Junking Your Outdated Hot Tub

Access to a hot tub can give you the opportunity to soak in a relaxing pool of heated water at the end of a long day. Having a personal hot tub appeals to many homeowners, but these tubs have their limits. If your hot tub is old, outdated, leaking, or in need of more repair than you are willing to invest in, then it's time to get rid of the eyesore for good.

Junking an outdated hot tub can pose some unique challenges. You can't disassemble a hot tub and toss the pieces in your residential trash can. You can't haul the tub out to the curb for municipal pickup. Working with a recycling company can be the easiest and most effective way to get rid of your old hot tub once and for all.

Remove the Skirt

The first place to start when preparing your old hot tub for removal by a recycling company is to remove the skirt from the base of the hot tub. Most skirts are made from either wood or plastic- both materials which can easily be recycled. You will only need some basic hand tools to complete the task. Removing the skirt from your hot tub allows you to reduce the weight of the tub while separating out valuable recyclable materials.

Remove the Cover

Most hot tubs are equipped with a cover that protects the water within the tub from becoming contaminated by dirt or debris. These covers should be uninstalled in preparation for the removal of your hot tub. A cover is made from many different materials that can be recycled to reduce landfill waste. Hot tub covers typically contain vinyl, foal, steel, and nylon components that can be recycled individually.

Prepare the Spa Shell

The spa shell itself is the basin in which water is placed when the hot tub is functional. It's important that you know what type of material your shell is made from. Acrylic shells cannot be recycled, so most recycling companies will not remove them from your property. You can use a reciprocating saw to cut an acrylic shell into smaller pieces that can easily be transported to your local landfill.

If your hot tub's shell is made from thermoplastic, the shell can be recycled. Leave a thermoplastic shell intact and let the recycling company handle the removal process. Recycling an outdated hot tub will free up space on your patio or deck and help you improve the aesthetic of your outdoor living space. For more information, contact your local trash hauling service.