Prior to your Hot Tub Installation
We can arrange a home visit to do a site survey and help ensure your hot tub is situated in the ideal part of your garden. Alternatively you can contact our team and we can facilitate a virtual site survey with you.
Depending on the Jacuzzi® you have purchased, we normally need between 100-120cm of clear & unobstructed width and between 220 - 235cm in height along the entire route.
Jacuzzi’s arrive on their side. A minimum of two installers will be there on the day to deliver and position your Jacuzzi.
After the ideal location has been found we will advise you on the solid flat base, setting up the electrics and making sure that you have a water supply nearby. We keep in touch throughout your installation to help keep work on track and answer any questions that may have arisen during this part of the preparation.
We supply a range of covers to fit with different Jacuzzi® ranges. When you are purchasing your hot tub please speak with our team to discuss the benefits of the different styles of cover for your particular requirements. The information below gives a summary of the options we have available, please note that images below may differ from the actual installed design.
There is a 2 year warranty across the board for all cover lifters.
Hot Tub Covers for J200 Collection
Our J200 covers come with a manual cover lifter as standard, you can choose from the Covermate I or Cover EX. If a lower profile cover is required the cover can be swapped for a ROCK-IT cover lifter instead.
There is an option to upgrade to the gas assisted Covermate III. For more information on the best cover for your requirements please get in touch with one of our team.
Hot Tub Covers for J300 Collection
Our J300 covers come with a gas assisted cover lifter as standard, you can choose from the Covermate III or you can swap to the lower profile ROCK-IT Cover.
For more information on the best cover for your requirements please get in touch with one of our team.
Hot Tub Covers for J400 Collection
J400 covers come with a gas assisted cover lifter as standard, however the Covermate III is also available.
Hot Tub Covers for 500 Collection
The J500 is only compatible with the Covermate III and comes as standard with this lifter.
COVER EX
The Cover EX is our newest spa cover system, it lifts the cover with ease. It is designed to fit on square or rectangular spas. The Cover EX allows your spa to fit against a wall, inside of a gazebo, and even mounted into a patio or deck for in-ground spa applications. A locking safety feature holds the cover open until it is time to be closed. A durable powder coat finish accompanied by stainless steel hardware allows the Cover Valet to be equipped with a TWO-year warranty.
FEATURES & SPECS
- All aluminium construction with reinforced aluminium mounting brackets (no plastics)
- Requires 40cm of clearance behind the spa, as well as 15cm each side of the spa
- Works with square and rectangular spas up to 104” in size
- When cover is open, it doubles as a privacy wall
- Durable zinc plated and powder coated finish
- Highest quality stainless steel hardware
- Accessory brackets are available to fit specific spa manufacturers' needs
- Compact packaging for easy, low-cost shipping and handling
- Features a five-year limited manufacturer's warranty
COVERMATE 1
COVERMATE 1 is the number one most used cover lift in the world. No other cover lift enjoys such high demand thanks to its time-tested performance, attractive appearance and obvious quality. Every Covermate Lifter comes with a TowelMate accessory for hanging up to three towels right where you need them most.
FEATURES & SPECS
- Higher perceived value
- Trouble-free performance
- Ergonomically designed for ease of use
- Black powdercoated, rust-free construction.Equipped with non-corrosive composite mounting brackets
- Fast and easy to install
- Requires 40cm of clearance behind the spa, as well as 15cm each side of the spa
- Works on virtually any spa up to 8 feet in width
COVER ROCK-IT
The Cover Rock-It beautifully represents the new age of spa cover lifts with its unique under-cabinet mounting design. There is no need to screw anything into your spa cabinet with the included under-mount plates. It fits virtually all of today's spas up to 96" all the while offering ease of use and affordability. The Cover Rock-It slides your spa cover effortlessly behind your spa and reduces cover wear and tear by keeping the cover off the ground. The powder coated finish in addition to the improved frame strength ensures years of hassle-free spa cover removal.
