Servicing Inground Tubs

[TahoesMama]

Bear with me, folks.  This is probably gonna sound really dumb to the experts, but as a newbie, I'm wondering, how does one service inground tubs?  How are the service panels accessed, being that service personnel can't pull the panels from the fronts/sides as in above ground spas?

[rocket]

Is this a self contained spa that you are building a deck around to give it a built in look?

[TahoesMama]

That's it.  After looking at a few pictures in brochures and other places, it's something that we began to consider, that is, until we started thinking about how do you get to "the guts" if the deck is built around it?  Do you allow for removing a certain amount of decking material, and the service personnel have to work from inside a hole?

[HotTubMan]

Yes Tahoe, you need to plan an "access area" or "trap door" to get to the equipment if needed. Another caveat: NO WARRANTY INCLUDES REMOVAL OF A TUB FROM A DECK AND REINSTALLATION. My point? Well, if you spring a leak and some part of the tub other than the "trap door" area needs to be accessed, it is your responsibility to make that part of the spa accessible to the technician, not the manufacturer or dealer.

[TahoesMama]

Whoa!  That's something to really think about.  Knew there had to be some type of considerations we didn't factor, and I'm glad I was able to get some feedback.  Thanks a bunch!