Leveling spa

[redalert001]

Has anyone tried to level their spa?

I am on a concrete slab close to the house two feet away from two exterior walls. The house is also from the 1940s I am guessing the concrete slab could be original from the house as well. So lots of cracks in the concrete slab.

I called the manufacturer as I am completely new to the spa world and told them the lounge was unusable for my spouse who is 6’1” and myself much shorter 5’4”. There’s way too much water in the lounge area back corner. The manufacturer said the spa was unlevel in the back corner of the lounge. The manufacturer stated to put a 2 x 4 under the spa in that lounge area. I was wondering if just one will really work or if anyone has tried just using one or a few and it worked.

I understand now that no slab is going to be perfectly level as the water needs to drain away from the house. And now I understand why everyone is building a small deck on their concrete slab to level their hot tub. Just wondering from others who have gone down this road if creating a small wood platform deck is the only answer or if I can in deed get by with one or a few 2 x 4s like the manufacturer suggested. Any help greatly appreciated!

 

[ajw22]

What manufacturer and model spa are we discussing?

What is the difference in the water level between the high water spot and low water spot?

Show us pictures of the spa and how it is sitting on the slab.

 

[redalert001]

2021 Fantasy Spa Entice

I took pictures of the water level with a tape measure otherwise I’m not sure how to measure it. The manufacturer was the one who told me the spa is unlevel after telling them my spouse (6’1”) can’t even lay in the lounger as the water level is too high in that seat.

The first picture is taken at night at the lounge seat where the water level was filled up to the floating filter ring.

After the initial fill and taking with the manufacturer again then told me to drain an inch of water which I did. The rest of the pictures will be at the new lower water level.

 

[redalert001]

What manufacturer and model spa are we discussing?

What is the difference in the water level between the high water spot and low water spot?

Show us pictures of the spa and how it is sitting on the slab.

Replied before sorry the pictures I took were too large of a file size so I had to retake a couple times and crop them down!

 

[ajw22]

Measure the water level from the top in the four corners.

I am trying to understand which way the tub is tilted and if you put a 2X4 under one edge how much difference it would make.

 

[ajw22]

Is this a new tub install?

 

[Lake Placid]

If your brick coursework is relatively level at all, the tub is falling to the left in this picture. Take measurements as indicated because there are a lot of variables at play, but it definitely could be falling to one side.

ETA: bricks are roughly 2-1/4 inch thick to give you a relative idea of the amount of potential fall in the picture.

 

[redalert001]

Is this a new tub install?

No, it’s inherited with the house.

 

[redalert001]

Measure the water level from the top in the four corners.

I am trying to understand which way the tub is tilted and if you put a 2X4 under one edge how much difference it would make.

View attachment 615183

Left corner closest to brick 3.5”



Right corner closest to brick 4.75”



Left corner closest to green irrigation box on ground 3.25”



Right corner closest to siding 4.25”

 

[redalert001]

This is the inside layout of the spa if helpful.

 

[redalert001]

View attachment 615185

If your brick coursework is relatively level at all, the tub is falling to the left in this picture. Take measurements as indicated because there are a lot of variables at play, but it definitely could be falling to one side.

ETA: bricks are roughly 2-1/4 inch thick to give you a relative idea of the amount of potential fall in the picture.

You are correct are you can totally see it falling to the left side in the picture where the lounge is. So water is pooling there. The manufacturer suggested a 2x4 placed where I drew a pink line in the picture.

Also, measured the brick where the top of the hot tub was hitting height wise and it seems to be off by at least 2 inches as there’s an Ethernet cable that runs across the brick as well which also makes it easy to tell.

The poor hot tub!

 

[Jimrahbe]

001,

Sorry, but I just don't understand the problem???

It appears to me the concrete is slopped away from the house like it should be??

Why not just put spacers under the low side to bring up to level..

Then you can use spacers around the front and back, so that everything is level and supported..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

A 2X4 is actually 1.5"X3.5". A 2x4 will probably tilt it the other way by .25" - 5".

The difference is 1.25" to 1" between sides. Is 1"of water depth really going to make a difference in your spa problem?

Fill the spa with 1" less of water and see what the difference is.

You have a bunch of strong friends? Lookup how much the spa weighs to get some shims under it.

