What Should I Know About Installing a Hot Tub Indoors?

Are you dreaming of an indoor oasis? A hot tub in your master bathroom, basement, home gym, or sunroom could be your perfect private getaway. No neighbors peering into your yard, no street traffic noises, no need to don your swimming suit and leave your warm home when it’s cold outside… No doubt, there are a ton of perks when you install your hot tub indoors. You’ll need to do a little extra planning for installation if you want your spa inside instead of out, but don’t worry, we’re here to help with that! Here’s what you need to keep in mind. 

Structural support is a must.

A large hot tub can weigh 5,000 pounds or more once it’s filled with water and bathers. Just like you would have a contractor reinforce your existing outdoor deck to bear the weight, you’ll need to do the same for your inside location. 

Besides addressing your site, you may need the contractor to alter doorways, hallways, or other areas of your home so your hot tub can be delivered.

Update the flooring.

Obviously, carpet is a no-no in a room with a hot tub. But, beyond that, the safest flooring around your hot tub is something nonslip. Concrete and slip-resistant tiles are both great choices.

Moisture-proof the walls.

Make it easy for your walls to handle the room’s high humidity by making them water-resistant. You can add a moisture barrier to them. Or seize the opportunity to make your oasis feel more spa-like by upgrading from drywall to another material like glass, marble, ceramic tiles, or even cedar. 

Plan in advance for water management.

Your new hot tub doesn’t need external plumbing, and technically you could fill and drain your hot tub without making major modifications. But, if you make a few simple changes upfront, handling maintenance and dealing with water being splashed out of the spa will be easier. 

• Spigot – It’s not a necessity, but if you install a spigot close to where your hot tub will sit, refilling it will be a cinch. 
• Drainage –  Would you be surprised to know that up to a gallon of water leaves the hot tub with you when you step out? No big deal on a concrete pad outside, but it’s a real nuisance and possible hazard indoors. That’s not even to mention all the water that could get splashed out in a rousing game of Ping Pong Panic on family game night. Arranging for adequate drainage before you install your hot tub will pay off. 
• Ventilation – This one is important. When you take the cover off your hot tub in an enclosed room, it’s going to quickly turn into a steam room. Even on moisture-resistant materials, you don’t want all that humidity to hang around with no place to go. An exhaust fan is an easy, effective solution. 

It’s a great location for a saltwater spa.

Are you trying to decide between saltwater and good old fashioned chlorine? Both are good, but saltwater does have one big perk you might appreciate in your indoor hot tub — no strong chemical smell! When your spa is indoors, the odor is going to build up and be more pronounced. With saltwater spas, you miss most of that chlorine aroma. If a saltwater hot tub is for you, take a look at our Highlife® and Limelight® Collection Hot Spring® Spas. All the hot tubs in those two collections come salt system ready. Here’s another perk that might interest you about saltwater spas — with the Hot Spring Freshwater™ Salt System you can go up to a full year before you need to drain, clean, and refill the hot tub!

If you’re ready to create your own indoor spa oasis, we’re ready to help you do it. Stop by and let’s talk. We can help you find the perfect hot tub for your space!