Hot tubs are great features that you can add to your backyard. They come in different shapes and designs and provide different levels of relaxation. However, if you plan on moving out, you might ask yourself how you will transport your portable above-ground spa.
Moving a hot tub is a difficult process that is not recommended for you to do alone. You’ll need to prepare the materials you’ll be using, like dollies, straps, and plywood. You will also need to rent a moving truck and recruit moving laborers if family and friends aren’t available to help.
Disconnect all the hot tub cords, drain them completely, and clean them before transporting your hot tub to your new place. You can place the plywood underneath the tub, slide the two dollies, and strap your hot tub for security. Finally, you can roll and load it to your rented truck.
In this article, we will give you 11 safe and easy steps to transport your backyard hot tub yourself.
What Is a Hot Tub?
A hot tub is used to refer to an above-ground portable spa. It is a completely self-contained vessel. The plumbing, electrical control system, and other hot tub components are all built and contained inside the hot tub cabinet. This could mean plumbing isn’t needed in a portable hot tub. A hot tub has many garden hoses that you can drain anytime and transport to a new property if you ever move out.
Due to technological advancements, hot tubs can hold certain temperatures. You can choose them, and your hot tub will be hot and ready to use without needing to wait for it to heat up.
Hot tubs come in different designs, from simple ones with few jets to complex acrylic shells with an extremely high jet count. Throughout the years, hot tubs have evolved from the original round redwood vessels. They now offer a much better steam experience than in-ground spas since they are way more comfortable, easier to maintain, provide better massages, and are more energy-efficient.
One of the things that prevents people from getting hot tubs is the seemingly difficult process of cleaning and maintenance, but is this really the case? Are hot tubs hard to maintain? Read our article to find out.
11 Easy Steps to Move a Hot Tub
Hot tubs are a great relaxation feature to add to your backyard. However, moving them requires a lot of effort and it isn’t an easy feat if done alone. Due to its indefinite shape and large size, moving a hot tub is a hard thing to do. You can ask for help from your family and friends, but it is best to leave it to professionals.
However, it is still possible to move a hot tub if you don’t plan on hiring professionals. With careful planning and preparation, moving your hot tub is achievable. Here are the 11 steps you need to follow when doing so.
1. Prepare Your Moving Materials
When moving without professional help, the first step is to gather all the necessary moving supplies and tools, including two furniture dollies, moving straps, large plywood pieces, and cleaning supplies. You can find all these materials at your local Home Depot. Usually, home improvement stores offer rentals of moving dollies that can hold up to 800 pounds.
2. Rent a Moving Truck
Make sure to rent a moving truck that is large enough to hold your hot tub. You might need to rent one that is at least 15 feet long, depending on the size of your hot tub.
Measure your hot tub before renting a moving truck to make sure it will fit inside the rented truck. The truck must also have a loading ramp to allow for smooth movements. You can choose between many moving trucks to move your hot tub.
3. Recruit Help
Hot tub requires a lot of effort to move. When you plan on doing so, have at least three other people to help you with this chore. It is in fact recommended to have six more people to help you with the heavy lifting.
If you are unable to get some free help from family and friends, you can hire moving labor professionals in your area. An important reminder is to avoid moving your hot tub on your own. It is too heavy to be done by a single person.
4. Assess Your Surroundings
Before moving your hot tub, you must have a solid plan. One thing to consider as part of your plan is the location and surrounding area of your hot tub. Assess the tub’s surroundings before moving it to avoid damages to your backyard’s landscape and other surroundings.
5. Disconnect the Hot Tub
Locate the circuit breaker inside the circuit box and unplug the hot tub wiring from its electrical outlet before draining it. For 110v hot tubs, simply unplug them from the wall. Disconnecting the cords prevents electric shocks and avoid electrocuting you.
Also, place the cords in a waterproof case or bag to prevent them from getting wet during the moving process. If the hot tub is directly wired to the power supply, it’s recommended to hire an electrician or hot tub service representative to disconnect it safely.
6. Drain the Hot Tub
You must carefully drain your hot tub to avoid damaging or flooding your lawn. Just like moving your hot tub isn’t an easy chore, draining its water is a tough task.
To properly drain your hot tub, you will need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Find the drain valve, remove the cover, and then connect it to a garden hose or a pump to drain the water. Place the pump or hose near your property’s street gutter.
Although you can allow the water to just drain, it is a slow process. Thus, instead of watching it drain, use a submersible water pump so that the draining can be completed in 10 to 15 minutes. On an important note, in some areas, it is prohibited to drain hot tub water into the ocean or any body of water. You could be facing charges and might pay for the violation if you do so.
After draining all the water, there might be puddles at the bottom of the hot tub and some in the pumps and piping. You can use the dry vac to remove those and switch the vac to push mode. Place the nozzle of the dry vac on the valve to push the remaining water.
If you will be moving a hot tub to an area where temperatures are below freezing, this step is very important. Fully draining your hot tub is a crucial part of winterizing it.
7. Clean the Hot Tub
Once all the water has been removed, thoroughly clean the tub before moving it around. If there are any scratches inside it, consider repairing the issue. It is also best to wipe the whole tub with an all-purpose cleaner.
8. Plan Your Route
When moving your hot tub, you have to plan the route. Are you moving to a new yard? Will there be obstacles on the way, whether a small opening, stairs, or narrow pathway? To avoid unpleasant surprises, you must come up with a solid plan route. Schedule it ahead of time so that you will know where to position the rented moving truck.
9. Place Plywood Under the Hot Tub
Putting several pieces of plywood under your hot tub will help ease the transport by creating a smooth and flat surface. It will also be easier to roll the dollies under the hot tub. To place the plywood underneath, lift each corner a few inches off the ground. You might need at least three helpers to lift the tub.
10. Slide Furniture Dollies Under the Hot Tub
If the pathway to the rented moving truck is flat, you don’t have to turn the hot tub on its side to transport it. Although, if the pathway is narrow, you need to turn it carefully on its side with hired help.
Once the hot tub is ready to transport, slide a dolly under its front and back ends. Make sure the tub sits firmly on the two dollies so that it doesn’t fall off. Then, secure it with moving straps. Upon transport, make sure all your hired moving laborers are holding on all the sides of the hot tub.
11. Load the Hot Tub to the Truck
Once you’ve secured the hot tub to the dollies, carefully roll it toward the moving truck you rented. You need to push the hot tub up to the truck’s loading ramp with the help of hired moving laborers. Once you’ve loaded the tub into the truck, make sure there’s a person inside it who can ensure the security of the tub.
Don’t forget to keep the dollies intact in their place, so you can easily unload and roll the hot tub to its new space. Also, make sure the hot tub’s sides are secure to the side of the trucks as this will prevent the hot tub from moving while being transported.
Are you interested in upgrading your backyard? Getting an outdoor hot tub will definitely increase the coziness and relaxation factor of your outdoor space. But before you get yourself a hot tub, here are 4 requirements for a backyard hot tub.
Conclusion
Moving a hot tub requires time and effort. Since it is not an easy task, we recommend hiring professional movers to ensure the overall safety of your hot tub. If you are on a tight budget, it is still possible to perform a successful and safe DIY hot tub transport. All you need to do is prepare all the necessary moving equipment, rent a moving truck, and ask for help.
With this article, you now know the 11 safe and easy steps to move your hot tub. Although it can be hard and dangerous, with enough planning and preparation, it can be managed successfully. As we have previously stated, moving your hot tub all by yourself is something that you should not do. Find people that can help you with this move, for your safety and the safety of your hot tub as well.
