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Can You Put A Hot Tub In a Basement?

Can You Put A Hot Tub In a Basement?

If you place your hot tub in the basement, you will be safe from the shivering cold and the prying eyes of the neighbors.

But because of the lack of air ventilation (and maybe a water hose) in the basement, you might wonder if it is possible to put the hot tub in the basement without complications.  

You can put a hot tub in the basement, but you might have to go the extra mile to ensure all the prerequisites are in place. This includes making sure that you have anti-slip flooring, ventilation, and a water source.

Because of the preparation required, the task might seem daunting. However, this article will help you understand what you are going for and how to install a hot tub in your basement.

Can You Put a Portable Hot Tub in Your Basement?

A typical hot tub has many more features than a portable hot tub. But if you don’t want to invest a lot in installing a hot tub in the basement, a portable hot tub is a great option.

A portable hot tub comes with its own electrical controlling and plumbing system. So, with just a little floor redesign to make sure the water splashes do not cause the basement to smell musty and cause slip and trip hazards, you can get your portable spa in your basement.

So, it is possible to put a portable hot tub in the basement with some minor adjustments and ventilation system modifications.

Is It Okay to Put a Hot Tub Indoors?

It is quite alright to select a place indoors to put a hot tub. However, you do need to consider some factors before you install it to make sure that you aren’t struggling with the water systems, drainage, and rising moisture levels in your house.

Is it OK to put a hot tub indoors?

So, here are some considerations you should make before you install a hot tub in the house:

Space Availability

The first thing to consider is how you will get the hot tub in the house. If your door frames are small and there is no other way to get the hot tub inside, you might want to go for an inflatable or portable hot tub.

If you do have the space to get the tub inside, consider where you will place the tub. You must leave some space to move around the tub and allow for maintenance.

Also, selecting a leveled, flat surface that can support the tub’s weight is crucial.

Height

The hot tub you like might have a cover lifter. If that’s the case, you also have to consider the height of the space you have selected for the hot tub.

Most houses do not have sufficient space available till the ceiling to accommodate a cover lifter.

You can also purchase a hot tub cover that you just need to slide to the side. But even then, a height of at least half the length of the cover is needed.

Water Source

Most hot tubs have an in-built plumbing system. However, you need to give it water access to fill it up.

A faucet that has a hose pipe close to the hot tub can allow you to fill it up easily.

If there is no water source close by, you can get a plumber to install piping to bring the faucet closer to the hot tub. Getting the hose close is easy to make sure you don’t have to use a long pipe to get to the hot tub.

Ventilation

Ventilation is a must if you wish to install a hot tub inside. If not, the rise in the humidity levels will cause a fog when you are soaking up.

The moisture levels in the atmosphere become quite favorable grounds for mold and fungus to grow.

So, when you use the hot tub, you can either install a dehumidifier or open a window slightly if it’s not too cold. This will keep the floors, walls, and upholstery from absorbing moisture.

Chemical Usage

When you have a hot tub inside, the smell of chemicals like chlorine can be quite strong. You might want to choose a milder chemical like bromine granules for sanitizing the hot tub water.

Additionally, it is less harsh than chlorine for your skin.

Before you add bromine or any other chemicals to your water, make sure you know how much to add. Even a little more than the recommended amount of chemicals can irritate your skin and also result in a strong smell. 

If you add much more than that, the water can cause health concerns like nausea, vomiting, itchy eyes, and even chlorine poisoning.

The bromine levels in the hot tub inside should be between 3 – 3.5ppm (parts per million). To check, you can purchase bromine test strips to check. For outdoors, the level might increase to even 5ppm.

Drainage System         

You will need to drain out the hot tub without spilling the water. The hot tub also needs a filter change whenever you are refilling it.

Tubs come with a drainage valve and instructions that you can follow to safely drain out the water.

However, you need a drainage system nearby to get that water to drain out without spilling onto the floor and damaging other things nearby like furniture, storage boxes, or carpets.

Electric Connection

When you’re installing a hot tub outdoors or indoors, making sure that you have a safe and compatible electric connection is a must.

If you hire professional help for installing the hot tub, they will make sure that your electric supply is safe and matches the ampere requirements of the hot tub.

Can I Put a Swimming Spa in My Basement?

The concrete floor base makes the basement an ideal location for installing your hot tub if you wish to install it indoors. However, because of a lack of ventilation in the basement, you need to be more careful about installing a dehumidifier or a ventilation system.

If you don’t have a ventilation system, the moisture can quickly get absorbed by the things in the basement. Because the basement is an enclosed space, the absorbed water can quickly cause mold and fungal growth.

You can go for a vapor barrier in the ceiling and walls of the basement to keep it from absorbing moisture.

Also, installing flooring that doesn’t absorb moisture like rubber or tile should be a prerequisite for installing a swim spa in the basement.

You must make sure that any water spills are cleared out quickly because the water, again, causes a rise in the risk of mold and fungal growth.

Summing Up Putting a Hot Tub in the Basement

Relaxing in a hot tub without getting self-conscious about the neighbors looking over or fear of catching a cold when you get out of the water is a peaceful feeling.

If you want to install a hot tub inside the house, the basement is a great choice because it will have the space you need and give you the privacy you deserve. The concrete flooring of the basement is also perfect for withstanding the weight of the tub.

However, considering the ventilation, water source, drainage system, height, space, and a safe electrical connection is a must when making the decision.

Lindsay Reed

Hi, I'm the founder of ProjectPerfectHome.com! I created this website to be a resource for everyone who wants to make the best home possible.