Putting A Hot Tub On A Roof Deck

It seats four people and holds 195 gallons of water.

Putting a hot tub on a roof deck.

Sufficient for most hot tubs. Yes you can put a hot tub on a deck. When it comes to structural support the safest bet is a solid base independent of the deck. A flat level surface such as a concrete slab is the ideal location for a hot tub.

All of these items are pretty light weight things when compared to a hot tub or spa that is filled with water. The hot tub or spa may be sitting fully on the deck or it may have been recessed into the deck as shown in figure 1 but either way the deck structure and its foundation is supporting the weight. The spa guy gives general information on how to reinforce a deck to keep the deck from sagging or even falling. Decks built ground level up to 2 feet off the ground can support up to 100 lbs per square foot.

Most raised decks are constructed to hold a family maybe a few friends a barbecue and some outdoor furniture. Install decking up to from hot tub to leave room for expansion contraction and slight shifting of both the deck and the hot tub. Figure 1 hot tub on raised deck. A 3 1 2 to 4 inch slab is usually sufficient experts say.

The area under the hot tub should be framed as a separate system with its own footings. If you re building a new deck the slab should be formed and poured at the same time as your concrete footings. Using the values above use the following formula to calculate the weight a hot tub will put on your deck. The added support posts should be no more than 30 apart ideally placed in poured concrete.

Here s a link to a hot tub we ll use as an example in the formula. Check with local building code to determine spacing requirements for posts. But decks 2 feet or higher will need added support. Tall decks and hot tubs.

Build a solid deck base to support the hot tub weight. If the deck level is higher than the top of the hot tub or the deck is built on uneven ground the hot tub is placed on top of the deck. Weight of hot tub number of gallons of water x 8 34 lbs number of people spa can seat x 185 lbs of square feet pounds per square foot. Your tub is only for four people and it is inflatable so the numbers will be less.

But if you want to go the post and cement footing route beaulieu recommends consulting a professional to ensure your load calculations are correct. It is very simple and you can buy the materia. Put your tub on a firm foundation whether a deck or patio with a cement pad concrete pavers brick or a new smartdeck pre fab alternative. How do you add more footing under the deck.