Spa Installation from Planning to Completion

25 March, 2022

Buying a spa can be a big decision, it’s a large commitment and there are a lot of factors to consider. While the process of getting your spa installed successfully and safely is not particularly complicated, it does have several moving parts that need to be coordinated carefully to help the process run smoothly. Let’s take a look at one of our recent installations of a 4.5m myWorkout swim spa and discuss what the process looks like from beginning to end. If you are looking at purchasing a spa for yourself check out our post Getting Your Spa Installed for a step-by-step guide to get you started.

Selecting a Spa

Sapphire Spas Gold Coast distributor was contacted by a customer looking for a solution for their health, fitness and relaxation needs. Sapphire Spas are Australia’s number one ranked provider of Australian made spa pools and swim spas. With our large range of spa designs, unique colours and customer service that is second to none, the choice to go with Sapphire Spas was easy. Our team of spa experts assisted to discuss all aspects of the decision from price, to intended use and space available and a decision was made to go with the premium version of the myWorkout 4.5m swim spa.

Planning

The starting point for any project is planning, having already visited Sapphire Spas and selected their preferred spa the next step for the customer was to get planning approval from council. What planning you require can vary depending on your state and council. The client engaged a local construction engineer to assist with designing a compliant slab and producing technical drawings to the council’s required standard. In this instance the application was in order and approval was granted for the project.

Slab

Pouring a concrete slab is an easy task to underestimate, it’s important to have good project planning before undertaking any slab work as it’s difficult to correct any errors in the concreting process. The owner found a certified concreting contractor who was able to help with the concreting process.

Electrical Preparation

Electrical works should always be considered before any concreting preparation begins. Spas are great, but they do have specific power supply requirements. The premium model as shown here is one of our very best swim spas, it is powered by 3 hydrojet boost pumps and can provide a swim-stream fit for a competitive swimmer, to power this model requires wiring rated to a minimum 45 Amp load. We were able to provide the customer with all technical documents and specifications so that the circuit and power supply could be designed appropriately by their electrician.

Slab Preparation

Slab preparation is important, poor preparation could lead to an unstable slab that may crack over time and a poor foundation will put undue stress on the spa frame and components. For this installation as per the engineer’s design, the slab is a reinforced 200mm thick slab with a moisture-proof membrane underneath and bedded on 50mm of compacted sand. This is a common foundation for swim spas when being placed on stable ground. The concretors worked to ensure that all the reinforcing was positioned correctly before the pour and the electrician made sure that enough conduit and excess wire was available to hook up the spa once it was delivered.

Pouring

Due to the location of the pour, a concrete truck was unable to access the yard, preventing the pouring of concrete directly into the prepared formwork. The concretors worked very hard and systematically wheelbarrowed concrete from the truck in the front driveway into the backyard, being careful to prevent the formation of air bubbles or weak points in the new slab.

Once the concrete had been poured and allowed time to set, the pavers were able to begin their work. The paving was selected to match the existing outdoor entertainment area and will look great around the spa. For best results, it’s ideal to complete work such as paving before installing your spa pool or swim spa. This saves a lot of time and cost instead of cutting pavers to fit around your spa. It also produces a better looking result with the pavers disappearing cleanly under your spa rather than meeting a grout line around the base.

Fence Installation

Safety is the most important part of spa and pool installation and use. Compliant fencing around the new spa on your property is necessary to ensure the safety of your own family members or guests. In almost all states and territories in Australia pool fences are required for council planning permits and final certification/approval. To ensure you have the correct fence it is important to contact your local council or building surveyor. In this case, a fence 1.3m high was required around the entire pool and could not be close to any climbable object or other constructions.

Spa Delivery

With the planning approved, electrical connections run and the slab poured to specification the moment arrived. While not our most challenging delivery, this installation still required the use of a crane truck to get the spa into position. The excellent preparation in the weeks prior, made the delivery process very quick and successful. Our delivery team took care to place the spa accurately and square in position and feed the electrical connections into the spa cabinet before final placement.

Accessories and Certification

With the spa in place and operational, there was just a little left to do. Due to the height of our swim spas, it’s highly recommended to build a deck or enquire about our stair options that can be supplied to make access to your spa safe and comfortable. The stairs provided are stainless steel and timber, designed to match the style and aesthetic of the chosen spa and complement the area.

For added protection and to make the spa usable all year round, the choice was also made to include a shade cloth as part of the design process. The shade cloth accents the backyard design and completes the entire spa area.

With the spa installed, connected, all safety measures in place and certificates of compliance obtained from the tradespeople involved, the customer could apply for final approval from the council. Most councils in Australia require swimming pools and spas to be registered before use, which is why it’s important to use qualified and registered tradespeople in your spa installation.

Conclusion

The installation process of a spa pool or swim spa is not always a quick one, but with careful planning and execution, a great result can be achieved. From working with the local council to getting the perfect accessories for your needs, having a Sapphire Spa installed will give you years of enjoyment. Our team of experienced sales representatives and installers can work with you to make your spa installation process as quick and easy as possible.