Delivery & Installation Guide
Everything you need to know before install your Spa
A practical, step-by-step walkthrough of what to expect when your spa or hot tub is delivered — from the pre-delivery site survey to the moment you slide the cover off and step in.
Before we arrive.
The following guide is provided to give you an idea of the procedure to expect during the installation of your spa or hot tub. Every install starts long before the truck pulls up — with a careful inspection of the site, the access route and the electrical supply.
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 ensure that the installation is carried out professionally and quickly. Accurate and detailed notes are made so that the customer’s home can be found easily.
The site survey, in detail.
Spa placement
Establish where the spa or hot tub is to be placed. Draw a plan of the customer’s home or garden, and mark the exact location where it will be installed.
Access & obstructions
Identify any obstacles that could create delivery problems — trees, gates, steps, embankments, overhangs, heating or cooling systems. Determine if a special crane is required, of what type and at what cost.
Levelling & base
Check the site and establish what, if any, levelling needs to be done so the spa sits perfectly flat. Where the surface slopes, mark the high and low points for plywood shimming.
Electrical supply
Ensure the circuit is wired in accordance with all applicable local electrical codes. If a dedicated circuit or sub-panel is needed, schedule a qualified electrician to fit it before the installation date.
A spa is only as level as the ground beneath it.
Your spa or hot tub has been engineered to perform best while sitting on a level surface. A level concrete slab or plinth is the best base, but it can also be installed on non-level surfaces such as terraces with a built-in slope for drainage. In those cases the spa is levelled using strips of marine plywood — if it isn’t level, the water won’t be either, and that causes problems with the skimmer and the jets.
The spa cannot be installed on lawns or other soft surfaces which, although they may seem level, will tend to settle over time. Grass or dirt also brings extra debris into the water on bathers’ feet. If you plan to install a gazebo or decking, a concrete plinth is essential — reinforced with steel mesh and approximately 20 cm thick.
The twelve steps we follow on installation day.
From unloading the spa to handing over a fully commissioned, sanitised and warmed unit — here’s the procedure, in order, with the small details that make the difference.
Place the spa in the position desired.
Check the Site Survey and Installation Report Sheet and verify the location. Always put the spa on a structurally sound, level surface — a filled hot tub can weigh a great deal, so make certain the location can support the weight. Unload, unwrap, and never drag or knock the spa against any objects.
Each unit is packed in special wrapping materials to protect it. Use a delivery trolley, roller platform or crane to move it from the vehicle to the installation site.
Visually inspect the unit.
Carefully check the surface and the skirting for any defects. Confirm the thermal cover is undamaged and that all corner panels are flush.
Open the equipment panel.
Remove the equipment door panel and check all components and water connections to make sure they are tight. Wire the unit internally, passing the cable through the base.
Level the spa.
Ensure the unit is properly levelled — otherwise it will not function correctly. Level using strips of 10 cm wide marine plywood. Make sure the centre well of the unit is also supported and is not up in the air, as that can cause deformation of the shell and structure not covered by the warranty.
Fill with water.
Ensure the drain cap is tightly secured. Use a garden hose to fill the spa to the “water level” marked on the skimmer if there is one — otherwise make sure all jets are covered and that water enters the skimmer. Do not overfill.
Power up.
Connect the unit to its power source and close the sub-panel breaker to bring power to the spa.
Test & adjust the spa’s functions.
Run through every system on the unit, in order, and leave each set the way the customer wants to find it.
- Thermostat — raise and lower the set point to confirm controls are working, then leave it at the customer’s desired temperature.
- Light(s) — switch on. If LED, test all colour modes and leave on the customer’s preferred colour.
- Jets — ensure all jets turn on and off. Test the air venturis to confirm air is being drawn into the water flow correctly.
- Pumps & blower — turn each pump on, then test the blower system. Check the aromatherapy canister (if installed) and place the aroma sachet inside.
- Control panel — check all functions, set the clock if applicable, and configure the filtration cycles.
- Filter & skimmer — confirm the filter is properly installed and the skimmer and basket are in place and functioning.
Sanitise the water.
Prepare the water for use by checking and adjusting:
- Calcium hardness — add soft water or calcium reducer to lower the calcium content, or calcium hardness increaser to raise it.
- pH — should be between 7.2 and 7.6. Use a pH increaser or decreaser to adjust.
- Sanitise — use a Dichlorine treatment, dosed to 10 parts per million or above, to kill all bacteria that may be present in the water and plumbing. Turn on the pump, sprinkle the chemicals slowly into the filter compartment or scatter them over the water (without leaving any on cushions or the shell), and run the jet pump for around 10 minutes.
Water can be tested for chlorine within a few minutes, but to fully shock the water, the chlorine level must be maintained at 10 ppm for at least 4 hours. If it drops below 10 ppm before time is up, add more chlorine and start counting again.
Familiarise the owner with the unit.
Show the customer how to activate each function of the spa and explain the general purposes of the jet pump, heater and other systems. Show them how to close and lock the cover properly.
- Thermostat — demonstrate how to adjust the water temperature and set ECO and SLEEP modes if applicable.
- Jet adjustment — show how to adjust jets and air venturis. Encourage the customer to place a hand in the water to feel the difference in jet pressure and direction. If diverter valves are installed, explain how to use them.
- Water chemistry — walk through the daily and weekly chemical maintenance programme. Provide the Daily Water Care guide and the Spa Operation Guide, and explain test-strip use and the importance of keeping the water balanced.
- Filter maintenance — the filter must be cleaned at least once a week. Failure to maintain it reduces water flow, which can cause heat loss and dirty water. Show how to remove, clean and re-install the filter, and how to use a filter degreaser periodically to remove mineral and oil build-up.
- Draining — the water should be changed at least once every three months. Show where the drain valve is located and how to attach a garden hose. Disconnect from power, attach the hose, open the valve, let gravity do the work, mop out any remaining water and dry the shell.
- Shell maintenance — only non-abrasive, non-foaming cleaners should be used. Spa and Hot Tub Cleaner is fine for minor surface cleaning; consult your dealer for scratch-removal products.
Replace the equipment door.
Refit the equipment door, ensuring that it is tightly screwed down and weatherproofed.
Replace the cover.
Place the cover on the spa or hot tub and install the cover locks if they are not already in place. Show the customer how to use the locks and install any cover lifting device. Explain that the cover should be cleaned every month using a mop, and that it must never be lifted by the side flaps or cover-lock straps — only by the handles.
Restore the area to its original condition.
Make sure that everything moved during delivery is put back into its original place. Put all wrapping and rubbish into a suitable container and take it away to be disposed of, then clean up the entire area before leaving the customer with their new spa.
Now you’re alone with your new spa.
You just have to wait for it to warm up — this can take some time, although if it’s summer you can jump right in.
