Does Hot Tub Wiring Need To Be Buried? A Rockwall, TX, Homeowners’ Guide

If you’re going ahead with an outdoor installation, does hot tub wiring need to be buried? For safety reasons, you can reasonably expect local electrical codes to require this step for any sort of wiring. Knowing the rules is important to avoid mistakes and safety hazards. 

Blue Line Electric’s expert electricians in Rockwall, TX, can wire your hot tub to meet all local building code requirements. Below, the team shares why buried wiring for hot tubs is so crucial in making your backyard oasis as safe as possible.

Why Burying Hot Tub Wiring Is a Smart Idea

Although you could install a hot tub indoors, residents of Rockwall, Texas, often prefer the access to nature that outdoor hot tubs and spas offer. There’s great weather in northeastern Texas. Temperatures here rarely reach the freezing mark, so homeowners use their outdoor hot tubs most of the year.

Still, while the hot tubs themselves can handle exposure, the wires don’t do as well sitting on top of the ground. You will receive a few benefits by burying the wiring on your hot tub. For example:

Eliminating the Trip Hazard

With the wiring under the ground, you won’t have a tripping hazard around the hot tub. For instance, people might fall over the wiring in their excitement to use the hot tub, but someone who trips over an exposed wire could fall and hurt themselves. Pulling the wiring connections loose also damages the hot tub’s electronics and risks electrocution.

Reducing the Risk of Cutting the Wire

If your tub’s wires are above the ground, it’s also easy to accidentally cut or nick them while mowing or using a weed trimmer. Wild animals and rodents also chew on exposed wires.

Following Safety Codes

Safety codes often require burying wires used outdoors to avoid weather exposure. These codes focus on maintaining safe electrical wiring with hot tubs and spas. For example, an exposed wire is unsafe for pets or kids who may not realize the danger of electric shock.

Averting Weather and Moisture Problems

Does hot tub wiring need to be buried in Rockwall, Texas, because of the climate? The Rockwall area receives more than 200 days of sun each year. Exposure to UV light could cause above-ground conduit or the sheathing for the wires to become brittle and, eventually, damage the wires themselves.

Avoiding Problems With Aesthetics

From a design perspective, having a wire on the ground to serve the hot tub looks like your installation isn’t finished. When you want to entertain friends and family at your outdoor spa, you want the hot tub to look amazing. Bury the wire.

How To Plan the Safest Route for Buried Wiring

The average depth for burying wiring for a hot tub is 18 inches. However, before the professionals start digging a trench for the wire, they’ll use the Call 811 service to mark any underground utility lines on your property. If you start digging the trench and then hit water supply pipes or cable TV lines, you could be liable for damaging those lines. 

It’s far safer to hire an electrician to bury the hot tub wiring. This professional will protect any nearby underground lines and ensure the wiring meets local codes.

How Do You Know If You’re Following Outdoor Spa Wiring Requirements in Rockwall, TX?

Does hot tub wiring need to be buried a certain way? How do you know if you’re following the local rules and electrical codes correctly? If you’re in Rockwall, Texas, the area’s electricians will follow several different electrical codes, including: 

• The State of Texas code
• The National Electric Code
• The International Residential Code

The Building Inspections Department for the city of Rockwall, Texas, also handles all the electrical permits and inspections for construction projects in the region. Hiring licensed electricians ensures that when building inspectors come to verify the quality of the wiring on your hot tub, it upholds the codes and has the necessary permits.