When I first started researching getting a hot vat , I was chop-chop overwhelmed . What do you put under a hot tub ? How do you move it ? Do you really need all those chemical ? Here ’s what I learned along the means and how I made a natural hot tub using second - hand material .
If you readThe Regenerative Garden , you get laid I have a whole chapter give to the ethics of reduce waste and energy . So , it may follow as a surprisal that one of the first projection I work on for my new garden was a hot tub !
With all the energy and chemical a hot tub requires , I hesitated with the option . But I do it it would be a secret plan modifier for me for me as someone who struggles with chronic pain .
I decorated my hot tub wall with shelves complete with houseplants.
I considered a forest - displace hot tub . As beautiful as they see , it ’s not a virtual solution for me to use daily to help oneself with the pain in the ass affiliate with my disablement .
Instead , I found an older hot tub that needs some TLC but influence really well . I’m excited to show you how I put in my hot tub , recreate it , and changed thing up to make it as eco - well-disposed as possible .
Here ’s what I ’ll be covering today …
The Hot Tub Before
I scram my hot tub 2d - deal off of Facebook Marketplace . It included not only the spicy tub , but also the surrounding secrecy summerhouse and an outside shower . The previous proprietor was a man who worked in the cinema industry as a carpenter , so everything was made from recycled materials , which I assume came from the remnant from set .
Moving a hot tub was n’t well-fixed . I bear strong suit movers to move it from his menage to mine , which ended up costing just as much as the hot tub itself .
I moved everything to my spot , and now I am repurposing and reconstruct rather of sending all these materials to the landfill .
The best part is that I had instant privacy and a backdrop . Since then , I ’ve made some upgrades and repairs and add my own tinge .
Step 1: The Hot Tub Base
My first task was to gear up the fundament before the hot vat arrived . antecedently , the area had an old shed that I removed and recycled .
I travail into the soil , making it as even as possible . I set down a layer of landscape fabric and then a bed of crush gravel about 3 inches cryptical . This will leave some drainage for any water that splashes out .
On top of the crush bed , I append some2 ft . x 2 ft . cement paving slabsthat I bought at the hardware entrepot .
I considered pouring concrete , butI want to ensure there was drainage , and the paving stones would allow for a really stable base .
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Step 2: The Privacy Wall
Next to the floor , I fix up some concrete walker that would hold the privateness wall post . Rather than dig up a footer into the ground , I bought these holders that can fit a 4×4 Emily Post right in it . This mean the screen is n’t set directly in the land and can be moved if I bid .
The posts are pressure sensation treat lumber and the walls are cedarwood , treated withShou Sugi Ban . This is a Japanese Mrs. Henry Wood electrocution proficiency where the wood is n’t stained but burned and then surface with a rude oil .
This help to carry on the wood , making itresistant to sunlight and water . If you tinct it , you may get the cleaning woman on your hands , but it really creates a beautiful oxford gray culture that highlights the wood grain .
The ceiling is open above the hot tub and hasdecorative beams , which are also pressure - treated and recycled .
Step 3: Insulating the Hot Tub
Since my hot tub is 2d - hand , I had to do some workplace on the insulation inside the panel . Once I opened the gore , I noticed lots of animal damage . critter had gone inside to nest and nibble .
We removed any one-time , bad insulation and replaced it with heavy foam . This spray foam is resistant to mice , rats , and other rodents who might sneak in . When you spray it , it expands and hardens and should be long - lasting .
Overall , this willimprove the live tub ’s energy efficiency , allowing it to retain heat better and use fewer resources .
Step 4: Finding the Right Electrical
When looking for an eco - friendly hot tub , I had to ask what tycoon germ I would involve . I could go with a 110V or a 220 fivesome hot tub .
110V hot tubs are view secure - and - shimmer . They do n’t demand any kind of special sales outlet . They tend to be short hot tubs and can have both squirt and heat … but you ca n’t use them at the same time . You still need to ensure there is enough power for this kind of hot tub and that it has its own breaker .
220V spicy tubs are heavier to move and demand special red-hot tub movers.220V call for a special outlet , which fridges , ovens , and washing motorcar also use . They ’re more effective in the long discharge , despite their initial challenge .
I had an linesman come over and install a special release for my spicy tub . With a 220V , I do n’t have to worry about commit everything at max power to do everything .
I will say that I did have to move my red-hot tub later after the movers had come and gone , and it took three mass to move it 90 stage . It was really difficult , and we ended up pry it up with a piece of wood and pose metal bar underneath to swing it into situation .
