Hot tub anyone?

[Jampy00]

So as always, I love the replies I get here and have taken many of them to fruition...and as I'm super bored at work today, wife and I got to chatting about plans for the backyard.
We have the normal wants...gazebo (diy or pre-built), deck (diy or contractor), and the discussion of hot tubs came up. I'm on board for it, and my wife is actually moving forward also, but I have no clue about these things...and not even sure about where to start.
Anyone have one? Can point me to some resources to do more research? Recommended types/makes/installers? My dad and I are fairly handy, and this will be done AFTER the deck is built (planning for spring 2020) but is something that's definitely in the near future (hopefully by Winter 2020).
Thanks!

While I can't speak on the hot tub, I like them but not sure enough to go through the hassle of owning one.
But we just purchased this Gazeebo. https://www.yardistrystructures.com/12-x-12-meridian-gazebo/
Canadian made great reviews and delivery was included in price (bought through Costco) my Brother has the 12x14 model and I will say I was very impressed with the quality and fit and finish. If interested I'll provide updates on mine as it is due to arrive soon.

 

[mimico_polak]

While I can't speak on the hot tub, I like them but not sure enough to go through the hassle of owning one.
But we just purchased this Gazeebo. 12 x 12 Meridian Gazebo - Yardistry Structures - Gazebos, Pavilions and Pergolas
Canadian made great reviews and delivery was included in price (bought through Costco) my Brother has the 12x14 model and I will say I was very impressed with the quality and fit and finish. If interested I'll provide updates on mine as it is due to arrive soon.

We bought the 11x13 from Yardistry and while I found it to be of good quality, I had a few concerns. The pre-fabricated/drilled/cut sections didn't always line up so it took some muscling to get it together. The wood is nice, but the posts are hollow which was surprising. The roof, while nice is horribly thin metal and the little bit of hail we had a while back has put dents into it that are visible from the inside. I was able to put it together solo up to the point where I needed to physically lift the roof panels on top of the structure....I called a few buddies over to help me as my wife and I couldn't manage.

I actually put those points into the review on HD and they rejected my review! Outside of that it's a great addition to the backyard, and fit the space exactly. Another foot in a single direction wouldn't have fit in at all!

 

[Jampy00]

We bought the 11x13 from Yardistry and while I found it to be of good quality, I had a few concerns. The pre-fabricated/drilled/cut sections didn't always line up so it took some muscling to get it together. The wood is nice, but the posts are hollow which was surprising. The roof, while nice is horribly thin metal and the little bit of hail we had a while back has put dents into it that are visible from the inside. I was able to put it together solo up to the point where I needed to physically lift the roof panels on top of the structure....I called a few buddies over to help me as my wife and I couldn't manage.

I actually put those points into the review on HD and they rejected my review! Outside of that it's a great addition to the backyard, and fit the space exactly. Another foot in a single direction wouldn't have fit in at all!

I was concerned about the roof, so good to know. Thanks for that!

 

[mimico_polak]

I was concerned about the roof, so good to know. Thanks for that!

I’ve actually considered taking it off, reinforcing the structure, and put on some plywood and shingles instead....once it’s no longer a pretty roof.

 

[GreyGhost]

I’ve actually considered taking it off, reinforcing the structure, and put on some plywood and shingles instead....once it’s no longer a pretty roof.

Use t+g pine under plywood. Much nicer to look at from the bottom.

 

[Mikedezo44]

We use ours in waves. Sometimes multiple times daily, sometimes not for weeks. It depends a lot how we are feeling and outside temp. I was manually doing chlorine checks every day and this summer switched to the floater with tablets. 100% convinced the floater is the way to go. No more chlorine swings if you don't check it for a few days and only refill the floater every few weeks. CYA buildup doesn't matter as it gets dumped a few times a year anyway.

Switched lids this year as the original (7 years old) was waterlogged. New lid is 6"-4" so it should both insulate better and shed precipitation more easily.

be careful with the bromine dispenser, they destroy hot tubs. you will have to replace all of your jets in 4 or 5 years, as well as it reduces the life of the cover.. way way too much bromine. it breaks down the back of the jet plastic and they start to pop out. i've seen people come into hot tub stores with a garbage bag full of all their old jets. also think of where all the bromine vapours and fumes are trapped - between the water and the cover. It will greatly reduce the life of your cover. the dispensers are good if you're going on vacation but otherwise you should use the bromine granules, throw them in after you're done using it for the day .. with the cover open, let it circulate a couple minutes. usually a tablespoon is enough - should be between 3-5 ppm an hour after you've thrown it in. if you test it the next morning it will be all burned off and the water will stay clean up to 7 days if you don't use the tub. then the next day you'll be getting into sanitized water after you've thrown it in.

 

[Mikedezo44]

We always bought new feeling the warranty was justified, three tubs later we have only had one warranty claim, heater element which was actually my fault.
I always thought they dont like to be moved, thats where leaks come from but thousands change location and are just fine.
I'm going to start watching the ads for a dcent used small one, 3-4 person since we are NEVER having people over to hot tub, even pre covid that petrie dish, was my petrie dish.....

i move a couple hundred a year and haven't heard back from any customers yet

Hardest part will be moving the damn thing. But that’s what research and a few hundred dollars are for. There’s people to hire for this lol.

