Although you’ll often see hot tubs installed outdoors, if you’re looking for more privacy, convenience or protection from the elements you may find yourself asking, “Can a hot tub go inside my house?”. The simple answer is, “Yes, it can!” although you might need to do a little more planning and a little more prep work to make it happen, but it’s absolutely a possibility. To help you prepare for such an installation we’ve come up with this article.
The Installation Route
One of your primary concerns regarding an indoor hot tub is the installation route. If you’re installing the hot tub during a new home build, this may not be as much of a concern. If you’re bringing a hot tub into an existing house this is a very important consideration. Hot tubs can be quite large and cumbersome and not every model will easily fit through a standard sized doorway. Knowing if this is the case before the hot tub shows up on your front step is of supreme importance. Compare the specifications of your hot tub with the route you’ll be taking upon delivery. Keep an eye out for overhead allowances, sharp corners and tight spaces and you’ll save yourself some last-minute renovations. If you would like for someone to ‘double check’ behind your measurements, a technician from our Service Department would be able to inspect the site prior to purchase and installation.
Flooring
The second major concern will be whether your installation location will be able to support a hot tub. It’s important to remember that a hot tub full of people and water can weigh several thousand pounds. Basement installations won’t be as much of a concern, but if you’re planning on the upper levels of your house the advice of a structural engineer could save you a lot of grief. Beyond weight bearing capacity, you’ll need your floor surface to be waterproof and slip resistant. Tile and rubber are the most popular flooring materials around hot tubs as they’re impermeable and can be coated with a gripped surface. The floor should also have a slight slope to allow water to easily runoff towards the floor drain.
Drainage
Not only should the hot tub room have a floor drain, the plumbing will need to be able to handle emptying the entire volume of the hot tub as well. Hot tubs need a deep cleaning at least once a year and to be drained and refilled every three to four months. Deciding on your hot tub location and paying attention to your plumbing system can reduce the amount of alterations necessary before installation.
Filling
Paying attention to your plumbing will also ensure that filling the hot tub isn’t an onerous task. Hot tubs hold several hundred gallons of water, so you don’t want to be hauling buckets from your kitchen or bathroom every time your hot tub needs to be topped up. If a tap doesn’t already exist in your chosen installation spot, having one installed will be well worth the cost.
Ventilation
The warm waters of your hot tub will inevitably increase the humidity levels in your house. This can be problematic, and it could result in the formation of condensation and the possibility of mold growth and wood rot. To prevent problems with humidity a good ventilation system should be installed. Extractor fans, ceiling fans and dehumidifiers can all play a role in keeping humidity levels down.
Vapor Barriers
The walls and ceiling of your hot tub room will be most affected by high levels of humidity and moisture. You can prevent damage to wood studs and inhibit mold growth in wall cavities by installing a vapor barrier. This is often composed of sheets of polyethylene plastic that cover the wall and ceiling insulation, but it may also come in the form of a spray foam. Once in place, the vapor barrier should be covered with waterproof drywall. And as a final precaution the drywall should be painted with moisture resistant paint. These steps can save you from major structural problems in the future.
To learn more about indoor hot tub installation, download a free buyer’s guide today.