Hydrotherapy goes back millennia – hot water has been known to soothe joint pain, speed up athletic recovery, improve blood flow, decrease blood pressure, and boost the immune system. Anyone who has ever relaxed in a hot bath after a long day at work can attest to how much a good hot soak can help with stress relief as well.
So now that you have that garden you always wanted, why not get a hot tub? Having your own little private spa would be pretty cool, right? And as it turns out, installing one is pretty easy. All you have to do is:
Check if you need a permit.
Some cities may require you get a permit before installing your hot tub, so make sure you look into that before you spend any money.
Choose a spot.
This step is actually made up of two smaller ones. The first is making sure your hot tub is not installed too near any overhead power lines – that seems like a no-brainer, right? The second is more about comfort – your hot tub should be located so as to leave some room around it to make getting in and out easier.
Prep the ground/deck
A hot tub full of water can weigh a lot. This means you will need a sturdy foundation. A poor foundation can cause irreparable damage to your property and also render your hot tub’s warranty void should it be damaged, so this step is especially important!
Hot tubs can be installed either in the ground or on a deck. For ground installations, both concrete and so-called spa pads can be a good choice, depending on your needs and budget. If you decide to build a deck for your hot tub, you’re going to need a contractor to build a deck specifically to be able to withstand all that extra weight.
Getting the hot tub in your garden/onto your deck
Time to get your hot tub installed so you can finally have that good soak! This can prove a logistical challenge, especially because of how bulky and heavy hot tubs are – it’s easy to destroy shrubs and even fences. Hiring a crane can prove an efficient, practical solution, especially if you’ve decided to install your hot tub on your deck or someplace higher than ground level.
Hook up the electricity and the water
This is probably best done by a professional, as we all know water and electricity don’t mix too well.
If you want to do it yourself, however, you will probably need to install a breaker, as hot tubs typically require a higher voltage (typically 240 volts). Before you start filling your hot tub, turn off the electricity and turn it back on to heat the water for the first time only when the hot tub is full.
Now, didn’t that feel good? To keep enjoying your new hot tub for years to come, all you have to do is keep the water clean and cover it when not in use. Properly maintained, a hot tub is sure to be one of the best investments you’ve ever made.