There are a number of great reasons for choosing to install a hot tub inside of your home. Many people are attracted to the privacy an indoor hot tub offers, or prefer to take a soak in a controlled environment instead of during a rain storm or a unseasonably cold snap. Or you might have a house with a design that facilitates an indoor hot tub much better than an outdoor one. Whatever your reasons for choosing an indoor hot tub, there are some special factors to be aware of when it comes to its installation.
Will The Tub Fit?
Don’t make the rookie mistake of not triple checking that your hot tub will fit in your home. While people often measure the room and intended location for the hot tub, they often forget about the path to get to that location. It is essential that all doors, hallways and stairs be measured as well. For those who are in the process of building their home, this might not be a problem as the hot tub can be installed before the walls are even finished, but for current homeowners, measuring carefully should be the first order of business.
Water Source
Having a nearby water source is important for an indoor hot tub. The last thing you want is to have to be dragging hundreds of buckets filled with water across your home to fill it up. The same goes for drainage, when it is time to empty the tub, you need a place for the water to go. Make sure that you have a spigot installed that can easily reach the hot tub with a hose.
Flooring And Drainage
No matter what, there will always be some water spillage when it comes to a hot tub. Even if you don’t plan on splashing around or having water fights, you will carry a significant amount of water with you each time you get out of the tub, up to a gallon in fact. Because of this, your flooring needs to be able to get wet. You don’t want to have carpet or wood that will easily rot or turn moldy. Having a drain in the floor with proper grading is incredibly helpful. You’ll also need to ensure your floor can handle the weight of a full hot tub. Choosing non-slip, tile flooring is the best option for your home and bathers.
Humidity
Humidity and moisture are both part of owning an indoor hot tub and you will need to be prepared to deal with this. Make sure your room is able to handle humidity by installing vapour barriers to protect your wall framing from rotting. Use materials such as glass, concrete or cedar that are resistant to rot. Also important is ensuring you have an exhaust fan that can effectively deal with excess humidity. As a final touch, consider a ceiling fan to help with temperature and humidity control.
To learn more about hot tub installation, download a hot tub buyer’s guide.