There’s nothing quite like relaxing in a hot tub after a long hard day at work. Commercial hot tubs can however be pretty expensive. If you have good DIY skills then it is actually possible to build your own hot tub.
Step 1 – Collecting Supplies
First start by collecting the materials and equipment together that you will need. This includes:
- Used bulk storage plastic container (around 1000 litre)
- Polystyrene packing material
- Old empty gas bottle
- Cladding
- Welder
- Grinder
- Pipe Bender
- Pipe
- Heat gun
- Saw
- Screwdriver
- Drill
Step 2 – Modify the Bulk Container
Once you have your hands on a bulk plastic container in cage, the rest of the project is relatively straight forward. Start by chopping the top off the container and shortening the frame using the angle grinder. Be careful here as there will be some pretty sharp edges. Weld the frame back together in it’s new short position and grind any rough edges off. It’s important to remove any sharp edges to prevent damage to the plastic container and liner.
When cutting through the plastic container itself take your time as a replacement container is hard to come by. Make sure you measure and mark with a marker pen so you know exactly where to cut along. When cut, use some heat to make the plastic malleable so you can force it over the bar to round it out.
Step 3 – Cladding
Use wood, corrugated roofing material or other sheet material to clad the outside of the cage. This will make the hot tub look much more professional. Ensure that any sharp edges are removed to make it safe to use the tub.
Step 4 – Insulation
Insulate the hot tub to keep the heat inside. Use either expanding foam or old polystyrene packaging materials. Carve this to fit in between the cage. This will take some time, but it’s worth doing properly as it will make the tub much more comfortable.
Step 5 – Cutting the Gas Bottle
The gas bottle must be completely empty before beginning to cut it. Leave the valve open for a few days to make this a certainty. Then cut round the middle of the bottle. You can also form the heating element by bending the tube into a spiral shape so it will fit into the gas bottle. Add holes for ventilation and construct a grate from some scrap metal to prevent the ash putting the fire out.
Step 6 – Plumbing
Put the heater next to the tank and mark the position of inlet and outlet pipes on the side. Cut the holes and use standard plumbing supplies to make the necessary connections.
Step 7 – Enjoy
Fill the tub with water and stock the heater with plenty of wood. Light and wait for the water to heat up. You will need to keep adding new wood to keep the fire going.
Although building your own hot tub is possible, it’s not an easy project to undertake. It will end up making you much more stressed before you can finally relax in it. If you are looking for a quick solution then shop around for affordable hot tubs online.
