Tools Needed for Assembly:

• #2 or #3 Phillips head screwdriver or cordless drill with #2 or #3 Phillips bit.
• Bubble level

Click for Printable Assembly Instructions and Wiring Details

NOTE: EZ Pads are designed for use under hot tubs and spas. Use as a patio substitute is discouraged. Thermal expansion can cause unloaded corners of EZ Pads to lift slightly. This in no way indicates a problem with EZ Pads, but might be considered unsightly.

Some exceptions to using EZ Pads for patio area are if you have a smaller hot tub, and there is enough room to put it off center to allow for steps, or if you have a larger size and want to use an 8x12 EZ Pad rather than an 8x8 size, and have area for steps or patio furniture. If you choose to use EZ Pads in this way, please understand that they have some give to them, and the corners, if unweighted, may lift slightly. Separate 4x8 assemblies are more prone to corner lifting than those attached to an 8x8 with a hot tub in place.

If you receive your EZ Pads early, we recommend waiting until just before your hot tub delivery to assemble them.

We do not sell EZ Pads for above ground pools. There are products designed for that application.

We do not recommend painting EZ Pads as paint adhesion to HDPE plastic is very poor.

1/4 to 3/4 inch crushed rock is the best choice for leveling.

Preparing the Surface

The EZ Pad modules can be placed on grass, dirt, or gravel, or any flat, level well supported surface. For best results, remove sod and prepare a level base. Panels can be drilled through for electrical conduit placement. You may use any size crushed rock up to 3/4 inch or pea gravel for leveling.

Levelness

The rule of thumb for levelness is 1" or less over 8'. An easy way to determine this is to purchase a straight 8' 2x4 (you can pick one out by looking down the length from the end, which will exaggerate any curvature), and if you don't have one, a bubble level. both can be had from your local home store for about $14.

Place the 2x4 on the location, and put the bubble level on the 2x4. If the bubble is not centered, raise the lower end until it is. If the end of the 2x4 is 1" or less from the surface, you are fine.

If not, it is possible to make a frame of pressure treated 2x4s and fill partially with crushed rock. If you choose to do this, please be sure that the EZ Pad fits inside, and not on top of the boards.

Levelness is primarily an aesthetic issue, because if the water line is not parallel to the edge of the hot tub, it looks wrong. The only time is presents a hazard to the hot tub is if either the jets are exposed which will mean water will be squirted out of the tub, or if the water intake is exposed, which will allow air to be pulled into the pump, which can damage it. However, it has to be really out of level for either of these things to happen.

Flatness

Flatness is more important, since EZ Pads are not absolutely rigid, and will conform to the underlying surface. The same solution of a frame of pressure treated lumber will resolve this issue as well. Again, if you choose to do this, be sure that the EZ Pad fits inside the frame, and not on top of it.

Tools Needed for Surface Preparation:

• Shovel
• Level
• 8' 2 x 4 for leveling
  (Choose a straight one by looking along the length from one end).

It is not necessary to build a box frame for your EZ Pad.

If your location is flat and level, no frame is needed. If you choose to use a frame, EZ Pads should not be put on top of or overlap a frame with fill because settling of fill can cause uneven support.

If you choose to use a frame to contain fill, ensure that the EZ Pad fits inside the frame.

For very cold climates see our FAQs page.

Larger Sizes
EZ Pad sizes larger than 8x8 can be unwieldy to move or turn over. To easily assemble larger EZ Pads, assemble groups of panels no larger than  4 panels or 8' x 8'. Screw in additional connectors on the side that you wish to connect to the additional area.

Once the sets of panels are assembled, turn over and place the group without connectors on top of the attached connectors and press down to snap together. It is a good idea to have three people when turning over the assemblies.

This method is good for all larger assemblies.

Swim Spas/Spas Over 12 feet
For swim spas, or any spa over 12 feet in length, we recommend 4 inches of 1/4 to 1/2 inch crushed rock with fines tamped down to ensure reliable support for the higher loads or pavers with 2" of sand, or 3+ inches of concrete. For spas 12 feet and under, please use standard surface preparation.

NOTE: To calculate the load per area of a swim spa, take the total weight and divide by the length times width.

For example: A typical swim spa weighs about 2900 lbs. If you add the weight of 2000 gallons of water, (2000 x 8.34) you get a total of 19,580, divided by the area of the base, or 128 square feet, you get about 153 lbs. per square foot.

Modifying/Cutting EZ Pads

We do not recommend cutting EZ Pads, but on occasion it is necessary. You can cut a relief to fit around an obstacle like a deck support with a hack saw or reciprocating saw, or if required, you can cut one dimension (edge) of an EZ Pad assembly.

To cut an edge, we recommend using a small hand-held circular saw with a fine blade. Set the depth of the blade to just over 2". To mark your cut, you can use a snap (chalk) line or straight edge. Do not cut more than 10" from the edge. Cutting beyond 10 " means losing a connector resulting in issues with moving the assembly. Polyurethane foam can be used to seal the cut edge if desired. EZ Pads can also be notched to fit under decks. Remember not to cut beyond 10" from the edge.

IMPORTANT!

EZ Pads are hollow, blow-molded polyethylene. If you cut them, they will have an exposed hollow edge. Unless it is absolutely necessary, we do not recommend cutting them, except for electrical conduit access, or notching to fit around obstacles. EZ Pads are not suitable for attaching gazebos. Gazebos need to be attached to hot tubs or built on separate footings.