Can You Take A Hot Tub To The Dump?
A hot tub is a luxury item made for the sole purpose of relaxation. It’s designed to provide a soothing experience by providing high-temperature water and often hot and cold jets.
The experience is enhanced when used with swimsuits that cover every inch of the skin to maintain modesty.
No! Hot tubs are large, and you cannot move them on your own. Besides, they boast no acceptability at recycling depots or local landfills. You will also need a special permit from your local municipality. Consider also their size, location and weight.
Taking a hot tub to the dump is difficult because of its size, location, and weight. Consider these facts before making this decision for yourself.
A common misconception about taking a hot tub to the landfill is that no permits are required for it to be taken there. If you are unsure about your category, call the city’s solid waste department and ask.
There are a few exceptions to this rule that require special permits. These exceptions include:
- You can label your hot tub like any other household item to be taken to the landfill.
- You can take a hot tub if it’s contained in an appropriate vehicle or trailer when it’s dumped at the landfill, but the property owner could face fines.
How Do You Dump Water Out Of A Hot Tub?
You can use three methods to dump water out of your hot tub. You can either use a drain stopper (a.k.a. drain plug), a submersible drain pumps, or with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. If your pool is salt-based, you’ll need a specific pump to work with it.
If it’s chlorine-based, you might have to use the wet/dry vacuum cleaner method because there isn’t a particular pump.
The process is easy; follow these three steps:
-Turn off the pool water pump and any other pumps or filters that feed water into the tub. If you have multiple filtration systems or pumps, shut them down before you start pumping out the water.
-Test and make sure your filter is clear of any sediment that could get in your pump or vacuum, and then turn on the pool pump(s) again.
You can use a submersible drain pump or wet dry vacuum cleaner to remove water from your tub.
If using a submersible pump, ensure the suction tube is fully submerged in water. Also, run the pump for about 20 minutes to see if there are any leaks.
-If your hot tub has a direct hose connection to the house’s water system, turn it on and let it run until no more bubbles spurt out. If not, turn on your tub’s original cover after you’ve drained out most of the water.
That way, you won’t leave a lot of water in the tub that could cause problems later on.
Can You Cut Off A Hot Tub With A Sawzall?
Yes, You can cut up a hot tub with a Sawzall. Before you get started, ensure the hot tub is empty and consider any safety precautions necessary regarding electricity or water leaks.
Cutting into the hot tub will most likely cause localized flooding, so be sure to have a floor mat under your Sawzall and wear waterproof boots.
You first need to use a reciprocating (handheld power saw) to cut through the bottom of the hot tub. You’ll want to cut at least 1 foot away from the drain, so you don’t have to worry about any pipes or connectors.
You’ll also need to ensure your cuts are level and make sure they are close enough to each other that you can use a Sawzall blade between them, but not so tight that it will be difficult to slip the blade between them.
Once you’ve cut the bottom of the hot tub, it’s time to work on making sure you have created openings wide enough for your Sawzall blade. You want to use your Sawzall blade with a bi-metal hole cutting bit.
You’ll get the most life out of your blade if you use the bi-metal hole cutting bit because it will allow you to work with a broader range of materials.
You want to start by cutting through the hot tub material (typically PVC) between all the cuts you’ve already made. You can use your reciprocating saw with a cut-off blade to cut through the hot tub material.
To get started, take your Sawzall and put on your safety glasses. Wind up the blade on the saw until you have enough space in the blade to put your hand inside of it.
An extension cord is challenging since you don’t want it to be visible inside your cuts. Once you can wrap your hand around the whole length of the blade, hold onto it firmly and begin cutting through the material.
If you’re using a bi-metal hole cutting bit, you shouldn’t have too much trouble cutting through the hot tub material.
If you’re having problems, apply some eye protection, try to use a cleaner blade, and get it through quicker. You shouldn’t have any issues with the blade getting jammed or stuck during this process.
Once you cut through all of the material between the cuts you’ve already made, you need to cut it into pieces that are wide enough for your Sawzall blade to fit between them.
You can use a reciprocating saw with a cut-off blade to cut through the hot tub material.
Now that you’ve got the large openings between the cuts to use your Sawzall, it’s time to start cutting through each piece of hot tub material (typically PVC) in order.
You’ll want to ensure that you don’t go so deep that it’s difficult to navigate inside your cuts or get stuck on anything.
The Sawzall should slide through the material with ease. If it’s too difficult for you to get the blade through, try using a cleaner blade.
Once you’ve cut down through all the material inside your initial cuts, your hot tub should be ready for disposal.
