It’s time for a brand-new DIY Hot Tub case study! This time, we’re heading to Utah, where Mike, a homeowner with a breathtaking mountain view, reached out to me for assistance on his hot tub while building his dream home.
Mike wanted to add a hot tub to his property and hired me to help him with the plumbing and parts. This build stands out not only for its location but also for its unique approach to design and functionality. Let’s dive right in!
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Since Mike was building his house from scratch, Mike had already planned ahead for the hot tub. By the time I joined the project, Mike had already laid down several pipes running toward the hot tub area, as shown in the image below:
These pipes extended to the hot tub site, opening at the exact spot where the tub would be installed. While Mike wasn’t entirely sure what configuration he needed, he played it safe by running multiple lines to provide flexibility. Here’s a closer look at the setup:
And here’s a view of the project from a distance:
The Control Room
Mike had already built an indoor control room with the plumbing pre-installed. Mike reached out for guidance on sourcing the parts, configuring the control room and managing the plumbing inside the tub. It was an interesting challenge, as most builds start with an open slate for plumbing, but this project required adapting to the pre-laid pipes.
As always, I provided Mike with all the necessary parts for the build, which you can check out here.
Building the Tub
The first step in constructing the hot tub was pouring the base. Mike then moved on to creating forms for the tub’s walls. What set his approach apart was his decision to incorporate seating directly into the wall forms. This innovative design allowed him to perform a single pour for both the walls and the seating—a pretty cool move I must say.
Once the base and walls were in place, Mike began planning the plumbing.
This leads me to a common question I get asked. Whether plumbing should be inside the walls or remain outside and accessible. Both approaches have their pros and cons:
- Inside the Walls: This provides a clean, sleek finish but makes future modifications more challenging.
- Outside the Walls: Allows easy access for repairs but can detract from the aesthetic.
What I don’t recommend is a hybrid system. I made that mistake with one of my own setups, and it’s incredibly inconvenient to access some pipes while others are hidden.
For Mike’s project, he opted to keep all the plumbing inside the walls for a streamlined look. Here’s the finished plumbing work before the next step of adding external walls and filling them with concrete:
The Current Status
As of now, Mike’s hot tub is shaping up beautifully. The next steps involve completing the external walls and pouring the concrete.
The tub’s location, overlooking a stunning Utah mountain range, is simply breathtaking. Once complete, it will definitely be a special hot tub experience.
Here’s a snapshot of the current progress:
Next Steps
Stay tuned for updates as Mike continues to bring his vision to life! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below—especially if you’re considering a similar project.
If you enjoyed reading about this case study then you’ll love my case study on a DIY hot tub build in Mexico. Check it out here!
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Thanks - Andi
Hi, Andi here. I own Buildahottub.com and also write all of the articles and info pages on the site. Some years back now, I built my own hot tub but struggled to find the information I needed. So, once my tub was complete, I started this website to help others in their own pursuit of hot tub and plunge pools DIY building information.
Today, I've helped over 1000 DIY customers just like you all over the world build hot tubs and pools. Have a good look around the site, there are lots of resources here. Please do get in touch if I can help you. - Cheers, Andi