How to Brace a Deck for a Hot Tub

Low Deck

• 1

  Determine the placement of your hot tub.

• 2

  Unbolt and temporarily remove the deck's railings. Flip the deck carefully over to expose its underside and the ground below.

• 3

  Mark the ground below the deck in the determined tub area adding an extra foot to each side.

• 4

  Increase your 2-by-6 support boards to 2-by-8s or 2-by-10s for added strength under your entire deck. Instead of removing the narrower planks, flank and bolt a wider board on one side of each joist for additional strength.

• 5

  Add a minimum of one concrete support under your support boards for every 2 feet of hot tub length and width in the predetermined area under the deck. For example, if your hot tub is 8-by-8 feet, place one concrete deck block, pier, pillar or sono tube every 1 1/2 feet under each support board in a 10-by-10 radius under the location of your tub. Ensure that one concrete support will sit directly below each corner of the tub.

• 6

  Turn the deck back over. Check that the new support boards sit centered over the concrete blocks.

• 7

  Inspect the decking boards or surface for rot or damage. Remove and replace any weak, old, damaged or worn areas or pieces. Bolt the railings back in place.

Raised Deck

• 8

  Replace any rotting or soft deck posts by jacking the deck until it creaks. The creaking sound should indicate that the deck has shifted its weight.

• 9

  Add temporary braces within 3 feet of the original posts.

• 10

  Knock the old beams out and exchange them for new, treated posts in the size required. For either a low or raised deck, use an online construction calculator or ask a carpentry expert to tell you the required sizes and number of additional posts, joists, beams and footings needed. The answer will depend on your existing deck's type, size and material and the intended weight load as well as your local building codes. Incorporate all of the required materials for your particular deck project.

• 11

  Remove the jacks.

• 12

  Inspect the decking boards or surface for rot or damage. Remove and replace any weak, old, damaged or worn areas or pieces.

• 13

  Strap the underside of the deck diagonally for added strength. Screw two wood screws into each joist to attach the strapping material.