Please take the time to read this information carefully, as it will provide you with the information you will need to ensure the safe, secure, and timely installation of your new spa. The following sections are guidelines on how to prepare for delivery and set-up of your new spa. Specifically covered are site selection, delivery access, ground preparation, and electrical requirements.
Remember to carefully read the Owner’s Manual that accompanies your spa.
Before signing for any delivered items, please make sure that you have inspected the packaging for damage and if necessary take photographs. We cannot be held responsible for any claims made for damaged items once the goods delivered have been signed for.
Deliveries Requiring Lifting Equipment
If lifting equipment of any kind is required, this is the responsibility of the customer to organise a suitable crane or lifting equipment. When the tub is being lifted the responsibility for safety and any damage which occurs to the tub or property is the responsibility of the crane or lift operator.
Location of hot tub
Whether you’ve chosen to have your Hot Tub indoors or outdoors, on a patio or on a deck just make sure you check the following:
- Always put your spa on a structurally sound, level surface. A filled spa can weigh a great deal. Make certain that the location you choose can support the weight of your filled spa.
- Locate your equipment compartment, which houses all the electrical components, in a place where water will drain away from it. Allowing water into the equipment compartment can damage the electronics or may result in tripping your house’s circuit breaker or RCD.
- Leave yourself easy access to all circuit breakers and RCD’s.
- Leave access to at least the entire front of the spa (the removable panels provide access to the spa’s equipment) for periodic spa care and maintenance.
Site Selection and Preparation
Luso Spas must be informed if there is an existing hot tub in the delivery location that will need to be moved to allow access. This will incur an extra charge. Also, any cabling from existing hot tubs must be as per Luso spas specifications. If we are not informed that we will have to move a tub, or that incorrect cable is in place, remedying this will incur extra costs.
Outdoor and Patio Installation
No matter where you install your new spa, it’s important that you have a solid foundation to support it. Structural damage to the spa resulting from incorrect installation or placement on an inadequate foundation is not covered under the spa’s limited warranty.
If you install the spa outdoors, a reinforced concrete pad at least four inches thick is recommended for your Hot Tub. If you place the spa on the ground, even temporarily, place stepping stones under the levelling areas. The stones should be at least two inches thick and twelve inches square. Even with stones in place, the spa will inevitably settle and become unlevel. Plus, a spa surrounded by dirt or grass will soon be filled with dirt or grass from user’s feet; therefore, it is important to get it onto a solid foundation as soon as possible.
Luso Spas will not fully install a Spa on a substandard temporary surface.
Decking
To be certain your deck can support your spa, you must know the deck’s maximum load capacity. Consult a qualified building contractor or structural engineer before you place the spa on an elevated deck or indoors. To find the weight of your spa, its contents and occupants, please contact us. This weight per square foot must not exceed the structure’s rated capacity, or serious structural damage could result.
If you intend install a tub and surround it with decking, please bear in mind that you will need to install access panels to allow access to the sides of the tub for maintenance and any remedial repairs that may be required in years to come. These access panels should be large enough to allow an engineer access to the side panels of the tub and should allow enough room for the engineer to remove the screws in the side panel. This is also the requirement for tubs that are sunken into a pit or are indoors.
Build your base, put your tub in the base, then build decking around it as lowering a hot tub into a hole that is only just big enough for the tub to go into is very difficult, requires at least 8 people or a crane and could damage your new decking.
Delivery Methods & Access
First, obtain the dimensions of the hot tub you have ordered from us. You will need to consider the Spa will be delivered on its side on a special hot tub Spa Sled (shown above).
In most cases the minimum width of a pathway that is usually needed is 950mm to enable us to deliver a tub on its side without damage to either the property or to the tub. However, a few of our larger tubs are 920mm - 950mm and will require a 50mm minimum clearance, Please check the tub width of your proposed purchase before placing your order. If you do have access restrictions, please contact us and we can assist in alternative lift or tub.
Height can also be an issue, 250mm must be added to the longest dimension. If your hot tub is 2100mm x 2100mm, when it is on its side on the Sled it may stand 2350mm high. Any obstructions will have to be removed to allow access.
Also, you must consider that the trolley is not flexible and will need a wide turning area to negotiate any corners.
Steps can also be an issue as hot tubs are heavy bulky items that can be very difficult to transport up steps.
