Hot Tub Deck Design and Framing Platform A standard 8’ x 8’ hot tub weighs about 5,000 lbs when fully loaded with water and people.  Needless to say this is much more than a typical deck frame is designed to support.  You will always want to build a separate frame within your deck to support a hot tub.  Adequate strength for this application is only achieved by installing properly sized footings below all the corners of the hot tub.  You will want to get the exact specifications for the hot tub including the size and weight when filled with water before making considerations about how to support it.  Many builders choose to set the hot tub at a lower elevation than the surrounding deck allowing a person to step down into the water with less bending and climbing.  Always make sure you plan ahead to provide access to the controls.  If your deck is being built near the ground you may consider setting the hot tub on a poured concrete slab with access to the deck.  Never place a hot tub on top of a deck that was not specifically designed to handle the intense loads.

Was this article helpful?Before the deck can be built, mark off the designated area with spray paint. Then, use a backhoe, shovels and rakes to clear the area of brush and debris. To determine the size and shape of the deck, measure the dimensions of the hot tub. Use these measurements to make a temporary frame out of 2x4's that will act as a guide for the deck's footers. This temporary frame will eventually be replaced by a permanent frame that is slightly larger to allow for expansion and contraction. Cover the ground inside the temporary frame with gravel to keep water away from the bottom of the hot tub. Dig holes for the cement footers that will support the hot tub. Also, dig holes for the footers that will support the deck. Fill the holes with quick setting concrete mix and add water. Allow the concrete to dry. Build the permanent frame for the deck out of 2x6 pressure-treated beams (Images 1 and 2). Pressure-treated wood is critical since the deck will be exposed to rain and the water from the hot tub, and pressure-treated lumber resists damage and deterioration from exposure to water or moisture.

Once the frame is nailed together, it needs to be squared. Measure diagonally from corner to corner to determine if it is. You will also need to be sure that the hot tub frame is centered with the exterior frame of the deck. Tie nylon string diagonally from corner to corner of the exterior frame. Then, shift hot tub frame until the corners line up with the nylon string. Determine how much extra room will be needed to allow for the deck to expand and contract. Ck Moving CompanyNow you are ready to replace the hot tub’s temporary frame with a permanent frame (Image 3).House For Sale De La Pole Avenue After the frame is shifted into place, place 4x4 support posts in the footer holes, one in each corner and a few in between. Grow Light Rail Reviews

Then, drill each support post to the frame with coated deck screws. When the inner frame is squared and centered, attach the frames to one another with several 2x6 joists. These joists will act as supports for the deck. Attach a right angle bracket to the base of each support post. Because the posts are set in concrete, first drill pilot holes, and then secure the brackets with concrete screws.Edit ArticleHow to Build a Hot Tub Platform Building a hot tub platform is the first step to installing a jacuzzi system in your backyard. Although this requires quite a bit of effort, it is much less expensive than outsourcing the job to a professional company. You can also pick your own materials to ensure the high quality of the job. Decide where you want to place the platform. If you plan to place the hot tub in a location that was previously lawn, you have two ways to do this. The first is to take an 8 foot (2.4 meters) by 8 foot (2.4 meters) section of lawn out and dig down past the sod to undisturbed soil.

Then fill the excavation with gravel and level. The second is to build a deck strong enough to support the weight of a hot tub filled with water and people enjoying themselves. You can use the plan below to construct a hot tub deck in one afternoon. Lay out a perfect 8 foot square at the location you plan to build the deck. Wrap a string around the corner stakes and make two diagonal strings to locate the center. Pound stakes at the center of each side (4' from the corner stake). Now find the last four stakes by measuring 32" from two of your last four stakes as shown in the photo to the right. Dig a 15" by 15" square hole at each of the inside nine stakes. Fill the bottom 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) of the hole with sand. Flatten the sand with a square end shovel or a piece of plywood. Place the footing on top of the sand with the straps aligned with the direction of the beams. Wiggle the block until it is level in both directions.

Repeat this process with each hole and footing, making sure that the rows are aligned. Tamp excavated soil into the holes around the footings compacting the ground so the footing can't move. You should now have 9 footings in a 64" square in the middle of an 8' staked off square.create (3) 4"x6" beams by nailing two 2"x6" 8' boards together. Set the center post first. Place the "Post to Beam" ties on top of each post and nail through the holes provided. Do the same with the other outside beam. Recruit others to fill in the nail pattern for each beam holder and footing straps with galvanized 8d nails. Toenail a 2" x 6" joist to each end of the beams. Check the diagonal to be sure it is square. Nail a rim joist to the ends of the joists and nail blocking down the center. Mark the outside joists every 6.25" from each side. Hot tubs weigh about 700 to 800 pounds dry and about 3700 pounds when filled. Placement of the hot tub should be planned well ahead of delivery.

The location should be accessible to the 50 amp service most require. Other than that requirement, it should be located where it pleases you. If it will be located on a patio slab you will not need this article. If you live where the Earth freezes in winter, be sure to think about deeper footings! A cutoff saw works best for posts and blocking. Always check with your local building department before you start construction. Permits and inspections may be needed for your project. Failure to obtain permits may result in a delay/cancel of the sale of your home in the future. Have all your materials at the job site. Make sure your measurements are precise when completing this project. If the pieces don't line up because of measurement errors, then the sturdiness of your platform will be seriously compromised. If you have an existing deck, cut the beam and joist spans in half to provide the additional support. Be careful handling heavy equipment and materials during the construction process.