A hot tub can enhance your backyard by serving as an attractive water feature. It can transform your backyard into a deluxe retreat with the calming sound of a waterfall and the soft glow of LED lights. However, you may prefer the hot tub to be undercover or indoors, rather than taking up room in your backyard.
An indoor hot tub allows you to experience the tranquillity and luxury of a spa while adding value to your property. With the right planning and preparation, you can achieve a bespoke spa appearance while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of a portable spa. Here are some tips for installing an indoor hot tub.
Set Up the Appropriate Floor Covering
It’s an inevitable fact that the room housing your indoor hot tub will frequently be sprinkled with water. An exiting bather may carry out up to a gallon of water each time. Ensuring your flooring can bear this substantial load is vital. Avoid wooden floors as they can deform and decay, and steer clear of carpets that can retain water and deteriorate over time. Instead, opt for ceramic tiles that feature a non-slip or matte finish. These tiles resist rotting, can handle heavy weights, and help prevent slips from wet feet.
Plan for How It Will Get in the Room
Some individuals construct entirely separate rooms for their hot tubs, which simplifies the process of creating an indoor setup. On the other hand, some prefer to incorporate a hot tub into an existing, underutilized room.
If you’re considering placing your hot tub in a pre-existing room, it’s essential to ensure the hot tub can maneuver through your doorways. Perhaps you have French doors that will facilitate the transition of the hot tub into the room, or a large sliding patio door that provides adequate access.Regardless of your situation, you need a strategy for moving the hot tub indoors if you opt for this kind of installation.
If it turns out to be impractical with the room you currently have, you’ll have to contemplate whether to switch to an outdoor setup or evaluate if your budget allows for constructing a new extension to bring your indoor hot tub vision to life.
Check Your Walls
The high levels of moisture emitted by hot tubs can inflict damage on your walls, as regular drywall is not designed to endure such dampness for prolonged periods, making it unsuitable for enclosing a hot tub. Even with good ventilation, the walls of your room will be consistently subjected to elevated humidity and moisture levels over time. It’s crucial to ensure your walls are equipped to cope with these conditions.
In deciding on the room for your indoor spa, you need to make sure the vapor barrier beneath your wall coverings is unbroken. This will safeguard your wall frames from succumbing to dry rot. In essence, the most suitable walls for an indoor spa are made of cement, glass, or moisture-resistant drywall, similar to those found in bathrooms or kitchens.
The Foundation of Your Hot tub
Regardless of the location you choose for your hot tub, it’s crucial to provide a firm and even base for it. Given their weight, particularly when filled with water, hot tubs can cause significant damage to their cabinets if placed on an irregular surface, leading to expensive fixes down the line.
A flat concrete pad is the go-to choice for many when preparing a spot for their hot tub. However, if your space already has a robust, water-resistant, and perfectly leveled floor, it can directly accommodate your hot tub.
CostÂ
While investing in a personal bathtub can be highly valuable, keep your budget in mind. The price of your future hot tub will differ based on its size, shape, and the features you desire. A professional will need to assess the accessibility of your indoor space to estimate the installation cost. This includes determining how the spa will be transported into the appropriate room in your house, and any remodeling necessary.
This might involve setting up water-resistant walls and floors, electrical outlets, and ventilation. Additionally, the structural needs of the hot tub will need thorough inspection to ensure your home can support the weight.
Endnote
Considering the extensive knowledge and expertise required to install hot tubs, it’s highly suggested to collaborate with a professional installer. They can meticulously manage each detail to provide an ideal tub experience in your home.
1
Leave a Reply