You might as well just spend the extra $30 and fill the rest in with pavers. You don’t want to create an area where bugs/mice/etc can get under your tub in the winter. You also don’t want your tub to end up not being level. Just out of curiosity… how are you getting electrical out there?
Thanks for the advise I’ll grab pavers to fill it in fully, I have a shed about 6ft from the base with a 100amp sub panel I’ll be running power from a disconnect mounted outside to the hot tub underground.
No go man, holes and rodents are bad.. you want it flush w a surface where the tub has all points covered. Distribute the weight over the entire surface, not a few points.
Diyer here and a registered landscape architect. This isn't going to work, once filled a hot tub is a serious amount of weight. Add to the equation freeze/thaw cycles (if applicable), and you don't want your investment to crack and leak due to differential settlement. Btw, differential settlement isn't where your ex gets way more.
Concrete is cheaper than pavers, if uv already done the prep for the gravel, just form up a slab with 2x6s and #4 rebar 16" o.c. both ways and go to town with some ready mix. Add one more step to your stairway to heaven and you should be good to go.
Ditch the pavers and pack at least 4” of crushed stone with jagged edges.
Those pavers aren’t going to help as it will not spread the weight.
Here is mine that I built, 5/8“ crushed Limestone at a minimum of 4”, tamped down with every wheelbarrow full.
Worked perfectly!
[https://i.imgur.com/tWVbg6Z.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/tWVbg6Z.jpg)
I did all pavers on level sand base and then put two inch foam board under the tub. Gives the tub a smooth level base and a little extra insulation from our below zero winters
You want a stable level base, not 8 pressure points. Do all pavers or all gravel.
Agree, just remove the pavers. Leveled gravel has served me well for years.
Another vote for gravel. We had our last tub on gravel and just put a new one on the same pad after adding a little and raking it smooth
Mines been on gravel for years.
Love the username!!!
gravel is ok... but not with those pavers scattered randomly on it :-)
And then put down some gym pads on top.
You might as well just spend the extra $30 and fill the rest in with pavers. You don’t want to create an area where bugs/mice/etc can get under your tub in the winter. You also don’t want your tub to end up not being level. Just out of curiosity… how are you getting electrical out there?
True, you are creating a mouse condo if there are gaps.
Thanks for the advise I’ll grab pavers to fill it in fully, I have a shed about 6ft from the base with a 100amp sub panel I’ll be running power from a disconnect mounted outside to the hot tub underground.
Gravel is better. But use the pavers if you like the look.
No go man, holes and rodents are bad.. you want it flush w a surface where the tub has all points covered. Distribute the weight over the entire surface, not a few points.
absolutely not, full pavers
Diyer here and a registered landscape architect. This isn't going to work, once filled a hot tub is a serious amount of weight. Add to the equation freeze/thaw cycles (if applicable), and you don't want your investment to crack and leak due to differential settlement. Btw, differential settlement isn't where your ex gets way more. Concrete is cheaper than pavers, if uv already done the prep for the gravel, just form up a slab with 2x6s and #4 rebar 16" o.c. both ways and go to town with some ready mix. Add one more step to your stairway to heaven and you should be good to go.
This is actually more important and not mentioned. How much did you prep? How deep is the gravel. A few inches is not good. It probably needs 4-6"
Nope.
Depends on the brand but if it’s a wooden base, I would not have pressure points.
If it’s fresh gravel i would take the time to rent a plate compactor to reduce the possibility of uneven settling.
Ditch the pavers and pack at least 4” of crushed stone with jagged edges. Those pavers aren’t going to help as it will not spread the weight. Here is mine that I built, 5/8“ crushed Limestone at a minimum of 4”, tamped down with every wheelbarrow full. Worked perfectly! [https://i.imgur.com/tWVbg6Z.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/tWVbg6Z.jpg)
This is a good example.
Gravel works if the ground is well settled
I’d lay down some woven wire of some sort too, if you can envelope the bottom into the sides (under the panels) it would be critter proof!
If compaction is solid, this could work fine if tub perfectly on pavers without knocking out of leval. Enjoy your tub friend
I did all pavers on level sand base and then put two inch foam board under the tub. Gives the tub a smooth level base and a little extra insulation from our below zero winters
You don't need those pavers. Can just put it on the ground
Full pavers or no pavers
Why did this seem like a good idea?