How to move my hot tub?
To move a hot tub, do the following steps:
- Make a Plan: Take the time to think about that the ideal way to move the hot tub based on your existing residence and new site.
- Have Moving Supplies: Assemble all necessary moving tools and supplies
- Use a Moving Truck: Before moving your hot tub, be sure that you’ve rented a moving truck large enough to hold the spa.
- Check Your Surroundings: When moving the hot tub, will it restrict or damage a yard’s landscaping?
- Get Moving Helpers: You will want at least three other individuals to help with this relocation.
- Disconnect The Hot Tub: Go on and detach your spa from the electric socket or shut off at the breaker.
- Drain The Hot Tub: Drain the hot tub thoroughly.
- Plan The New Route: The old and new yard will likely introduce at least a few obstacles to moving the hot tub
- Use Plywood Under The Hot Tub: Placing plywood under the hot tub can help make a smooth, level working surface for moving the hot tub.
- Slide The Dollies Underneath The Spa: Once your hot tub is prepared to proceed, slip a dolly under the hot tub’s front and back ends.
- Get The Hot Tub On The Truck: Once your hot tub is procured to the dollies, carefully roll it to the moving truck.
- Place The Hot Tub In The New Location: Navigate your way to the hot tub’s new location slowly and attentively.
- Refill The Hot Tub: Refill your hot tub by putting the hose in the spa and turning on the water.
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When I first bought my hot tub, one of the main problems was moving it.
I did a bit of research on moving hot tubs, this is what I found…
The fantastic thing is that with good preparation it can be carried out. A 58 square foot hot tub with water on average weighs approximately 950 lbs, while a regular spa using water may weigh up to 6,000 lbs. It goes without mentioning you should arrange to get some heavy lifting equipment when moving this sizable hot tub.
If you pay for the assistance of a professional moving company, then I undoubtedly advise booking one. But if hiring moving professionals isn’t in your price range, it’s feasible to move a hot tub together with the assistance of a couple of strong people.
After moving your spa, you might be interested in making it more private. Check out our full article on the best hot tub privacy ideas.
Let’s look at the steps for moving a hot tub more closely.
13 Steps to Move a Hot Tub
Here are the 13 important steps to move a hot tub.
1. Make a Plan
Before you start moving a hot tub, take the time to think about that the ideal way to move the hot tub based on your existing residence and new site. Where are you moving the hot tub? What is the trail? Are you going to be moving on the hot tub on the grass? Will you have to move around obstacles like landscaping or carry it downstairs?
Measure the width through your pathway to determine your route. Do you have to disassemble the fence or get rid of any patio doors to get the hot tub out of its existing location?
Are you going to want to work out how exactly to maneuver a hot tub on its side? Or have you been in a position to wheel it out responsibly? Will you be moving or hiring professionals? If your budget allows, you can consider hiring professional movers to get it done.
However, if you move the hot tub by yourself, follow the steps below.
You might want to measure the hot tub’s size, shape and know its weight before you create your moving plan. A small un-filled hot tub that seats 2 to 3 people will weigh about 500 lbs. While a bigger hot tub, holding six people, may weigh about 1000 lbs. Unfilled. Quantify your hot tub: If you don’t know your hot tub’s measurements, this is the opportunity to learn all about it. With a tape measure, measure from the surface of the acrylic. Make sure you add a 1/2-inch to the measurement to allow room for your hot tub cover.
2. Have Moving Supplies
The first thing to successfully move a hot tub without professionals would be to assemble all necessary moving tools and supplies. Your list needs to consist of strap belts, two furniture dollies, moving belts, moving blankets, and cleaning supplies. You can find a moving company in the local Home Depot. Your home improvement store provides shuttle rentals capable of holding up to 800 lbs.
3. Use a Moving Truck
Before moving your hot tub, be sure that you’ve rented a moving truck large enough to hold the spa. Depending upon how big your hot tub is, you might have to lease a box truck that is at least 15 feet long. According to U-Haul, their 15 foot moving truck measures 15′ x 7’8″ x 7’2″ (LxWxH) inside. Ensure you assess your hot tub before renting a truck to make sure that it will fit inside the truck. Your truck rental also needs to feature a loading ramp to make the transfer a smoother experience. Fortunately, there are lots of truck rental companies to select from when moving your hot tub.