 

[Jimrahbe]

001,

Just drain the darn thing and use a 4' level to level it... in both directions..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

How to Level (or Shim) a Hot Tub: 5 Simple & Cost-Effective Methods | Tubtopia

Want to level a hot tub, or shim an existing spa, but not sure where to start? This guide will give you all the information you need.

tubtopia.com

 

[redalert001]

A 2X4 is actually 1.5"X3.5". A 2x4 will probably tilt it the other way by .25" - 5".

The difference is 1.25" to 1" between sides. Is 1"of water depth really going to make a difference in your spa problem?

Fill the spa with 1" less of water and see what the difference is.

You have a bunch of strong friends? Lookup how much the spa weighs to get some shims under it.

That’s too bad that there will be barely a difference I had a hunch the 2 x 4 would be too good to be true.

I am concerned only for the health of the shell as the corner of the spa in the corner of the house is almost looking bulging and you can see the middle of the trim on the back edge sinking in. I also am worried about the floating filter ring as well.

The manufacturer said no to using shims. Shims void the warranty I believe.

I already drained 1 inch of water as directly by the manufacturer after my phone call with them but I am now worried about the floating skimmer ring as water is only going down into the skimmer ring when the jets are on high. During the filter cycles there is no water going down into the skimmer hole. Therefore when the jets are on low no water is going down the skimmer hole. I am new to spas but I am going to assume this is a bad thing and you want water to be going down the skimmer hole 24/7? But I could be wrong I have been mistaken before.

 

[redalert001]

How to Level (or Shim) a Hot Tub: 5 Simple & Cost-Effective Methods | Tubtopia

Want to level a hot tub, or shim an existing spa, but not sure where to start? This guide will give you all the information you need.

tubtopia.com

Thanks,

The gravel pit looks the easiest option.

I wonder if there are free plans though for a wood platform and maybe add some trex decking to the top.

I also ran into a comment on Reddit last night about professionals who deliver hot tubs and have to level they build a triangle with wood 2x4s maybe I can find it and link here in case someone else is in my situation down the road.

I definitely think the issue needs to be addressed as the spa in the back doesn’t look good.

 

[phonedave]

Thanks,

The gravel pit looks the easiest option.

I wonder if there are free plans though for a wood platform and maybe add some trex decking to the top.

I also ran into a comment on Reddit last night about professionals who deliver hot tubs and have to level they build a triangle with wood 2x4s maybe I can find it and link here in case someone else is in my situation down the road.

I definitely think the issue needs to be addressed as the spa in the back doesn’t look good.

How far out of level is it? Find out how far by holding a level on a straight board and measure the distance on the low corner.

This is what I would then do. I would build a frame out of PT lumber that is high enough to at least make up the amount it is out of level, preferrable at least a 1/2" more. In other words, if you are 3" out a level, a frame made out of 4x4 lumber would be perfect. Use timber lock lags (or similar) to hold the ends together. Put that frame down, and fill it with pea gravel, but make the pea gravel level. For me, pea gravel is better than sand or QP. It beds easier than QP and provides support, while draining better than sand.

This is what I did for my hot tub - sort of. I have a concrete patio, that was then overlain with brick. I removed the brick where the hot tub was to go, and then filled that hole with pea gravel to level it. The pea gravel is level with top of the brick on one end, and nonexistent at the other end. This provided a level base for my tub.

Of course you have going to have to find a way to lift your tub in order to do this. I would build the frame out of 4x4 (or 6x6 if necessary) a foot larger than the perimeter of of your tub, all the way around. Drain your tub, get a couple of friends, and lift one side of the tub higher than the frame, and slide a 2x4 under it, resting on the frame. Do the same on the other side, and perhaps add two more 2x4s. Now your hot tub is resting ABOVE the frame. Fill in with pea gravel, and level it. Now with the same bunch of friends (or maybe some new friends who are not aware how much a hot tub weighs) do the opposite, removing the 2x4s and lowering the tub onto the pea gravel.

When my hot tub was delivered they slid it into the pea gravel I had put in place. I threw a level on it, and it was about 1" out of level, because they had pushed the pea gravel to one side. My wife, myself, and my then 19 y/o daughter were able to lever the end of it up onto 3 2x4s to act like skids, and slide it out of the hole. I then re-leveled the pea gravel, and the three of us slid it back in - carefully this time. Its been in place something like 4 years now and is still level.