How thick do pavers have to be for hot tub?

Pavers between 1.5 and 3 inches thick are ideal for a hot tub base and will provide the perfect level of support for the fully loaded weight of the hot tub. But you can't just set the pavers on grass or bare ground.

How thick should a slab be for a hot tub?

The minimum thickness safety requirement for a basic hot tub pad is 4″ thick reinforced concrete with a diameter of 6″ less than the diameter of the bottom of the tub. Therefore, a 5′ round straight sided wood hot tub would require a 4′ 6″ square pad. The type of ground underneath the pad should be stable as well.

Can I put a hot tub on a 4 inch concrete slab?

The spa pad can be made of pressure treated lumber, synthetic lumber, concrete, bricks or cement patio blocks. A solid cement pad should be no less that 4 inches thick. This is something that the average homeowner may not want to tackle. The spa pad should be at least the size of the spa.

How thick does a concrete base need to be for a hot tub?

The concrete base needs to be a minimum of 4 inches thick (ideally 6 inches) so it is able to withstand the weight of the hot tub. It is also a good idea to place rubble to the foundation for maximum support or reinforce the concrete base with rebar.

Does a hot tub have to sit on a concrete pad?

Usually a concrete slab made to building code is suitable to hold a hot tub. However, many patios and other concrete slabs are pitched for drainage, which may make an unsuitable base for your hot tub. Second, your existing concrete slab must be in good condition.

Can a Hot Tub be Placed on Pavers?

Does a hot tub have to be perfectly level?

A hot tub has to be perfectly level. It can be on almost any flat, level, surface. It should not be placed on grass or the earth. Always ensure the surface you are placing the hot tub on can hold the weight of a hot tub filled with water and people.

Do hot tub slabs need footings?

If you choose to place your hot tub on a concrete slab, you'll have to build something more substantial than a normal 4-inch concrete pad, instead using footings much like the foundation of a house to handle the weight.

How thick should my concrete slab be for a swim spa?

Ensure this outdoor space has level ground with proper footing. Swim spas require a concrete pad that is at least 6″ thick.

How much weight can you put on pavers?

The resulting pavers are capable of withstanding at least 8,000 pounds per square inch of pressure, compared to about 3,000 pounds per square inch of pressure with standard poured concrete.

Can you put a hot tub on paving slabs?

Patio, Block Paving and Other Existing Stone Surface

Most patios, block paving and other surfaces are already reinforced and will be able to take the weight of a hot tub placement.

What do hot tubs sit on?

A hot tub requires a stable surface — whether it's a concrete slab, reinforced deck, or firmly compacted soil with crushed gravel. There's also the option to have the hot tub installed in the ground but that still requires a concrete vault.

How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab for a hot tub?

Hot Tub Concrete Pad Cost

A concrete slab costs $5 to $10 per square foot or between $500 and $2,500 for a hot tub. Other options for a hot tub foundation pad are an existing patio, gravel base, pavers, reinforced deck, or plastic spa pad.

How big of a concrete pad for a hot tub?

A concrete base for a spa should be around 4 inches thick. This means that for an 8'x8' spa pad, you'll need enough concrete to fill 21.33 cubic feet (that's 36 80-lb bags of QUIKRETE).

How long does concrete need to cure before putting a hot tub on it?

When pouring a concrete slab for a hot tub, allow it to cure for 28 days minimally before placing a hot tub on it. This allows the moisture to be kept in the concrete, and putting weight on it prematurely will weaken the finished product with stresses and cracking.

What is best to put under a hot tub?

If you're having a base installed especially for your Hot Tub we would recommend a patio, decking area or poured concrete base. Whatever you choose make sure whoever installs it for you ensures the base is level and large enough for your Hot Tub and steps.

How much slope should a hot tub pad have?

If your spa's pad is slightly sloped it will not affect the performance of the spa or its structure, however, there should be no dips, sags, or unevenness in the pad. Most patios are built to slope away from the house for drainage purposes. There should be no more than a ½” (1.27cm) slope in an 8'(2.44m) run.

Can I put a hot tub on gravel?

Short answer is: Yes. Gravel is an excellent base for hot tubs because it allows for drainage of water while being sturdy enough to handle the high weight of a hot tub.

How close to the house can you put a hot tub?

Proximity to the house. To reduce the risk of electrocution, place your tub at least 16 feet away from overhead power lines. To protect your home and outbuildings from potential flooding, keep it at least 5 feet from any structure.

How do you prepare the ground for a hot tub?

Place a layer of gravel on the leveled spot. The thickness of the layer will depend on the size and weight of your hot tub, but a layer four to six inches thick should be adequate for most hot tubs. Extend the gravel out around the tub in all directions, to avoid having a muddy area around your hot tub.

What is the best way to level a hot tub on uneven concrete?

Leveling a hot tub that is on uneven concrete can be done with simple shims if the slope is less than one inch. For steeper slopes, leveling will require more involved solutions such as custom-built pads of wood, sand or gravel, or even a new concrete pad.

What is the best surface to put a hot tub on?

A concrete surface is an excellent base for your hot tub as this material is extremely sturdy and long-lasting. If you have an existing patio made of concrete bricks, make sure it's in good condition and is level (not angled for drainage). A customized poured concrete pad is an even better choice.

How heavy is a 7x7 hot tub?

4-Person Hot Tubs

Though these can range in size depending on their design, an average measurement for a four-person hot tub is 7' x 7'. These can hold about 300 gallons of water, adding approximately 2,500 lbs. So, if your tub weighs 800 lbs empty, it will weigh around 3,300 lbs with water.

Do hot tub pads need rebar?

On top of the foam board or ground if you don't put down foam board, put down a wire mesh layer. Install stand offs, the orange thingies, (center picture-right), then ½” steel rebar, crisscrossed and spaced 12” apart. You will also need to connect a bond wire to the rebar grid that will connect to electrical grounding.