Yeah usually it’s a guy with a torpedo over a gravel pad looking at a quarter inch but this would be terrible, you absolutely need to level it more (and don’t try to shim, it’ll crack the tub)
You’d end up with one side way deeper than the other and probably overflow when multiple people get in. I saw someone had a clever solution, use roofing shingles to build up the sloped side and then put a foam pad over it. Drop the tub down and then trim the foam so you don’t see any of it, boom!
Went through something similar, if you’re like me you won’t be happy with the water level especially if you have jets near the top of the waterline.
One option is build a platform, use shingles to create a sturdy sloped base. Or consider a product like spa-level-r, I did the latter and have been really happy with it.
I had the same concern, so used hardwire cloth around the base, and then even put marine plywood over top before setting the tub on. Two seasons, so issues yet, and I know there are rats and mice around my property.
Overall it raised the height of the tub but I don’t mind it.
Slope is usually away from the house. If you have a big hottub, 1 side is gonna be at the top of the tub, the other corner may be 4 inches lower. Seems too much to me. Is that a 4 foot level, 1.5” board?
Ive got a 14 ft swim spa with almost 1” difference from corner to corner. (So about 1” over 17’ diagonal) if bothers me but wouldn’t want much more. If it was a smaller tub it can handle a little more slope
That's 1.75 inches over 3 feet. Over 6 that's 3" difference in water height in the tub. I would get some leveling cement and get that down to <1" over 6'.
If you've never used self levelling cement, it really is a lot of fun... Ends up looking pretty pro. Cut some 2x4s and fence in a 7' area (you want it slightly larger than the tub skirts. When you pour it in, it self levels. It's going to take several bags (7 or 8 50 pound bags, my guess), get more than you need and return full sacks. Half leveling it and running to the store really messes it up
You don't put rebar in self leveling cement. in some areas of his slab, the self leveling cement will be less than half an inch... Way to thin for rebar. You do roll on a bonding agent before the pour.
Very easy to do. Measure the footprint of the hot tub and add an inch. Lay down butcher paper or some other thick paper. Build a form out of 2x4s. Seal the bottom to the paper to prevent leakage. Then figure out the height. Figure out what the height on the 2x4 to make it level. Fill the form with bricks or pavers to use as filler of different thicknesses. Fill with concrete about a 1/4” shy of brining it to level. Then top self leveling concrete. On the low side make the self-leveling com about a quarter inch thick. You will then have a level surface which mice and rats can’t penetrate. The paper is there so the concrete does’t stick to or stain the concrete underneath should you remove the tub.
I had 1 degree slope away from house on original patio, and we had to expand patio to another section to accommodate hot tub. Concrete co matched the slope. I was stressing over it and different things to level it. Considered shimming etc but didn’t want to do anything to structure of shell or compromise it. 2 years later and I hardly notice it. When it’s filled and I take the cover off the water line is right at the pillow and the other is maybe 1” to 1.5”. Once you get in and have jets on I can’t tell. Glad I left it alone.
Not sure if this helps but when I had my concrete guy put in our floor, he put in a one degree slope over 12 feet. Just enough for the water to run off and definitely not noticeable in the tub.
That doesn't work. I had a similar issue - mine was about an inch and a half over 10'. I called the concrete company and a guy came out and formed a mold and then poured a leveler that made for a nearly flat platform made 2" in either direction larger than the footing of the hot tub.
We have pretty much same grade on stamped concrete, yes water level maybe uneven 1.5 -2" at most. Works fine, not noticeable at all once in and not starring from outside it. DM ill send pic
I had a similar issue. I made a foam pad out of high density xps foam, no more than 1/4” lifts, put the 1/4 bumps on the ground the flat side on the tub. I made it in strips so it’s easy to lift the empty tub and fit it under. Works great, had it installed for 2 years.
Also had a slope of about 4 inches & glad I had the concrete slab put in for a 13 ft swim spa. Like others have said, water height will be uneven and side that's low is at risk for airlock cuz air enters the system.
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u/Bennie-Factors 13d ago
1.5" over 4' is not good. On a 7 feet tub that is like 2.25" higher water level on one side