Are you struggling with transferring your new hot tub to a new spot? Perhaps to your backyard or a new home? Moving can become challenging, and you can’t do it alone. So, the best you can do is to use a hot tub slider.
A hot tub slider or a spa sled is a tool that will help you to easily move spa or other heavy equipment which are difficult to do on your own.
But what if you don’t have one? Don’t worry because this article will guide you through making a hot tub slider.
4 Steps To Make A Hot Tub Slider
You don’t have to spend a lot of cash to transfer your hot tub using a slider. All you need is a spark of innovative ideas, effort, and materials that you can find in your home to make a do-it-yourself hot tub slider. Here are the steps that you can take.
Step 1. Prepare The Materials Needed
Make a list and gather all these materials before starting the entire process. You generally won’t need the power pull and the straps if you transfer your hot tub a short distance on a flat surface. You might only need your arm strength and PVC pipes. But this would still depend on the type of terrain.
- Your hot tub
- A furniture dolly or hand cart
- If moving a hot tub up an incline, use three pieces of 2 by 6 wood.
- 5 pieces of 1.5′′ PVC pipe, each 10 feet long
- Strong Power Pull
- Straps
- A few friends to help you out
Step 2. Use The Furniture Dollies Or PVC Pipe Method In Moving The Hot Tub
Before moving hot tubs, ensure the water is completely drained. Otherwise, you won’t be able to move the hot tub because it would be very heavy to do.
Ask someone to help you lift one edge of the hot tub off the ground using a hand cart or furniture dolly so that you can pass one PVC pipe under.
Afterward, do the same process on the other side of the hot tub and then out another PVC pipe in the middle of the hot tub. By then, it should be resting on 3 PVC pipes and ready to be moved to a new spot.
This is where you’ll now employ the power pull to help you push, pull, and move a hot tub. Make sure to tighten the straps around the hot tub’s body so it can have something to latch into. Before pulling and pushing, hook the power pull tightly to a solid support.
Step 3. Move The Hot Tub To The New Location
You’ll be surprised at how simple it is to start pulling and pushing the hot tub with the rolling PVC pipe at the bottom. Move the pipe back toward the front using a hand cart once more to get it under if necessary. This usually happens once you have pushed it far enough for the pipe to come off the back.
It is time to change things up after shifting the hot tub roughly 4 feet in one direction. You can place the PVC pipe parallel with the direction you are pushing it and slide the hot tub on the PVC pipe rather than rolling and shifting it.
Two PVC pipes can be kept underneath the hot tub where it is placed. Then take out three 2X6 boards to build a ramp that will enable you to climb the 6″ required to stand. The other 3 PVC pipes should be positioned so the hot tub can glide over them. Connect the power pull to a post like a fence post that has been anchored in the ground with cement.
Placing a hot tub on PVC and pulling it up the moderate incline with a power puller is simple.
Step 4. Take Out The PVC Pipes And Refill Water
Once you’ve got the hot tub in the right location, use the hand cart to pry up the sides. Next is to pull the PVC pipes out from under it.
Then you are done making a hot tub slider to move your hot tub. Moving a hot tub was much easier than you ever imagined it would be.
Now you are ready to refill it with fresh water in your new spot and enjoy a warm hot tub experience.
What Is A Hot Tub Slider?
What is a hot tub slider? Moving a hot tub to a new location will need some transport. A hot tub slider can easily move a huge spa.
A spa slider is a particular type of equipment used to transport spas and hot tubs or any other heavy objects. To endure the wear and tear of sliding across numerous conditions, such as grass, gravel, or concrete pad, they are built of specific materials, such as Teflon.
A spa sled works well on all terrain and is designed to lift a hot tub to one side. They can maneuver tubs around a variety of spaces and obstructions.
The material that aids in keeping a spa in place is used on the surface that touches the spa. Two persons must still be involved to keep the hot tub stable and secure while moving.
It is wonderful for transferring hot tubs and come in various sizes, but the drawback is that they may be pricey to buy, especially for those who only relocate their hot tub once or twice; this is not entirely practical.
But if you don’t have one, various DIY methods can still have the same purpose as moving a hot tub.
How To Move Hot Tub On Grass?
But what if you want to transfer the hot tub to a grass surface? Aside from rock moving a hot tub, you may find it hard to do that with a PVC tube as well.
So instead, use a thick plastic sheet and lay it down so you can use it to slide the hot tub along the grass without digging and damaging the surface. You can also use a tarpaulin to accomplish this. Plywood boards or other smooth sheet material will also do the trick.
Avoid rough materials for the hot tub to slide easily and to protect your lawn from side marks. Consider having the hot tub on its side to be easier.
How To Prepare A Hot Tub Before Moving?
Before you put a hot tub on a slider and moving a hot tub, you need to prepare your hot tub so it would be too heavy to lift and move.
Only try moving a hot tub by yourself with a well-thought-out plan. Being prepared is essential for success. Follow the following step by step tips below.
- Clear The Hot Tub Path. Using the shortest path possible is crucial while moving a hot tub which is big and heavy. Getting barriers out of the path is equally vital.
- Turn Off Power Supply. Turn off the hot tub’s electrical breaker. The power cord should be removed if you have a plug-in model. You’ll need an electrician to detach it if it’s hardwired securely.
- Drain The Water. To allow it to drain, connect a garden hose to the sump pump and open the valve. Use a submersible pump if you need to get something done quickly. Use a wet-dry vac to remove any remaining pools in the hot tub after you’ve emptied it.
- Remove Accessories. Everything that you can readily detach from the tub should be packed separately before moving a hot tub. Depending on the model, this could involve the heater, pump, and other things.
There are a few things to remember when moving a hot tub. Never move a hot tub by yourself, rest the entire weight of the hot tub on its control panel, or transfer a full spa, which may weigh up to 6,000 pounds, to avoid the danger of injury, damage to equipment, and property damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions on how to make hot tub sliders when moving a hot tub.
Can I Use A Car Jack To Lift A Hot Tub?
Yes. Start by employing a car jack or manpower to lift one side of the hot tub. Slide 4 x 4 planks or fence posts underneath after that. The opposing side should follow suit. Then you may transport it to your truck by pushing it onto a dolly.
How Do You Move A Spa By Hand?
Move the hot tub off the ground with one person on each side of it, then insert the 4 x 4 planks, or furniture sliders, below it. The tub should be placed flat on the dollies with dollies in the front and rear. Then, move the planks out from beneath the tub.
How Do You Move An Empty Hot Tub A Few Feet?
Another frequent technique is to use PVC pipes as support beneath the hot tub unit, especially if you only need to move it a few feet. You can now wheel the hot tub into place because of this. Remove one pipe, roll the device into position, and replace it.
Can You Transport A Hot Tub To Its Side?
It is safe to transport a hot tub to its side because it has a strong structure. You can do it, especially when you must pass through a narrow pathway that requires you to tip the hot tub to its side. Ask 2 or 3 people to help you lift the edge to accomplish this.
Can I Move A Hot Tub Myself?
It is not advisable to move a hot tub by yourself. A hot tub can be very heavy to move alone. Insisting to do so can cause damage not only to you but your hot tub as well. Thus, it is best to seek support and use specific equipment to move the hot tub.
Conclusion
Always keeps safety in mind when moving anything as large and heavy as a hot tub. Don’t move a hot tub if you are unsure how to handle the difficult task. Instead, install a hot tub slider to make moving your hot tub easier. If you don’t have one, use the instructions above to create one. Never attempt to do it on your own to avoid damaging your hot tub and posing damage to yourself.
