Everything you need to decide before building an in-ground hot tub, from location and construction method to plumbing, heating, electrics and permits, with links to the detailed guides for each stage.
Author Archives: buildahottub
Materials and Construction Related
Creating a Solid Foundation: A Comprehensive Guide to Hot Tub Bases
22
Jun
Jun
Welcome, hot tub enthusiasts, to our informative guide on hot tub bases! As a dedicated hot tub design consultant, I understand the importance of a solid foundation for your spa. A properly constructed base not only ensures the stability and longevity of your hot tub but also enhances your overall relaxation experience. In this comprehensive article, I will walk you through the essential steps of creating robust hot tub bases, from measuring and clearing the area to excavation, laying a gravel base, constructing a wood frame with a waterproof membrane, incorporating metal rebar, achieving the perfect cement mix, and removing the wooden frame or mould. Let’s dive right in!
Design / Ideas Related, DIY Hot Tub Building
Above Ground Hot Tubs: How to Build Your Own (DIY Guide)
21
Jun
Jun
Everything you need to know about building your own above ground hot tub, from choosing block or ICF to the slab, plumbing, insulation and permissions.
16
Jun
Jun
Marshall in California drew up his own octagon hot tub and I designed the plumbing. Follow the build from the hand-poured pad to the formed concrete walls and the two-pump plumbing.
07
Jun
Jun
Cold Plunge Tub; can you build your own? Absolutely. Yes, I know what you are thinking, you’re the “hot tub building guy” so why would you want to help me build a cold plunge tub? Easy. The process is the same just you are using a chiller rather than a heater! I’ve actually helped quite a few people these days build cold plunge tubs. PS that is not me in the picture!
In this blog post I will cover some of the considerations you will need to think about if you are planning to build your own DIY cold plunge tub.
Design / Ideas Related, Plumbing Related
What Size Heater Do I Need for My Pool or Hot Tub? (Free Calculator)
06
Jun
Jun
How to size a heater for a hot tub, plunge pool or pool: the maths, real heater outputs, worked examples and a free calculator for heat-up time and the kW you need.
02
Jun
Jun
What to plan before adding a spillover hot tub to an existing swimming pool, from the foundation and spa mode valves to heating, chemistry, bonding and barriers.
Case Studies / Example Projects
Fibreglass Hot Tub Refurbishment: Replacing a Fibreglass Tub with Poured Concrete (Case Study)
25
May
May
Mark replaced a tired fibreglass spillover tub beside his indoor pool with a poured concrete tub, reusing most of the old plumbing. Here’s how the build went, including the waterproofing lesson.
Design / Ideas Related, Support & Maintenance, technology
Copper-Silver Ionization for Hot Tubs: Does It Work, and What Do You Still Need?
20
May
May
Copper-silver ionisers and mineral cartridges can cut how much chlorine or bromine you use, but they don’t replace it. Here’s how they work, the staining risk, and what I’d use instead.
Design / Ideas Related, DIY Hot Tub Building
Built-In Spas: How to Design and Build Your Own In-Ground Hot Tub
19
May
May
What a built-in spa is, where it can go and how to build one: construction options, plumbing, heating, electrics and safety, from someone who built his own.