You can still use a reciprocating saw with a cut-off blade if you need to cut any tub material into smaller pieces to fit into your garbage container.
How Do You Dispose Of A Hot Tub?
You can trade it off with a dealer, sell it on a site like Craigslist, call a local dumpster company, or donate it to charity.
Donating it to charity is advantageous because the charity can then sell it and use the profits for their cause or sell it to someone who can use it. But this method takes longer for the charity to resell or haul off your hot tub.
It also costs you a tax deduction on your taxes for donating to them as well as having a bit of guilt by presenting something that is considered an unnecessary item by many people.
If you want to do it this way, I suggest you contact the local charities or shelters first, or call them and ask who they would suggest you contact.
Contacting a dumpster company is probably the quickest way of getting rid of a hot tub.
Selling it to a dealer can be good if you don’t have the time to contact charities or dumpster companies.
You will have to part with a small fee to the dealer, and they might charge you back either with a small amount of money or with interest if it takes a while for them to sell it.
Finding a good dumping company that doesn’t overcharge you can be challenging.
Selling it on Craigslist can be a good option if you have the time. It’s also good to choose a good site for selling your hot tub and hope that no one else will find out about it and steal it before you get a chance to sell it.
Can I Take A Hot Tub To The Landfill?
No! It’s not legal to take a hot tub to the landfill. You can dispose of your Spa at an eco-friendly disposal site like Earth911.com or by contacting your local waste management company.
You can also hire a professional Spa removal service to do this for you if you don’t want to do it yourself.
The disposal of hot tubs has been the focus of many complaints and lawsuits in the United States.
Many have been made against companies who have chosen to dispose of their old hot tubs by simply dumping them in a landfill, saving nothing but time and money for themselves.
Roughly a dozen states have passed legislation banning the dumping of hot tubs in landfills. Minnesota, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington have laws preventing the dumping of hot tubs in landfills.
Some environmental experts consider the proper disposal of hot tubs more environmentally friendly than simply throwing out your old hot tub after it becomes unusable or outdated.
How to Dispose of a Broken Hot Tub?
You can either trade it into a dealer, donate or resell it, tear it down and recycle the materials, or contact a hazardous waste service to take care of the issue.
Either way, with proper guidance, you can dispose of an old hot tub without causing any harm to your health.
Primarily silent and seemingly harmless, broken hot tubs are a big deal; they create toxins that destroy fish in lakes and rivers surrounding the broken tub. These toxins also cause health problems for humans and animals close by.
Although hot tubs are mostly made of plastic, they contain harmful chemicals that can be highly detrimental to the environment. When a hot tub breaks, these chemicals are released into the water and all nearby animals.
This creates severe problems for both the ecosystem and you. These effects can be toxic, including fish in the pond near the broken hot tub. The chemicals also impact your health and can cause life-threatening conditions.
If you are wondering how to dispose of a broken hot tub, ensure you protect more than just your wallet. Following the procedure can help protect you and your environment from serious risks.
How to Cut Up a Hot Tub
The first step in dismantling your hot tub is removing any screws holding it together. Some models have screws holding the Shell together, while others connect with clips (rotational molding).
In the case of screws, use a drill to make holes in the head and unscrew them with a screwdriver.
Once all the screws are removed, it’s time to start cutting up your hot tub! Use a hacksaw to cut through any metal pieces (on-your-own-risk), or if they’re plastic, feel free to use an electric saw with a plastic blade.
If you decide to use an electric saw on your own, use the proper safety features (such as a blade guard and a consistent feed rate).
Also, you’ll need protective eyewear, including glasses and safety goggles, as small pieces of plastic can fly off the blade and toward your face.
Next, you’ll want to remove any metal supports that support the hot tub shell. If there are multiple pieces surrounding it, this step can be difficult.
For example, if you’re cutting into a hot tub with a seat and support bars, you’ll need to remove all three.
Using your hacksaw, you cut along the inside edge of each support bar.
Once you’ve removed all of the supports, it’s time to disconnect all the pipes and hoses attached to your hot tub.
First, figure out which pieces of piping are connected to the hot tub shell by familiar landmarks (besides the toilet!); then, make a visual inspection of your surroundings to see what pipes you’ll need to disconnect.
After you’ve located a pipe that seems to be connected to the Shell, cut it just above its connections. You’ll notice that some hoses have a small cut to make it easier to pull the hose off the hot tub.
If your piping has no such feature, use a pair of pliers to pull it off. It might take a little force, especially if you’ve drained all the water.
Next, cut through any pipes attached to a post or baseboard. Use a hacksaw with an appropriate blade for the job.
