How Much Slope Is Okay For a Hot Tub?
The perfect hot tub or pool slope is 1.27cm per meter. This slope is needed to give all guests equal legroom in the water and prevent it from becoming too deep.
With this slope, you’ll experience optimum comfort without worrying about hanging on the sides or dreading accidental spills into others’ territory as they squirm their way out of the water.
A 1.27cm per meter slope is also the perfect slope for your hot tub to run without much additional effort.
The water will drain smoothly and quickly back into the tub instead of running down and spilling over or pooling on the ground.
It’s also the ideal slope for removing debris and leaves from the tub without manually draining it each time.
You can go a few centimeters up or down from the perfect slope, but this is ideal for your hot tub. More than 1cm will cause an uncomfortable experience for you and your guests.
Anything more than 1-2cm will make it hard for the water to drain properly and could cause unnecessary work for you as well.
The slope also affects how your water looks and how pleasant it is for your eyes. If the slope is too shallow, the water will appear dingy and stagnant; a steeper slope could make the water appear blue or cold.
In short, the perfect slope is 1.27cm per meter or .5%, which is approximately 3/8 of an inch per foot. This is the ideal slope for a hot tub to drain properly and give everyone equal comfort and room to move around.
Is Water Pooling on Concrete Bad on The Hot Tub?
Water pooling is when you see water or wet footprints on the ground after the rain.
The most common explanation for water pooling is that the area with these puddles of water has a downslope, such as a curb or the edge of a sidewalk.
The slope causes rainwater to gather at the bottom, spreading out to create one large puddle.
Yes! You may find water pooling on concrete bad in the hot tub for various reasons:
- The ground around the pond or pool underneath is not flat nor level; this can ultimately cause water to pool on the surface. It may appear on one side, but when you look from another direction, it will appear to be elsewhere.
- The Coating on the concrete is not perfect, and it will wear off, exposing iron or copper pipes hidden beneath the coating and will have a reddish rusty color.
- The structure underneath the surface can cause the issue of water pooling on concrete hot tubs.
There will be some pipes or a steel shell hidden below the surface with a red color which will cause the pooling to occur.
The presence of a drain tile system that allows water to drain from one location and causes it to pool in another location can cause it.
- Water with high mineral content (Iron, Copper) from your water supply lines may cause this problem.
- Water pooling on concrete hot tubs may also be due to an air pocket between the concrete and steel used to reinforce concrete. This air pocket can trap water, causing the water to form a pool around it.
- Water pooling on concrete hot tubs can also be due to the ground around your swimming pool or Spa not being level;
There might be a ditch or slope in the ground that causes water to drain in one direction, ultimately causing the water to form a pool of water at that location.
Where Do You Put Water In A Hot Tub?
| Factor | Explanation |
| Above The Waterline | This is the simplest and most common way to fill a hot tub. It’s also a great option for those who use chemicals such as chlorine, as it’s less likely to come into contact with them. This usually means filling the tub from above with a hose to stop any overflow if necessary. |
| Through Jets | The jets are an entryway for adding water to your hot tub. |
| Under The Water | This method is much like the jet method but requires a pump to expel excess water. However, it has the benefit of adding hot water to your tub. |
| Under Jets | The jets are moved away from the wall of your tub, and an opening is cut to fit a garden hose or bucket into it. Some hot tubs have this option built into them. |
| Around The Ledge | This is a unique method of filling a hot tub, and it requires two people. The person putting in the water has one person hold up their leg to prevent them from falling through the opening. The other person will then build a protective wall around their knee and protect it from slipping. |
| Inside The Hot Tub | This is one of the more difficult methods. It requires a lot of precision and means taking apart your hot tub. You must remove the water lines before you feel them to build a better seal, which also helps prevent them from leaking into other areas. You’ll want to pay close attention to where you’re adding water, as you can damage any part that isn’t connected. |
Can I Drain My Hot Tub into The Grass?
Yes! However, you have to ensure:
1. The hot tub water boasts the right chemical balance. The pH should be between 7.2 and 7.8, and the hardness should fall between 65 and 75.
2. The tub and surrounding area are free of anything hazardous, like pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and chemicals that may seep into the water.
