When a hot tub is no longer wanted, there are a few different ways to get rid of it. A used hot tub that is in good condition can be sold to someone else. One that doesn't work well can be removed by hot tub disposal professionals. These companies typically either practice hot tub recycling or re-manufacture the tub into a new unit. The last option is home hot tub disposal, which usually requires time, tools, and the ability to take the parts to a trash disposal area.
The easiest method of hot tub disposal is one that requires other people to haul it away. Selling a used spa can achieve this, as long as the buyer has a method of transporting it to his location. A hot tub that can fit into the back of a standard pick-up truck will still be heavy and may require several people to lift. Larger spas commonly require flatbed trucks and special equipment to help move them. If the owner doesn't have the capability to move a spa, finding a buyer that can transport it might not be easy.
Another easy option is to have hot tub disposal professionals come and haul the unit away. Removing a hot tub is much easier for such workers, because they generally have the equipment to transport it in one piece. The typical cost for spa disposal starts at about $150 US Dollars (USD), and usually goes up depending on the size of the tub and how difficult it is to remove. Since the cost of moving such an item is less if the job is easier, homeowners should make sure that there is a clear path from the spa to the removers' vehicle.
Draining the tub and unhooking it from water and power supplies should be done before the spa removal company arrives. If a crane must be used to remove it, as in over a fence, the cost of renting this equipment is usually added to the company's base fee. This extra expense can be avoided by temporarily removing enough of the fence to allow the hot tub to pass. Also, the owners should remove any possible hazards, like snow or ice, that may be in the removers' path, to avoid potential problems.
The least expensive option is home hot tub disposal. This usually requires tools, like a reciprocating saw and jigsaw, because the tub must be cut into small pieces. Gloves and safety goggles, as well as experience using the saws, are necessary for safety. Before starting this process, the tub must be completely disconnected from water, electrical, and gas lines, as well as drained and dried.
It is also important to read the hot tub manual, prior to a do-it-yourself job, to understand where any special wiring or gas lines are located within the spa. These must be removed so that the only parts left are the outer frame, or skirt, and the spa bed. This usually ensures that there is no chance of cutting through wires that may still hold an electrical charge, which may be dangerous. The hot tub can then be cut into chunks small enough to fit into a dumpster or other container for trash disposal.