How to Move a Hot Tub
Soaking in a hot tub is one of the best ways to relax and let go of the tensions of your daily life. But when it’s time to move the hot tub, it can be one of biggest reasons to stress you out. Moving a hot tub is no child’s play because of the size, weight, and the irregular dimensions of the hot tub.
Also, lifting the hot tub without damaging it can be quite tricky and loading it into a truck will require professional help. Preparation and caution are the keys when it comes to moving a hot tub and you should do your preparation in advance and keep in mind all possibilities when you attempt to move a hot tub. So, if you want to learn more about how to move a hot tub spa or a hot tub by yourself, then read on.
How to Move a Hot Tub by Yourself
Image Credit: 1066pools
If you have a small or medium sized hot tub, you might want to learn more about how to move a hot tub by yourself. The process can vary depending on the size of the hot tub and the way it is fixed. For certain hot tubs, you might need professional assistance to unplug the hot tub properly from all the electric and water connections. You will also need help to put the hot tub on a trolley, secure it with straps, and transport it to a truck for moving.
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Things to Take Care of Before Moving A Hot Tub
Moving a hot tub is not as simple as it looks on the surface. If you want to know how to move a hot tub with one person, you have to take care of a number of things. You also need to plan it all out with another person before you can move the hot tub on a dolly and onto the truck. Here are some of the things you should be mindful of before moving a hot tub.
1. Drain the Water – It goes without saying that your hot tub needs to be empty of water when you want to move it. You can use the inbuilt drainage points of your hot tub, or you can use a pump to drain the water from the hot tub. If any water is present in the hot tub, it will make it difficult to move the hot tub.
2. Unplug Power Connections – If your hot tub is still connected to the power supply, get a licensed electrician to remove all the power connections. Keep the cords and connecting units separately and mark them so that you can fix them quickly when you reinstall the hot tub at a new location.
3. Unplug Filters – Check if all the filter connections are unplugged. Unplug and remove the filters and keep them in a safe place. If the filters are still in place when you move the hot tub, they might rattle and break.
4. Dry The Tub Properly – Once you have drained the hot tub, you have to ensure that it is completely dry. You can use a towel to dry out any remaining water from the hot tub, or you can leave it out to dry for a while so that there is no water or moisture in the hot tub. Presence of water can lead to slipping or improper securing of the hot tub when you want to move it.
How Much Does It Cost To Move A Hot Tub
So you want to know how much does it cost to move a hot tub? Well, there is no clear answer as the final cost depends on several factors. The size and weight of your hot tub is the first factor, and the distance you might need to move the hot tub is another factor. On an average, moving a hot tub costs around $300-$400(1). The cost can vary depending on other factors, and you should check with the hot tub moving professionals about how much it would cost to move your hot tub.
Things You Will Need for Moving A Hot Tub
If you are thinking how to move a hot tub off a deck, then you will need to gather equipment and supplies to move it without too much hassle. Here are the things you will need to move a hot tub off a deck.
1. Equipment – When a hot tub is on a deck, moving it becomes a little more tricky than when it is on level ground. You will need wooden beams and straps to lift the tub off the deck and then place it on the wooden beams to pick it up with a dolly.
2. Man-power – Lifting and moving a hot tub on your own is near impossible. Make sure you have at least 3-4 people helping you in moving the hot tub.
3. Moving Truck – You will need a moving truck to transport the hot tub to where you want to install it next. When you are looking for a moving truck, make sure it has a trailer area that is larger than the size of your hot tub so that you are able to load and secure the hot tub with ease.
4. Knowledge of Hot Tub Fittings – While moving a hot tub it is essential to have at least a basic knowledge of hot tub fittings so that you can remove the fittings and keep them secure while you are loading and unloading the hot tub. Knowing how to remove the fittings and reinstall them can be crucial for moving a hot tub.
How to Move a Hot Tub on a Trailer
Do you want to know how to move a hot tub on a trailer? It is easy to do when you have the right equipment, but even then you need to be careful to prevent damage to the hot tub. As moving a heavy hot tub requires a number of people, you also need to be vigilant to ensure people who are helping you do not get injured.
Make sure the hot tub is secured on a trolley by straps, and it is well balanced before you start moving it to a trailer. Once you are near the trailer, you can use a loading ramp to roll the dolly up on the trailer’s bed and then secure the hot tub there along with the dolly. This will help you when it’s time to unload the hot tub from the trailer.
Risks Associated with Moving a Hot Tub
Moving a hot tub comes with its own set of risks, so you need to take precautions to ensure you can to move the hot tub safely without any untoward incidents. Here are a few risks you need to be careful about.
1. Damage to the Hot Tub – Damaging the hot tub is always a risk when you are trying to unplug and move it from one place to another. First off, make sure the tub is empty of water and completely dry. Remove all filters and fittings that can be removed so that nothing trails or moves inside the hot tub. Double check everything and move the hot tub carefully. Don’t rush anything and if you feel there things are rattling inside the hot tub, secure them before you load it on the moving truck.