3. The water is not chlorinated or ‘sanitized’ with chlorine tablets or chemicals, which may hurt the soil and grass.
4. A sand filter system is installed in the drain pipe of the hot tub and allows water to flow without any interruption.
5. The endpoint of the drain is a minimum of 50 feet from any water source, like a stream, brook, river, etc., and should be away from any swimming pools or bodies of water like ponds, canals, etc.
Where there are likely to be aquatic life, fish or animals that may sip it accidentally.
6. The drain must not have any obstructions at the endpoint so that water flows out freely.
7. Any chemicals used in the hot tub operation, like alkalinity and chlorine, should be removed or filtered out after use.
8. You may have to adapt your drain system to the size of your hot tub and its location to make it manageable for your yard.
The Pros and Cons of an Inground Pool Hot Tub Combo
| Pros | Cons |
| -You don’t need to separate the water test. -You don’t need a separate pump to set up an in-ground pool -You don’t need to drain the water whenever you want to use the hot tub. | -Expensive to use and maintain. -Schedule regular maintenance and watch out for leaks. |
| -The in-ground pool will be used before or after running the Hot Tub. -You can have both pools open simultaneously or just one of them. | -You’ll be required to maintain your pool and high-tech heating system. |
| -You get a versatile and flexible option for your backyard | -You get a versatile and flexible option for your backyard. |
| -The pool is visible from the main yard and will be a good conversation piece. | -If the water level in the pool exceeds that in the Hot Tub, you must turn off both pools so they don’t run simultaneously. |
| -This is a durable option because you can use the in-ground pool as a kids’ water play area. | -High installation costs. It takes more money to install an in-ground pool because it requires underground digging and various electrical lines. |
What Causes Water Pooling on Concrete?
| Factor | Explanation |
| Clogged Drains | When drain lines are blocked, the water from a sink or bathtub backs up and overflows onto the ground. If this continues for a day or two, water will soak the soil next to your house. This can show up as standing water on your driveway or accumulate in low spots of your lawn. |
| Buildup Of Soil Or Masonry | Water seeps through cracks in walls or floors and drips into lower areas. This can lead to standing water from residue once liquid get absorbed into your lawn or garden. |
| Porous Soil | Drainage issues are more common in sandy soils because they allow water to pass through them. Try to fill in low spots with topsoil to keep water from pooling. You can also create a drainage layer by covering exposed soil with pebbles or crushed stone; this will help prevent standing water and moisture buildup. |
| Housing’s Foundation | Water infiltration occurs when the foundation or concrete slab has cracks that allow water to pass through. If there are problems with your concrete floor, try to fill in any cracks with a layer of waterproof caulk before painting. |
Should A Hot Tub Slab Be Sloped?
It depends on your goal, but you should slop a hot tub slab.
A properly sloped surface will allow your customers to clean and maintain the pool easily. When customers place their feet on a flat floor, the water directly hits them.
This creates tremendous pressure with each step, causing creases and wrinkling in the flooring.
The best solution is to create a slope so water runs away from the customers’ feet. This creates a gradual slope down to the drain spouts.
It is important to note that marble slabs will be required in some locations. If you have marble floors and want to keep them clean, you should do a few things at the beginning of your project.
Marble is a natural stone, but it does show its age with stains and water spots.
First, install your walls and foundation correctly, then pour your slab. You should place the new water lines and equipment before pouring the stone.
Then, on the surface of the foundation, you need to create a “drip line” to guide the water away from your marble flooring.
If you have a marble floor, make sure you seal it. This is a good time to replace pool lights with lower heat output energy-saving lamps.
