Can You Put a Swim Spa Indoors?

How cool is an indoor swim spa?

It’s pretty cool. We have put in many at Hydropool and there’s no question the overall effect is stunning. We also regularly have them in our showrooms, so customers can come and try them.

We get asked about indoor swim spas regularly at Hydropool. We wish it was a simple process and it is usually an entirely achievable process, but there are many tips and tricks along the way, as well as significant costs to consider.

But there is no question that installing a swim spa indoors is possible. So the real question is how?

To help you navigate the process, we have outlined the following step-by-step guide for indoor swim spa installations.

In any situation where you are considering installing a swim spa, choosing the model you want must come first, because many aspects of the installation will depend on the model you’re looking at.

The steps include:

1. Ensuring access
2. Making a budget
3. Using water resistant materials
4. Implementing proper ventilation
5. Using adequate insulation
6. Adding non-slip flooring
7. Plan the electrical
8. Consider water damage
9. Consult with a professional
10. Upkeep

We will go over each element in turn. Hopefully, by the end, you’ll have a solid sense of what it takes to have a swim spa installed inside and you’ll understand whether it’s right for you to consider or not.

 

 

1. Assess Accessibility

• Measure all entryways, hallways, staircases, and paths leading to your home to ensure the swim spa can be transported indoors.
• Consider removing doors or frames if necessary to accommodate the size of the swim spa for installation.
• Indoor swim spas are often planned for in houses being built: It is much easier and less costly to install a swim spa and build a house or addition around it, then retrofit one into an existing home.
• The size of whichever swim spa you’re choosing will matter significantly when it comes to accessibility, so again, this is why we suggest you choose the model early in your planning.

 

2. Make a Budget

• The cost of installing an indoor swim spa can vary depending on several factors, such as the size and model of the swim spa, the existing layout of the room, and any necessary modifications or upgrades needed for ventilation, insulation, and electrical hookup.
• You almost have to get a quote for your specific situation with an indoor install. For example, one of the biggest major factors is whether the home is a new build, and the room can be assembled around the swim spa or if the home has to be retrofitted.
• On average, installation costs can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands, so it's important to budget accordingly and obtain quotes from reputable contractors to get an accurate estimate for your specific installation.
• The least expensive way we have even seen a swim spa installed indoors is $10,000 Cdn, plus the cost of the swim spa. In that case, the house had a pre-existing well-built concrete floor, and the ability to easily get the swim spa into the building, as it was placed in a sunroom that had yet to have the windows added. The main costs were the ventilation and drainage elements and the ensuing décor was minimalistic.  
• An average price that we see is more like $75,000 Cdn, plus the cost of the swim spa, meaning it’s about $100,000 Cdn altogether. This is by far the more typical approach that people take.  

3. Ensure the Room Has A Proper Base and is Equipped with Water-Resistant Materials

• The base of a swim spa is extremely important. The base must be made of concrete and be able to support the entire weight of the swim spa being installed. You must also plan your swim spa so that it can be accessed from all sides, even if it’s in the ground, in the event of fixes that may be required in the future.
• You will need rot-resistant and water-friendly materials for the room where the swim spa will be located. This will include moisture-resistant drywall, as an example, and stone or concrete floors.

This 16-foot Hydropool swim spa was installed above the floor, saving thousands in installation costs.

4. Implement Proper Ventilation

• You will require installed vents, ceiling fans and an air system to facilitate the circulation of air, maintain humidity and prevent condensation.
• Adequate ventilation is crucial to dissipate steam from evaporating water and maintaining a dry and sanitary environment in your home.

5. Ensure Adequate Insulation

• The room must be properly insulated to prevent condensation formation on cold surfaces like windows and walls. Well-insulated windows and walls will help manage the steam generated from swim spa water evaporation.

6. Choose Non-Slip Flooring

• Water-resistant and slip-resistant flooring materials, such as tile, are required to prevent accidents and provide a safe surface around the swim spa.
• You will need to avoid materials like carpet, wood, or astroturf which can trap water and lead to rotting.

7. Plan Your Electrical Hookup

• Have a contractor available to assist with the electrical hookup of the swim spa, ensuring that it is done safely and up to code. A local hot tub retailer can generally help you connect with an expert who has done this before.
• Ensure there is proper access to an electrical outlet or panel for the swim spa, as well as any additional electrical requirements for other accessories like lights or jets. Otherwise, you will need to replace your electrical panel as part of the work.

Hydropool’s AquaTrainer 19DTX, which features both a hot tub and a swim spa, installed indoors.

8. Consider Water Drainage

• You must install a floor drain or create a slope in the flooring to direct any water splashes or spills away from the swim spa area.
• Proper water drainage will prevent water from accumulating on the floor and causing damage to the surrounding area.

9. Consult with a Professional

• Seek advice from a professional contractor or builder to ensure that the indoor swim spa installation meets all building codes and regulations. Again, a local retailer can assist you in finding one who has done this before.

10. Understand the Upkeep

• Once the swim spa is installed, proper maintenance and upkeep are essential. Regularly cleaning the swim spa, maintaining proper water chemistry, and servicing the filtration system are key maintenance tasks to keep your swim spa in top condition.
• In addition, because the swim spa is installed inside, monitoring the room's ventilation and insulation to prevent mold or mildew growth and ensuring proper electrical connections are maintained are important.

How Can I Get a Swim Spa Inside My Home?

We hope these additional insights help address your questions and provide further guidance as you consider an indoor swim spa. It’s a lot of work, but the payoff is immense, is what we have found over the 40 years we have been in business at Hydropool.  

The decisions are many when you decide to try and install an indoor swim spa. From walls to humidity to non-slippery floors, there is no question they are a great deal of work to install.

But the effect once installed is simply stunning: an indoor swim spa is a beautiful thing, easily accessible for your entire family to use.

We hope this article helped answer all your questions about installing a swim spa inside your home, but there’s a good chance we missed something that applies to your specific situation.

If that’s the case, then don’t hesitate to reach out to your local retailer, who can work with you to solve your particular problem. Find your retailer here.