How to Build a Hot Tub Platform
Decide where you want to place the platform., Lay out a perfect 8 foot square at the location you plan to build the deck., Wrap a string around the corner stakes and make two diagonal strings to locate the center., Pound stakes at the center of each...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Decide where you want to place the platform.
If you plan to place the hot tub in a location that was previously lawn, you have two ways to do this.
The first is to take an 8 foot (2.4 meters) by 8 foot (2.4 meters) section of lawn out and dig down past the sod to undisturbed soil.
Then fill the excavation with gravel and level.
The second is to build a deck strong enough to support the weight of a hot tub filled with water and people enjoying themselves.
You can use the plan below to construct a hot tub deck in one afternoon. -
Step 2: Lay out a perfect 8 foot square at the location you plan to build the deck.
Pound stakes in the corners and then measure the diagonals.
They should be the same, about 11'
3.5"
Pound a stake at the center location. , Now you have a cross.
Measure 32 inches (81.3Â cm) from the center of the cross and pound a stake at these four locations. , Repeat this for each corner.
Now you should have 9 stakes inside your 8' square.
These 9 locations are where your pier footings will be placed. , The hole should be about a foot deep.
The bottom of the hole should be on undisturbed soil.
You can use the grass to fill in bad spots elsewhere on the lawn. , You can purchase play sand at most home centers. , Try to make it as level as possible.
Make a 15" by 15" template to lay on the sand and check for level in each direction. ,, Note that the spirit level shown in the picture is lying on its side for clarity. , You can lay a 4" by 4" post down the middle of the straps to check alignment. , Add enough soil so the ground slopes away from the footing to prevent puddles. , You are now ready to set the posts.
Before you set the posts create (3) 4"x6" beams by nailing two 2"x6" 8' boards together.
Nail the beams with 10 to 12 16d nails on each side. , The deck will be the post height plus 12 1/2".
Determine the first post height.
The second post will be the length that is level with the first post.
Repeat with the remaining posts checking level from the same center post.
Don't nail the footing straps at this time. , This is more easily done on a sawhorse.
Do one at a time so you don't mix them up.
Mark the beam 16" from the end and place it over the outside posts. , Measure the diagonal from outside corner to outside corner.
Adjust until they are exactly the same.
Add the center beam aligned with the two outside beams.
Tack one nail in each footing strap and one in the beam holder. ,, Check the diagonal to be sure it is square.
When you are sure it is square, wrap a string around it and fill in with the remaining joists as shown in the plan above. ,, You should meet in the middle at 50 inches (see plan).
Nail deck boards at each end so that it covers the rim joist.
Do both ends.
Have your family members nail two 16d galvanized nails through deck board into joists at the
6.25" marks. -
Step 3: Wrap a string around the corner stakes and make two diagonal strings to locate the center.
-
Step 4: Pound stakes at the center of each side (4' from the corner stake).
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Step 5: Now find the last four stakes by measuring 32" from two of your last four stakes as shown in the photo to the right.
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Step 6: Dig a 15" by 15" square hole at each of the inside nine stakes.
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Step 7: Fill the bottom 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6Â cm) of the hole with sand.
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Step 8: Flatten the sand with a square end shovel or a piece of plywood.
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Step 9: Place the footing on top of the sand with the straps aligned with the direction of the beams.
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Step 10: Wiggle the block until it is level in both directions.
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Step 11: Repeat this process with each hole and footing
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Step 12: making sure that the rows are aligned.
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Step 13: Tamp excavated soil into the holes around the footings compacting the ground so the footing can't move.
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Step 14: You should now have 9 footings in a 64" square in the middle of an 8' staked off square.
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Step 15: Set the center post first.
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Step 16: Place the "Post to Beam" ties on top of each post and nail through the holes provided.
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Step 17: Do the same with the other outside beam.
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Step 18: Recruit others to fill in the nail pattern for each beam holder and footing straps with galvanized 8d nails.
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Step 19: Toenail a 2" x 6" joist to each end of the beams.
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Step 20: Nail a rim joist to the ends of the joists and nail blocking down the center.
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Step 21: Mark the outside joists every 6.25" from each side.
Detailed Guide
If you plan to place the hot tub in a location that was previously lawn, you have two ways to do this.
The first is to take an 8 foot (2.4 meters) by 8 foot (2.4 meters) section of lawn out and dig down past the sod to undisturbed soil.
Then fill the excavation with gravel and level.
The second is to build a deck strong enough to support the weight of a hot tub filled with water and people enjoying themselves.
You can use the plan below to construct a hot tub deck in one afternoon.
Pound stakes in the corners and then measure the diagonals.
They should be the same, about 11'
3.5"
Pound a stake at the center location. , Now you have a cross.
Measure 32 inches (81.3Â cm) from the center of the cross and pound a stake at these four locations. , Repeat this for each corner.
Now you should have 9 stakes inside your 8' square.
These 9 locations are where your pier footings will be placed. , The hole should be about a foot deep.
The bottom of the hole should be on undisturbed soil.
You can use the grass to fill in bad spots elsewhere on the lawn. , You can purchase play sand at most home centers. , Try to make it as level as possible.
Make a 15" by 15" template to lay on the sand and check for level in each direction. ,, Note that the spirit level shown in the picture is lying on its side for clarity. , You can lay a 4" by 4" post down the middle of the straps to check alignment. , Add enough soil so the ground slopes away from the footing to prevent puddles. , You are now ready to set the posts.
Before you set the posts create (3) 4"x6" beams by nailing two 2"x6" 8' boards together.
Nail the beams with 10 to 12 16d nails on each side. , The deck will be the post height plus 12 1/2".
Determine the first post height.
The second post will be the length that is level with the first post.
Repeat with the remaining posts checking level from the same center post.
Don't nail the footing straps at this time. , This is more easily done on a sawhorse.
Do one at a time so you don't mix them up.
Mark the beam 16" from the end and place it over the outside posts. , Measure the diagonal from outside corner to outside corner.
Adjust until they are exactly the same.
Add the center beam aligned with the two outside beams.
Tack one nail in each footing strap and one in the beam holder. ,, Check the diagonal to be sure it is square.
When you are sure it is square, wrap a string around it and fill in with the remaining joists as shown in the plan above. ,, You should meet in the middle at 50 inches (see plan).
Nail deck boards at each end so that it covers the rim joist.
Do both ends.
Have your family members nail two 16d galvanized nails through deck board into joists at the
6.25" marks.
About the Author
Frances Knight
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in crafts and beyond.
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