I am getting a 6 person hot tub that weighs approx 3500lbs when full and I plan to put it on a wooden deck, anyone know how much weight a deck can handle or at what weight additional support is needed?

The deck was built with 2x10's 16" on center per code.

Thanks

If anyone else would like to add to this, please do! I am not a structural engineer by any standard, but if you do the calculation of weight per square inch, a hot tub, full of water and people, exerts less force per square inch than a single person standing on the deck alone. I know that a lot of people will usually add support "just in case" Perhaps your local builder's department can answer the question of how much capacity your deck can handle, regarding it's span between joists, thickness of the joists, and distance between posts. Regardless, it's always best to locate the tub over a post if possible.

Maybe I helped you, maybe not, but I try as best as I can!

While this is true, if you put 3500 pounds of people in an 8' square area of the deck, and they move about like a spa does, the deck wont last long!

The deck needs to be engineered and reinforced according to the weight of the spa, the height off the ground, and the stability of your paticular soil that's supporting the deck.

Thanks for the additonal input Dr. Spa! I was hoping someone would add to my thoughts, including that the deck would need to be reinforced. I wasn't sure on that point, but I thought I would let the people know that they can contact their local builder's department for information regarding this issue.

Every building depertment around here that I know of would look at you, cock one eyebrow and say, "what the he11 do I look like, An engineer? GO HIRE ONE, AND a contractor while you're at it. Submit some plans and the planning department may or may not approve them."

I'm apalled to hear that today's society around the country is so lacking! Where I live they not only will be more than happy to help you out, they will even make a visit to your home if they need more information! Thanks for all your input DR!

Around here the building department consists of building inspectors. their job is through inspections done at various stages of time that anything being built meets the current codes.