Some Thoughts For A Newbie?

[fucanay]

Hi everyone,

I've never owned a spa and I'm thinking about putting one on my deck. I have a friend who has a Cal Spa that she will give me. It's supposed to work, but needs some seals replaced. She had a technician look at it and he said it would be about $200 parts and labor to replace the seals. It's not been used in a couple of years (empty), but has had the cover on it and it lives in a gazebo. I've already been in contact with my electrician and got an estimate on the 220 run and disconnect , $650-$700.

Now for the question. I want to be sure my deck is appropriate to put the tub on. The portion on the deck I want to put it on is only about 18" off the ground. It has 6 cemented 4x4 post coming out of the ground. It has 4x6 joists sitting on top of those and 2x6 redwood deck planks on the surface. I don't believe that all of the posts and joists would line up on the outside edges of the tub.

Here is a picture for a visual. The post spacing isn't right here, but it shows the layout. I can get the actual spacing if it's really important.

Do you think this would be ok? I believe (meaning, I don't know for sure) that the tub is a 4-5 seater. I haven't actually seen it yet.

Any help is much appreciated.

Matt

[Roger]

Hi everyone,

I've never owned a spa and I'm thinking about putting one on my deck. I have a friend who has a Cal Spa that she will give me. It's supposed to work, but needs some seals replaced. She had a technician look at it and he said it would be about $200 parts and labor to replace the seals. It's not been used in a couple of years (empty), but has had the cover on it and it lives in a gazebo. I've already been in contact with my electrician and got an estimate on the 220 run and disconnect , $650-$700.

Now for the question. I want to be sure my deck is appropriate to put the tub on. The portion on the deck I want to put it on is only about 18" off the ground. It has 6 cemented 4x4 post coming out of the ground. It has 4x6 joists sitting on top of those and 2x6 redwood deck planks on the surface. I don't believe that all of the posts and joists would line up on the outside edges of the tub.

Here is a picture for a visual. The post spacing isn't right here, but it shows the layout. I can get the actual spacing if it's really important.

Do you think this would be ok? I believe (meaning, I don't know for sure) that the tub is a 4-5 seater. I haven't actually seen it yet.

Any help is much appreciated.

Matt

In order for us to even start we would have to know the spans between the 4x4 posts in both directions. And you didn't mention if there was any joists on top of the 4x6 headers, or is there deck boards just sitting on the headers? From what I can see here I would say no way unless those 4x6 beams are spaced less the 12-16 inches then in that case a couple more posts and your good. But if those 4x6's are spaced further than that you will need to add some in order to have spaces of 12"-16" and add posts to have at least 4 preferable 6 under the tub. You also didn't mention what type of footings are at the bottom of the posts? Are they sitting on cement footings or surrounded in cement?

[Johnny D]

Welcome to the forum. You are fortunate to be getting the spa for the cost of a little work. I am not competent to give you an answer but can offer an additional resource, "Ask the Deck Expert" forum. They seem to deal with decks and spas specifically. Check it out and let us know what the answer is.

http://www.decks.com/Forum21-1.aspx

[fucanay]

In order for us to even start we would have to know the spans between the 4x4 posts in both directions. And you didn't mention if there was any joists on top of the 4x6 headers, or is there deck boards just sitting on the headers? From what I can see here I would say no way unless those 4x6 beams are spaced less the 12-16 inches then in that case a couple more posts and your good. But if those 4x6's are spaced further than that you will need to add some in order to have spaces of 12"-16" and add posts to have at least 4 preferable 6 under the tub. You also didn't mention what type of footings are at the bottom of the posts? Are they sitting on cement footings or surrounded in cement?

Sorry, I didn't word this correctly.

I only drew a portion of a much larger deck, the portion the tub would be sitting on. On two sides of the picture above the 4x4 posts are 2.5 feet apart, on the other two sides and the middle they are 5 feet apart. They extend below ground and are secured to the ground with concrete in very hard dirt. Like in the picture below.

I also updated the first picture to give the proper dimensions. All 6 of the posts I've shown would be under the tub.

Thanks again, and sorry for the confusing information.

Matt

[Boonzer]

I don't know where you live, but I had to put my 10" concrete posts 3 feet down ? The frost (Canada eh) will cause the posts to move, and undue stress to the tub....better safe than sad

[Roger]

Sorry, I didn't word this correctly.

I only drew a portion of a much larger deck, the portion the tub would be sitting on. On two sides of the picture above the 4x4 posts are 2.5 feet apart, on the other two sides and the middle they are 5 feet apart. They extend below ground and are secured to the ground with concrete in very hard dirt. Like in the picture below.

