Hot tubs

[95_stroker]

We are thinking about taking the dive (ok, bad pun) on a hot tub. Looking at Sundance, Coleman and Hot Springs. I dont know much about them at all. Can anybody give me the lowdown on hot tub ownership. Other than the best hot tub is in your neighbors back yard.

 

[Boadie]

Most people especially those with kids (dirty), find it to be a pain in the *****. It is kind alot like an aquarium as far as keeping the water just right. My neibors down the street whom make decent bank still do not use it reg. just because of the expence. Funny you said neibors back yard for years I have, with the permission of my neibor, a gate betwwen his and mind so I can use his tub. Thats the best way.

 

[whatabudro]

I dont have one but have hooked up more than I can count. Dont forget to throw in $600-1500 to get it hooked up by an electrician. Even if you do it yourself the wire is $3 a foot and over $100 for breakers. Many people do not take this into account and have drop jaw when I give them estimates.

 

[95_stroker]

When is a good time for you to do a hookup?

 

[whatabudro]

Well I think I was have to increase my normal first hour rate of $100 to $2000 to justify my fuel and time expense.

 

[95_stroker]

 

[dpantazis]

and don't forget the concrete pad to sit it on or wood deck. that adds up too!

i just poured an 8' sq pad for one. 4" thick used about 35 80# bags of concrete and 4 extra bags of cement. location was too far from the road to either buggy or truck in. mixed on site by hand.

if you are doing a wood deck under it, you MUST design it for 125#/sq ft. that is 3-4 times the usual loading and construction. rule of thumb is 1"/ft of joist span @ 16"o.c. if the girder span is about equal to josit span, 4 plies of 2x.
PM if you need a design.

that house did not enought power going to it, 60A service, so they ended up pulling a new 200A service too! $$$$

dp

 

[95_stroker]

I just put a new 200A service in last winter. The pull from the panel to the tub wont be much over 20 ft so even a 3 bux a foot its not a deal breaker. This is going to sit on pavers next to my patio. If we end up doing it I'll build a gazebo over it in the future.

 

[Roland_Jenkins]

Keep the filters clean.

Don't go in with clothes on unless they have been thoroughly rinsed. Clothes washed with detergent will plug up the filters to the point you will need to replace them.

Check with test strips twice a week. Its pretty easy . . . I guess. My wife is in charge of that. My job is to empty and fill it.

Nobody else uses ours cept the wife and me and we use it almost daily year round. I change the water (500 gallons) three or four times a year just for S&G's

I'll change it this fall and that will be it until spring.

 

[whatabudro]

Mike pm me when ya get it. If your not scared of tackling your own electric then I'll give you everything you need to know to git-r-dun. A couple of photos and the nameplate values off the tub is all I need.