III. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
SITE PREPARATION
Y
ou probably have a spot picked out for your new spa, whether it’s indoors or outdoors, on a patio or on a deck. Just make
sure you check the following:
• Always put your spa on a structurally sound, level surface. A filled spa can weigh a great deal. Make certain that the
location you choose can support the weight of your filled spa.
• Don’t forget to level your spa before filling it. (See the Spa Leveling section of this manual.)
• Locate your equipment compartment, which houses all of the electrical components, in a place where water will drain
away from it. Allowing water into the equipment compartment can damage the electronics, or may result in tripping
your house’s circuit breaker.
• Leave yourself easy access to the circuit breakers in the subpanel (230 volt models), or to the interrupter switch on the
end of the power cord (115 volt models).
• Never let water get into the subpanel (230 volt models), into the interrupter switch (115 volt models), or into the
electrical outlet that your spa is plugged into. Your 115 volt Hot Spring
®
Spa comes with a protective box designed to
keep out rain and water from sprinkler systems. Your 230 volt spa’s subpanel is raintight when installed correctly with
the door closed. Periodically check these conditions and correct any flaws if detected.
• Leave access to the equipment compartment for periodic spa care and maintenance.
• If your spa is going to be installed in a location known to be frequented by mice, rats or other nocturnal creatures,
Watkins Manufacturing Corpoation recommends covering the access opening to the spa’s equipment compartment
with a heavy gauge screen material available at your local hardware store.
WARNING: Damage to the spa’s equipment compartment components or internal plumbing as a result of rodent
infestation is NOT covered under your warranty!
OUTDOOR AND PATIO INSTALLATION
N
o matter where you install your new spa, it’s important that you have a solid foundation to support it. Structural damage to
the spa resulting from incorrect installation or placement on an inadequate foundation is not covered under the spa’s
limited warranty.
If you install the spa outdoors, we recommend a reinforced concrete pad at least four inches thick. The reinforcing rod or mesh
in the pad should be attached to a #10 AWG bonding wire per national electrical codes (contact your local electrical code
compliance inspector for more information; inspection for proper grounding may be required before pouring concrete to form
the slab).
If you place the spa on the ground, even temporarily, place stepping stones under the leveling areas (see Spa Leveling
Instructions). The stones should be at least two inches thick and twelve inches square. Even with stones in place, the spa will
inevitably settle and become unlevel. Plus, a spa surrounded by dirt or grass will soon be filled with dirt or grass
from users’ feet; therefore, it is important to get it onto a solid foundation as soon as possible.
DECK INSTALLATION
T
o be certain your deck can support your spa, you must know the deck’s maximum load capacity. Consult a
qualified building contractor or structural engineer. To find the weight of your spa, its contents and
occupants, refer to the Spa Specification chart. This weight per square foot must not exceed the structure’s
rated capacity, or serious structural damage could result.
INDOOR/BASEMENT INSTALLATION
B
e aware of some special requirements if you place your spa indoors. Water will accumulate around the spa,
so flooring materials must provide a good grip when wet. Proper drainage is essential to prevent a build-up
of water around the spa. When building a new room for the spa it is recommended that a floor drain be installed.
The humidity will naturally increase with the spa installed. Water may get into woodwork and produce dryrot,
mildew, or other problems. Check for airborne moisture’s effects on exposed wood, paper, etc. in the room. To
minimize these effects, it is best to provide plenty of ventilation to the spa area. An architect can help to
determine if more ventilation must be installed.
Hot Spring
®
Spas are equipped with a jet pump shroud to remove excessive heat from the equipment
compartment. Find this vent and be sure the vent is not blocked by anything, including carpeting.
Your Hot Spring
®
Spa Dealer can help you with local information such as zoning regulations and building codes.
He can also give you a copy of our planning guide–just ask for Hot Spring
®
Spa Pre-Delivery Instructions.
Installation Instructions Page 12
Warning!
Warning!
Watkins Manufacturing
Corporation recommends
that the Hot Spring
®
Spa be
installed above ground.
Lowering the top of the spa
to ground level, or
employing decking which
raises standing level toward
the top of the spa
substantially increases the
hazard of accidental entry.
Consult a licensed building
contractor to design or
evaluate your custom
decking requirements.
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