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.
• Never let water get into the subpanel. 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.
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 bond wire.
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.
Caldera 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 Caldera Spa Dealer can help you with local information such as zoning regulations and building codes.
SITE PREPARATION
Concrete sloped at 1 inch per 10 feet is preferred so that rain water and water
spillover will run off and not puddle underneath the spa (water under the spa
for long periods of time may cause the wood to deteriorate). Other options are
brick, stepping stone or blocks.
It is important to note that soft surfaces, even when stepping stones are used to evenly
distribute the weight of the spa, will have a tendency to settle, thus resulting in an unleveled
spa.
NOTE:
Placing the spa on grass or dirt may increase the amount of debris which is
inadvertently brought into the spa water and may cause harm to your equipment as well as
the spa surface, and is not covered under warranty.
INSTALLATION
9
Warning!
Warning!
Watkins Manufacturing
Corporation recommends
that the Calders 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.
Slope 1 inch per 10 ft.
for proper drainage.
1 inch
10 ft.
LEVEL
Stepping stones or brick
may settle causing the
spa to be unlevel.
