Wrapping up my summer project!

[Bob Sanders]

Well... got the first 2 hydro bills in and it LOOKS like operation cost is going to be around $50 a month... about the same as running the AC in the summer, which is manageable... although outdoor temps have been above normal.

I was worried about shift when the ground froze up but it appears all has settled pretty evenly. One corner did drop about 3/4 inch more than the others though but still doesn't seem to pose a problem. I am having some icing issues though. When I open the lid on the colder days for any length of time I get ice forming on the top edges of the tub so the lid no longer closes properly. You have to melt off the ice first. I may have to run heat tape along the edges to avoid this issue.... but overall that's the extent of the problems. Well... that and the little one asking if we can go in the hot tub EVERY 15 FRIGGIN MINUTES!

[Bob Sanders]

Well... the hot tub still works great. Just had a dip (Hue's excessive Apple rambles drove me to it).

The Winter did however highlight a few design flaws which I had to fix.







The seal between the top and the tub worked great until the tub shifted a little which then presented some gaps. I redid the top edges of the tub to include 1 inch of foam so that the seal is a little more forgiving when the tub shifts.

I also had to re-insulate the top. I left the Styrofoam unprotected so it waterlogged EXTREMELY fast. BIG MISTAKE! Towards the end of Winter the winch was having a tough time lifting the top with all the extra weight. New Styrofoam has been installed and this time a vinyl cover (the blue on the underside of the top) has been glued to the foam.

I did manage to flood out our basement once too (OOPS!). I was topping off the tub and forgot about it and left the water running as a result. Went off to work and the wife phoned a few hours later in a panic. It was a bit of a mess to clean up. Needless to say there has now been an overflow drainage system installed.

Other than that it's been smooth sailing. We use it just about every day.

[Krane]

Thanks for sharing your craftsmanship and innovation, but I don't think I've ever seen anything like this before. It seems like a fascinating project, but at some places I'm at a loss. Wouldn't mind providing a bit more detail:

1) Where did you get the design?
2) Is this a unique design, or is it from a kit?
3) Why did you pick this particular project?
4) Are you a hobbyist or is this your profession?
5) When do you get to enjoy the fruits of you labor? Is it seasonal?
6) How long did it take to complete.
7) Was the project rewarding and would you do it again?
8) What would you do different?
9) What was the cost and was it within budget?
10) What's your next project?
11) Have you attempted a project like this before?
12) What was you level of satisfaction? That is, is anything else you'd like to have added?

Could you provide a brief synopsis on how the project came about--from original idea to completion. Was this a one man show project or did you have help?


EDIT: If some questions have answered already, please disregard them.

[Bob Sanders]

The design came from my head, and no there is no kit involved and I did it all on my own. The idea sort of evolved from a kid's inflatable swimming pool. We bought 3 of them inside of a month for my younger one and they all developed holes in a very short period of time so I got fed up and wanted something a little more solid.

The tub is used year round. You can use the pool either with the lid up or down (it's controlled by a winch with the control buttons mounted inside) and you don't get in the pool from the outside. You get in it from the INSIDE and swim under the window to get to the outer section so we use it year round. Last year we used it till about -10C with lid up, then started operating with lid down from there on until Spring.

The project took about 2 months from start to finish. I can't think of anything different that I would do.... maybe better lighting. The lights I used were "waterproof" low voltage LED deck lights and they were mounted below the waterline to give the water kind of a glow effect at night. As it turns out some of those lights aren't as "waterproof" as claimed which of course have presented a few leaking issues. I think I also may at some point add more water jets and a second pump.

The cost of the pool came out to what was expected.

I've always got SOME sort of project going. I have a lot of different hobbies and enjoyments.... just wish there were more than 24 hours in a day sometimes!

[1]

Still a great project!


Although, wouldn't you suffocate with teh lid down?

:O

[Bob Sanders]

Although, wouldn't you suffocate with teh lid down?

:O

Actually no... there is always air movement. The jets produce air (which comes from within the house) and the jets are always active. When the pool is not being used the jets are tied into a 'maintenance loop' Which is built from a small pump, a heater and filter system. The jets operate on the old ventri effect so when there is water flowing through them they're also sucking air into the pool. When the main pump is on (for bathing) the jets suck A LOT of air. There are also 4 bubblers in the pool which are hooked up to a blower (which also gets its air from the house), and actually when it's all running, you can see the top lift about a 1/4 inch due to the air pressure.

[Janke]

Great project - just one little question - have you considered the possibility of mold problems, and thought of any preventive measures? Wood + water = mold...

[Bob Sanders]

Great project - just one little question - have you considered the possibility of mold problems, and thought of any preventive measures? Wood + water = mold...

Mold is only an issue if wood gets wet and stays that way for a while. That being said, All the wood which meets water has been treated with heavy doses of boiled linseed oil and/or varathane, and there is also a dehumidifier in the entrance way controlling the humidity. That was an absolute must. With the water temp sitting at 103F there is a fair bit of evaporation... even with covers on.

[Krane]

I've always got SOME sort of project going. I have a lot of different hobbies and enjoyments.... just wish there were more than 24 hours in a day sometimes!

I love these types of projects and the craftsmanship and creativity involved in building them. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Playing]

There is nothing more seducing than hot water. Enjoy.

[Arturo8100]

Really done nice job there. Just enjoy your home hot tub...there is no better way to stimulate the body’s natural endorphin release than soaking in a hot tub.