Site selection and preparation
IMPORTANT: Site selection and preparation are your responsibility. Carefully read these instructions and contact us if you have any questions.
Elixir Spas must be informed if there is an existing hot tub in the delivery location that will need to be moved to allow access. This will incur an extra charge. Also, any cabling from existing hot tubs must be as per Elixir Spas specifications, as listed in the delivery guidelines electrical requirements If we are not informed that we will have to move a tub, or that incorrect cable is in place, remedying this will incur extra costs.
Location of hot tub or swim spa
Whether you’ve chosen to have your hot tub indoors or outdoors, on a patio or on a deck just make sure you check the following:
Always put your spa on a structurally sound, level surface. A filled spa can weigh a great deal. Make certain that the location you choose can support the weight of your filled spa.
Locate your equipment compartment, which houses all the electrical components, in a place where water will drain away from it. Allowing water into the equipment compartment can damage the electronics or may result in tripping your house’s circuit breaker or RCD.
Leave yourself easy access to all circuit breakers and RCD’s.
Leave access to at least the entire front of the spa (the removable panels provide access to the spa’s equipment) for periodic spa care and maintenance.
Outdoor and Patio Installation
No matter where you install your new spa, it’s important that you have a solid foundation to support it. Structural damage to the spa resulting from incorrect installation or placement on an inadequate foundation is not covered under the spa’s limited warranty.
If you install the spa outdoors, a reinforced concrete pad at least four inches thick is recommended for your Hot Tub. If you place the spa on the ground, even temporarily, place stepping stones under the levelling areas. The stones should be at least two inches thick and twelve inches square. Even with stones in place, the spa will inevitably settle and become un-level. Plus, a spa surrounded by dirt or grass will soon be filled with dirt or grass from user’s feet; therefore, it is important to get it onto a solid foundation as soon as possible.
Elixir Spas will not fully install a spa on a substandard temporary surface.
Decking
To be certain your deck can support your spa, you must know the deck’s maximum load capacity. Consult a qualified building contractor or structural engineer before you place the spa on an elevated deck or indoors. To find the weight of your spa, its contents and occupants, please contact us. This weight per square foot must not exceed the structure’s rated capacity, or serious structural damage could result.
If you intend install a tub and surround it with decking, please bear in mind that you will need to install access panels to allow access to the sides of the tub for maintenance and any remedial repairs that may be required in years to come. These access panels should be large enough to allow an engineer access to the side panels of the tub and should allow enough room for the engineer to remove the screws in the side panel. This is also the requirement for tubs that are sunken into a pit or are indoors.
Intending to sink your tub into decking?
Build your base, put your tub on the base, then build decking around it.
Lowering a tub into a hole that is only just big enough for the tub to go into is very difficult, requires at least 8 people or a crane and could damage your new decking.
If you have your tub surrounded by decking that needs to be removed before work (either warranty work or otherwise) can be carried out, this must be removed by yourself prior to our engineer arriving at your property as we cannot be held responsible for any damage that may occur to your decking or tub surround when it is removed for repair or maintenance purposes.
Bear in mind also that decking will vibrate and can have the effect of amplifying the sound from the pumps with its vibration.
Delivery methods and access
If you have any access queries, call us on 0333 567 90 80
First, obtain the dimensions of the hot tub you have ordered from us. You will need to consider the Spa will be delivered on its side on a special hot tub trolley system.
The minimum width of a pathway that is needed is 1.1Metres to enable us to deliver a tub on its side without damage to either the property or to the tub.
Height can also be an issue, 350mm must be added to the longest dimension. If your hot tub is 2,100mm x 2,100mm, when it is on its side on the trolley it may stand 2,450mm high. Any obstructions will have to be removed to allow access
Also, you must consider that the trolley is not flexible and will need a wide turning area to negotiate any corners.
Steps can also be an issue as hot tubs are heavy bulky items that can be very difficult to transport up steps.
Extra assistance by several fit, able bodied people will be needed in the event of needing to get a hot tub up several steps.
Check these things to ensure we can deliver your hot tub:
- There’s enough clearance; check gates, protruding electrical metres, vents and other fixed appliances.
- Is there enough overhead clearance; check for low roof eaves, overhanging branches, rain gutters…
- Is the path clear? Remove any obstacles along the delivery path, check for 90-degree turns we might not be able to clear.
- Notify us in advance of any steps we’ll have to clear.
You can send us a photo of your delivery path if you’re unsure.
Indoor installation
Be aware of some special requirements if you place your spa indoors. Water will accumulate around the spa, so flooring materials must provide a good grip when wet. Proper drainage is essential to prevent a build-up of water around the spa. When building a new room for the spa, it is recommended that a floor drain be installed.
The humidity will naturally increase with the spa installed. Water may get into woodwork and produce dry-rot, mildew, or other problems. Check for airborne moisture’s effects on exposed wood, paper, etc. in the room. To minimise these effects, it is best to provide plenty of ventilation to the spa area. An architect can help to determine if more ventilation must be installed.
