Anyone have an outdoor hot tub? (1 Viewer)

[General Tso]

Hey guys - looking for some collective wisdom on whether or not an outside hot tub is a good idea. I'm thinking of getting one for my deck. Those that have one - do you use it consistently? I'm a little concerned that we'll use it for about 6 months and then the novelty will wear off and it will just sit there on the deck as a giant pain in the ### to maintain. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[johnnycakes]

All I can tell you is last year when we were house-hunting, we saw exactly one house with an outdoor hot tub... it was definitely a turn-off for me from a buyer's prospective. Now, if you want to use one and enjoy it for yourself... that's something different. Only you can tell what you enjoy.

 

[jwb]

I've had one for 5 years. Really, really like it, and still use it a lot.

A few points:

1) Put it as close to an entrance as possible. The further away it is, the less you will use it over time. Plus, if you live in an area that gets snow, you will have to dig a path to it/etc.

2) It is very, very easy to maintain. Add chems once a week, drain/fill three to four times a year. That's it.

3) It is amazing in cold weather. Not so much in hot weather, though. We haven't been in ours since early June. I keep it running, though, as it's easier to do that than shut it down / restart. Plus, if my back hurts, I want to be able to use it. From Oct-April, we use it 2-3 times a week.

4) Make sure your deck can handle the weight.

5) Depending on your electricity cost, it could be anywhere between $25 and $50 a month to run. (actually, $50 is probably high - I live in one of the more expensive areas, and I estimate it costs about a dollar a day).

Enjoy! Having a hot tub / spa is really a pleasure.

 

[Fat Nick]

Hey guys - looking for some collective wisdom on whether or not an outside hot tub is a good idea. I'm thinking of getting one for my deck. Those that have one - do you use it consistently? I'm a little concerned that we'll use it for about 6 months and then the novelty will wear off and it will just sit there on the deck as a giant pain in the ### to maintain. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

Be sure to factor in increased bracing for your deck if it's elevated at all. Water is ~8 lbs. per gallon...plus the weight of the tub and the people. That's a lot of weight on one spot for a normal deck. Most places have increased codes for hot tubs to ensure the deck can bear the load.

 

[culdeus]

I have one with my pool. I wouldn't want one standalone. We use it alot in the winter and its fun for the kids and gets them a little activity as it were.

 

[johnnycakes]

Hey guys - looking for some collective wisdom on whether or not an outside hot tub is a good idea. I'm thinking of getting one for my deck. Those that have one - do you use it consistently? I'm a little concerned that we'll use it for about 6 months and then the novelty will wear off and it will just sit there on the deck as a giant pain in the ### to maintain. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

Be sure to factor in increased bracing for your deck if it's elevated at all. Water is ~8 lbs. per gallon...plus the weight of the tub and the people. That's a lot of weight on one spot for a normal deck. Most places have increased codes for hot tubs to ensure the deck can bear the load.

In the old Big House we had/have an indoor Jacuzzi tub under which we doubled up on the floor studs for added support.

 

[chet]

We have one at our vacation home in Park City, Utah. Great in the winter. Salt water option is your friend.

 

[RUSF18]

You will not have as much sex in it as you think you will. HTH.

 

[culdeus]

We have one at our vacation home in Park City, Utah. Great in the winter. Salt water option is your friend.

Do they make sw exchangers for hot tubs? The pH out of those things is like 14. How would you keep it balanced?

 

[Dentist]

I have one.

It was fantastic when I was single because it made it easier to attract chicks to the house.

Use gradually declines with time

Now that I'm married with kids it hasn't had water in it in over a year.

I would only recommend having one if you are single.

 

[Judge Smails]

You don't see them much anymore. I agree if you had a place in cold climates, in the mountains etc on the deck maybe, but otherwise they are sort of a pain and not helpful in resale of the house. As one poster mentioned, often times a negative. We had one 20 years ago, wouldn't consider one now.

 

[Chemical X]

i am on my second Vita Spa. got my first in NY and perpetually used it. i put it on a pad on the ground and built a deck around it for that sunk in feeling.

moved to NC and missed our tub so much we decided to get another. to me it isn't a novelty. we have no kids, so i am not all ooooh, i am worried about my kids, my kids this, my kids that, waaaah BS. they make them pretty energy efficient and its a great escape for us during all seasons. in the summer we turn down the temp a bit. this tub we put on a 12x20 paver patio in our backyard. the key is making sure you get a good tub from a reputable retailer, check local ordinances and follow permitting process and have a good eletrician. if you plan to drop 5-6k on a tub then look to save 100- and cut corners, its not for you.

 

[Chemical X]

You don't see them much anymore. I agree if you had a place in cold climates, in the mountains etc on the deck maybe, but otherwise they are sort of a pain and not helpful in resale of the house. As one poster mentioned, often times a negative. We had one 20 years ago, wouldn't consider one now.

i don't understand the negative in selling a house....its not permanently fixed and can be moved. in fact, my first tub was not part of the house sale, but the buyers wanted it, so it was an extra $$ gain for us. no different from an appliance you are taking with you IMO.

 

[chet]

We have one at our vacation home in Park City, Utah. Great in the winter. Salt water option is your friend.

Do they make sw exchangers for hot tubs? The pH out of those things is like 14. How would you keep it balanced?

No idea. I don't maintain it. I mean, I don't do the work.

 

[jwb]

We have one at our vacation home in Park City, Utah. Great in the winter. Salt water option is your friend.

Do they make sw exchangers for hot tubs? The pH out of those things is like 14. How would you keep it balanced?

It's so easy to maintain that I don't understand any need for salt water anyway.

 

[jwb]

The sex / don't get one if you are married stereotype is just that - a stereotype.

Yes, if you are buying a hot tub to get all Jersey Shore in it, the novelty will quickly wear off.

If you want to relax in nice hot water, married or not, swimsuits or not, a hot tub is awesome. Especially in cold weather. Dec nights looking at the stars when it's 30 degrees out, with a nice drink, my wife, and some tunes, are awesome. Can't speak on the kids thing, as we don't have any.