FEATURES & SPECS
- Fits most spas up to 96"
- Under-spa plates are held securely in place by the weight of the spa
- Requires 50cm of clearance behind the spa, as well as 15cm each side of the spa
- When folded down, the cover stores neatly on the side of spa to provide a full view
- Zinc-plated and powder coated finish
COVERMATE III
No other hydraulic cover (gas assisted) lift offers the beauty, reliability and superior operation of the Covermate III. An aluminum full-frame construction and stylish composite mounting brackets are the perfect answer when clearance behind the spa is an issue.
FEATURES & SPECS
- Requires 30cm of clearance behind the spa, as well as 15cm each side of the spa
- Powder-coated, aluminium tubing with easy-to-install, non-corrosive mounting brackets
- Euro-styled composite brackets with beauty covers that hide mounting hardware for a clean look
- Ergonomically designed for ease of use
- Available with optional DeckMount bracket system (sold separately)
Steps provide the ultimate in durability and assemble in a snap without the need for tools. They can hold up to 800 pounds and feature 32" wide non-slip treads for improved safety. You can choose from a variety of colours that will match any spa cabinet and environment.
Features:
- 32" Wide steps with non-slip treads
- Safely holds up to 800 pounds
- Durable UV protected polypropylene
- Unique anti-slip tread design provides added safety
Preparing for your Hot Tub Installation
Preparing for delivery and installation is imperative to ensure your hot tub can be delivered and installed on the agreed date. Preparation for your hot tub includes creating a foundation for your hot tub, ensuring the hot tub can be connected to the electrical supply and can be filled with water. For the exact dimensions required for your hot tub base, please contact your sales expert and they will advise what you require.
A hot tub must be placed on a solid level surface, which is capable of supporting the weight of the hot tub, the water in it and those who use it. We don’t recommend placing your hot tub on grass or bare ground and suggest looking for a qualified contractor to help you create a suitable foundation for your hot tub.
Concrete
A poured slab of concrete or concrete patio offers the most popular and low maintenance solution. One thing to consider is that concrete doesn’t offer the best drainage solution. We advise the following steps as a minimum concrete base for your hot tub:
- Excavate a 150mm/6inch deep area for your concrete base and use a Wacker plate to compact the area down
- Lay 50mm/2inches of MOT type 1 sub-base gravel to fill the area and repeat Wacker plating to compact this again
- Lay a minimum of 100mm/4inches of concrete to fill the area
Paving Stones/Slabs
Paving stones are a cost-effective solution for your hot tub base and with a huge variety of sizes, shapes and finishes available it’s easy to create a base that suits your taste and garden. We advise the following steps as a minimum paving stone/slab base:
- Excavate approximately a 130mm/5inch area for your base and use a Wacker plate to compact the area down
- Lay 50mm/2inches of MOT type 1 sub-base gravel to fill the area and repeat Wacker plating to compact this again
- Lay 25mm/1inch of dry mix/cement sand on to the MOT gravel and repeat Wacker plating to compact the area for a final time
- Bed chosen patio slabs/stones into the compacted cement sand
Decking
Decking is a popular choice as a base for a hot tub and can be tailored to suit your garden. However, it is of utmost importance to consult with a qualified professional to ensure that your decking can support the weight of your hot tub so we therefore advise for decking to be built with reinforcement. We advise the following as a minimum decking base for your hot tub:
- Support joists to be a maximum distance of 200mm/8inches apart
In the event that a site survey highlights the need for lifting equipment to complete the hot tub delivery, this service needs to be arranged in advance.
Please note that this is not included in our Jacuzzi® installation pack price. However, this is something that we can help you to organise, if you require any assistance please speak to one of our Sales team for more info.
For a 32AMP hot tub, 6mm² 3-core SWA cable is needed and a 10mm² 3-core SWA cable is perfectly suitable for a 40AMP Hot Tub.
An IP65 45AMP Rotary Isolator Switch is also recommended so that the hot tub can be isolated outdoors in an emergency or for service work. This is simply a rotary on/off switch but should be sited more than 2 metres away from the hot tub so that bathers cannot be in the hot tub whilst touching the switch.