4. Check Your Surroundings
Is your hot tub surrounded by landscaping or lounging within a tight spot? Are you going to need to move it down a flight of stairs, or can it be on the walk-out? All these are the questions you should ask yourself if assessing your hot tub’s surroundings. When moving the hot tub, will it restrict or damage a yard’s landscaping? You’ll need to develop a moving plan to address this problem.
5. Get Moving Helpers
There is little doubt concerning this moving a hot tub demands some significant muscle. This usually means you will want at least three other individuals to help with this relocation. If you can, I urge recruiting six helpers to aid with the heavy lifting. Ask family and friends just as far in advance as feasible. If you should not find free assistance, you will need to employ labor-only movers.
6. Disconnect The Hot Tub
Before emptying the hot tub:
- Go on and detach your spa from the electric socket.
- Make sure all accessories are put away so nothing is dangling from the hot tub.
- Place the electrical cords in waterproof baggies to prevent them from getting wet during the moving process.
7. Drain The Hot Tub
There are two methods on how to drain a hot tub. The first is to use a submersible pump to suck the water out of the spa. A 1/4 horsepower utility pump should do the trick. The second is to attach a hose to the drainage valve and let gravity do the work. It can take up to 2 hours to drain a hot tub. However, this depends on the size of the spa and the amount of water it holds.
Check out our full article on how to drain a hot tub for more information.
Cleaning the hot tub is also very important after draining, check out our full cleaning guide for more information.
I recommend the Flexzilla garden hose for its length and durability.
I also recommend the Superior 1/4 HP Thermoplastic Utility Pump.
8. Plan The New Route
How do you want to move the hot tub? The old and new yard will likely introduce at least a few obstacles to moving the hot tub. Whether it is a tiny gate opening, a set of stairs, or perhaps even a narrow walkway, you ought to develop an idea of how best to navigate those stumbling blocks. You should also determine just how exactly you plan to go to the hot tub. Will you take it out at the back of the house or the front? Plan, so you know where the moving truck ought to be placed on moving day.
9. Use Plywood Under The Hot Tub
Placing plywood under the hot tub can help make a smooth, level working surface for moving the hot tub. It will even make it easier to move the furniture dollies underneath the spa. To lift the hot tub onto the wood, you’re going to want three or more helpers lifting each corner a couple of inches away from the bottom.
10. Slide The Dollies Underneath The Spa
Assuming the moving truck’s pathway is horizontal, you will not have to turn the hot tub on its side to proceed with it. However, if the course is narrow, you ought to carefully turn the hot tub on its side together with several people helping to be safe. Once your hot tub is prepared to proceed, slip a dolly under the hot tub’s front, and back ends. Your hot tub should sit securely on the two dollies. To be sure that the hot tub will not fall off, secure the spa to the dolly with moving straps. Friends and family should be holding onto the hot tub on all sides. That means one assistant at the back, one in front, along with one on either side of the hot tub.
11. Get The Hot Tub On The Truck
Once your hot tub is procured to the dollies, carefully roll it to the moving truck. You will require more than just four individuals to push it up the truck’s loading ramp. Subsequently, make sure at least one assistant gets inside the back of the truck to ensure that the hot tub remains secure.
Don’t forget to maintain your dollies in place, so you could readily roll up the hot tub to the position when you have reached your destination. Additionally, be sure that you secure the hot tub to the surfaces of the vehicle. This will stop it from shifting during transit.
12. Place The Hot Tub In The New Location
To unload the hot tub, start by undoing the straps and also removing the moving blankets. With a helper on each side, roll the hot tub down the vehicle’s ramp.
Navigate your way to the hot tub’s new location slowly and attentively. Ensure that you have opened all the doors removed any obstacles out of the way before starting the movement.
If you are moving the hot tub upstairs, don’t forget to get each step simultaneously with your helpers, ensuring the side of the grapple together with the handle extends up the stairwell first.
