5
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 Specification chart on
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 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.
Caldera spas are equipped with a jet pump shroud to remove excessive heat from the equipment compartment. Find this vent and be
sure the vent is not blocked by anything, including carpeting.
Your Caldera dealer can help you with local information such as zoning regulations and building codes.
WARNING: Please keep the area around your spa well ventilated when it is installed indoors or in a confined area.
Inadequate
ventilation around the spa could cause a build-up of a higher-than-normal concentration of spa chemicals and/or bacterial fragments.
These dispersed spa chemicals and/or bacterial fragments can be inhaled, and may result in breathing difficulties or lung damage in
certain people suffering from a compromised immune system or respiratory infection. If you or other bathers are affected by this
condition, please seek medical attention as soon as possible.
In addition to the above, properly clean and maintain your spa as follows:
• Follow all procedures in this owner’s manual and printed instructions on all water care (chemical) products packaging.
• Test the water regularly to ensure proper levels of sanitizers, pH, and other water care requirements.
• Drain, clean, and refill your spa with fresh water on a regular schedule, and in accordance with this owner’s manual.
• Clean the filter(s) at least once per month.
• Check to make sure you have proper circulation throughout your spa water system.
• Have spa users bathe before entering the spa water.
SPA LEVELING PREPARATION
Concrete sloped at 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) per 10 feet (305 cm) 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
Slope 1/2 inch per 10 ft. for proper drainage.
1/2 inch
(1.3 cm)
10 ft. (305 cm)
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.
WARNING
Watkins Manufacturing
Corporation recommends
that the Caldera
®
spa be
installed above ground.
Lowering the top of the spa
to ground level, or
employing decking which
raises standing level toward
the top of the spa
substantially increases the
hazard of accidental entry.
Consult a licensed building
contractor to design or
evaluate your custom
decking requirements.
