How do you strengthen a deck for a hot tub?
- Collect Your Materials. The size of your hot tub will determine the length of the 4x4s that you mount beneath the deck.
- Remove Decking Boards if Necessary.
- Cut and Mount the Supports.
- Place the Footers.
- Put it Back Together.
How do you support a hot tub on a deck?
One alternative way to create support for a hot tub is to mount the deck to the house. Where it meets into the house, run additional posts from the decking to the ground, flush with the house, on both corners of where the hot tub will sit. This added support will keep the deck from pulling away from the house with the added weight of a hot tub.
How many 4x4s do I need for a hot tub deck?
The size of your hot tub will determine the length of the 4x4s that you mount beneath the deck. Make sure you have enough boards for two supports the same size as the the diameter of the hot tub. You will also need 4x4 lengths long enough to connect the bottom of the deck to the ground. For flat ground you will want four foundation cinder blocks.
How do you mount a hot tub on a cinder block?
You can mount them using metal hangers made for this purpose. Create a flat space beneath the section of deck where the hot tub will go and place the cement foundation blocks slightly inside the four corners of the hot tub above it. You will then run 4x4 posts from the 4x4 supports to the cinder blocks, cutting them to length.
What is the difference between a bathtub and a deck?
A deck is often constructed for high loads up to 50 psf, while a bath can be used for a more significant load per square foot. The height and the diameter of or the length and the width affect water and the people that can take place at a spa. A 39 foot long by 4′ wide bathtub can hold 165 gallons an 8-person 42-foot square container can hold.
How much does an 8x8 hot tub weigh?
Can you put a hot tub on top of a deck?
Do I need to reinforce my deck for a hot tub?
Yes, you can put a hot tub on a deck. Decks built ground level up to 2 feet off the ground can support up to 100 lbs per square foot; sufficient for most hot tubs. But decks 2 feet or higher will need added support. The added support posts should be no more than 30″ apart & ideally placed in poured concrete.
Will joist hangers support a hot tub?
Don't use a ledger board or joist hangers when building a hot tub deck. Super-size to 2×10 joists installed on top of the beams and spaced at 12”o.c., 8”o.c. is preferable, though. Use brackets to maintain location on the beam and intermediate blocking for spacing and to prevent twisting.
How do I strengthen my deck?
To stiffen the deck, go underneath and install a row of 2x8 blocks down the center, perpendicular to the joists. Stagger them with enough room to nail or screw them in place through the end grain, then fasten the treated 2x4s to the underside of the joists so they run from corner to corner, forming an X.
What size joist do I need to support a hot tub?
Standard 4x4 posts can be used for supports, and 2x8 joists will support the weight of most typical hot tubs. Check local building codes for footing requirements. Twelve inch on center spacing between joists underneath the hot tub will help provide extra support and 2x6 decking is preferred.
How do you build a platform for a hot tub?
The easiest way to construct a hot tub platform is to pound stakes at the corners of an 8 by 8 foot square. Make a smaller square of 9 stakes in the middle. Replace each stake with hole that's 1 foot deep, and fill the holes with a few inches of sand. Place a footing on top and set a short wooden post in each footing.
How do I strengthen my deck joists?
0:582:45Build a Stronger Deck: Joist Connections - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe hu or hu c are better options for higher load capacities double shear nailing can provide aMoreThe hu or hu c are better options for higher load capacities double shear nailing can provide a strong connection using fewer fasteners by distributing the load through two points on each nail.
How much weight can a wood deck hold?
In general, most decks can withstand 100 lbs per square foot.
How do you install a hot tub on a wood deck?
6 Tips for Installing a Hot Tub on a DeckLearn the deck's weight capacity.Inspect the strength of the wood.Treat the deck surface.Select a location that suits traffic flow.Consider electrical access.Determine how to get the hot tub on the deck.
Types of Hot Tub
There are many types of hot tubs to choose from, including in-ground hot tubs and above-ground hot tubs.
How To Reinforce A Deck For A Hot Tub?
It is possible to purchase the unit to ensure that the design is precisely the dimensions and the weight specification. This process ensures no more surprises about availability, hookup, and locations of access points.
How Much Weight Can a Deck Hold?
If it were built to specification, it is only worth 50 pounds per square foot. However, it is the default standard and most common for deck constructions and will not be enough strong deck to support a hot tub. Charts of decks show the maximum lengths of your decks, posts, and beams to support a hot tub on a deck.
How do I know if my Deck is Strong Enough for a Hot Tub?
The first thing you need before putting a tub on a deck is to look at your deck and see if it’s made of wood. If so, then the next step would be measuring its surface area with a tape measure.
Conclusion
The deck for a hot tub is not an essential part of any home, but it does need to be reinforced. There are many different factors to consider before building a deck, strengthen it, and make sure that you have invested in this area before adding a hot tub.
What is decking in 2019?
on Apr 17, 2019. Decks come in all shapes and sizes. From a small square landing pad outside the back slider to expansive multi-tiered, multi-functional space, one thing they all have in common is the welcoming draw for a hot tub.
Can you screw a deck back into place?
If you had to dismantle parts of your deck to add the supports, you can now screw them back into place as you finish up. One alternative way to create support for a hot tub is to mount the deck to the house.
Can you support a hot tub on a deck?
Hot tubs, however, are very heavy, especially when filled with water, and chances are that your existing deck can’t safely support it without additional reinforcement. Fortunately, reinforcing your deck in preparation for a hot tub is a relatively easy task. Here are some pointers to help you out. Continue reading below Our Video of the Day.
Can you remove decking boards from a hot tub?
If your deck is low to the ground and you are unable to access the underside, you will need to remove the decking boards in the area you plan to place the hot tub. For elevated decks with access underneath you can skip this step.
Step 1
The first step is to talk to an engineer. After adding a spa, plus water, plus people in the hot tub you can add around 6000 lbs to your deck. My spa started off at 600 lbs. The spa filled has 320 gallons or 2672 lbs. (8.35 lbs / gallon). If 7 people sit in my hot tub that is an additional 1050 lbs. (average 150 lbs). That is a total of 4,322 lbs.
Step 2
My engineer recommended to add an additional joist to each of the existing joist on the deck where the spa would be sitting. He also recommended to add additional Ledger board fasteners to the ledger. Our first step was to knock out the nailed in blocks so we could add the additional beams to the deck.
Step 3
We then added ledger board fasteners to the existing deck ledger. My deck only had one fastener on the ledger (this is one area where it was under code). We added an additional 4 fasteners to each area between the deck joists. Each fastener was 3 - 5/8" long. This was to help support the weight of the new spa.
Step 4
We next placed a new joist butt up against the existing joist. We held the joist in place with a clamp before fastening them together. Adding joists will help distribute the weight for the addition of a spa.
Step 5
We then fastened the two joists together using three 2 1/2" deck screws every 2 feet.
Step 6
Next additional joist hangers were placed on the house side to give more support between the joist and the ledger.
Step 7
We finally nailed the blocks we took out back in place. The blocks needed to be modified due to the addition of the joist.
How much does an 8x8 hot tub weigh?
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.#N#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.
Can you put a hot tub on top of a deck?
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.