What Is The Proper Way To Ground A Hot Tub?
| Factor | Explanation |
| Use A GFCI Outlet On Your Breaker Panel | This is the most common type of ground, typically found in bathrooms. Grounding prevents electric shock and is to be used for appliances. If your breaker panel does not have a GFCI outlet, use a heavy-duty power cord with an extension cord. Use the hot tub’s power cord as your ground wire. |
| Use A Heavy-Duty Rope Ladder | This is the safest type of ground. Weave the rope to form a great deal of resistance. It’s relatively easy to tie into your ground wires. A couple of basic knots will do. In addition, you can use the ladder to prop up your hot tub when tying into it. |
| Use An Away-From-Water Pool Shock Absorber | This method connects one end (usually the positive pole) to your hot tub. Connect the other end to your ground wire. Use an adapter to connect the away from the water pool shock absorber to your ground wire for safety. |
| Use A Unique GFCI Outlet Cover | This is a heavy-duty GFCI receptacle you usually find in kitchens and washrooms. You can connect this directly to your hot tub’s power cord. If you cannot find a GFCI outlet cover, use an extension cord with a GFCI outlet (i.e., outdoor extension) to avoid shock. |
| Use A Special Extension Cord | This is not recommended because it can cause shocks. An outdoor extension cord is not heavy-duty but better than nothing. You will be able to connect this directly to your hot tub’s power cord. |
| Use a flat metal plate | Place this between your hot tub and the ground without touching anything metal. By doing this, you can create a large amount of resistance between the ground and the hot tub. This is commonly called a grounding strap but is most commonly used with skis. |
Why Is There Water Pooling on Top Of The Concrete After Pouring?
1. Clogged Drains
Clogged drains could be the cause of this issue. The water pooling on the concrete may be coming from your clogged kitchen drain or bathtub.
To prevent this issue, try pouring a pot of boiling water down your drains at least once a month and always use a drain opener when necessary. This should keep your drains clear and flowing smoothly.
2. Improper Mix
This is generally caused by adding the right amount of water to the concrete. If this happens, you can add more water or make a new concrete batch, following the instructions on your bag.
3. Too Much Water/ Not Enough Aggregates
Water and cement are necessary for concrete to harden, but too much can prevent it from hardening and will result in a weak product.
Follow the instructions on your bag; usually, you should use roughly three buckets of cement per 2 cubic yards of aggregate (rock).
4. Poor Quality Aggregate
If your aggregate is old and is not working through fast enough, mixing evenly into the water will be hard, resulting in water pooling on top of your final product.
Add more air or rework the proportions in your bag, mixing instructions to fix this issue.
5. Not Enough Mixing Time
This is the hardest thing to avoid, You must let the water, cement, and sand mix for at least 15 minutes before you pour your concrete.
6. The Cement Was Not Mixed Properly
When adding it to the aggregate, it is essential to either mix the cement by hand or with a power mixer on low speed.
If you use a power mixer, stop it periodically and check how well it mixes by hand. This will ensure that you do not have any lumps of cement that may cause water to pool on top of your concrete.
7. You Used Too Much Water
You should follow the instructions on your bag and only add enough water to create a smooth paste-like product before mixing by hand.
If you use a power mixer, ensure plenty of water is in your bag before you add any cement, and then check how well it is mixing by hand.
Can You Put A Coleman Pool On Concrete?
Yes! You can put a Coleman pool on concrete because you must put a 2″x4″ wood frame around the pool’s perimeter.
You should anchor the wood frame in the ground with concrete stakes and must extend past all four corners of the pool. You can also use waterproof material like tarps or spray-on sealant.
You will also need a liner at the bottom of the pool. The liner should be 18 inches deep and at least 4 inches thick.
You can buy a pool liner with built-in chlorine or salt tabs or a stock chlorine tablet holder (some bulk companies will sell them by the dozen).
You can add an automatic water leveler if you want. The type I used (from Flowtron) works well and is cost-effective. It uses a float valve to adjust the water flow into the pool, keeping it consistent.
The only thing to remember is that it requires a constant power source.
Maintaining the water quality is the hardest part of having a permanent pool. You need to watch for algae in the wintertime because it might be hard for sunlight to reach all areas of your pool.
You must also monitor the pH balance and add chlorine at least twice weekly.
This can be costly when you factor in chemicals and water conditioners, but you may save money because you won’t have to go to a pool store to fill up your chemicals after every swim.
Conclusion
Purchasing a hot tub is one of the best decisions you can ever make if you want to relax and enjoy some quality time with your family.
You can install the hot tub in your house or backyard or locate it outside your house or in a commercial location.
