Where Should You Put Your Hot Tub?

You’ve picked out the hot tub. Now you have another very important decision: Where should you put it? In this article, we look at seven key installation tips so you get the most out of your new hot tub.

The perfect spot may seem obvious at first. You may think that empty corner at the back of your patio looks good. Or perhaps you are eyeing that space at the far end of your backyard?

Before you choose a location based on looks alone, think about how you’ll actually use your hot tub.

Convenience, privacy, the view, access for service, and even the walk from your back door can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your spa.

If you’re planning a new hot tub in Tulsa, here are seven things to consider before you choose its new home.

1. Keep It Close Enough That You’ll Actually Use It

Imagine a freezing Oklahoma evening (and, yes, they do happen!). You’re ready for a soak, but your hot tub sits 50 feet from the house at the other end of the yard.

That walk might not sound like much in July. It feels considerably longer when you’re wet, it’s cold outside, and you have to walk back to your house.

Hot Spring recommends considering easy access from your home when planning your hot tub location. For many homeowners, placing the spa relatively close to a back door makes regular use much more convenient.

Think about your route, too. A clear, comfortable walkway makes it easier to get to and from your hot tub year-round.

It’s a fact we hear all the time from our customers: the ones who use their hot tub most often place it in very close proximity to their back door.

2. Start With a Solid, Level Foundation

A filled hot tub holds a significant amount of water, plus the weight of the spa itself, and everyone enjoying it. It needs proper support.

Hot Spring recommends placing your hot tub on a smooth, level surface that can support the spa’s weight. A reinforced concrete pad often provides an excellent foundation. Some decks can also accommodate a hot tub, but the structure must be able to support the load.

Don’t guess.

If you want to place your spa on an existing or elevated deck, consult a qualified professional to determine whether the structure can safely handle the weight. We can help you with this!

3. Think About Privacy

Your hot tub should feel like a place to relax. You want to be free to relax in peace and privacy.

If the proposed location sits directly in view of your neighbors, a busy street, or the house next door, you might not feel quite as relaxed as you imagined.

Walk around the area before installation and look at it from different angles. Where are your neighbors’ windows? What can someone see from the street? Does your fence provide enough privacy?

You can also create privacy with carefully planned landscaping, fencing, privacy screens, or other backyard features. Just remember to leave enough room around the spa for access and maintenance.

4. Don’t Forget the View From the Hot Tub

Privacy looks inward. Now look outward.

What will you see when you’re sitting in the spa?

Maybe you have a beautiful backyard, garden, pool, or outdoor living area. Position your hot tub so you can enjoy that view, and you’ll make every soak better.

You may also discover things you don’t want to look at. An air-conditioning unit, trash cans, utility equipment, or the neighbor’s driveway probably won’t contribute much to your relaxing backyard retreat.

Before you settle on a location, sit in a chair where the hot tub will go. Look around at approximately spa level. It’s a simple test that can reveal a lot.

For example, if your air conditioner, trash cans, or utility equipment are in the way of the perfect spot, you can always add a screen around the troublesome items.

5. Consider Oklahoma Weather

Tulsa offers hot tub owners plenty of opportunities to enjoy their spas year-round. It also gives us blazing sun, thunderstorms, wind, cold snaps, and everything in between.

Think about how exposed your chosen location feels.

A spot that offers some protection from wind can make cool-weather soaking more comfortable. Shade can make the area more inviting during warmer months. You may also want to consider a covered patio, pergola, or other outdoor structure.

However, don’t create an enclosure without considering ventilation, moisture, access, and the hot tub manufacturer’s installation requirements.

Also look overhead before choosing your spot. Trees can provide welcome shade, but they can also drop leaves and other debris onto your hot tub cover.

6. Plan for Electrical Requirements and Drainage

A hot tub needs more than an open patch of patio.

Your specific spa has electrical requirements that you need to address before installation. We recommend having the electrical work completed by a licensed electrician and following applicable electrical codes.

Think about water, too.

Rainwater and water that splashes out of the spa need somewhere to go. You don’t want water pooling around the base of your hot tub or flowing toward your home’s foundation.

Good drainage and a properly prepared site can save you headaches later.

7. Leave Room for Service and Maintenance

It is tempting to tuck a hot tub tightly into a corner or surround it completely with beautiful landscaping.

Yet, you don’t want to box it in.

Your hot tub has components that technicians may need to reach for routine service or future repairs. Make sure your installation provides adequate access to the spa’s equipment and service areas.

You also need room for everyday ownership. Can you easily remove and replace the cover? Is there space for steps? Where will the cover go when you’re using the spa?

Plan those details now so owning your hot tub is much easier later. And again, we can help you with all of this, too.

Find the Right Spot Before Your Hot Tub Arrives

The best hot tub location balances beauty with practicality. You want privacy and a great view, but you also want easy access, a solid foundation, proper electrical service, good drainage, and enough space to maintain your spa.

Most importantly, think about how you’ll use it on an ordinary Thursday night, not just how it will look in your backyard.

Not sure where your new hot tub should go? Visit Fiesta Pools & Spas in Tulsa. Our team can help you choose the right hot tub and answer your questions about preparing your backyard for placement and installation.

A little planning now can help create a spot you’ll look forward to enjoying for years.