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I was told today that by a dealer that he prefers and recommends concrete slab over the all other surfaces due to the weight of the spa. With the spa going pretty close to the side of the house would the slab be a problem?
3/4 crush gravel in a braced 4x4 frame is what we usually recommend. The delivery and set up is slightly more difficult, but we've got some good techniques to set a spa in place without messing up the gravel. The downside to gravel is that sometimes the customor's pad is not really level, or the frame is not big enough and the base of the tub overlaps the 4x4s.
Not at all. Make sure the contractor "ties" in the slab to your existing foundation with 1/2'' rebar.My spa sits on a slab and is only 3' from my house. I haven't had any problems whatsoever. Not even any hairline cracks. It's tied into my foundation with rebar and is 4'' thick. See pic below.
Concrete pads are great for delivery. We can trailer up to the site, slide the spa onto casters and have it place in no time at all. The spa customer knows he has a good solid base under his tub. The downside is a lack of drainage for splash-over and cover dripping.
BauernHere's my dilemma. Wife wants me to order the spa now will take 3-4 weeks to get here. I just can't makeup my mind which direction to extent my deck for the best view and privacy from 2 of my neighbors. Also once my deck is completed I will have to use a crane to place spa on deck. I have considered pouring a concrete pad for a temporary fix for now, but it's a little pricy being that it's temporary. Someone told me to place 6" of crushed limestone then I can rest the spa on it after packing it down.You suggest crushed gravel. So which one is better to use gravel, or limestone and how deep do I need go, do I place anything underneath either one. I will frame with 6x6x10. I live in the midwest and yes it gets very cold here 4 months out of the year. It is very windy were my house is as well if that makes any difference on how I need to prep and install.This will buy me time to do what I need to best extend my deck the right way next spring. I want to enclose with screening and a roof 14'diameter to take advantage on the fantastic view we have.Any help will be greatly apprecated.
On a side note, when it's close to zero degrees F, four people in and out of a spa - splash over does become an issue known as ice.
Without concrete you can have a heave issue because of the water in the ground freezing and thawing.
Let's not forget, enough frost heave will crack concrete. And if it's enough to move 4" of gravel, with over a ton of spa and water on it - it is certainly enough to damage concrete.
We will just have to agree to disagree as I believe concrete is the best option.
Besides the wife likes the concrete so then concrete must be the best right?