2. Damage to Property – Moving a hot tub can take time, and if the tub falls from the dolly or the trailer it can damage the deck, patio or the walkway where it falls. If the hot tub falls from the trailer of the truck, it might damage other vehicles on the road. So, secure everything and double check the straps and fixings that need to be in place so that the hot tub does not slip or skid during transportation.
3. Physical Injury – The risk of physical injury is always there when you are moving bulky items. Make sure everyone involved with moving the hot tub is using proper footwear and wearing anti-slip gloves that make it easy to grip the hot tub when lifting it on the dolly or the trailer of the truck. Check all the straps for any sign of wear and tear. Only use straps that you can secure with ease.
How to Move a Hot Tub on Its Side
Image Credit: Joeli Humphries
While moving a hot tub to a truck, you might wonder how to move a hot tub on its side to fit it into the trailer of the truck. To turn a hot tub on its side, you will need a dolly, wooden beams, and straps for securing the hot tub on the dolly. Simply, lift each side of the tub and slide a wooden beam under it.
Once the hot tub is on the beams on all sides, you can place the moving dolly under the hot tub and lift it on its side with a surface positioned firmly on the dolly. Make sure you secure the hot tub with straps so that it does not fall off at any points during the loading and unloading.
Another way of moving a hot tub on its side is by using an air bag. You will need to raise one side of the hot tub and insert a deflated industrial quality air bag under it. Once the air bag is under the hot tub, inflate it till it lifts the hot tub to a 45 degree angle, then you can take help from another person and move it on a dolly with ease.
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Steps for Moving a Hot Tub
It can be easy to move a hot tub when you follow precautions (2) and understand that it is a heavy object that should be lifted with care to avoid any damage to the tub or people involved in lifting it. Here are the steps you can follow for lifting any modern hot tub.
1) Drain, Dry and Unplug the Hot Tub – Drain the hot tub of all water by using a pump or through the drainage valves in the tub. Let the tub dry out in the open air or use a towel to soak up any water that might be there in the tub. Once it’s dry, unplug all power, heater, and water supplies. Take out the filters and any accessories that might be in use with the hot tub.
2) Elevate the Tub with Wooden Beams – Get two 4×4 beams and lift one side of the hot tub, place it on one beam. Then lift the parallel side and slide another beam under it. Once the hot tub is elevated, you can move to the next step with the dolly.
3) Fix Hot Tub to Dollies and Securing it – Slide the first dolly under the hot tub on one side and repeat the procedure on the other side, too. Once the hot tub is on the dollies, secure it with straps and ask your friends to stabilize the hot tub if it moves.
4) Roll the Hot Tub to the Moving Truck – Roll the dollies to the moving truck and make sure the tub does not wobble or lean to any side as it can be difficult to control the dollies if the tub moves. Make sure the tub is secured to the dollies properly and there is no wiggle room anywhere. Roll the dollies up on the loading ramp and place the hot tub on the trailer.
5) Secure the Hot Tub to the Truck Trailer – You will need more straps to secure the hot tub to the truck’s trailer. Make sure there is ample space on the truck’s trailer for the hot tub and the dollies. Check all the straps and make sure they are all tight and in place. If the hot tub wiggles or moves, you can use the wooden beams under the hot tub to secure it in place and reduce any wiggle room. You can also use moving blankets to cover the hot tub on the trailer.
6) Unload and Reinstall the Hot Tub – Once you’ve taken the hot tub to the location where you want to reinstall it, unload it carefully from the trailer of the truck. Roll the dollies to the place where the water and electric fittings are located. Unstrap and unload the hot tub and fix all the fittings in place. Voila! You have successfully moved your hot tub!
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How to Move a Hot tub with Ease
Moving a hot tub from one location to another can be a back-breaking task, but if you want to know how to move a hot tub with ease, the answer is simple: you need to be well-prepared for every step of the move(3). The best and the easiest option would be to get in touch with a company that offers hot tub moving services and pay them money to move your hot tub. Make sure the professionals from the company are insured and certified so that you can claim insurance in case your hot tub gets damaged.
If you want to do it yourself, get help from some friends who have experience in moving hot tubs and get the equipment needed to unplug, load and secure the hot tub. With the help of friends, you can move the hot tub with ease and without damaging the unit or injuring yourself in the process.
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Conclusion
Many people find it difficult to move their hot tubs, but if you are well-informed and you understand all the steps and the risks associated with moving a hot tub, you can very well do it yourself.
Make sure that you get help from friends and relatives who are strong enough to pick and move the hot tub on the dolly and the moving truck. When unplugging or securing the hot tub, double-check everything so that you can be sure the hot tub is completely dry and secure before you start moving it.
Are you thinking about moving your hot tub? Or, if you have moved a hot tub in recent past, feel free to share your thoughts and opinions for other readers. If you have any questions or queries about moving hot tubs, please share those in the comment section.
