Got an old, damaged hot tub? You might be tempted to use a chainsaw or sledgehammer on it, especially when it takes up all the space in your room or backyard.
But it is not easy as you might imagine it to be. Dismantling a hot tub requires more effort than destroying and removing each component separately. Likewise, you may risk having hot tub-related injuries from doing it without following safety procedures.
So before you decide to remove and dispose of your hot tub, read this article to help guide you in cutting up a hot tub in just 5 easy steps.
How To Cut Up A Hot Tub In 5 Easy Steps
Although cutting up a hot tub may seem like a huge task, it won’t be too difficult if you take small and safe measures to keep the procedure orderly.
Here are 5 easy steps to follow in cutting your hot tub.
1. Read Hot Tub Manual
You should review the hot tub user handbook that comes with your hot tub to understand how the unit’s internal parts are organized before you even start sawing up the hot tub. From reading the manual, you will learn the following:
- The location of the electrical connectors
- Where the gas lines for the hot tub are, especially if it is heated
- Where and how the hot tub’s pump system is located
In the process of hot tub removal, knowing the location of the gas connection and electrical connections will keep you safe. Even though you’ll be turning off the gas and electricity to the hot tub before you cut it, you should prevent damaging your tools or inadvertently injuring yourself.
2. Turn off The Power
Disconnecting the hot tub’s power supply, electrical wiring, and potential gas lines is the second step in hacking up a hot tub after reading up on its manual. Since the pump system and associated machinery must be dismantled and discarded after the hot tub skirts are removed, you must also disconnect them.
Safety requires that all electrical connections to the hot tub be disconnected. Electrocution may occur if live hot tub wires are cut. It’s crucial to check that all gas lines have been shut off. Otherwise, you will risk starting a fire.
3. Drain Hot Tub Water
The hot tub needs to be emptied of water before cutting it up. Follow these tips when draining your hot tub:
- Before draining the hot tub, make sure the electrical connections are disconnected. Hot tub electrical components can heat or short – circuits when uncovered to the open air because they are intended to be submerged.
- Don’t empty the hot tub into a lawn; always dump it onto the pavement or a gutter. Flooding can result from dumping a lot of chlorinated water on the lawn at once, which can harm the grass.
- The fastest approach to swiftly drain the hot tub of water is with a portable sump pump. If no sump pump is accessible, another option is to utilize a garden hose.
4. Remove The Hot Tub Skirt
This hardwood square encloses the hot tub and serves as its border while housing the mechanical parts. Loosen the screws holding each one of the skirt sections to take out the hot tub skirt. Any screw placements that aren’t immediately visible can be found in the user handbook.
The hot tub’s mechanical parts, including the heater, filter, lighting, and pump, should be easy to reach after the hot tub skirt is taken apart. The body should be the only component of a hot tub at this time.
5. Cut The Hot Tub
Now you’re down to the last part of the process. It is time to cut your old hot tub to be ready for disposal.
The most labor-intensive deconstruction phase is taking apart the hot tub’s body. A reciprocating saw or jigsaw works best for chopping up the hot tub’s body because fiberglass makes up most of them. To cut through the fiberglass, you need a saw with this kind of strength. A deep, sharp saw blade is also required to cut through the hot tub’s body.
Use a saw set to low speed to cut the hot tubs apart and start the junk removal, one individual section at a time. You should keep the pieces small enough to be put aside or taken to the road without difficulty.
What to Prepare When Cutting Up A Hot Tub?
There are hot tub materials that can potentially harm you in the process of cutting your hot tub. That is why before you begin, ensure that you got the proper safety gear and safety equipment to get ready for the job.
- Respirator Mask. Wearing a respirator mask with a filter is crucial for safeguarding your respiratory system because the dust that can harm your eyes, and skin, can also harm your lungs.
- Safety Goggles. Throughout cutting the hot tub, goggles can shield your eyes from debris and flying particles.
- Hand Gloves. Work gloves are usually the safest option when using any kind of saw, so make sure you pick a durable pair. This can also assist you in avoiding cutting yourself when carrying away the fiberglass fragments after the demolition because they are sharp and sheared.
- Ear Plugs. You can avoid hearing problems using earplugs and loud saws like reciprocating saws.
- Jeans And A Long-Sleeved Shirt. Long sleeves and pants can help shield you from getting hurt by flying debris. This layer can assist prevent scratches, bruises, and cuts while transporting the cut-up component for disposal of your old tub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions to guide you on how to cut up a hot tub in easy steps.
How Heavy Is A Hot Tub?
Small two- to three-person hot tubs weighs 500 pounds when it is empty and close to 3000 pounds when it is full of water. The dried weight will fall somewhere in the range if your tub is of the much larger sort, like a nine- or ten-person spa.
Can You Disassemble A Hot Tub?
Yes, you can disassemble hot tubs. Cutting it into more manageable pieces is simpler. You must be cautious about cutting it without cutting any nozzles or jets because it might also include them.
Conclusion
There you have it! You are now ready to cut your old hot tub and dispose of it. Make sure to follow all the tapes presented above and make safety a priority. You can also ask for professional help to save you from the time and effort of doing the job all by yourself.
