[CarolDurand]

Greetings. I hope I'm talking to the right experts for this question.

We live in a ranch-style house with attached garage. The previous owners installed a hot tub where I believe a utility or laundry area would've been. There is a step down into the hot tub area, and the subflooring in the area is covered with all-weather carpet.

We cannot see what is underneath the hottub, but it is positioned next to the garage. Our basement stops at the garage, so we assume there is no basement or crawlspace below.

BTW, we're rural, so we have a well and septic system. Also, the hot tub is circa 1970's and cracked, so it cannot be used.

My question is: How do we go about the tearout and floor installation in this situation? We want to bring the floor up to the same level as the rest of the house. Any advice, tips or techniques to follow? Any need to prep the area underneath somehow before we put in the floor? We're getting advice that it's okay to install right over the hot tub. :huh:

We need to sell the house one day, so we need to do this right.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Ron6519]

You would first take the tub apart whatever way is the easiest. Pull up the carpet and evaluate the area under and around it. If it needs repair/removal, do it.
As long as you have the height to raise this area up, you would measure the height difference and frame with the closest size joist that will bring you to the height you need. Take into consideration the finish floor height when you plan this out. You will undoubtedly need to shim this joist flooring system to get it level with the door. You can also scribe the joist to conform to any irregularites, but shimming is easier for novices.
Ron

 

[CarolDurand]

Thank you, Ron 6519

I appreciate the time and information!

And, of course, additional questions have come to mind.

First, if we decide not to raise the floor, can we simply apply an additional layer of subflooring at the current level, or is there a need to add additional support first? This is a weight-bearing floor; we can walk around in there with no problem.

Second, in either case (raised or not raised), should we first cover the hot tub opening with a "patch" of subflooring? Just hammer-and-nail it in place?

Thanks again!

 

[hayewe farm]

You ask some interesting questions but provide inadequate information. Post some pictures of what you have or do the demolition (removing hot tub and carpet) to see what you have and post pictures then. There are just to many variables at this point to provide a definitive answer.

 

[CarolDurand]

Okay

Message received. Thanks.

 

[CarolDurand]

Photos of Hot Tub Available: "Cranky Hot Tub Room Pics"

I created a public album of pics called "Cranky Hot Tub Room Pics."
FYI, the hot tub is still in place, but we uncovered the floor. It is concrete. My husband thinks it is 4 or 6" deep and there is dirt underneath.

Before we take out the hot tub, my husband wants to know if it is kosher to just build over it, or if this will cause us problems when the house is inspected.

If it is a problem, we'll take the tub out and upload more photos.

Thanks again for your time and patience!:confused1:

 

[Scuba_Dave]

I would tear the tub out
It will most likely devalue the property leaving it in
There is also electric & plumbing that should be taken care of
Ideally the hole should be filled in (animals?)

PT studs should be used in contact with concrete
Use studs that w/subfloor will bring it up to the level you want

Link to the pics:

http://www.diychatroom.com/members/caroldurand-54449/albums/cranky-hot-tub-room-pics/

 

[hayewe farm]

I believe you could build over the tub, however you will need to decommission the plumbing and electrical completely before doing so.