Swim spas are ideal space savers for those who love swimming, but don’t have enough room for a full sized swimming pool. The compact size of the swim spa makes them ideal for those with small backyards or those who want an indoor swimming experience. How easy is it to install a swim spa indoors? Can you put a swim spa in a basement? As long as the process is carefully thought out and proper preparations are made, there’s no reason why a swim spa couldn’t make an amazing addition downstairs. To learn what’s required for indoor swim spa installation, check out this article.
Installation Basics
The first step to installing a swim spa in your basement is to actually get it down there in the first place. If you’re in the process of building your house and you’ve thought this out in advance, it shouldn’t pose any problems. If you want to install a swim spa in an existing dwelling, you’ll need to ensure there’s a suitable route to get it to its final destination. Compare the measurements of your swim spa of choice with the clearances of your doorways, stairwell and any tight corners. Making sure there’s enough room for easy passage will prevent delays and frustration.
Flooring
Compared with other levels of your house, from a foundational standpoint, basements are probably the best place to install your swim spa. Not only are you already likely to have a stable, level surface that can withstand the weight of a fully operational system, but you’re more likely to have plenty of unused space to accommodate the tank. There are many things to consider for proper preparations when it comes to the type of flooring materials around the swim spa. If you’re going to use the existing concrete floor it’s imperative that it’s properly sealed to prevent water from permeating the surface. You should also consider adding a slip free grit to prevent accidental falls. Slipping and falling is one of the most frequent accidents around swim spas and other aquatic tanks. Other flooring materials that work well are tile, rubber or vinyl. Make sure your floor is graded to compel water to run towards the drain and not to pool in other parts of the basement.
Drainage
Flooring brings us to the importance of drainage. Not only will there be inevitable splashes, spills and overflows that will need to be efficiently drained away, you’ll also need to anticipate the complete emptying of the swim spa a couple of times a year to allow for a deep cleaning. Easy access to a properly functioning drain will make this job much easier. In fact, you should probably locate your swim spa according to how your basement drainage system is laid out.
Water Supply
After you’ve drained your swim spa, you’ll need to refill it again. Swim spas can contain a couple thousand gallons of water, so you definitely don’t want to be running buckets of water down your stairs every time you’ve deep cleaned your system. If one doesn’t already exist, have a water spigot installed next to where the swim spa will be.
Ventilation
An indoor swim spa will produce a lot of humidity. And if high humidity levels aren’t addressed, you’re going to end up with problems with condensation and possibly mold or wood rot. A proper ventilation system will reduce humidity levels and prevent the chlorine-like smell from wafting throughout your entire house. You’ll want to install a powerful exhaust fan and possibly augment it with an overhead ceiling fan and a dehumidifier system. The internal structure of your house will thank you for it.
To learn more about installing an indoor swim spa, download a free buyer’s guide today.