Perhaps you’ve bought a new home. Perhaps you’re moving into a rental. Whatever the case, you need to get all your things from your old house to your new one - a process that can quickly reveal who your nearest and dearest friends are!
But even those who are the happiest to help might regret their decision when they see your Hot Spring spa pool waiting to be transported. Large, heavy and awkwardly shaped, a Hot Spring spa pool can look like a real hassle to move. But if you know what you’re doing, it can be easier than you might think.
Prepare your spa pool for transport
The first step to moving your spa pool is draining your water. And when we say draining, we mean draining - not just of the pool itself, but of every pump, pipe, filter and receptacle inside. We also recommend that you recycle your spa pool water (which can be quite easy to do.)
Follow these steps to thoroughly drain your spa:
- Disconnect the power supply: Unplug your spa pool, or if it is wired in, turn off the breaker switch inside the circuit box. Note that spa pools directly wired to the power supply will require an electrician and/or a spa service representative to safely disconnect them.
- Connect a hose to the drain valve: Find the drain valve, remove the cover, then connect one end of a garden hose to the valve and run the other end to an appropriate drainage spot.
- Open the spa drain valve to release the water: It can take some time for the water to drain from the spa. Keep in mind that in some areas it is illegal to dump spa water into a drain that leads to the ocean.
- Push the water from pipes and pumps: Draining your spa through the valve won’t get rid of all the water, as some will puddle at the bottom of the spa and more will hide in the pumps and piping. Draining this hidden water is particularly important if you are moving to an area that experiences temperatures that fall below freezing. Get a wet-dry blower-vac, place the nozzle on the drain valve, then push the water in the pipes and out through the jets.
- Vacuum up the remaining water: Switch the wet-dry blower-vac to vacuum mode and clear the remaining water, which should form as puddles on the bottom of the spa pool.
- Clean the spa: Once all the water is removed, take the opportunity to thoroughly clean the spa and repair any surface scratches before moving it.
Once your spa pool is disconnected from power and completely drained, it’s ready to be moved.
Can I move and install my spa manually?
You should never attempt to move a Hot Spring spa pool by yourself, so call some friends or family around to help.
Take note of the height and width of your spa, as well as the height and width of any doors, gates, stairs, alleyways or openings it has to travel through, both at your old home and your new home. Plan a route that the spa pool will fit through (ideally comfortably.)
Use a trolly or trundler to take the weight of the spa pool and roll it along the predetermined path. Lay down cardboard or thick heavy blankets to avoid damaging the spa, then tilt it on its side, with the heavy base facing the sack truck. Use plywood or thick cardboard to smooth the path over grass and gravel. If you need to move the spa pool up or down stairs, consider using a sack truck that has been designed for the purpose.
What is the difference between a hiab and a crane?
Cranes and hiabs are the two most common types of lifting equipment used for spa pools and swim spas. There are two main differences between a hiab and a crane: size and lifting capability.
Cranes
A crane is a general term that covers almost any machine designed to lift heavy loads. Spa pool and swim spa lifts tend to utilise mobile cranes. These moveable machines feature legs that extend out from the base of the crane to offer extra stability, and a telescopic arm that boasts an impressive vertical and horizontal reach.
Cranes are capable of lifting heavier loads further, and will employ counterweights to do so. Cranes tend to be used when a spa needs to be lifted over a house, moved up or down a significant slope, or needs to be placed a little further from the lifting location.
Hiab
A hiab is a subcategory of crane mounted on a truck. It is a more compact version of a mobile crane: the stabilising legs are smaller and the arm doesn’t reach as far. Hiabs don’t rely on counterweights – they use the weight of the truck to which they’re attached. Hiabs are great for smaller, simpler lifts, like getting your spa pool or swim spa over a fence or garden, or if the spa will be placed close to the lifting location.
Do I need a hiab or crane for my spa or swim spa?
Whether you need a crane or hiab to put your spa in position, or whether you can do so with a forklift, pallet jack or trolley, will depend on two main factors:
Accessibility
If you have any object that sits in the path that the spa must navigate from the drop-off point to its final location, whether a fence, house, shed, tree, retaining wall, pool or nearby building, you’ll likely need a crane or hiab to lift the spa over it.
Manual spa delivery and installation should also be avoided if you have a significant slope on your block, as you don’t want your new spa hurtling downhill. A crane may also be required if the spa is going to be installed far from the drop-off point.
Spa size
Large spa pools and swim spas are often too heavy, too bulky and too cumbersome to move by manual means, and so require a crane or hiab to be lifted and shifted.
Every spa pool and swim spa delivery and installation is entirely unique, so there are no general rules that govern whether or not you’ll need a crane or hiab to install your spa pool. But our network of experienced dealers has handled any and every type of spa pool installation, and are ready to advise you on the best option for your situation.
If you do need to hire lifting equipment to put your spa pool in place, it will be up to the crane hire company to advise on whether a mobile crane or hiab is right for the job.
How much space does a hiab need to get in?
The benefit of a hiab is that it will fit where a mobile crane won’t. Mounted on a standard truck, these machines often lift from slightly tighter spaces like driveways and front lawns.
The space that a hiab or mobile crane needs will be largely determined by the leg span. These legs extend out from the sides of the hiab or crane to add stability to the lift. Hiabs have smaller leg spans than mobile cranes, and in some cases may not need to utilise the stabilising legs at all.
Other space considerations include:
- Airspace: Are there any overhead obstacles to navigate, such as poles, wires or trees?
- Neighbouring properties: Will the spa fit between the fence, wall and roof eave gaps between your and your neighbour’s property?
- Other obstructions: Is there anything else that may hinder the installation team’s ability to put the spa in position?
How do I organise a hiab or crane?
When you order a spa pool or swim spa with Hot Spring we will talk you through your delivery options. We generally ask for you to take a video of your property and provide some basic dimensions so that we can get a sense of the space that you’re working with.
If we feel as though you’ll need the assistance of a crane or hiab to install your spa pool, we’ll put you in touch with our trusted network of delivery partners, who will advise on the best way to shift the spa into position.
To avoid delays, it’s wise to arrange your crane or hiab hire well ahead of time, such as when you order your spa pool, to ensure you’ll be soaking in the luxurious waters as soon as possible.
Save yourself the trouble & use a professional
In certain circumstances, depending on where your spa pool is located indoors or outdoors, you might need to move it by crane. Many dealerships are experts at this delivery option. But even if you don’t need the help of heavy machinery, using a team of professional spa movers can save you a lot of time, effort and body aches.
While it may seem like moving a spa pool yourself is a smart way to save money, doing so may void your warranty, which could increase the cost of repairs that need to be made as a result of the move or in the future.
No one is more expert at moving spa pools safely and efficiently than your local spa dealer. These trained technicians disconnect, drain, move and reinstall spas every day… and have probably saved a few relationships in the process! Your dealer will not only move your spa, they’ll also get it up and running in your new home.
There’s another option too: instead of moving your current spa to your new home, if you've had it for a few years, it may be time to shop for a new one! When you trade in your spa and upgrade, its value can be put toward a brand new spa pool with the latest and greatest features and technology.
