight do I need to go down to the frostline?
And do I need to go down that far anyway?
I have seen a "2'x2' rule" where the footer is 2x2x2 deep. I would think that I would not want this deck "floating" because of the weight and hurting the new spa by not having proper support for it.
The dealer I was at didn't have any advice on the structure, most likely due to possible liability and the desire to have his crew do the work. There's not a whole lot of local dealers around here either.
Sounds like in my situation I would be off to a good start to get the ground as level and as low as I can. (my limitation is the existing deck that I plan to use for the entry point to the spa).
Then depending on the footer issue, I may go the concrete route, depending on local lumber pricing.
I hate to be a sap and have local contractors come out and estimate this when I have no intention of using them.
My previous experience was from working with my Dad, he was a carpenter. So I know basic framing stuff and have been exposed to most everything else except foundation design and requirements.
I am spending about all I can afford on the spa so I have to do this myself - huge difference in price, and I like to think that my work rivals the professional's.
And of course, more seat time!
Any and all ideas are welcome, again thanks to those that have already taken the time to help.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
johnday
Veteran Member
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Danny; I sent you a reply over at coutrybtnet along with a drawing to your original post. Take a look. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I built a deck 4' off the ground that was 12' by 12' for a hot tub. The frost depth here in central IL is 40' deep, and you defintely want to be that deep. I chose 2' x 2' x 8" square footings every 6', and also one right under the center of the hot tub as well.
It was also recomended to add some diagonal bracing on the posts so that the deck would not try to "rack" in case someone
started sloshing water around.
Good luck.
It was also recomended to add some diagonal bracing on the posts so that the deck would not try to "rack" in case someone
started sloshing water around.
Good luck.
Dartagnan
Bronze Member
!!!!! 40' !!!!!
What kind of hoe do you use to dig footers up there??
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
What kind of hoe do you use to dig footers up there??
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
JDgreen227
Super Member
40'...!!!! If it got so cold there you needed to dig that far down it would mean heck would freeze over and you could probably just forget about even using the spa in the first place...LOL.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
sticky
Bronze Member
Do your self a favor and use a synthetic decking for surface. Hot tubs need a lot of cloriene and footprints and dripping water off of people will eat off any finish. You will only have a uniform finish the day you stain the deck. In Northern Indiana we need to go down 36 inches to get below the frost line. Happy Tubing.
Footings 3-4' deep - Ouch! I have settled on leveling the ground, 6-8" of compressed pea gravel, 6"x6"x12' frame w/6x6 joists 24" on center, with 2"x6"x12' decking.
I would use the synthetic decking, but that stuff has little structural integrity to begin with, perhaps around the tub on top of my 2x6's would be good, especially with the chlorine, etc.
Good idea, and hopefully my deck design is over engineered enough to land a helicopter on, should I ever tier of the spa.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I would use the synthetic decking, but that stuff has little structural integrity to begin with, perhaps around the tub on top of my 2x6's would be good, especially with the chlorine, etc.
Good idea, and hopefully my deck design is over engineered enough to land a helicopter on, should I ever tier of the spa.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Have to disagree on the synthetic decking. I have a cedar deck around my hot tub. It has been there for about three years and has only had stain applied at the time of building. I have a family of four who uses the spa regularly and I am yet to see a discoloration on the wood. The deck is built right up to the edge of the spa and we get out right onto the deck soaking wet. Maybe cedar has some properties that other wood doesn't, but I am pleased with it.
