The following guide is provided to give you an idea of the procedure to expect during the installation of your spa or hot tub.

Pre-Delivery Inspection (Site Survey)

A pre-delivery inspection should be performed by your dealer to check the site. Inspecting the site before the spa or hot tub is delivered will insure that the installation is carried out professionally and quickly. Accurate and detailed notes should be made so that the customers home can be found easily. When inspecting the site:

Establish where the spa or hot tub is to be placed. Draw a plan of the customers home/garden, and the exact location where the spa or hot tub will be installed.
Identify and note any obstructions or difficulties that might create delivery problems (i.e. trees, gates, steps, embankments, overhangs, heating/cooling systems etc.). Establish if a special crane is required and if so of what type and cost.
Check the site and establish what, if any, levelling needs to be done to level the spa or hot tub.
Check the electrical set-up at the site. Ensure that the circuit at the site is wired in accordance with all applicable local electrical codes and standards. If a dedicated circuit or sub-panel needs to be fitted arrange an appointment for a qualified electrician to install the circuit/sub-panel before the installation date. (A dedicated circuit is a circuit that has only one receptacle, which is solely for the use of the spa or hot tub which is the preferred setup.)

Ground Preparation

Your spa or hot tub has been engineered to perform best while sitting on a level surface. While a level concrete slab or plinth is the best base to install a spa on it can also be installed on non-level surfaces such as terraces that have a slope built in for drainage purposes. In these cases the spa will be levelled using srips of marine plywood. Obviously if the spa is not level the water will not be level either which will cause problems with the skimmer and the jets.

It is important to note here that the spa cannot be installed on lawns or other soft surfaces which although they might seem level will have a tendency to settle, thus resulting in an unlevel surfce. Also remember that placing a spa or hot tub on grass or dirt surfaces will increase the amount of debris in the water as this is brought in on bathers feet. If you are planning on installing a gazebo or some decking, a concrete plinth is a must. These plinths should be made of concrete re-inforced with steel mesh and should be approximately 20 cms thick.

Delivery and Installation

There are 12 steps involved in the delivery and installation of a spa or hot tub.

Step 1 - Place the spa or hot tub in the position desired by customer.

Check the Site Survey and Installation Report Sheet and verify the location where the spa or hot tub is to be placed. Always put your spa or hot tub on a structurally sound, level surface. A filled spa or hot tub can weigh a great deal so make certain that the location you choose can support the weight. Unload and unwrap it. When unloading it from the delivery vehicle, ensure it is not dragged or knocked against any objects. Do not place heavy objects on or inside it. Each spa or hot tub is packed in special wrapping materials to protect it. Use a delivery trolley, roller platform or crane to move it from the delivery vehicle to the installation site.

Caution! - Be careful not to damage the spa or hot tub skirting when unwrapping it.

Step 2 - Visually inspect the spa or hot tub.

Carefully check the surface and skirting for any defects. Ensure the thermal cover is not damaged.

Step 3 - Open the equipment panel.

Remove the equipment door panel, check all components and water connections to make sure they are tight and wire it internally passing the cable through the base of the unit.

Step 4 - Level the spa or hot tub.

Ensure that it is properly levelled; otherwise it will not function correctly. Level using strips of 10 cm wide marine plywood. Ensure that the center well of the unit is also supported and is not up in the air as this can cause deformation of the shell and structure not covered by the warranty.

Step 5 - Fill the spa or hot tub with water.

Ensure that the drain cap is tightly secured. Use a garden hose to fill it to the "water level" marked on the skimmer if there is one otherwise make sure all jets are covered and that the water enters the skimmer. Do not overfill!

Step 6 - Power up the spa.

Connect the unit into its power source and close the sub-panel breaker to connect power to the spa.

Step 7 - Test/adjust the spa or hot tub's functions.

Adjust the thermostat: Ensure that the temperature controls are functioning correctly by raising and lowering the set temperature of the thermostat leaving it set at the temperature desired by the customer.
Test the light(s): Ensure that the light is functioning by switching it on. If LED lights are installed test their functions and insure that they all work and that they change properly from one colour to another. Leave them set on the colour desired by the customer.
Check the jets: Ensure that all the jets are functioning and that they all turn on and off. Test the air venturis to ensure that air is being drawn into the water flow from the jets correctly.
Check the pumps and blower: Turn each pump on then test the blower system. Check the aromatherapy canister (if installed) and place the aroma sachet in the canister.
Control panel: Check all functions of the control panel and set the clock if it has one and set up the filtration cycles.
Filter and skimmer: Check that the filter is properly installed and that the skimmer and basket are in place and functioning properly.

