Outdoor Gazebo Foundation Question

[Adam]

Hey All,

Im looking at building an outdoor gazebo with hot tub in our backyard. I?m concerned with the foundation as our property line is down hill from our neighbors and our backyard has a bit of water and movement. We have a French drain in place but not sure how that might impact ground movement. Second we have a fairly large tree with a root system that is growing near the surface of our backyard that is about 3 feet from where I want to put the concrete foundation. I?m trying to determine if concrete foundation would be a poor investment with the likely hood of cracking and shifting.

Curious if anyone has any recommendations or thoughts on this project that might help prevent future costs. Is there a different solution than concrete?

Appreciate it!

[eddiememphis]

A slab on a slope needs footers to anchor it in place and resist movement.

A good concrete guy can handle it. If you are going to form and pour yourself, a good reference book is a must.

For Pros By Pros is a good series of books and they have one on flatwork.

You can build a berm above the slab to divert water around it.

[Adam]

Great info! Thanks!!

[SideShow Bob]

You better research City/County codes & permit costs and don’t forget neighborhood and/or HOA rules & regulations before you get too far into planning construction.
They could hold an unpleasant surprise for you.

[eddiememphis]

You better research City/County codes & permit costs and don’t forget neighborhood and/or HOA rules & regulations before you get too far into planning construction.
They could hold an unpleasant surprise for you.

Detached structures less than 200 square feet shouldn't need a permit, per International Residential Code, although it always comes down the authority having jurisdiction.

[Adam]

I went ahead and touched based with the locals and HOA really is the only to care. Thanks for the suggestions to check, that would of been unfortunate error..

[BPTactical]

You also need to consider electrical for the tub- 220V probably a 30 or 50 amp service. That will need to be a city permit/inspection.


Think really, really, really long and hard before you drop the coin for a hot tub. They are like a boat*
I have had 2 of them and I will not have a 3rd. You have the water chemistry to stay up on plus the utility cost to figure in. A wise person will have a secure enclosure to keep unauthorized persons out.
Liability insurance is another thing to consider.



* How is a hot tub like a boat? Glad you asked. You will use it constantly when you first get it. You will discover you have new friends, your kids will want to bring over their friends. Every weekend, every sore muscle gets a soaking.
Second year it gets used a bit less.
After about the 3rd or 4th year it only gets used on holidays and Valentines day. You will spend $200.00 before every use because you have to drain/refill and get the chemicals squared away because you don't use it often.

By year 5 you will hate it, it is just this big, heavy and ugly thing in the way.
You try selling it but nobody wants it.
You try giving it away but nobody wants it.
You finally take a SawZall to the damn thing and pitch it in the trash.

[buffalobo]

You also need to consider electrical for the tub- 220V probably a 30 or 50 amp service. That will need to be a city permit/inspection.


Think really, really, really long and hard before you drop the coin for a hot tub. They are like a boat*
I have had 2 of them and I will not have a 3rd. You have the water chemistry to stay up on plus the utility cost to figure in. A wise person will have a secure enclosure to keep unauthorized persons out.
Liability insurance is another thing to consider.



* How is a hot tub like a boat? Glad you asked. You will use it constantly when you first get it. You will discover you have new friends, your kids will want to bring over their friends. Every weekend, every sore muscle gets a soaking.
Second year it gets used a bit less.
After about the 3rd or 4th year it only gets used on holidays and Valentines day. You will spend $200.00 before every use because you have to drain/refill and get the chemicals squared away because you don't use it often.

By year 5 you will hate it, it is just this big, heavy and ugly thing in the way.
You try selling it but nobody wants it.
You try giving it away but nobody wants it.
You finally take a SawZall to the damn thing and pitch it in the trash.

Yeah but you get to drink beer while cutting it up.

[SideShow Bob]

Yeah but you get to drink beer while cutting it up.

No, you got that wrong, you get to pay for the beer for a couple of drunkard friends with power tools to come over & cut the hot tub up.Then pay for the beer for that “friend” with a pick up to come over to haul it to the dump because the trash guy refuses to pick it up. Then you have to pay for two tires because the guy got two nails in his tires where the tire shop refuses to repair them.