| Hot Tub Deck: Installing the Hot Tub and Railings |
From "Weekend Remodeling" episode WKR-201 |
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This is an intermediate level project and rated 3 on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult. The deck was built and hot tub installed in one weekend. Materials: Quick-set concrete (used for the footer) Pressure-treated lumber in the following various sizes: - 2x6 for the floor joists
- 5-quarter board for the decking
- 2x10 for the beams
- 4x4 for the posts
Drill and bits with a socket attachment Cordless drill Circular saw Miter saw Jig saw Reciprocating saw Spiral nails Gas-powered nail gun Level Speed square Framing square Chalk line Tape measure Shovel Stakes and string Galvanized nails and screws Various electrical supplies used by the electrician Two-man auger Landscape cloth Mulch Installing the Hot Tub There are still some step railings that need to be installed, but that will come "after" the hot tub is installed. An average portable hot tub can weigh between 500 and 800 pounds, so having a few friends around to help move it is a must. If you have some PVC pipe (figure A) around, it will make the job a lot easier. Simply place the piping on the ground and roll the hot tub to the deck. Here are a few tips to remember when installing a hot tub: - Wiring the hot tub is not for the average do-it-yourselfer. For this particular project, Reveiz had a professional electrician for the high-voltage installation.
- Portable hot tubs require no plumbing hookups. They're filled and drained with a hose and heated and filtered with its own equipment.
Now that the hot tub is securely installed, it's time to make sure that the occupants stay safely in place as well. - Use a jig saw to cut a hole in the deck for the post (figure B).
- Position the post, but be sure to use a level to get the post plumb. Once the post is properly positioned, use a nail gun to temporarily tack it in. When you're satisfied with the post's position, secure it permanently by using 3" deck screws.
- Drop the sections of railing between the posts (figure C) and secure them with nails.
- The final piece to be installed is the top rail, which gets nailed down with a power nailer (figure D).
RESOURCES :
The Complete Guide to Building Decks (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library)
ISBN: 0865734275
Author: Editors of Creative Publishing International
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Creative Publishing International, Inc.
Website: www.creativepub.com
Building a Deck: Expert Advice From Start to Finish (Taunton's Build Like a Pro)
ISBN: 1561584797
Author: Scott Schuttner
Order this title from Amazon.com.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
Hydro Spa
Clearwater, FL 33762
Website: www.hydrospa.com
GUESTS :
Sandy DeKoning
Mountain Stream Spas
Phone: 865-774-6888
Website: www.mountainstreamspas.com
Richard Wallace
Representative
Southern Pine Council
Phone: 504-443-4464
Website: www.SouthernPine.com
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