Hot Tub Buying Guide

How to build a concrete slab

You need a place for your hot tub. One choice is a concrete slab. You have some options in how to do this. Hire a contractor to complete the job start to finish. Let's be honest, this is the only choice for some of you. You don't know how, don't want to learn, have never done anything like this before and never want to. You don't have the time, but you have some money to pay someone else. So pick up the phonebook, well, does anyone even have a phonebook any more? Find a contractor online, through some neighbors' recommendations, or however it is you get that done in your house.

Now, if you are handy or have the potential to be handy and want to learn, you can do this yourself. You can do it yourself start to finish or have a little professional help along the way. First, you need to pick your spot and prepare it. It needs to be clear and level. The preparation may vary depending on the climate you live in and what the ground there is like. You need a layer of rock, about 4 inches of drainage stones. You need to lay your forms usually a square of 2x6s with the interior size matching how large you want the slab to be. Place some wire mesh or rebar to reinforce the concrete. Now you need the concrete.

You can get some help at this point ordering some premixed concrete to be delivered to you or you can buy bags of concrete mix from the home improvement store and mix it up yourself. Mix and pour the concrete in a wheelbarrow and pour into your form. Then level with a straight edge, using a back and forth motion across the surface of the newly poured concrete. Make sure all the corners are full of concrete and there are no gaps. You want the concrete to be evenly spread throughout the form. After a short time, 20-30 minutes, depending on temperature and weather, run a broom over the surface so it's not too slick later. If you have used your wife's favorite or kitchen broom, rinse that broom well after, but it is recommended to avoid that broom and use the garage broom. You need to then allow the concrete to properly cure. Now cover the pad with a plastic tarp and water the concrete daily for a few days so the top layer doesn't dry too quickly.

It helps to have friends around to assist you in the mixing, pouring and leveling as time matters here dealing with the concrete mix. If you have pre-mixed concrete delivered you will save yourself some of the labor, but you may still want to have friends around to help move it into place. You may still be using wheelbarrows to get the concrete to the spot if your hot tub location isn't easily accessible by vehicle.

After a few days the concrete is set and you can remove the wooden forms. Once your concrete pad is ready, have that tub delivered, fill it up, heat it up and get on in to enjoy the relaxation you have been waiting for.