As you’re cutting through the pipes, be careful not to cut your fingers or anything else. And, as always, use protective eyewear.
There’s one last step to take when disassembling a hot tub, you need to disconnect any electrical lines and pipes attached to the hot tub’s pump. These will likely require the assistance of someone who has experience installing it.
Can Chainsaw be used To Cut Up a Hot Tub?
Yes! You can use a Chainsaw to cut up a hot tub. The chainsaw will work on a hot tub’s steel liners and aluminum cylinder without an issue.
A chainsaw is a portable, electric-powered machine to cut or split wood or remove tree stumps, branches, or small trees. Chainsaws typically use an S-shaped frame with two parallel bars that guide the blade.
The Metal cutting blade at the end of the bar serves by cutting off pieces until they clear through to complete severing.
When cutting metal, your blade must be as sharp as possible to cut quickly, leaving a smooth edge and eliminating the time it takes to sand down the metal for a smoother finish.
The hot tub has two main parts: The Shell (Including the Top of the Hot Tub) and the Liner.
The Shell includes the top of the hot tub, where all you do is remove any screws or bolts and take it apart from top to bottom. The Liner is where the water is located.
The Shell has four bolts holding it together, and they are easy to remove, replace and fasten with the same size bolt or nut. Two valves control the water and hot tub, one on each of the back corners of the Liner.
Two very long screws attach the Shell to the bottom of the tub; these are easy to remove and replace.
The Liner has bolts and screws along the sides and bottoms the Liner, which makes it easy to assemble.
The water will quickly drain from the hot tub when you have removed all of the screws and bolts holding it together, making cleaning a breeze.
Will Sawzall Cut Fibreglass?
Yes! Sawzall blades are made from steel, which can cut through fiberglass. If a fiberglass table is too thin for the blade to fit between the fibers, you can use a utility knife.
Here are the steps on how to cut fiberglass with a Sawzall:
- Turn off the power on your saw before you start cutting. Make sure no one is around you or in a position where they could accidentally be injured by flying debris or shattered glass.
Hold the glass steady when cutting with a circular saw to avoid injury from flying shards of glass. Wear protective eyewear and ear protection if needed.
If the glass shatters, it’s essential to isolate the large shards and remove them before continuing.
- Lay out a drop cloth on the floor or another work area that you can dispose of after the cutting. Fiberglass will not hurt your floor, but it doesn’t look good if you drop it.
You may want to sand larger fiberglass pieces to get a smooth edge after cutting. Use a sander like an orbital or belt sander, and wear a dust mask during sanding.
- Place the fiberglass on the floor or other flat surfaces that you can cut on. Hold the pieces flat against one another to minimize cutting any curves.
Placing a straight edge along each side of the glass will help you align it and ensure you don’t cut any curves.
- With your hand, align the blade at 90 degrees with your intended cut line. Ensure enough room for the blade to fit without hitting either side of your work area between each piece of glass.
- Pull the trigger of your saw and be prepared for a little bit of a startle! If you are cutting the thickness of this table (1/4 inch fiberglass), it may take several cuts to get through all the glass.
It’s hard to tell how much fiberglass that is, but if it is only a few inches thick, it may be easiest to just cut through a section at one time rather than insert the blade into a 1/4 inch gap repeatedly before cutting through all layers.
- Once the cut is complete, use a utility knife to trim any rough edges.
How Do I Cut A Fiberglass Tub?
Pry up the two pieces, and remove the screws that hold them together. Pry out the guts (wires, electric panel, etc.) and dispose of them as toxic materials. Put your new tub in place and re-connect utilities.
If you are reusing the same tub, note that many old tubs are very rusted out. You may want to consider removing the rust. There is a small lip on the inside of some cast iron tubs near the wall.
This projection gets in the way of installing a new backer board or sheetrock, so you may have to grind it off with an angle grinder, hammer, and cold chisel, or a grinder with a diamond grinder.
You will probably not have to remove too much material.
Also, some tubs have a hole in the middle of the heat manifolds to allow air to circulate, so you may not have to remove any material.
However, some companies use “neoprene rubber” as insulation around their water heater valves, and it’s usually challenging and time-consuming to remove this stuff.
Fiberglass tubs are generally easy and safe to cut with a diamond blade on a miter or circular saw.
If you are using over-the-range electric ranges, put a box in the grate over the burner, which is most likely to get cut into (usually the middle burner). Cutting a fiberglass tub on one end while letting the saw fire up on top of your range is easy.
You will not damage the range if you mount correctly. After cutting, you can remove a section of your dishwasher and put it on top of that area to protect that end from burn marks from hot pots or pans.