Lifting the tub by the corners, have a helper slide the dollies out from under the tub. Place the spa on the plywood planks and move the hot tub into position.
Once it’s at the place you want, slide out the boards on every side of the tub.
If you are interested in locating a hot tub in your basement, check out our full article on the subject.
For some great suggestions on where to place a hot tub in the backyard, check out this great article from Hot Springs.
13. Refill The Hot Tub
Refill your hot tub by putting the hose in the spa and turning on the water. If you choose this technique, you could accidentally stumble into a pitfall: an airlock.
An airlock is the air bubble that gets trapped within your hot tub’s pipes as it’s full of water. A couple of air bubbles may cause the spa to operate improperly and damage the jets and pumps. Air bubbles are comparatively simple to remove, but the ideal method varies depending on the spa version. If unsure, contact your hot tub manufacturer for advice about how best to eliminate them.
To prevent air bubbles from forming through refilling, you need to fill the spa correctly by putting the hose in the proper place into the spa shell. For instance, with a few spas, inserting a hose beneath the filter is the best practice. Your owner’s manual will tell you exactly where to place the hose to fill the spa.
Can You Move a Hot Tub By Yourself?
No, you should not move a hot tub by yourself to avoid injuring yourself and damaging the hot tub. The best scenario for moving a hot tub is to employ a company specializing in transporting hot tubs. Most spa dealerships will have a resource for moving spas. If you plan on moving a hot tub, be careful and get help from 4 to 5 other people.
Stop wasting time and money with hot tub maintenance and confusing water chemistry! Get Instant access to this easy-to-use book and video course so you can spend less time cleaning and more time soaking.
Learn MoreHow Heavy is An Empty Hot Tub?
Many 2 to 3-person empty hot tubs weigh approximately 300 to 500 pounds minus the water. When filled up with water, they will weigh an average of 3000 pounds. If you are considering a 6 person to 8 person hot tub, these may frequently weigh close to 1000 pounds empty, as well as 6,000 pounds when filled with water.
Empty hot tub weight can vary based on the model and its particular size. A Hydropool 2-3 person self-cleaning hot tub can weigh approximately 700 pounds empty and roughly 3,350 pounds when filled with plain water. In a 7 person hot tub using a large footwell, the empty weight reaches 4,500.
Hot tub users additionally add additional weight to the hot tub. If estimating an average weight of 150 pounds per person, this may add up to 1000 pounds depending on how many folks are in your hot tub simultaneously.
Check out our full article on leaving a hot tub empty for more information.
Can You Move a Hot Tub In a Pickup Truck?
Yes, you can move a hot tub in a pickup truck, but you must be careful. When moving a hot tub through a pickup truck, you will need to load it on its edge. With the truck backed up, load the tub on the cargo area, using your dolly and two helpers on each end. Once it’s at the vehicle bed, utilize tie-down straps to fasten it and move blankets to prevent damage.
Can you Move a Hot Tub With a Pallet Jack?
Qualified movers usually use pallets for moving a hot tub. However, you can also move it using plywood or 2×4 bits of timber. The purpose is always to lift the hot tub a few inches away from the soil and provide a smooth surface so that the pallet jack can slide under the hot tub without damaging it.
Ideally, you’ll have more people doing the heavy lifting so you can move your spa onto the pallets. If the trail, gate, or moving truck isn’t spacious enough to accommodate your hot tub, it is possible to tilt it onto its side gently. If there are not enough lifters to completely grab the hot tub and put it on pallets (on opposite ends of the hot tub), three people can lift one side to slide the wood beneath.
How To Move a Hot Tub: Conclusion
We’ve seen that moving a hot tub can be an involved process requiring teamwork and some planning.
It’s recommended that you hire a moving company to professionally move the hot tub, protecting yourself and the spa.
I hope you found this article helpful on how to move a hot tub.
Check out our article on using a hot tub in the summer for some great ideas on how to use your spa after you’ve moved it.
James Brockbank
Stop wasting time and money with hot tub maintenance and confusing water chemistry! Get Instant access to this easy-to-use book and video course so you can spend less time cleaning and more time soaking.
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