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Step 6. SETTING THE POOL
Your spa will arrive on a truck-trailer. Be sure to inspect the spa for damage that may have occurred during
transportation and for conformity to order specifications. A crane or excavator will lower the spa into the excavation.
Please note that Viking Spas recommends lifting all spa models over 12' wide with a spreader bar and 20' lifting
straps. Once the spa is set in the excavation, the spa should be checked for level and the bottom should be walked over
to detect any voids in the sand that might be present. The spa is then lifted and reset as many times as necessary to
achieve a "good fit". A good fit is realized by raking the surface of the sand in order to see where the spa's perimeter
is touching (footprint) after it is removed and also by walking around on the inside of the spa to detect low spots. It is
normal to feel a slight void under the center of the spa. This will disappear under the weight of the water. It is important
to make certain that the bottom perimeter and all transition points are sitting firmly against the sand bed. The spa can
be separated from the lifting equipment when the entire perimeter of the spa (including all transitions) leaves a clear
footprint and the spa is within 1/2" of level.
A properly prepared hole should not require the filling of large voids beneath the spa. Blindly washing sand
beneath a spa can cause more harm than good. It is important that any adjustments to the spa's elevation be made
before water is added. If a spa was properly set, nothing more than a few minor adjustments should be needed.
Step 7. WATER AND BACKFILL
"Locking in" is the process of placing and tamping the first 6" of backfill around the radius of the spa to hold
it firmly in place during the installation process. After your spa is "locked in", start the water in the spa and continue
the backfill process. The level of water in the spa and the level of sand outside the spa should be within 6" of each
other. Continue filling the spa and backfilling
until 4" to 6" of water are in the spa. Check the
level of the spa. If the spa was properly "locked
in", no adjustments should be necessary. If any
movement has occurred, small adjustments
must be made at this time by placing a lever
assembly under the coping of the spa (Fig 4.). If
adjustments are needed, (low condition) raise the
spa to the proper height and place sand under the
spa. When the proper height is achieved, continue
the filling and backfilling process. If the spa is too
high, remove sand as needed. It is very important
that the radiuses of the spa are packed properly.
Poorly packed radiuses can result in hairline
cracks or structural cracks due to deflection. Be
sure to backfill slowly and thoroughly. When
the proper height is achieved, continue with the
filling and backfilling process.
After approximately 12" of water is in
the spa and backfill has been placed evenly, the
backfill should be allowed to precede the water
by 6". As the water approaches the shallow end, pay particular attention to all the unsupported areas of the spa. Steps
and swimouts tend to droop, so slight adjustments may need to be made with the levering device as mentioned before
(Fig 4). Be sure you wait until a sufficient amount of water surrounds the area (usually 12") to keep the rest of the
spa in place, or you may raise more than you intend. The walls of the spa may bulge inward if too much backfill has
preceded the water in the spa, or outward if too much water precedes the backfill. If bulging does occur during the
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