There are no known diseases spread by cutting fiberglass, but for your health wear a respirator.
Can You Cut The Fiberglass Tub With The Oscillating Tool?
Yes! Oscillating tools are suitable for cutting fiberglass tubs because they have a high-speed motor for fast cutting, a strong cutting blade for thick materials, and long blades for reaching into corners and the back of the material when you’re cutting through it.
You can cut fiberglass tubs with an oscillating tool.
The benefits of using an oscillating tool include a high-speed motor that speeds up the process, a strong cutting blade to tackle rigid materials, and long blades to reach into tight corners and around curves in your project.
If you’re planning on buying an oscillating tool, you’ll want to ensure your square edge work table is free of any sharp objects that could get in the way of the blade.
Because you’ll be working with a lot of fiberglass, it’s a good idea to wear safety goggles and latex gloves because fiberglass dusts your skin when you cut it.
In addition to those handy tools, you need the right oscillating tool for cutting fiberglass tub materials. This is something you have to do with caution and patience.
A good blade for cutting fiberglass is a straight or wavy blade, as these blades can cut through rigid materials.
To begin your project, measure the area where you’d like to cut your fiberglass tub. Mark the perimeter where you want to cut, then lay the oscillating tool on top of the surface. Turn it on such that the blade spins at full speed.
Slowly drag the blade across the surface to cut the fiberglass. The process should be smooth and continuous without pauses. As you run the oscillating tool across the fiberglass, you’ll see some dust build up beneath it.
Work slowly, and don’t force it through, or you’ll nip apart the fiberglass material.
Once you reach your starting point, switch off your oscillating tool and repeat this process around your perimeter lines until you’ve completely cut through to your desired area.
Again, caution is necessary when using an oscillating tool. Make sure you don’t get hit by falling means or flying debris from what you’re cutting. Lastly, make sure to clean the blade after every time you use it.
Can you use a Dremel as a Rotozip?
No. A Dremel tool is just a handheld drill whose bits are designed for cutting and shaping wood, metal, and other hard materials.
On the other hand, a Rotozip is more like an electric jigsaw with interchangeable bits that can be used to cut wood but also to make more delicate cuts in drywall and plaster or even to cut through complex joints such as between bathroom tiles.
If you want a Rotozip for a project, it’s probably best to buy one made by Dremel. They’re more expensive than other models, but they’ll last longer and work better.
A Dremel has no problem producing fine cuts, but it may not have enough power or speed to make clean cuts in plaster or drywall. However, a Rotozip will perform the same functions as a Dremel without drawbacks.
There are Rotozip tools that you can design using a vertical mode and a horizontal one, making them easier to use than even a Dremel.
Both come in two-speed models, but the Rotozips also come with variable speed control that gives you more precision over the speed of your cuts.
This is especially useful for cutting things like ceramic tile, which is difficult for an ordinary jigsaw to work with.
A Dremel is a good tool for the average home handyman, but a Rotozip will be better if you plan extensive remodeling. You may need two Rotozip tools if your project involves cuts in multiple directions.
You can buy a set with a horizontal and vertical Rotozip in the same package or purchase the tools separately. The former should be much less expensive than buying both tools separately.
What Can You Do With An Old Spa?
You do not need to throw away your old hot tub when you can get all the benefits from it, one way or another.
Do not throw away your old hot tub if you have not taken such good care of it in the past. You might have a potential time saver for yourself if you reuse your old hot tub even after it has been broken.
If you decide to recycle your old hot tub, you will be surprised to discover that there are many ways to do so.
You can repair it and make it good as new, or you may use it for something else. Following are some things you can do with an old spa once it is already broken.
This is the fastest and simplest thing you can do with your old hot tubs when they become unwanted or unnecessary.
Instead of throwing it away without proper care and attention, you might want to consider recycling it instead. This is one of the most effective ways to help you save money and time.
One thing that you may choose to do with your old hot tubs is use them as extra storage space in your home.
People usually buy garden sheds or other small storage buildings when they want extra space for items like gardening tools, sports equipment, etc.
You may consider using your new spa as a storage place. You can also fix it and turn it into a small pool which you can use to store your toys, gardening equipment, or sports equipment.
You may also use it to keep things you don’t usually use in your house’s attic or basement.
Conclusion
There are many ways you can use to dispose of your hot tub. You can choose to fix and reuse it or sell it to someone else. Many homeowners choose the latter because they believe they will get more money selling their hot tub.
But then again, if you have extra backyard space, you might want to consider using your old hot tubs as a place for outdoor activities like swimming or relaxing.
