It’s been a long, difficult day, and soaking in a hot tub could be just what you need to relax and decompress. Spending time in a hot tub brings other health benefits in addition to helping you relax.
But wait, shouldn’t the surroundings around your hot tub be comfortable?
The majority of us are aware that a hot tub should not be placed on the grass. It requires a level surface, which is often lacking in the grass. But what about synthetic grass? Is it possible to put a hot tub on artificial grass?
This post will provide an answer to this question. You can count on it to tell you whether or not your hot tub can be installed on artificial grass. To learn more, keep reading!
Can a Hot Tub Go on Artificial Grass?
The answer is Yes! You can put a hot tub on artificial grass as long as the artificial grass is set on top of a concrete base or a flat area. The biggest benefit is that it does not require any maintenance. You won’t have to mow the lawn every few weeks, and the artificial grass complements the hot tub nicely.
However, if you use the hot tub on hot days, your fake grass may suffer from issues. Artificial grass, particularly nylon-based artificial grass, heats up faster than natural grass. It can also cause the perimeter to wear out over time, and the color of the fake grass to fade.
Also, any water sprayed or leaking from the hot tub will stay on top of the turf. This means that water will remain on top of your turf for an extended amount of time (until the water evaporates). This water may attract insects or rot the frame of your hot tub.
Unpadded turf, which helps the hot tub sit more uniformly, is good, as is drainable turf. The option for drainage should be evident.
Will a Hot Tub Ruin Artificial Grass?
Artificial grass will not be ruined by a hot tub. Large quantities of foot activity to and from the hot tub, on the other hand, will wear down the turf over time. As a result, nylon turf, which is the most durable, will last the longest before it needs to be changed.
To begin with, artificial grass comes in a variety of sorts and grades, ranging from sports grade to merely aesthetic garden use.
Artificial grass is made up primarily of the following materials:
- Polyethylene (PE), the most natural-looking turf
- Nylon, toughest and most unpleasant for bare feet
- Polypropylene (PP), which is the cheapest and least durable of plastics
Polyethylene (PE) appears to be the most common synthetic grass. This is because of its resemblance with the natural grass in look and touch. If you have a heavier load on artificial grass, it is best to go for Nylon since it is the strongest among the artificial grasses types.
Nylon is the strongest in terms of resiliency after a heavy load, but it is also scratchy underfoot, making it unsuitable for usage around a hot tub.
The cheapest option is PP, however, it does not keep its shape well and is readily broken when people walk over it.
Polypropylene (PP) doesn’t cost much but doesn’t look well in its shape, especially when people work too much. They are prone to easy damage. As a result, a hot tub may ruin it using polypropylene.
Rather than the hot tub destroying the artificial grass, it’s more likely that those who use the hot tub will do the most harm, especially if you have the less expensive PP turf.
To answer the question, a hot tub will most definitely harm fake grass, but is this such a big deal? It’s simple to cut off and replace the damaged part if you transfer your tub to a new location, only use the same type.
What Does Artificial Grass Sit on To Support a Hot Tub?
To sustain a hot tub, artificial grass should be installed on a flat and firm surface, such as a concrete patio. Because fake grass provides little support on its own, a firm surface capable of supporting the weight of a fully-loaded hot tub is essential.
This is a brief guide to how much support is required to comprehend how much weight is involved.
A 76″ × 76″ x 34″ tub holds 300 gallons of water, which weighs around 8.25 lb/gal. The hot tub itself would weigh roughly 600 pounds, with two adults and two children weighing around 500 pounds. A full hot tub containing a family of four would weigh 3,575 pounds in total.
To be candid, the best base for a hot tub is concrete, but there are other options. If you don’t want to put your hot tub on concrete, a crushed stone base with a sand bed covered in artificial turf will suffice. The most important thing is to level and firm it all over. You don’t want it to settle in one spot.
However, you must ensure that the surface is properly leveled and firm around to avoid the artificial grass from sinking on any of the sides. It is pertinent to know that laying your synthetic grass on natural grass is not advisable. Scraping away the organic topsoil layer is even the best to do. Hence, weeds will find their way to the surface of the artificial grass.
Putting artificial grass on top of actual grass is something you should never do. The organic layer of topsoil should be scraped away completely. Weeds will grow through the backing material if this is not done.
Disadvantages of Putting a Hot Tub on Artificial Grass
Artificial turf has the problem of wearing out around the perimeter over time, unlike natural grass. Furthermore, synthetic turf heats up quickly and is hotter to walk on than natural grass. Finally, exposure to the sun will diminish the hue.