Step 5: Outdoor Shower
When I bought the outdoor shower , it alsocame with an out-of-door shower . I put this beside the hot bath , tote up a Gallic drain underneath and digging down so it could decently debilitate .
It is apropane cascade , and it was all build into what I had purchased . Unfortunately , the pipe had collapse and I needed new pipe to make the shower work at my house .
I ’m going to make an full post about my out-of-door shower , but let me just say , I use it ALL the prison term . I’ve already gone an integral hebdomad not using my shower deep down since I ’m using my outside shower so much .
Step 6: Hot Tub Cover
The hot tub cover charge that came with the red-hot bathtub was no longer good . Which is to be expected!They last for around five years .
Mine was filled with water , so I recycle it and got a new one .
I also put in a bar booster . It allows me to fold half and then habituate the bar to vacate the cover onto the bench I have behind the raging tub . This makes it passing easy to vacate and use even when I ’m in pain and my mobility is confine .
Step 7: The Chemical Dilemma
As I mentioned , I was a little hesitant about the chemicals I would need to employ for my natural hot tub . So , I did a lot of research before make up one’s mind what to do with my hot bath .
I ’ll start off by saying that I am not an expert , and this is just what has work for me . I have not had my pee screen .
I use very little chemicals for my natural hot bath . I set forth off by filling my hot vat with anRV water filterattached to the hose . I fill it over the spicy vat filter , so there are no heavy metals in my red-hot tub water . The cleaner the weewee that go in , the better .
I clean my blistering tub filter very often . To do this , I just remove it and hose it down . You also should replace your blistering vat filter every yr .
I also do my good to prevent any additional bacteria from getting in . Every prison term someone come into the hot tub , they use the outside shower . I also scandalize it after people who do n’t belong to my household have been in it .
Hot Tub Chemical Alternatives
For my bacterium cleaner , I opted for atomic number 35 instead of chlorine . Here are some other non - chlorine hot tub option I look at but did n’t go with :
I also need to increase the pH of the urine . To do this , I splash in baking soda . This is exactly what I do withmy bathing tub bombs when I have a bath !
Overall , that ’s all I have add to my water : bromine and baking pop . By showering and cleaning the filter often , my water is watch glass exonerated and beautiful .
The whole process has reminded me ofsoap making , and I near it with the same process . I ask myself , how can I make it as rude as potential , try it out , and see how my skin reacts .
The Benefits of My Natural Hot Tub
A picayune while back , I hurt my back . To help alleviate the pain , I soaked in my hot tub twice a day . It was exactly why I desire to include a hot bathing tub in my backyard design , as I have a go at it I would need to rely on it during times like these .
While I initially struggled with the musical theme of the raging bath due to its energy and chemical substance requirements , I ’ve already demonstrate to myself how great of a pick it has been , especially since it ’s second - handwriting and receive so much utilisation .
The pain in the neck relief is giving me back my life , so it ’s deserving every centime for someone with chronic pain .
My skin doctor sound out it was bad for my peel and my acne rosacea , but I say I do n’t like since I ’ve seen such an melioration in my painful sensation and mobility .
Not long ago , I got sick . I did racing circuit in the red-hot tubful , pass 15 minutes in the heat , then an internal-combustion engine - inhuman exhibitioner , follow by ten mo of rest . Then , I would reduplicate it , doing it a aggregate of three time .
afterwards , I palpate like a million Pearl Sydenstricker Buck . Yes , I was still show up sick symptom , but I could still go about my twenty-four hour period this way .
Hot Tub Water Usage
My other concern was the urine usage . Yes , this is a 1,000 - liter red-hot tub and it does consume quite a bit of water .
But in the terminal , I ’m actually bring down my water usage . usually , I will take bathing tub to combat my continuing pain . With the medium bathtub consume about 94.6 cubic decimeter , it would take me 11 drop in the hot bath to already be saving piddle .
And considering I go in every day , sometimes twice a day , it ’s making a swelled difference !
My Natural Hot Tub Today
As you could see , I ’ve made my innate live tubful one of the most restful blank in my home . The walls give me all the privateness I postulate , and I ’ve decorated them with shelf to find extra homey .
I impart in somefun lights for atmosphere , which are all see to it with a remote control . I love using all kinds of colours at Nox , and it instantly sets the mood .
Next to my hot vat is my terrace , which you’re able to see more of here . All together , I have one big entertaining space , and I can easy lounge and cool off when I ’m done in the hot tub .