Smooth the top of the concrete pad with a bull float, by alternately pushing and then pulling the float numerous times over the surface of the wet concrete until it’s smooth. Trowel the surface of the pad when the concrete is starting to set, using a 14-inch hand trowel. Concrete that does not cure properly can shrink, crack or even develop a dusty, weak and crumbly surface. Call Today: (860) 571-8440. At seven days, you should have concrete that is cured to 70% full strength or greater. For example, if you’re pouring a 9-foot by 9-foot pad, cut four two-by-fours 109.5 inches long. We are the 1st owners and everything was brand new.. appliances, furnace boiler etc; My parents have had their hot tub on crushed stone for 8 years, it's level and like new. The best part of the product is how durable it is over time. The synthetic hot tub or spa pad is made from a high density polyethylene that is made to take the weight of a hot tub or spa. Hot Tub Construction. Step 10 Allow to dry and cure for 20 days before placing the weight of the filled hot tub onto the pad. Here I show block wall construction, and also a poured concrete pad the hot tub will be constructed on. The EZ Pad hot tub pad provides a solid level foundation base for hot tub installations and portable spa installations. Just my 2 cents. Concrete cure time is not given as a concrete one. Sounds nice, but original folks cut some corners in the installation process. If the concrete is on soil, with no damp barrier (landscaping fabric), and no steel in it, i doubt it will last past winter, your hot tub weighs 800 pounds, water weighs 2 pounds per pint and bodies weigh differently, potentially, you could easily have 1,500 - 2000 pounds in weight, when full of water and bodies. Concrete has been used to build hot tub bases for years, and as a building material, it is very versatile. Screed the top of the concrete to level it. No concrete, installs in any weather with no permits. Unfortunately, cold weather during winter months can seriously slow down concrete cure time and significantly hold up construction projects. I have looped the outlet hose under the counter as the user instructions say so it doesn't siphon yet it doesn't appear that there is enough water in the tub for the spray arms to rotate. A swim spa must be placed on a flat, stable and level surface. DIY Laying a 10' x 10' x 6" concrete pad for a Hot Tub Installation Recheck level, and square as you attach each stake. The best part of the product is how durable it is over time. Cut a two-by-four 4 feet longer than the width of your hot tub pad to use as a screed board. Insert two 3-inch screws at each corner. Also please provide rough-in demensions for a 60'' tub. My wife and I pouring a concrete pad for our hot tub. The best time to pour concrete is when temperatures are expected to remain above 50 degrees for five to seven days, but plans can go awry with … The inside frame dimensions should match the desired pad size. Square the frame by measuring from corner to corner. Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs - alternatives to a concrete pad - I just purchased a tub, and I'm preparing a site for it's location. How can I tell how much water should be in the tub? Bathroom on 1st floor has hot water enough to fog up... Have had new dishwasher installed. Order ready-mix concrete. The pad can be assembled and be in place in less than a half hour. We recommend pouring a pad that is at least a few feet larger than the hot tub so you have room to put things down on the concrete. It’s also a simple way to extend your patio or deck space. I have a new concrete back patio. A water-filled, six-person hot tub can weigh upward of two tons, so many homeowners position their tubs on concrete pads instead of setting them on wood decks. Alternatively you can also use wet sacks to retain the moisture. Sure, it’s always better to have a helper, but it is not mandatory. Concrete Curing Time. The best way to screed a slab is with a screed board placed on edge at one end of the pad. I spent $7,350 on hot tub and delivery (didn't have to pay tax because my wife has a perscription from the chiropractor) and about $600 on framing wood and concrete. 4. 7 day notice w/out cure and payment eviction at the same time . With thousands of pounds of weight over it, the concrete can stand just a few years. Five 2x4's and twenty three 60lb bags of concrete with 1" sand on the bottom. The redi-mix concrete from a concrete company is strong enough to support a filled hot tub in a week's time if all things are done correctly. However I need him evicted immediately. Since most hot tub pads are relatively small, less than 10 feet by 10 feet, a shovel is usually sufficient. If the ground is exceptionally hard, a small excavator, such as a skid-steer, might be necessary. Run a concrete edge tool along the sides of the pad at the same time you’re troweling. A pad this size will need around 48 hours to cure but keep an eye on it. Drive the stakes every 2 feet apart or so, and attach them to the frame with 1.5-inch screws. If you plan to install a hot tub indoors, make sure that the room is properly ventilated to prevent the moisture from accumulating. A simple way to do this is to cut each two-by-four 1.5 inches longer than the intended pad size. If not what will I need to do? This kind