Artificial turf has many benefits, one of which is that it requires less care. However, maintaining synthetics to keep them clean and healthy is still necessary.
PE isn’t porous like the others so it doesn’t hold odors and is better for cleaning up spills and pet excrement. Because spills and trash get deep into the base matting of nylon and PP turf, it must be cleaned properly.
In high temperatures, nylon becomes very hot, but because it is heat resistant, it will not fade or discolor. Running barefoot across the hot, thorny ground to the tub is not recommended.
For added longevity, some artificial grass has rubber infills, which can attach to your feet and join you in the hot tub. Another item that should be removed before your filter becomes clogged. If the infill isn’t rubber, it’ll most likely be sand, which isn’t as nasty as rubber but still has the potential to block your filter.
The least durable is PP, which is not recommended for high-traffic locations. The blades can deteriorate over time if exposed to sunlight, thus this is not a good location for your hot tub.
If you currently have artificial turf, you should place concrete pavers on properly prepared ground, roughly 2′ wider than your hot tub.
You could also use the same pavers to create a path from your home to the tub.
How Much Weight Can You Put on Artificial Grass?
Artificial grass has no maximum weight limit. Nylon is the most durable of the three materials, whereas polypropylene is the least lasting and will need to be replaced more frequently.
What matters most is what is beneath the turf.
Although concrete pavers are incredibly strong in compression, if the base course is weak or uncompacted, cracks will occur. Similarly, poured concrete that lacks steel mesh or rebar, as well as a poorly prepared foundation, may break.
Depending on the supports, timber decking can likely withstand a load of 20–30 lb/sq ft. Also, depending on the water content, the weight limit of the soil in your garden or yard varies. It feels sturdy underfoot while dry, but it becomes fairly mushy after heavy rain.
This is why it’s not designed to carry huge weights like a hot tub. Preparing the sub-base, which includes compacting it firmly, is crucial for installing your hot tub on the ground. If possible, rent a vibrating plate crusher and level it.
Can You Put Heavy Things on Artificial Grass?
Yes! You can put heavy things on artificial grass. Placing heavy objects on fake grass is similar to putting heavy furniture on the carpet; the weight of the objects will not affect the artificial turf. You just have to accept that the big weight will eventually flatten the lawn.
Also, artificial grass will not be damaged as long as the heavy object is not pointy. Heavy things, on the other hand, can only be placed on fake grass if a sufficient sub-base has been created – or if your grass is set on top of concrete or decking. It will sink otherwise.
What Should You Not Put on Artificial Grass?
The artificial grass is friendly to different objects regardless of weight or size. While they can be friendly to a couple of objects, you may ruin it merely by getting certain objects closer to them.
Artificial grass can contain furniture items, including being a safe place for a hot tub. However, you should avoid keeping the following objects closer to them
1. Grills and other hot items
Artificial grass is made of synthetic materials which can expand when exposed to temperatures. When exposed to higher or extreme temperatures, it is no doubt it can melt. That being said, you should be distant your fire pits from your artificial grass, including barbecues.
This is because hot embers can mistakenly drip on the artificial grass surface, resulting in the melting of the fibers. It is best not to move other cooking appliances to the area but on a concrete surface.
2. Automobiles
Many people often think it’s ideal to use artificial grass on their driveway. On the other hand, this does not seem to avoid spoiling the artificial grass. Parking or driving on your synthetic turf will lead to pulling out the fibers from the mesh backing, including from the edges.
Another obvious reason not to get your car closer to your artificial grass is that you may have a leaking engine that permanently stains your grass.
3. Sharp objects
Punctured turf may mean your synthetic turf is about losing its quality and shape. If you find yourself in a situation, you need to add certain structures to your turf and ensure they are all safe. For instance, decorations using different equipment.
Get rid of all sharp objects that may likely create a hole by punching your synthetic turf. Best, reach out to a professional for recommended solutions should it happen.
What Can You Put on Artificial Grass?
Synthetic grass is designed to be exceptionally durable and long-lasting. Similarly, you can confidently install play items such as trampolines on the grass, whether at home or on sporting grounds, without fear of destroying it.
Garden furniture, swings, chutes, trampolines, colorful pots, and other common garden items should have no harmful influence on your grass.
Conclusion
To summarize, you can install your hot tub on fake grass, but you must ensure that the base is sturdy, compacted, and level. A hot tub can be placed on artificial grass as long as the turf is entirely flat.
Cheaper artificial turf is prone to damage, although it is simple to repair if necessary. Remove a section of turf and replace it with concrete pavers where you want the tub to go.