When choosing the best location and installing a base for a wooden hot tub, some pieces of information are no less important than your natural instincts.
To help you tackle the double task more easily, here are the points that we are going to address in this article.
First things first
Gardenvity does not offer a base preparation service for your hot tub. We can only provide detailed advice on a suitable location, materials and safety.
A Gardenvity wood-fired hot tub is a freestanding unit and is not designed to be sunk into decking.
A Gardenvity wood-fired hot tub is intended for outdoor use. If you want to place your hot tub under a roof (in a gazebo, pergola or other types of enclosure), you must consult with fire safety specialists and/or wood-fired stove installers who are aware of the relevant strict requirements in order to avoid any hazards.
It is crucial to ensure equal support under each contact point of the hot tub so that no single point is left hanging in the air. Over time, inappropriate support will result in deformations in the hot tub structure.
Any deviations from the requirements set out in the Gardenvity hot tub User Guide must be discussed with professional wood burning stove installers and your local fire safety authorities. You are fully responsible for any installation adjustments.
1. Critical safety requirements when choosing a location
A wood-fired hot tub will have a smart wood burner installed. To adhere to general fire safety requirements, please ensure the following:
The chimney top is required to be kept at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from any flammable materials or buildings. The main part of the chimney shall be kept with a minimum 3.3 feet (1 meter) clearance from any object.
Any flammable objects or materials must not be kept close to the wood-fired heater. Protect the area around the heater door from accidental sparks that might still escape the heater when loading logs. Use tiles, sheet metal, sheet glass, or similar protection – just like you safeguard the wooden floor at a fireplace.
2. Necessary calls prior to installation
Gardenvity’s Customer Experience Specialists will answer most of your questions. Our phone number is the first one you should dial when you want to make sure you’re making good decisions in terms of choosing a location and base for your hot tub. And yet, there will be situations when we may have no power concerning your personal situation.
Contact your local council to find out if you live in a smoke control area and, if so, read the applicable rules carefully.
You should consider locating a wood-burning hot tub in a suitable place that will reduce the risk of smoke nuisance occurring within neighbouring properties.
A taller chimney (you can get an optional extension flue from Gardenvity) and quality firewood (kiln-dried, barkless) can significantly reduce the impact and ensure lingering smoke is minimised.
If you plan to install your hot tub in a gazebo, a pergola or any similar type of enclosure, find an experienced wood-fired stove installer and consult with a fire safety specialist.
3. Area needed for my hot tub
To plan a decent area for your hot tub, consider the size of your chosen hot tub, the type of steps you decide to order, and that you need to leave space around the tub for service and maintenance works. Wide and open accessto the heater, servicing compartment and water drain valve will ensure comfort and great ease of use.
Please refer to the below image with indicated measurements of the base needed for the different models of Gardenvity wood-fired hot tubs.
The size of the required base varies depending on the size of your hot tub (for 1-2, 6-8 or 8-10 people), its shape and the type of stairs (standard or curved).
4. Suitable materials for the base
A Gardenvity wood-fired hot tub will weigh approximately 2000kg (4400lb) when filled with water (the figure for the 1-2 seater model is around 1500kg (3300lb)). Your base must be strong enough to bear the load + the combined weight of everybody who will get inside the tub! Below are the most popular choices for preparing a base for a wood-fired hot tub.
You’ll need to make sure the log burning hot tub base is placed on an even and stable surface. If necessary, use level chips to create an even base.
A gravel base with stabilisation grid and concrete slabs are the easiest to install.
You may place the hot tub on a wooden or recycled PVC deck for the best visual appeal.
5. Best practices and practical tips
Allow us to share a few small details that will increase your hot tub’s longevity.
The best option for a wooden hot tub base pad is a concrete structure, pavement slabs, or gravel. Such a base will ensure proper stability and favorable conditions for its wooden parts, as they will not absorb moisture from the ground.
If you place your hot tub on gravel, keep it lifted 4 inches (10cm) above the ground for proper air circulation.
The easiest way to do that is by tucking concrete slabs under the contact points of the tub.
It is crucial to ensure equal support under each contact point of the hot tub so that no single point is left hanging in the air. Over time, inappropriate support will result in deformations in the hot tub structure.
Observe the contact points of the different Gardenvity hot tub models below.
The Gardenvity Premium hot tub for 8-10 people has more contact points at the bottom, so we recommend resting the tub on larger pavement slabs as shown below.
Ensure there is no thick flora around your hot tub. Vegetation hinders the wooden parts’ ability to breathe and, in turn, promotes decay.
Following our advice, you’ll be now ready to bring your hot tub in for the cosiest soaks or family gatherings marked with joy and laughter.
Happy hot tubbing!
