Cal Spas Avalon A515, Owner'S Manual

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LTR20091024, Rev. A
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The spa must be properly back-filled with wet sand, underneath and •
on all four sides.
The final architecture must include permanent ground coverage within •
a 10 feet radius of the spa.
Never place any spa in a sealed area. Water must be able either to be
•
absorbed into the surrounding area or channeled away. Water build-
up under and/or around the spa, will cause the spa to float out of the
ground.
Grading Prior to Excavation
Selection of the Designer Spas site will determine how much grading will
have to be accomplished prior to the actual dig for the spa. Naturally, a
level area is best because it will require the least amount of preparation for
the dig, but in many cases there is no level area, therefore, the site must
be prepared to accept the Spa prior to dig. The spa site should be elevated
slightly higher than the surrounding area
When dealing with slopes, the severity of the slope will determine if retain-
ing walls must be built in order to have a level area for the spa. If the slope
is relatively minor, contact your local building safety.
Site Excavation – Hard Bottom
For hard bottom placement for in-ground spas, you will need a smooth
and flat concrete surface at least 4” thick as large as the bottom contact
points. Be sure not to seal the bottom off and making a sealed box. You
will need adequate water drainage for escape under the spa. A gravel beds
around the concrete base will help with this.
Site Excavation – Sand Bottom
With the spa area and all elevations planned including your decided type
of decking, you are now ready to proceed with the dig. An ideal excavation
is one that is as close as possible to the dimensions of the spa shell, but
with the following rules in mind. The excavation should be 2” to 4” deeper
than the actual spa for your sand bed. The sand bed is to level the spa
shell and provide a perfect support base with no voids when the spa is
lowered into the hole. Your excavation should be approximately one foot
longer and one foot wider than the spa shell. This will allow for a six inch
over dig all the way around the spa once it is in place. Additional hand
excavation will be required to insure the skimmer will fit in the excavation
when attached to the spa.
Sand or rock dust must be used to bed the shell into the excavation and
for backfill. In no event is dirt to be used. One of the easiest ways to know
how much sand is needed to be placed on the bottom of the excavation is
to set a grade stake at all four corners, and one on each side of the center
line in the bottom of the hole. If there are areas that are deeper than 2” to
4”, these can be filled with sand and are of no consequence.