It is essential that you have a sturdy base for your hot tub.

We provide a ABS Base but this will need to be placed on a solid surface, it is vital that the base you provide is solid, located well and level. If these are not prevalent in your base, you may damage your hot tub. If you are confident at DIY then building your base should not take too long and these are good options for you.

What is the weight of your hot tub?

You first need to calculate your weight for the base, the weight increases substantially when you add, the tub, the water and then people. For example our 4000 Plug and play hot tub a standard 4 person hot tub itself weighs 295Kg and with 1300 litres of water so 1 Litre of water equals 1kg in weight, so add 1300 KG to the weight of the hot tub and you have 1,595 Kg of dead weight. Then we need to add people - the average for each person: 4 x 77Kg is an additional 308 Kg, so this tub would expect to reach weight of up to 1,903 KG or 1.9 tonne.

How heavy can a hot tub be?

As you can see from the previous question, the importance of getting the base right is essential in keeping your base level, as the right foundation base can take this load relatively easily if the levels are correct.

Where to build your hot tub base?

This is important as you would want to access your tub from the home all year round and would require access to all sides for ongoing maintenance. Also check where your drainage hole will be to empty the tub with ease. We spend a lot of time looking upwards in the tub, so its worth looking upwards and see if you have any overhanging branches or anything that can drop debris on you or your tub and if you are within eyesight of your neighbours! This can be easily rectified with screening.

Then decide how are you going to run electricity and water supply to your tub, as this needs to be ready on your day of installation.

Is concrete a good base for your hot tub?

People have been using hot tubs for decades, as a building material it will do the job well and will require some planning to create the right frame for your tub to sit on. You will need to dig down around 125mm and make the plot larger than the hot tub itself - a good 12” around the tub will suffice. If you plan to do a base for a Swim Spa this may require some additional strengthening in the concrete pour. Once you have dug out your plot and placed a layer of gravel in the base, you are ready to pour. This can be delivered to your house ready to go, or you can hire a cement mixer and do it yourself. The part you need to pay most attention to is after the pour use a leveller to make sure the cement is level and flat, then when dry will be set ready to go.

Is a gravel base good for a hot tub?

One of the easiest bases to build would be the gravel base and with the right surround can look good. However, gravel isn’t the most pleasant surface to walk on, so it’s important to consider how you may walk over the gravel from steps or gravel/ decking mix. Gravel these days come in a range of colours so you can match the gravel to its surroundings and even your tub. We feel the gravel option is one of the easiest and environmentally sound bases that offers excellent drainage.

To make a gravel base, make your plot to a similar depth as you would do for concrete - 125mm deep and then add a layer of weed sheets to prevent growth through your gravel. You should initially use a medium layer of gravel on the bottom and then make sure this is well padded down making it tight and level. You can then use a larger more decorate pebble around the ABS base to make it look nicer with your chosen decorative finish.

Can you use plastic shed bases for your hot tub?

This type of quick install base has been around for a while now and proves popular with DIY installers. If the surface you have prepared is completely level, these work well and can be used without gravel, but many are usually infilled with a decorate gravel once the base is down or even filed back with soil. Grass seed can then be added to blend the base into the lawn.

How do I need to drain my hot tub?

Ideally if you have a balanced hot tub, it is acceptable to drain your hot tub into the mains drain, so if you can run a hose to that drain, it is ideal. I have seen portable pumps being used with a flexible pipe into a drain some distance away, so even if the drain is not close a solution can be easily found. 

If you must drain down into the garden or a washaway, ensure you have a good runoff before starting the emptying and empty away from the house.

Can I put my hot tub on the patio?

It would be worth noting that a level patio that does not have any signs of movement will be a good option for a hot tub. However it is vital, as previous comments suggest, that drainage is suitable.

Can I put my hot tub on decking?

This type of base for your hot needs some serious considerations. As noted earlier, hot tubs can be very heavy and if you are unsure on what structural integrity your decking has, then it would be worth asking a professional to check it over and maybe re-enforce it if required. 

What is the best hot tub base for my hot tub?

So overall every base has different characteristics, that may or may not be suitable in your garden. If you are unsure feel free to have an impartial chat with our advisors. Ultimately you cannot go wrong with a solid base that’s level and close enough to the house to connect water and electricity.