ICF stands for insulated concrete forms, which are blocks made of insulating foam or expanded polystyrene (EPS) that are used to build concrete walls. The foam provides insulation to help keep the hot tub water warm, while the concrete provides structural support and durability.
Category Archives: Materials and Construction Related
14
Dec
Dec
Best ICF Blocks for Hot Tubs? – if you are looking for the answer then read on.
DIY Hot Tub Building, Materials and Construction Related
Hot Tub Tiles: Mosaics, Porcelain vs Ceramic, Slip Resistance and Grout
09
Dec
Dec
Not all tiles are suitable for a hot tub. Here’s which to use, why I’d choose mosaic pool tiles, how porcelain and ceramic differ, and how to keep steps from being slippery.
DIY Hot Tub Building, Materials and Construction Related
DIY Hot Tub Insulation: What to Use and Where It Goes
01
Dec
Dec
Insulation is one of the cheapest ways to cut your hot tub running costs, as long as you do it while you build. Here’s what to use and where it goes for ICF, block, poured concrete and stock tank tubs.
DIY Hot Tub Building, Materials and Construction Related
How to Make the Perfect PVC Solvent Weld Joint for Hot Tub Plumbing
04
Nov
Nov
A step-by-step guide to leak-free PVC solvent weld joints for hot tub plumbing, checked against Oatey, Weld-On, Griffon and Tangit instructions, including primer and cure times.
Materials and Construction Related
Hot Tub Waterproofing, Tile Adhesive and Grout: What to Use and How
13
Oct
Oct
How to waterproof a DIY block or concrete hot tub, from preparing the surface and applying a pool membrane to the flood test, adhesive and epoxy grout. Includes a correction to my old PVA advice.
Design / Ideas Related, DIY Hot Tub Building, Materials and Construction Related
How to Install a Counter Current Swim Jet in a Plunge Pool, Swim Spa or Hot Tub
06
Jul
Jul
A step-by-step guide to installing a counter current swim jet in a DIY plunge pool, swim spa or large hot tub: sizing, depth, fitting it to block, concrete or liner walls, plumbing the pump and wiring the air switches.
DIY Hot Tub Building, Materials and Construction Related, Plumbing Related
Hot Tub Pipe: Sizes, Types and Pressure Ratings Explained
14
Jun
Jun
Everything you need to know about hot tub pipe before you order: imperial vs metric sizes, what sizes a DIY tub needs, pressure ratings in hot water, rigid vs flexible, and testing.
25
Jan
Jan
Gunite and shotcrete aren’t DIY methods. Here’s what they actually are, and the three DIY-friendly alternatives (block, ICF and poured concrete) for building your own hot tub.
19
Jan
Jan
What type of spa construction methods exist? In short, there are three different types of spa construction. There are two types of spa construction that your average DIYer can do. These are poured concrete and block-built spa construction methods. The third method of spa construction is called Gunite or Shotcrete spa construction. This is only for the processional spa builder.
In this blog post, I will examine all three methods.