2009 Inground Spas
LTR20091002, Rev. A
Pr
eparing f
or
Your Ne
w Ingr
ound Spa
www.calspas.com
5
The Designer Spa series requires an external equip-
ment pack. When locating the outdoor equipment
pack, you will want to consider the following:
The equipment pack must be located within a
•
maximum of 15 feet from the spa.
Ensure the equipment running its normal filtra
-
•
tion cycles does not make too much noise for spa
owners and/or neighbors.
Ensure the equipment can be easily serviced for
•
filter cleaning and periodic inspections in the lo
-
cation chosen.
If you are using a gas heater, you will need to
•
consider wind and drafts as well as heater ex-
haust for proper heater placement. (See heater
owner’s manual for important location and safety
information.)
The equipment base and heater must be placed
•
on either a 3 1/2” cement slab or 3” paving
stones.
Make sure the equipment area selected will not
•
be in an area where water could run or stand.
If the area receives direct sunlight, you will want
•
to provide some protection for the equipment
portion of the equipment pack.
The equipment pack and heater are delivered sepa-
rately. Do not cover gas heaters unless properly vent-
ed. (See heater owner’s manual for important safety
information.)
Ensure there is enough room for the spa and
•
equipment.
Plan for proper electrical and gas service to both
•
the equipment area and spa side.
Ensure the required flat, level foundation can be
•
constructed in the area chosen.
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 surround-
ing area or channeled away. Water build-up un-
der 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 prep-
aration 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 retaining walls must be built in order
to have a level area for the spa. If the slope is rela-
tively minor, contact your local building safety.
Site Excavation – Hard Bottom
For hard bottom placement for inground 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 es-
cape under the spa. A gravel beds around the con-
crete base will help with this.
Site Excavation – Sand Bottom
With the spa area and all elevations planned includ-
ing 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 re-
quired 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.
Planning the Best Place for the Outdoor Equipment Pack
Inground Spa Site Preparation
