Metal framed spas

[Tman122]

Looks like a whole lot of perfectly good parts to me.

See always the optimist!!

[Chas]

The way that tub was set up on blocks like that, it would have failed with ANY structure I'm sure.

Steve

Notice the spa in the background: it was set up the same way and DID NOT fail. It has a wood frame.

In this case, and I do not know the various brands involved, the wood tub proved to be tougher. YMMV.

I have seen HotSpring tubs blocked by just the corners with no similar dissaster. In fact, I was called out to service a Grandee which was incorrectly installed. It was sitting up on a 4x6 on one corner with the other three corners touching a very uneven slab. The big deal was that the middle of the spa had drooped down over four inches. The tub was that way for 4 years, and then had an unrelated problem which required us to pick up the spa, fix it and return it.

It sat real funny on our flatbed trailer: we had to put two of our largest cargo straps on it, and even then the corners wouldn't touch the trailer bed.

We told the customer the spa had been installed wrong, and they poured a new slab. When spa and new slab came together a few weeks later, the tub settled into place as the water went it, and the corners finally came back down. It is working to this day as far as I know.

[hymbaw]

We put Sundance (wood frames) up like that all the time. No problems. My previous employers did the same with Hot Spring (wood frames). No problems. Could you make a metal framed spa that would handle having the corners hold all the weight? I'm sure you could but this mfg. obviously didn't!

Metal is cheaper than wood and IMO the main reason some mfg. are going that way. One concern I have with metal frames...Do they buy 8' lengths and then cut them? If so the ends would no longer be galvanized and would rust.

With the cost of wood continuing to rise more companies will be seeking alternatives.

Great Lakes is our other line besides Sundance and they have engineered a clever way to eliminate the frame all together. When they update their website with pics I'll post them.

[Spatech_tuo]

One concern I have with metal frames...Do they buy 8' lengths and then cut them? If so the ends would no longer be galvanized and would rust.

Good point, never thought of that. I imagine when you screw into the metal for a cover lifter you'll potentially have the same issue. Is it a major concern? I'm not sure.

[Chas]

The ones I have worked on rusted around all the screws which held the siding one.

[dpgtech]

the potential for a spa to collapse set on blocks like that is there whether it's wood or metal.  in any case  the metal framed spa and even wood framed spas are engineered to support that much weight up in the air with for small points such as blocks in just the corners holding all that weight.   on lower blocks with some type of support in the middle, or even just support under the footwell,  imo it's doubtful that would have occured.  is it also possible the structure of the spa shell contributed to this collapse? maybe, maybe not.

[dpgtech]

the potential for a spa to collapse set on blocks like that is there whether it's wood or metal.  in any case  the metal framed spa and even wood framed spas are engineered to support that much weight up in the air with for small points such as blocks in just the corners holding all that weight.   on lower blocks with some type of support in the middle, or even just support under the footwell,  imo it's doubtful that would have occured.  is it also possible the structure of the spa shell contributed to this collapse? maybe, maybe not.

i goofed should have read:are not engineered to support that much weight up in the air

[stuart]

Considering that I'm being quoted and referred to here I Thought that I had better get into the fray...

I do believe that a wood framed spa with 2x4 treated wood is stronger than a metal frame dependant on the fasteners used.

I don't think that this is a big deal on a wood deck or concrete pad but could be a problem with the metal frame on pea gravel, pavers or any other unstable surface. Any spa should be placed on a flat level surface…

I question hymbaw's comment on Sundance considering that most of us have dealt with the '96 and '97 year leakers and most of us have had to repair the frames. I would worry more about that stapled frame than any other frame in the industry. I haven’t looked at the new models but hope that they have gone to more 2 x 4’s and better fastening in the newer models.

I don't think the Galvalume frames will ever rust but agree with Chas that they need to be careful of what fasteners they use. We really haven't had a rusting problem with the screws yet but I think the potential is there.

Again, there where two spas being worked on at the same time that the one collapsed….one was an older Marquis with a 2x4 frame the other was the Galvalume. The Marquis sat a week with water and never budged.