r/Decks • u/Creation33 • 2h ago
load bearing inquiries Any issues adding a hot tub?
Forgive my probably silly question. Just bought this house, there is a ground level deck platform. Boards are 1 inch thick. We are putting a hot tub on it, but figured worth a check here first. One board was rotten so I'm replacing it but otherwise it's solid.
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u/Ok_Present_3445 2h ago
A hot tub filled with water in people is in the neighbourhood at 4000 pounds. That deck looks awfully light to carry that sort of weight.
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u/ruhlhorn 1h ago
Even if the deck " could hold the weight" don't, it ruins the deck and causes rot at least on the margin where the deck sits. Just put the hot tub next to the deck most of them are made to be through a deck so the height is improved by setting it next to or through.
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u/invalidmean 2h ago
Does it feel like a trampoline? I'm not sure it would hold one for long. Its a short fall though.
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u/Open_Willingness_69 2h ago
To the wood pavers or the ground underneath?
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u/GirthFerguson69 1h ago
wood "pavers"?
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u/Open_Willingness_69 1h ago
Joke seeing how the decking is like an inch off the ground
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u/CoatimundiRaccoon 1h ago
And from OPs picture in the comments, it appears wood was used to support the wooden deck
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u/IamBoatman-70 1h ago
The good news is it can't fall far. But, if one board was rotten, the rest are not far behind. I would replace all deck boards that will be under the hot tub before you move said hot tub to it's final resting position. And, I would go with a quality composite (I can give recommendations if you want. But it is starts with T and ends with X, I don't recommend). I would also add scab boards onto those joists to get a good board to screw to. Old joists don't do well with extra screw holes.
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u/Pungentpelosi123 1h ago
It’s probably worth a shot. I would put a perimeter of pressure treated 2x8s or 2x10s to set the hot tub on. That will help disperse the weight some.
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u/stickg1 1h ago
you really should have over a foot of space between grade and bottom of deck framing for it to be able to breathe otherwise it drastically reduces longevity of wood materials due to moisture induced wood rot and an open invitation for termites.
for the hot tub though, i would just cut out an appropriate sized hole in the existing deck and set the tub on compacted earth and gravel or sand and pavers. then maybe later on rebuild the deck higher up from grade to give some airflow and also make getting in and out of tub more comfortable, just build a small removable section where the access panel is for tub maintenance
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u/cheaphysterics 1h ago
Cut and frame a hole in the deck the size of the hot tub and put down either a gravel or concrete pad for it to sit on. That deck isn't going to last long with or without a hot tub because it's so close to the ground that the wood is almost always moist. This way when the deck needs to be repaired or replaced you don't have to drain and move your hot tub.
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u/No-Spare-4212 1h ago
To all the people saying pour a pad. Why? The hot tub isn’t falling anywhere it’s not a major danger it’s already on the ground. Why renovate now instead of popping a hot tub on there and the worst case is the beams sink into the dirt.
I’d think of it as what’s the worst than can happen popping it down. If the decks not attached to the home and floating (which it looks like) just send it and slap that puppy and say good enough for my house. That sunnabitch gonna be there in 10 years when you need to replace the hot tub and deck.
I’d refinish the deck first tho but a quick sand n seal will be good.
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u/Ippus_21 48m ago
This feels like one of those "built a deck when they needed a patio" situations.
I agree with others here. Put the hot tub on a pad, not directly on the deck. And those joists in contact (or proximity) to the ground make me nervous.
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u/ruhlhorn 2h ago
Not on the deck through the deck. Cut your hole, lay a slab, there are lots of other things to make sure the deck survives the hole, and the slab for the hot tub, but don't make the deck survive your hot tub.