A hot tub is heavy and needs more than just yourself to do it. You also need a plan and a process to follow to move your hot tub from your old home to a new one. Here are some easy hot tub moving steps to follow:
Trust us: you’ll need a little help to move your hot tub. This is not a one-person job. Enlist your friends or hire moving labor to assist in any holding, lifting and carrying. Having four people is ideal so that there’s one person on each side helping you move it.
You also need to ensure you have the right equipment before you start. Certain tools will make it easy to eject the hot tub from its designated position and place it in a new position. Here’s what you’ll need to move your hot tub into your new home:
- A moving truck. You need a truck of good size to carry the hot tub from your old home to a new home. With a rough idea of the size of your hot tub, a rental truck company can get you a suitably-sized truck for the tub.
- Moving blankets. While moving your hot tub, make sure it’s protected in your truck. Cover it with large moving blankets to avoid scratches, scuffs and dings that can occur during transit.
- Moving and lifting straps. Use these straps to lift the heavy tub, and tie and secure it to your truck.
- Furniture dollies. Once your hot tub is off the floor and clean, it needs to be moved onto a furniture dolly.
- Several wooden boards. Wooden pieces (usually made out of plywood) will help you prop up the hot tub and create a smooth surface that will help you slide it onto the dolly.
- A pump, drainage hose or garden hose. You need to drain all the water in your hot tub before you can move it. For example, you can connect a garden hose to your hot tub’s drainage valve or spout.
- A wet-dry vacuum. Once all the water is drained from the hot tub, the next step is to dry clean the hot tub with a wet-dry vac. This vacuum separates the water from the dirt and allows you to get rid of any water and dust stuck on the floor of your hot tub.
- Hot tub cleaning supplies. Depending on your hot tub’s condition, you may want to clean it out after you’ve successfully moved it to your new home.
Of course, if you don’t have the helpers and equipment you need to move your hot tub, you can hire a professional mover near you. They should have all of the tools and manpower needed to get the job done.
Step 2: Prepare your moving truck.
Reserve a rental truck that you can use to ferry the hot tub to your new place. Make sure the truck is big enough for your hot tub (take measurements of your tub, if needed).
Step 3: Analyze the surrounding area and map out a route.
Take note of your surrounding environment to avoid damaging your hot tub when moving it. Ask yourself, “What will be the easiest way to move it without hitting structures and tripping over the obstructions in the ground?”
Also, understand the layout of your new home and backyard. Is your yard’s gate wide enough to fit your hot tub through it? Will you encounter any impediments (like steps, hills, etc.) when moving it from the front of your house into the back? Can you drive your moving truck close to (or into) your backyard without damaging your grass or pavement? Map out your route in advance to avoid potential roadblocks.
Step 4: Unplug the hot tub.
Switch off any sort of electricity that’s connected to your hot tub, and unplug any connection to your energy source. Do this before you drain the water to avoid power surges, shocks and other potential accidents. And make sure you secure any power cords to avoid tripping over them during the move.
Step 5: Drain the hot tub and dry it.
This step can be daunting, but it’s important. The last thing you want to do is move your hot tub when it’s full of water (it’s heavy and dangerous). So, make sure you use a pump or hose to drain the hot tub. Do this a day or two before you move. Also, decide where to drain it. If you can empty the water into a gutter, then you will avoid messing up your grass.
After draining your tub, you may decide to clean it. Whether or not you do, take the time to dry it out using a wet dry vac before you move it.
Step 6: Place wooden boards below the hot tub.
At this point, you and your helpers are almost ready to begin lifting and moving your hot tub. First, hold the hot tub on its sides, slightly lift it and place your wooden pieces underneath. Once the tub is propped up, you can easily slide your dollies underneath and prepare it for transport.
Note that you can keep the tub flat on the dollies if your passageway is wide enough to go through. But if the passage is too narrow, you may want to turn the hot tub on its side.
Step 7: Strap the hot tub onto the dollies.
After you've slid the dollies under the hot tub, make sure they’re positioned at the front and back of the tub. Then, remove the wooden boards and strap the hot tub to the dollies to hold the tub in a stable position.
Step 8: Roll the hot tub and load it into the truck.
With the hot tub tightly secured to the dollies, slowly (take your time!) roll the tub toward the truck’s ramp. Make sure your friends are holding tight and taking careful steps. Once you’re at the moving truck, your helpers should move to the inside to pull it in while others push from the back. Cover your hot tub with a moving blanket for added protection.
You can now drive to your new location without much stress and unload the hot tub (again, do this slowly) at its new location.
How to avoid hurting yourself when moving a hot tub.
Moving a hot tub can be risky if you’re not careful. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:
- Always disconnect the power supply. Switch off and unplug any energy connection.
- Drain all the water in the tub. Do this to reduce the overall weight of your hot tub to avoid extraneous carrying by about five times. Also, dry it to avoid potential slips and falls.
- Ask for help. Avoid throwing out your back in the process by having a few more extra hands to help with the lifting and loading of your hot tub.
Tips to protect your hot tub from damage.
Here are some tips to avoid damaging your hot tub while moving it:
- Unplug any connections to your tub like pipes, a hot tub cover and cords. Make sure to remove them carefully and neatly store them.
- Drain, clean, and dry vac your tub to remove any stains on the floor and in the interior.
- Flip it on its side when going downstairs and through narrow passageways. With assistance from your helpers, lift and move the tub to its side for easier moving.
- Move slowly when placing the tub on the dollies, rolling it and when unloading it. Avoid dropping the tub harshly on its new floor.
- Use moving blankets. Covering your hot tub with moving blankets can help protect it against damage as you’re driving it to your new home.
DIY vs. hiring a pro to move your hot tub.
Moving your tub yourself is gratifying. Nevertheless, you can also consider the option of hiring a pro to do it for you. But before you decide, there are some things to keep in mind. Here are some considerations when debating between hiring a pro and DIY-ing this task:
- The cost. Research the average cost of hiring a hot tub mover in your area. For a more accurate cost, you should aim to get estimates from at least three local pros. Also, be sure to ask how they calculate their fees (Is there a flat fee? Hourly fee?) and the different factors that may impact the final cost.
- Your time. Moving your spa to a new home may take a lot of your time during the day. If you don’t have the time, then having a pro may be worth the cost.
- Access to tools. Do you already own the tools required to move your hot tub? If you don’t, are you willing to spend money to buy or rent them? Depending on these costs, you may want to just hire a hot tub mover instead.
- Free labor. Although you may have decided to move the spa by yourself, you will need at least two (ideally, four) people to assist with the moving. Will you be able to convince people to help you for free (or cheap)? If not, hire a pro.
- Obstacles in your old and new home. The issue here is that if it is your first time moving a hot tub, then it will be a daunting task. You could take a chance on yourself and plan for the whole moving process. If you go for a pro to move your spa, then they probably have lots of experience and have come across the scenarios of both your new and old homes. If not, they have the creativity to also tackle any situations they may come across moving your hot tub.