I make a living off of my kijiji ads lol

 

[GreyGhost]

be careful with the bromine dispenser, they destroy hot tubs. you will have to replace all of your jets in 4 or 5 years, as well as it reduces the life of the cover.. way way too much bromine. it breaks down the back of the jet plastic and they start to pop out. i've seen people come into hot tub stores with a garbage bag full of all their old jets. also think of where all the bromine vapours and fumes are trapped - between the water and the cover. It will greatly reduce the life of your cover. the dispensers are good if you're going on vacation but otherwise you should use the bromine granules, throw them in after you're done using it for the day .. with the cover open, let it circulate a couple minutes. usually a tablespoon is enough - should be between 3-5 ppm an hour after you've thrown it in. if you test it the next morning it will be all burned off and the water will stay clean up to 7 days if you don't use the tub. then the next day you'll be getting into sanitized water after you've thrown it in.

Not that it really matters, but I have the hot tub on chlorine.

With the dispenser I am running at <5 ppm constantly (It is only open 1/4"). If I were to use the granules and come back in 7 days, it would definitely be cloudy and need a lot of chemical to get some free chlorine back. Maybe a salt or ozone system might be ok with weekly chemicals? Ozone fog wouldn't be great for cover either. I don't like running contained bodies of water with no residual chemical (especially hot ones) as getting sick will cost me much more than a few covers).

The offgassing makes sense but I'm not concerned about the cover. It is double wrapped and will die from water logging. The chlorine fog needs to eat through the main protective layer plus two layers of poly before I am in trouble. Sadly covers are disposable. Original cover was replaced after 7 years but should probably have been replaced after 5 or 6.

 

[mimico_polak]

I make a living off of my kijiji ads lol

Then I will know who to contact when the time comes!

 

[crankcall]

@Mikedezo44 , im thinking about another tub but it needs to lift over a 40ft distance and clear two 7ft fences, taking down fences no bueno. Have any connections for a crane lift?

 

[GreyGhost]

I know people that have done that. Crane cost more than the tub. How do you feel about inflatable (or if you want something nicer, inflatable inside a cedar insulated box so it looks classy and is happy in the winter)?

 

[crankcall]

inflatable or soft side hidden in cedar box might work had not really considered that. I can apparently save a bundle on the crane if i can coordinate my lift when the crane is already in my area so I'm not paying crane travel time. That might take some effort.

 

[Zoodles95]

I have wanted a hot tub for a good 20 years now. The old house was only a 30' x 30' backyard so we kept putting it off; considered a soft tub etc.

We moved last September and have an older house with a 68' frontage. Came with an inground pool and we have had a blast with it. It seemed to help my wife's M.S. to boot. So, hot tub back on the radar again. We have a good spot for it and I have been eyeing up plug and play units so we could try it on 110 V and if we still have the bug then we can have a 220 outlet installed and be able to run the jets and heater at the same time etc.

Looking at using this product instead of doing a dedicated concrete pad. If we were to wane on the hot tub then you just get rid of the gravel base and put back to soil and plants. If you want to keep it then great.




The used tub I am looking at has Balboa components so the good thing about that is ample parts availability when repairs are needed. Will see if I can pull off a hot tub and prep before winter hits. Will see...

 

[mimico_polak]

@Zoodles95 good idea. However one thing I’ve always heard about the 110V option is that they take 8-10hrs to heat up and then in the winter never actually do because the heaters can’t keep up.

Not sure if there are better options now than what my friends have though.

 

[nobbie48]

@Zoodles95 good idea. However one thing I’ve always heard about the 110V option is that they take 8-10hrs to heat up and then in the winter never actually do because the heaters can’t keep up.

Not sure if there are better options now than what my friends have though.

If it's under-powered the 120 volt option could cost a bundle in heating bills as it would run 24/7. A 1500 watt tea kettle running 24/7 is about $175 a month.

 

[GreyGhost]

@Zoodles95 good idea. However one thing I’ve always heard about the 110V option is that they take 8-10hrs to heat up and then in the winter never actually do because the heaters can’t keep up.

Not sure if there are better options now than what my friends have though.

8 to 10 hours to heat up from cold? Seems way too fast. I think my tub takes that long with a 4 kW heater (although they may have less water, I expect it will be more than 30% of the volume).

If I was doing inflatable in the winter, i would probably build a wood and foam enclosure to help it out with looks and temperature.

 

[GreyGhost]

If it's under-powered the 120 volt option could cost a bundle in heating bills as it would run 24/7. A 1500 watt tea kettle running 24/7 is about $175 a month.

That's more related to insulation than heater power.

 

[Gary]

I have wanted a hot tub for a good 20 years now.

Will see if I can pull off a hot tub and prep before winter hits. Will see...

I too went decades before pulling the pin.
Do yourself (and the wife) a favour. Buy a tub with at least 40 jets.
If you plan to "experiment" with a 110V, or a 20 something jet tub, you're going to be unimpressed, and never want to use it.
Get a good one.

 

[nobbie48]

That's more related to insulation than heater power.

It gets complex. How much insulation being the big one. Insulation doesn't have a big effect on heat up time but does on heat required to maintain temperature. More insulation is good but at some point the diminishing return isn't worth it.

If the thing is allowed to freeze you have to calculate the heat of fusion for a cubic yard ice cube. As it melts it will trickle away through all the cracks in the piping.

 

[GreyGhost]

It gets complex. How much insulation being the big one. Insulation doesn't have a big effect on heat up time but does on heat required to maintain temperature. More insulation is good but at some point the diminishing return isn't worth it.

If the thing is allowed to freeze you have to calculate the heat of fusion for a cubic yard ice cube. As it melts it will trickle away through all the cracks in the piping.

If it freezes solid, just give up and throw it out in the spring.