of base pad is well-known as the strength of hot tub base pad. The standard concrete slab slope is 1/4 inch per lineal foot. Two workers move the screed board quickly from side to side while pulling it along the edge of the pad to smooth and level the wet concrete and pull off the excess. I have 2 flrs and 2 full baths. The best temperature to cure concrete is above 50° F, which can be difficult to replicate if the air is … Dampen the gravel base using a garden hose to prevent shrinkage cracking especially in hot temperatures. Building the frame for the concrete. Concrete hot tub base. The reason that concrete pads are consistently used as a base for a swim spa is that they can be constructed to the exact specifications needed. How long should we wait to insure it has the time to fully cure before placing that much weight on it or covering an area that size. Avoid using a pry bar between the boards and the new concrete. The surface of the concrete should be relatively flat and slightly above … It looks as if I may have found a solution to my eviction/ not paying rent problem.But I am not sure if I am allowed to do this. You can wait longer if you care to but 2 days is plenty. Concrete cures for years but I've done concrete work and normally I tell folks allow 24 hrs for walking and 48 hrs for anything heavy such as your tub or in most of my cases autos or trucks. Since a two-by-four is 1.5 inches wide, the inside frame dimension should be the correct dimension. You can do this! Arrange the boards so that each one overlaps the end of the next one. Concrete Pad. Measure and cut two-by-four lumber to form the frame to hold the wet concrete. by Troy Q. I recently purchased a home in NC (eastern, frost not a concern) that came with a sunken hot tub in the sunroom/deck area. Concrete cures for years but I've done concrete work and normally I tell folks allow 24 hrs for walking and 48 hrs for anything heavy such as your tub or in most of my cases autos or trucks. You can wait longer if you care to but 2 days is plenty. The tub is partially on the ground under the deck and shored in other areas. Step 7 Consolidate and distribute the concrete evenly using a hoe. After the hot tub gets here, I'm going take some more photos and then use photoshop to draw in what I think I want the deck to do. The edger rounds off the sharp corners. Strip the forms 24 hours later by removing the screws and then pulling the stakes. Concrete that dries too fast can crack and shrink, so in sunny conditions you might want to give the concrete a light mist with your hose to prevent this. A water-filled, six-person hot tub can weigh upward of two tons, so many homeowners position their tubs on concrete pads instead of … It’s better to have a little extra than not enough. See more ideas about hot tub, hot tub patio, hot tub outdoor. Will it be located as such to line up with a tub? However, it is not the same with spa … Regardless of the size of a hot tub, the bottom of the tub must be completely supported. Step 6 Pour the concrete mix in evenly placed leads; the top of the concrete mounds should be about 2 to 3 inches above the forms before leveling. Level the top of the frame, but maintain an imperceptible slope to allow water to drain away. However, the standard industrial case for concrete curing time is 28 days. Pour the slab, seal it, then wait a few days....by then the concrete will have cured enough for the tub and the water. To make this base pad hot tub, certainly, you have to prepare the materials needed such as an amount of sand, cement, gravels and water. Why did I go concrete, I let the majority opinion get the best of me I guess. I would like to install a 60" tub. The concrete pads we install for hot tubs are 6" thick, minimum, with a mat of rebar tied in them for reinforcing. If you don’t know how to figure how much you need, the concrete company can help you. What Is A Typical Hot Tub Size? Attach the two-by-fours at the corners, using a cordless drill fitted with a screwdriver bit. Kitchen Aid Dishwasher - Water Level in tub, Converting shower stall to Bath tub rough-in. It is easy to make level and will out-live your hot tub if built correctly. Not only can you do it, you can build the entire hot tub yourself without anybody else’s help. The longer you allow concrete to cure, the harder it becomes. Is there a cure-time for the orange cement (does not say on the can)? The synthetic spa pad will need little to no maintenance like the other hot tub pad options available. Dig to a depth of 4 inches. Using your spa for about 15 minutes produces the equivalent water vapor of a shower of the same duration, so it's a good idea to set up a bathroom exhaust fan to prevent excess condensation in your room. At some point we would like to place a hot tub on it. No hot water in master bath;scortching hot everywhere else. It is better for you to make it in the backyard because is directly detained by the ground. Tamp the wet concrete into the corners thoroughly and along the edges to work air pockets out of the mix. The base pad is very sturdy, strong and long-lasting in materials included. Troweling involves rubbing the concrete firmly to provide a strong surface bond. In standard industrial cases, full strength concrete is recognized at 28 days. But to answer the question of, “How long does concrete take to set?” concrete setting time is generally 24 to 48 hours. How to Pour Concrete Landscape Curbing by Hand, How to Pour a Level Concrete Pad on Unlevel Ground, How to Lay Concrete With Steel Mesh Supported by Plastic Stools. I have a walk-in shower on top of a concrete slab. Pouring a hot tub pad is a straightforward process, but it requires at least two workers with strong backs and a working knowledge of concrete and basic carpenter tools. I have scortching hot water everywhere but my master bath. Putting Concrete Blocks Under a Hot Tub. Assuming that you’re using chlorine as your sanitizer give it a good boost by adding chlorine to the water until you reach a level of between 5 and 8 parts per million. