CalderaSpas Cascade Owner's Manual - Site Preparation
SITE PREPARATION
You probably have a spot picked out for your new spa, whether it’s indoors or outdoors, on a patio or on a deck. Just make sure you check the following:
• Always put your spa on a structurally sound, level surface. A filled spa can weigh a great deal. Make certain that the location you choose can support the weight
of your filled spa.
• Don’t forget to level your spa before filling it.
• Locate your equipment compartment, which houses all of the electrical components, in a place where water will drain away from it. Allowing water into the
equipment compartment can damage the electronics, or may result in tripping your house’s circuit breaker.
• Leave yourself easy access to the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) for testing. The GFCI is located at the end of the power cord, or at the subpanel of a
hard-wired spa.
• Never let water get into the subpanel or into the electrical outlet that your spa is plugged into. Consult your local code authority to determine if an electrical
outlet with a cover is required for your installation.
• Leave access to the equipment compartment for periodic spa care and maintenance.
WARNING: Damage to the spa’s equipment compartment components or internal plumbing as a result of rodent infestation is NOT covered under your
warranty!
OUTDOOR AND PATIO INSTALLATION
No matter where you install your new spa, it’s important that you have a solid foundation to support it. Structural damage to the spa, resulting from incorrect installation
or placement on an inadequate foundation, is not covered under the spa’s limited warranty.
If you install the spa outdoors, we recommend a reinforced concrete pad at least four inches thick. The reinforcing rod or mesh in the pad should be attached to a bond
wire.
DECK INSTALLATION
To be certain your deck can support your spa, you must know the deck’s maximum load capacity. Consult a qualified building contractor or structural engineer. To find
the weight of your spa, its contents and occupants, refer to the Spa Specifications chart on the back cover. This weight per square foot must not exceed the structure’s
rated capacity, or serious structural damage could result.
INDOOR/BASEMENT INSTALLATION
Be aware of some special requirements if you place your spa indoors. Water will accumulate around the spa, so flooring materials must provide a good grip when wet.
Proper drainage is essential to prevent a build-up of water around the spa. When building a new room for the spa it is recommended that a floor drain be installed. The
humidity will naturally increase with the spa installed indoors. Water may get into woodwork and produce dry rot, mildew, or other problems. Check for airborne
moisture’s effects on exposed wood, paper, etc. in the room. To minimize these effects, it is best to provide plenty of ventilation to the spa area. An architect can help to
determine if more ventilation must be installed.
Your spa dealer can help you with local information such as zoning regulations and building codes.
SPA LEVELING PREPARATION
Concrete sloped at 1 inch per 10 feet is preferred so that rain water and
water spillover will run off and not puddle underneath the spa (water under
the spa for long periods of time may cause the wood to deteriorate). Other
options are brick, stepping stone, or blocks.
It is important to note that soft surfaces, even when stepping stones are
used to evenly distribute the weight of the spa, will have a tendency to
settle, thus resulting in an unleveled spa.
NOTE: Placing the spa on grass or dirt may increase the amount of debris which is inadvertently brought into the spa water
and may cause harm to your equipment as well as the spa surface, which is not covered under warranty.
SPA COVER INSTALLATION
• Place the cover squarely on the spa.
• Position the tie-down locks included with your cover on the side of the spa so that they are easily reached by the cover
tie-down straps. Allow for about 1/2” to 3/4” slack in the straps to make it easy to insert straps into locks and to
compensate for vinyl shrinkage in cold weather.
• Attach the locks with the screws provided and insert the cover tie-down straps into the locks.
NOTE: Keeping the cover in place any time the spa is not in use will reduce the amount of time the
heater operates, thereby minimizing operating costs.
INSTALLATION
4
Slope 1 inch per 10 ft. for proper drainage.
1 inch
10 ft.
Stepping stones or brick may settle
causing the spa to be unlevel.
COVER INSTALLATION
TIE-DOWN STRAP
LOCK
COVER
KEY
SCREW (2)
DANGER. RISK OF INJURY.
• Never leave a spa uncovered or unattended.
• Never leave a spa cover unlocked.
• Do not stand, sit, or lie on the cover.