sinking hot tub into balcony

[CraigVmax]

gday all.

My house is built on stilts as near river and I have a decked terrace coming off living room. the garden isnt huge and wife doesnt want to see tub all the time.

I was thinking that I could slide a hot tub underneath the terrace then raise it up on concrete blocks until its just below the deck. Have a hole cut in terrace to drop down into the tub. Then have a decked panel made to sit over the tub when not in use so its still useable as a balcony.

I can post pics to make it clearer if its not.

Just wondered, can anyone see any downsides or suggest any ways to imrpove the idea.

Also interested in hot tub reccomendations (I have had one before but was about 5 years ago)

The max sizes I can go is 1m 95 x 1m 60 (or could go slightly larger underneath but the hole in deck cant be any bigger).

I do have to be conscious that I need to somehow be able to use the hot tub cover under the decked panel and also where the edges of the hole are in the dick, it cant be too sharp if people sat on edge so might need something to edge it in.

all ideas gratefully recieved!

[Munter]

CraigVmax said:

and also where the edges of the hole are in the dick, it cant be too sharp if people sat on edge so might need something to edge it in.

all ideas gratefully recieved!

I think you may have had a typo!

[RedWhiteMonkey]

CraigVmax said:

gday all.
I do have to be conscious that I need to somehow be able to use the hot tub cover under the decked panel and also where the edges of the hole are in the dick, it cant be too sharp if people sat on edge so might need something to edge it in.

Sounds painful!

I'd imagine it is entirely possible to do what you are thinking but you need to bear in mind that a hot tub full of water is a considerable weight, will the decking need reinforcing?

[Simpo Two]

Munter said:

I think you may have had a typo!

New Zealanders... 'six decks' comes out quite wrong in Kiwispeak...

[CraigVmax]

ha, of all the typos!!!

The tub will actually be on the ground, the deck wont support it at all, the tub sits under it.

[Oggs]

Craig don't forget you need access to service, maintain the pumps etc

It reminds me that I need to sell my one

[CraigVmax]

thx mate, yup there is full access underneath (I made that mistake last time!)

[Bonefish Blues]

I'm guessing it wouldn't be too hard to fabricate the cover itself, but getting it on and off, even at ground level might be an issue.

It would necessarily be a big, heavy & unwieldy piece of kit if it is planned to be strong enough to walk on when the tub's not in use.

[CraigVmax]

Yep this has been a concern. Might have to be in two parts like a trap door maybe.. Or if I move the location of the tub then could have a lift up hinged door but would prefer 1st location if possible

[Bonefish Blues]

I'm guessing the deck isn't covered so you couldn't rig a pulley system or you'd have thought of that already?

[CraigVmax]

its not, at some stage it will have a balcony over it but cant incorp that at this stage, also, I'd want lights & heating in roof so not sure pulley system would work but good suggestion thank you.

[Chrisgr31]

The fact the house is built on stilts suggests that the area might be subject to flooding. You'll therefore need to ensure your hot tub is securely attached to the ground to stop it floating away (taking the decking with it)!

[CraigVmax]

Ha good thinking but it should be high enough

[Toilet Duck]

Sorry I can't help but would like to pics of this house on stilts

[CraigVmax]

cant upload pics here but can send one if you email me!

[Oggs]

Be good to see where it will be going mate

[CraigVmax]

yhm

[Bonefish Blues]

You can't be the only person ever to have thought of this, surely.

Might be worth having a word with a replacement cover manufacturer like these guys. http://www.southernspas.co.uk/replacement-hot-tub-...

re your lifting challenge, most seem to put the cover down the side, but this one might be useful, assuming this particular range is available in the UK: http://www.spacoverlifts.com/covermate-freestyle/c...

[CraigVmax]

both v good ideas, thx bonefish, not sure the latter would work as the tub is marginally below the deck level. i'm thinking that I'd need a decked cover in 2 sections then maybe another cover below deck level that i could slide over

[CraigVmax]

oggs made a good point, with the cover on it and then the deck on top it could be as much as 8 inches down to the tub then 10 inches down to the water, could be a bit of a drop?

how much for an electric jack to raise the tub???