Topic
Setup and upkeep
A filled tub is heavy, so it needs a flat, level, firm base. After that, good habits keep it going: clean filters, a dry cover, quick leak checks and a careful drain and store at the end of the season.
A 900 litre tub weighs about 900 kg in water alone, before the tub and the bathers. Spread over its footprint that is a heavy load, so check a deck can take it; a level slab or compacted, level gravel with a protective mat is the usual choice.
Error codes on the pump unit usually point to flow (a blocked filter), temperature or a low water level; the manual lists each one. Small leaks can often be found with soapy water and fixed with the repair patch supplied.
To store the tub, drain it fully, dry it thoroughly inside and out, and fold it loosely somewhere dry and frost free. Many makers advise against leaving an inflatable tub running through freezing weather unless it has freeze protection.
Common mistakes
- Setting up on a lawn that sinks or slopes as the water goes in.
- Packing the tub away damp, which invites mould on the liner.
Guides on this topic
- Do you need planning permission for a hot tub in the UK?Do you need planning permission for a hot tub in the UK? Portable tubs, decking, gazebos, listed buildings and rented homes explained, with official links.Guide
- Lay-Z-Spa WiFi not connecting: what to checkLay-Z-Spa WiFi not connecting to the app? Check router band, signal, pairing mode and resets, step by step, before calling Bestway support.Fix
- Lay-Z-Spa pump or bubbles not workingLay-Z-Spa pump or bubbles not working? Power, connectors, airlocks and pump settings checked in order, and how to tell a pump fault from a settings issue.Fix
- Lay-Z-Spa error codes and what they meanLay-Z-Spa error codes E01 to E09 in one table, with the usual cause, the first check to try and when a code points to a pump fault that needs Bestway support.Fix
- Is an inflatable hot tub pump waterproof?Is a Lay-Z-Spa or other inflatable hot tub pump waterproof? What the pump unit and RCD plug can cope with outdoors, how to keep them dry and when to stop.Guide
- Intex PureSpa troubleshooting and error codesIntex PureSpa troubleshooting: what common error codes mean, why a tub is not heating or bubbling, and cover and leak problems, with safe checks to try.Fix
- Replacing an inflatable hot tub pumpReplacing an inflatable hot tub pump unit: when it makes sense, how to match a Lay-Z-Spa or other pump to your tub, and how to swap it safely.How-to
- Inflatable hot tub losing water or air: finding the leakInflatable hot tub losing water or air? Tell air loss from water loss, use the soapy water test, patch the liner and check the valves and seals first.Fix
- Can you put an inflatable hot tub indoors?Can an inflatable hot tub be used indoors? Floor load, humidity, ventilation, drainage and electrics for a garage, conservatory or outbuilding explained.Guide
- Can you use an inflatable hot tub in winter?Using an inflatable hot tub in a UK winter: heater air temperature limits, freeze protection, extra insulation and the kWh it takes to keep the water warm.Guide
- Where to put an inflatable hot tub: base ideasInflatable hot tub base ideas compared: patio slabs, concrete, decking, gravel and mats, with the filled weight per square metre worked out so you can check.How-to
- How to pack away and store an inflatable hot tubHow to store an inflatable hot tub: drain, clean, dry, deflate and fold, where to keep it over winter, and how to look after the pump and cover in storage.How-to
- How to set up an inflatable hot tubHow to set up an inflatable hot tub: base, inflation, filling, first chemicals and the first heat, step by step with typical times for each stage.How-to
- How to secure a hot tub cover in the windHow to secure a hot tub cover in the wind with clips, buckles and wind straps, plus how to replace a broken cover clip on an inflatable tub.How-to
- How to inflate an inflatable hot tub properlyHow to inflate an inflatable hot tub like a Lay-Z-Spa: using the pump unit, reaching the right firmness, topping up air and what to do without the pump.How-to
- How to clean an inflatable hot tubHow to clean an inflatable hot tub: a full drain and clean routine for the liner, floor, cover and filter housing, plus weekly habits that keep it clean.How-to
- How to clean and protect a hot tub coverHow to clean a hot tub cover: the top, underside and seams, how to dry it properly, and how to protect the vinyl from sun, mildew and wear.How-to
- How long do hot tub covers last?How long do hot tub covers last? What wears a cover out, the signs it needs replacing, and simple care that keeps an inflatable or foam lid working longer.Guide