A filled hot tub is heavy. 1,000 litres of water weighs a tonne, before anyone climbs in. Get the spot right before you fill it.
The base
- Flat and level. A slope puts stress on the seams and the water sits lopsided.
- Strong enough. Paving slabs or a concrete pad are ideal. Gravel works if it is compacted and covered with a mat.
- Not on the lawn. Grass dies, the ground goes soft and the tub sinks unevenly.
- Decking: only if it was built to take the load. A tonne and a half on a few square metres is far more than most garden decks are made for. Ask a builder if you are not sure.
Put a foam floor mat or interlocking tiles under the tub. It protects the base of the liner and keeps heat in.
Power
Run the tub from a weatherproof outdoor socket with RCD protection. Do not use an extension lead. If you have no outdoor socket, a qualified electrician can fit one.
Water
Make sure the garden hose reaches, and think about where the water goes when you drain it. Treated water should not go into a pond or onto a vegetable bed.
Privacy and neighbours
Pumps hum, and voices carry at night. Keep the tub away from a neighbour's bedroom window, and a screen or a few plants help with both noise and privacy.
Planning permission
A portable hot tub on your own patio does not normally need planning permission. A permanent structure around it (a gazebo, decking above a certain height) might. If you are in a listed building or a conservation area, check with your council first.
Next: our hot tub buying guide.