Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - deck strong enough for hot tub?
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mchristo
06-25-05, 10:04 AM
I'm building a deck presently and want to make it strong enough to support a hot tub to sit on the top of the deck. I've poured concrete foundations that will essentially sit directly under all 4 corners of the hot tub. 6'6"x6'6"
I'm wondering if I just use 2x6 or 2x8 joists with joist hangers will be strong enough to support the center of the tub.
I'm wondering if I just use 2x6 or 2x8 joists with joist hangers will be strong enough to support the center of the tub.
lefty
06-26-05, 05:47 AM
6X6's at the corners is fine, but you need center support. Forget using the joist hangers, unless you are ledgering this deck to a wall.
How large is the tub? THAT will determine how much more support you need. A 7' tub would need 5 more posts -- one midway on each side between your corner posts, and the 5th on in the center, with all posts set on footings that have a post base or column base (Simpson PB or CB) embedded in the wet concrete. Then cut the posts off level and lay 3 beams (4X4, 4X6, etc.) across the top of the posts, attaching them with Simpson BC's. Cross brace your posts to the beams in both directions. Then install your joists on top of the beams, with mid-span blocking and rim joists to keep them upright. Then deck it.
A 9' tub need 2 more posts along each side, spaced equally between your corner posts, and 4 center posts in line with those. The rest of the construction is the same, except you will have 4 beams.
How large is the tub? THAT will determine how much more support you need. A 7' tub would need 5 more posts -- one midway on each side between your corner posts, and the 5th on in the center, with all posts set on footings that have a post base or column base (Simpson PB or CB) embedded in the wet concrete. Then cut the posts off level and lay 3 beams (4X4, 4X6, etc.) across the top of the posts, attaching them with Simpson BC's. Cross brace your posts to the beams in both directions. Then install your joists on top of the beams, with mid-span blocking and rim joists to keep them upright. Then deck it.
A 9' tub need 2 more posts along each side, spaced equally between your corner posts, and 4 center posts in line with those. The rest of the construction is the same, except you will have 4 beams.
mchristo
06-27-05, 10:18 AM
Thanks Lefty, I wish I would have posted this sooner. I rented a power auger and poured the posts this weekend as follows: (I'll try to draw it as I had originally planned it)
beam-V (2 2x12's or more?)
O====O
l l l l l l l--proposed beams on top of deck
l l l l l l l
l l l l l l l
O====O
beam^
<-6ftx6ft->
The tub will be 6 1/2 feet square.
The Posts (as I've poured them are 6' apart. (4"x4"s or 6"x6"s pt posts on 8" sono tube)
Would I get away with laying a bunch of 4x6 beams on top of the deck, spanning the structural beams under the deck as indicated above?
The posts are now poured, and I want to avoid another power auger rental and concrete delivery.
Do you have any other solution that would span the 6 feet between the beams?
My goal is to make the Tub removeable when we sell the house in a few years or I would lay it on grade.
thank you!!!
beam-V (2 2x12's or more?)
O====O
l l l l l l l--proposed beams on top of deck
l l l l l l l
l l l l l l l
O====O
beam^
<-6ftx6ft->
The tub will be 6 1/2 feet square.
The Posts (as I've poured them are 6' apart. (4"x4"s or 6"x6"s pt posts on 8" sono tube)
Would I get away with laying a bunch of 4x6 beams on top of the deck, spanning the structural beams under the deck as indicated above?
The posts are now poured, and I want to avoid another power auger rental and concrete delivery.
Do you have any other solution that would span the 6 feet between the beams?
My goal is to make the Tub removeable when we sell the house in a few years or I would lay it on grade.
thank you!!!