The electrician should fit a suitable weather proof block connector to the end of the tail from the isolator, the hot tub supply can then be directly hard wired into the weatherproof block connector inside the hot tub. Waterproof gland packs should be used to prevent ingress of water on all electrical connections (2 at the isolation switch). Ensure that all earth cables are clearly colour coded with green/yellow insulating tape or earth sleeve.
The electrical installation must comply with BS:7671 – “Requirements for electrical Installations IET Wiring Regulations”, particularly concerning the following specifications:
The hot tub must be hard wired on its own fused spur back to your household consumer unit, not sharing a supply with any other appliances
The hot tub should be protected by a sufficiently rated MCB (mains circuit breaker) and should cover the maximum amperage pull of the Spa plus 25% to allow for brake torque (i.e. the extra rush of current when pumps are first started). Therefore, a hot tub that has a maximum current draw of 20 amps should be fitted with a 25AMP MCB.
The hot tub should be protected against earth faults by an RCD (Residual Current Device). This is a trip switch which prevents the possibility of an electric shock from damaged or waterlogged cables and connections. A suitable rated 30mA RCD is recommended.
Outdoor cabling should be protected from damage by either laying protective ducting (pc pipe) below ground or by using Steel Wired Armoured (SWA) cable. Your electrician will calculate the size of cable required depending on the loading and the distance from the mains supply.
Once the hot tub is filled with water and the electrical supply is installed our installation team will commission the hot tub and check that everything is fully operational before handing over to you with a complete chemical training guide and hot tub features.
If you are in any doubt about the required electrical guidelines you should seek professional advice from a fully qualified electrician.
Please note: It is advised that your electrician leaves enough spare cable attached to the isolator to go the furthest side of the hot tub, usually a minimum of around 7m to 8m is recommended. If your isolator is located further away, then please use a longer length of cable.Our technicians are qualified to connect this cable to the inside of the Hot Tub.
A hot tub requires a significant volume of water to fill, as such a mains water supply and a hosepipe long enough to reach your hot tub from the supply is a necessity to ensure your installation is quick and easy.
Your hot tub install is organised around your availability. Our team will call you 48 hours before the agreed delivery date, with a reminder of the delivery slot & the access they’ll need, then it’s time to bring your hot tub.
Delivered with care and wrapped in secure protective packaging, this is the beginning of our half-day installation. Our team then gently manoeuvres the hot tub into position and connects up the electrics. All that’s left to do then is fill with water and take you through the running instructions.
Aftercare & Maintenance
It is important to Hydrolife that we continue to help you get the most out of your Jacuzzi® Hot Tub. We offer servicing packages to make the ownership of your as simple as possible. With our plans, you can also spread the cost of your Hot tub maintenance. Feel free to get in touch with our Aftercare Team for more information on 01276 477461 or .
And please remember, should you need us at any point, you can call us, email or come into your local showroom again. We’re always happy to advise and help.
In short, Jacuzzi’s are simple to maintain. You certainly don’t need a chemistry degree. There are two main elements to look after and that is the sanitiser level (i.e. chlorine or bromine) and PH level. You will need to test the water (using simple paper test strips which change colour and give you a reading within 10 seconds) you will know whether to add any Hot Tub chemicals as result of the reading on the test strip.
Jacuzzi’s are set to filter the water itself, passing the water through a UV-bulb – killing 99.9% of bacteria as an extra form of sanitisation.
Read more on Water Quality and CLEARRAY®
For even simpler maintenance, we recommend using a product called AquaFinesse. In one simple weekly treatment their patented environmentally friendly formula gets to the root of the problem by loosening this layer of slime from the surfaces, it is then rinsed away by the action of the water and prevented from reforming. Result, a dramatic reduction in the levels of bacteria, needing only the minimal amount of sanitiser! Even calcium, the notorious destroyer of spas, is no match against the power of AquaFinesse.
Our full range of Hot Tub chemicals are perfect for keeping your Jacuzzi Hot Tub running smoothly!
Chemicals you need for your hot tub
Balancing the water in your Hot Tub