Step 8 - Sanitize the Water. Prepare the water for use by checking and adjusting the following:

Calcium hardness: Add soft water or calcium reducer to lower the calcium content or calcium hardness increaser to increase the calcium level.
pH: The pH should be between 7.2 - 7.6. Use a pH increaser or decreaser to adjust the pH.
Sanitize the Water: Use a Dichlorine treatment (dose to 10 parts per million or above) to kill all bacteria that may be present in the water and/or plumbing. Turn on the pump, sprinkle the chemicals slowly into the filter compartment or scatter them over the water (being careful not to leave any on cushions or the surface of the shell) and leave the jet pump on for approximately 10 minutes. The water can be tested for chlorine within a few minutes however to completely shock the water the chlorine level has to be maintained at 10 ppm for a period of 4 hours at least, if the level drops below 10 ppm before the time is up add more chlorine and start counting again.
Advise the customer to wait until the sanitizer is below 5 parts per million before using the spa.

Warning! - Never use Tri-chlor to sanitize or super-chlorinate the spa or hot tub. Only use Dichlorine or a Floater with Bromine or Oxygen Tablets. Tri-chlor can damage metal parts including heaters, jets, etc...

Please follow the link above in the menubar found in the "Spa Info" tab to our "Daily Water Care" page if you would like more detailed technical information about how to care for your water or click here.

Step 9 - Familiarize the spa or hot tub owner with the unit. Show the customer how to activate each of the functions of the spa and explain the general purposes of the jet pump, heater etc. and show the customer how to close and lock the cover properly.

Thermostat: Show the customer how to adjust the water temperature and set the ECO and SLEEP modes if applicable.

Jet Adjustment: Show the customer how to adjust the jets and the air venturis. Encourage the customer to place a hand into the water so they can feel the difference in jet pressure and direction. If diverter valves are installed show the customer how to use them and explain their function.

Water Chemistry: Ensure the customer is aware of the daily and weekly chemical maintenance programme. Ensure the customer has a copy of the Daily Water Care guide as well as the Spa Operation Guide and is aware of the importance of proper maintenance. Advise them on how to use the chemical test strips and explain that damage can be done when the water is not maintained properly.

Filter Maintenance: Inform the customer that the filter needs to be cleaned at least once a week and that failure to maintain the filter will result in reduced water flow which can cause loss of heat and result in dirty water. Show the customer how to remove, clean and re-install the filter. Explain that the filter should be cleaned periodically with a filter degreaser to remove mineral and oil build-up and how to thoroughly spray the filter with a garden hose until it is clean.

Draining the Spa or Hot Tub: Explain that the water should be changed at least once every three months. Show the customer where the drain is located on the outside of the unit, near the base, and how to connect a garden hose to it. When draining the water follow the following procedure:

Disconnect the spa from the power supply.
Install any adaptor required to connect your hose.
Attach the inlet from the garden hose to the drain valve and open it if necessary.
The spa or hot tub will drain by gravitational flow.
When it is empty, remove the drain adaptor and close the valve.
Remove any remaining water by mopping it out and clean and dry the spa or hot tub.

Shell Maintenance: Explain to the customer that only non-abrasive, non-foaming cleaners should be used to clean the surface. Spa and Hot Tub Cleaner can be used for minor surface cleaning. Cosult your dealer for these products as well as scratch removal products.

Safety Features: Explain the safety features to the customer:

The entire unit will shut down if a fuse blows or if the temperature goes too high as the high-limit protection circuit will trip.
The heater will be inoperative if a pressure switch or other sensor interrupts the heater circuit (this can happen because of low water flow due to a clogged filter, for example).
The pumps and blower will stop automatically after running at high speed for 15 to 30 minutes depending on the model.
Lights will turn off, if left on, after 3 or 4 hours depending on the model.
Explain to the customer that the flow monitoring devices interrupt the heater circuit when flow is restricted but that the rest of the functions will remain operational.

Step 10 - Replace the Equipment Door. Replace the equipment door ensuring that it is tightly screwed down.

Step 11 - Replace the Cover. Place the cover on the spa or hot tub and install the cover locks if they are not already installed. Show the customer how to use the cover locks. Install any cover lifting device. Explain that the cover should be cleaned every month and show the customer how to clean it using a mop. Never lift the cover by the side flaps or the cover lock straps only by the handles.

NOTE - No-one should sit or stand on the cover and snow must not be allowed to build up on the spa or hot tub cover as this will break the foam insulation inside the cover and it will have to be replaced.

Step 12 - Restore Area to Original Condition. Ensure that everything that was moved during delivery is put back into its original place. Put the wrapping and all other rubbish into a suitable container and take it with you to be disposed of and clean up the entire area.

And Now?

Now that you are alone with your new spa or hot tub you have to wait for it to warm up! This can take some time although if it is summertime you can jump right in!

Even starting from a very cold start it should be nice and warm by the next day so close the cover and buckle it down and get ready for the morning....