I also updated the first picture to give the proper dimensions. All 6 of the posts I've shown would be under the tub.

Thanks again, and sorry for the confusing information.

Matt

Your close, but I think those beams will sag a bit in that 5 ft stretch and my only concern would be there. But it may be just fine with 3 beams and 6 posts under the tub. Worst case you could check for sag after filling, and again 3-6 months down the road, I don't think it will catastopicly collapse inbetween. Is this deck connected to the house or free standing? If it is free standing some diagonal supports will be required between posts.

Roger<------takes no resonsibility for dumping your tub through your deck.

[fucanay]

Your close, but I think those beams will sag a bit in that 5 ft stretch and my only concern would be there. But it may be just fine with 3 beams and 6 posts under the tub. Worst case you could check for sag after filling, and again 3-6 months down the road, I don't think it will catastopicly collapse inbetween. Is this deck connected to the house or free standing? If it is free standing some diagonal supports will be required between posts.

Roger<------takes no resonsibility for dumping your tub through your deck.

Thanks for the comments Roger. I think I'll just remove a portion of the deck if I end up getting the tub. I didn't want to have to do that unless I had to, but I also don't want the tub/occupants to fall through the deck. It's not far to fall, but still. I guess it's time to begin researching the proper way to install one of these on the ground.

Thanks

Matt

[Roger]

How about you remove just the boards, looks like just 2 and set some precast concrete piers and posts under the beams in the middle of your 5 ft span, then put the boards back on?

[fucanay]

Yeah, that might work. I may try to do that when I find a spa. The one my friend has isn't quite what I'm looking for. But now I have my eyes on a used 4 seat Hot Springs. It looks really good and the owner can deliver it. It's a 110V model. I'm not sure if it can be converted to 220V or not. Any thoughts on older Hot Springs spas?

Matt

[Roger]

Solid product with a great reputaion of many years of trouble free operation. Some can be converted. Others here will answer that if you supply the model and year.

[fucanay]

I haven't heard back from the person selling it, but here are some pictures. I'm guessing it's late 80's/early 90's.

He's only asking $600 for it and it sure looks to be in nice shape from these pictures.

Matt

[Chas]

Not convertable.

But it will do a great job on 110.

[Jim_The_Jim]

That is a much better product that the stuff they sell today.

It has a Starite 56 frame pump with a high service factor. It has a 30 amp large contact relay for the pump and a 121 degree high limit. That is Jon Watkins spa, not the stuff they make now.

[Dr. Spa]

That's Sta-Rite

[fucanay]

What about power consumption? Are these ones relatively efficient as far as 110 tubs go? I assume that there will be that whole no jets while heating thing going on and that's fine, but I'd prefer if my electric bill didn't go through the roof. Also, what kind of 110 service would I need? Does it require any more than a shared circuit coming out of my house?

Thanks for your opinions.

Matt

[Jim_The_Jim]

[quote name='fucanay' date='May 23 2007, 04:54 PM' post='26995'What about power consumption? Are these ones relatively efficient as far as 110 tubs go? I assume that there will be that whole no jets while heating thing going on and that's fine, but I'd prefer if my electric bill didn't go through the roof. Also, what kind of 110 service would I need? Does it require any more than a shared circuit coming out of my house?

Thanks for your opinions.

Matt

[/quote

These spas are relatively efficient because they lack power. I have been in those models and they are enjoyable but do not have strong jets. If you want powerful therapy and strong jets you need a spa that captures the pump heat and puts that back into the water to save energy.

[fucanay]

I don't need anything fancy. I've been in my friends bigger late 80's hot springs and it's just fine for me. I don't have as much room as he does and need something smaller. I look at all of these newer ones with tons of jets and feel like they are overkill for my needs.

Matt

[Jim_The_Jim]

[quote name='fucanay' post='27000' date='May 23 2007, 05:06 PM' I don't need anything fancy. I've been in my friends bigger late 80's hot springs and it's just fine for me. I don't have as much room as he does and need something smaller. I look at all of these newer ones with tons of jets and feel like they are overkill for my needs.

Matt[/quote

The other thing about that model is the parts are available at other places besides dealers who charge a foot, arm, leg and torso for the same parts.

[Jim_The_Jim]

Have you seen the spa running?

What are the sellers "warranty" of functionality?

[fucanay]

I doubt there is any kind of warranty other than he says it works great. It doesn't appear to be hooked up so I haven't seen it running.

Matt

[Roger]

Normaly I say do the oppisite of what Jim says and you will be fine but it seems like a decent deal to me. I would pay him half up front until you get it running as a safety net. A 110V 20A outlet should do it I think.