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Concrete sells by the cubic yard. When looking for an experienced hot tub pad construction service, putting your trust in the expertise of Calgary Hot Tub Repair and Service will ensure that you have the perfect installation for your needs. If crushed stone moved so much why is it recomended as a base under a 4 " concrete pad!? Insert and attach wood stakes on the outside of the wood frame to keep the frame from shifting. I have finally found out (with help) that I need to use cpvc pipe and fittings to hook-up my bathtub/shower assembly, and also cpvc primer and cement (orange). While you may only need to keep the concrete protected for the first week while it cures, it actually takes it about 28 days to reach its full strength and hardness. A hot tub—that luxurious backyard amenity—can become very heavy when filled with water and people. Best Selling Hot Tub Installation Pad and Spa Foundation. HOT TUB. Pour the slab all at once, and pull the thick wet concrete to the corners using the backs of shovels or concrete pulls. I just purchased a newly built home. Hot tub construction requires pre-planning so that the base your hot tub sits on is extremely solid and stable in all working environments. How long should we wait before doing something like that. At the seventh day too, the concrete will have cured up to about 70 percent full strength or greater. Curing Time for Concrete. A hot tub holds 400+ gallons of water so you are looking at a concrete pad needing to support 2+ tons of weight and the last thing you want is for it to crack. The pad comes in 4 pieces and will fit in most SUV’s. Check and add sanitizer/shock the hot tub – After you have checked the pH levels and also the calcium hardness of the water now is a good time to give your sanitizer a boost or to shock the hot tub. The measurements should be exact. Run the 2-by-4 along the top surface of the footing to make the central pad level with the footing. Glenda Taylor is a contractor and a full-time writer specializing in construction writing. Spread and level an inch of fill sand in the bottom of the pad forms. The synthetic hot tub or spa pad is made from a high density polyethylene that is made to take the weight of a hot tub or spa. Click here … Will there be a p- trap in the slab? Her education includes marketing and a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Kansas. This new and exciting way to level your hot tub can save you money and time. The synthetic spa pad will need little to no maintenance like the other hot tub pad options available. I intend on giving the person living at my home 3 days notice to pay rent. Don’t disturb the soil deeper than 4 inches because the stability of the slab depends on solid soil beneath. Concrete Curing Blankets. She also enjoys writing business and finance, food and drink and pet-related articles. Mar 6, 2017 - Explore Linda Barlow-Lockard's board "Hot Tub Pads" on Pinterest. I intend to pour a concrete pad, but I seem to remember seeing a product The slope should be away from the house, garage or other structure. You can place EZ pad on any level well-drained area, including grass, dirt, sand and gravel. How to Pour a Hot Tub Pad. Hey guys, I installed a 5" concrete pad and it's been curing for 3 days. In comparisons to concrete foundations, spa pads offer better durability and performance. Is silicone caulk appropriate for seating the... OK here is my dilema.. It's not permenant, it drains well, the advanteges go on and on. Order about 1/4 yard more than what you need. It helps to have someone with concrete-pouring knowledge on site when pouring. If they’re not, adjust the frame until they are. I have a hot tub being delivered tomorrow and just wanted to confirm that it wont damage the concrete since a full cure … They, at first place, eliminate the tension of cracking or breaking over time as in the case of concretes. If the forms stick to the concrete, tap the top of the boards gently with a hammer to loosen. Video, Pictures, Reviews. 3 questions: Size of Concrete slab for hot tub. The concrete pad is 4" thick, 3000 psi with rebar. If the pad will be larger than the hot tub, brush an old broom over the wet concrete after troweling to reduce surface slickness. This new and exciting way to level your hot tub can save you money and time. The disadvantage is it can be expensive, and it is not very environmentally friendly as some of the other options detailed in this article. Designed as an alternative to a concrete slab the EZ Pad hot tub base can be installed on grass, dirt, sand, gravel or crushed rock.