How to Build a spa hot tub

What homeowner hasn't dreamed of coming home from a long day at work, slipping into a bathing suit and walking out onto their back deck for a soak in a warm, jetted hot tub? Spa hot tubs help the worries and troubles of life slip away with warmth and bubbly water. However, buying a hot tub can be expensive and purchasing a used tub is not always the best option. There is an alternative though, and that is to make one yourself out of common materials found at your local home improvement center.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stock tank
• Heating element
• PVC plumbing
• Filter
• Pump
• Jets
• Intakes
• Drill
• Saw drill bit
• Hand tools
• Sand
• Decking boards and lumber

1. Purchase the stock tank and place it on a bed of sand in your chosen hot tub location. Level the tank and determine how large of a deck to build as well as where you would like the deck to extend. Frame the deck around your hot tub by placing four posts in a square around the tub and using the rest of the lumber to box in the hot tub. Do not lay your decking boards down. You need to get into the tub to do the plumbing first.

2. Using the saw drill bit, drill holes in the lower portion of the tank for the intakes and the upper portion of the tank for the jets. Install the jets and intakes using the supplied hardware and gaskets to insure against leaks. Use the PVC pipe to plumb the jets and intakes to the pump (which is mounted somewhere under the deck).

3. Cut out a rectangular hole for the skimmer and filter. Mount the skimmer using the hardware provided. Make sure to mount the gasket in place securely so that you don't have a leaky tub.

4. Plumb the heater into the jets so that cycling water is heated as it moves toward the tub. Now, hook up the electrical wiring for the heater and pump according to the manufacturer's instructions and your individual locality's building codes.

5. Lay down your decking and fill the tank with water. Prime the pump by filling the pump and lines completely with water as well. Flip the switch and start enjoying your spa.

Tips & Warnings

• EBay is a great resource for find cheap spa parts. Installing plastic insulation around the tub and inside of the decking will increase the efficiency of your tub's heater.
• Consult local building and wiring codes prior to construction. Some towns require permits to be purchased and approved prior to breaking ground.

Resources

• Check this useful resource for making your own hot tub.