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Indoor Swim Spa – 6 Steps to Prepare Your Home to Install it in 2024

An indoor swim spa is one of the most luxurious perks that homeowners can add to their homes. More and more homeowners are adding this extravagant water feature to their homes.

Almost any home can accommodate the ultimate swim spa. Even if your space is small, has awkward angles, or steep stairs– there’s a way to make it work! The key is preparation, which will help make everything go smoothly once the new addition arrives.

If you’re ready to take the plunge and bring an indoor pool spa home, here are six steps to get you prepared for the installation of your own personal spa.

Can I put a Swim Spa indoors?

A swim spa indoors is like having endless pools. It creates a continuous swim current that flows from one end to the other, allowing even a casual swimmer to have a high-performance swim experience.

Unlike an outdoor swim spa, an indoor swim spa can be installed in any room that can fit the machine, the water, and the plumbing.

Swim spas require water, and lots of it. The water requirements will vary depending on the size of the pool and the pump used to keep it circulating, but it can range from 10,000 to 30,000 gallons! For reference, a regular pool generally holds around 20,000 gallons of water.

Can a swim spa be installed in a basement?

Generally yes, but there could be some challenges involved. While basement spaces are often large enough to fit a swim spa comfortably, they may not be as accessible.

For one, most basements are not finished. This means you’ll have to build a structure to house the machine and water.

If the basement is below ground level, you’ll also need to make sure the floor can support the load of the machine and water. Generally speaking, a concrete floor is strong enough for the job, but always check with a contractor for a more specific recommendation.

Can you put a swim spa in a garage?

A garage is not a common swim spa installation place. While a garage might be big enough to house a swim spa, it may not be suitable for one very important reason: safety. Driveways, sidewalks, and streets run right past many garages. If you install a swim spa in the garage, it could pose a serious safety risk.

Is An Indoor Swim Spa Right For You?

Before installing an indoor swim spa, you should ask yourself a few questions.  Perhaps an outdoor swim spa is a better option for you.

1. Do I have enough space in my home to accommodate the pool? 

2. Do I have an electrical outlet nearby and easy access to plumbing?

3. Did I make sure to have enough money to cover the expenses of installation and renovations?

4. Do I have the time and energy to maintain the pool? 

If the answer to all these questions is YES, then a swim spa indoors is the right fit for you.

Advantages of an Indoor Swim Spa 

With an indoor swim spa, you won’t have to add chemicals or clean the water as often. You’ll still have to check the pH and chlorine levels regularly, but you will have consistent water purity for lower price. 

Additionally, if you live in cold climate, the winter heating costs are significantly reduced.

6 Step To Prepare Your Home For an Indoor Swim Spa

Is the floor good?

A swim spa can be installed on almost any flooring type; it only needs to be strong enough to hold the weight of the water, the equipment, and any people who will use the spa. Because a swim spa is used in a residential setting, most people want resistant flooring materials like hardwood or ceramic tile floors.

If you have hardwood, tile, or concrete, you can install the pool on just about any level of your home. But, to ensure no excess water will damage your floors or cause mold growth, you should consider putting rubber mats under your swim spa. 

What About Electrical and Plumbing?

Before the indoor swim spa installation, you have to check if you have enough outlets and the right plumbing to support the swim spa. You’ll need 220V / 60 AMPS of power to run a swim spa and its components, therefore consult a professional electrician.

Ready for the humidity?

If you live in a humid climate, you’ll need to prepare for additional humidity. Although indoor pool spas are designed to reduce the amount of evaporative loss by 50% compared to a traditional swimming pool, it may not be enough depending on the humidity levels of your area.

An indoor pool spa can bring the ambient heat humidity in your home up to 30%. To prevent your home’s humidity to levels that can cause damage, consider installing a dehumidifier.

Drainage

If your home doesn’t already have a drainage system, you’ll need to install one. Your indoor pool spa needs to be installed above ground level.

Install the drain system below and connect it to the sewer or storm drain. To prevent water from being trapped in the ground, make sure your system has a way to be discharged to the outside of your home.

Lower Room Temperature

You may also want to lower the room temperature around the pool. A hotter environment can cause the water to evaporate even faster, and cause excess moisture to lessen the health benefits of a swim spa.

If possible, try lowering the temperature around the pool by a few degrees.

Safety

Install a swim spa cover to put when no one is using it to prevent any accidents. A fence or barrier around the pool can also help prevent accidents. 

Most Frequent Swim Spa Questions

Do swim spas use a lot of electricity?

A spa pool with good insulation can cost you no more than $30 monthly.

The low-quality spa pool could account for 43–47% of your power consumption. A high-quality spa pool, however, would only consume 6-7% of your monthly electricity costs.

Are swim spas suitable for swimming?

Compared to swimming in a standard pool, a swim spa is excellent for cardiovascular exercise, as it provides resistance against water flow.

You can easily swim distances up to 50 meters in a swim spa, but increasing that distance to 100 meters would be a challenging task.

Can you put a swim spa in a sunroom?

A swim spa can be a great addition to a sunroom, providing an indoor swimming pool that can be used all year round.

However, sunrooms are usually built to withstand certain temperature extremes and weather conditions, so you may need to reinforce the structure of your sunroom if you plan to install a swim spa.

How much room do you need around a swim spa?

As a general rule, you should leave around three feet of clearance around the entire perimeter of the spa. This will allow space for people to enter and exit the spa and will also allow you to easily maintain and clean the interior.

Are swim spas expensive to heat?

The majority of swim spa owners can keep their water at a comfortable temperature for as little as $100 a month throughout the cooler months. In addition to being less expensive to heat, swim spas are also significantly less costly to operate. It is partially because, due to their size, they require fewer chemicals.

What is the most energy-efficient swim spa?

Are swim spas really worth it?

Swim spas prices are much lower than a swimming pool and they are very adaptable, strong, and useful. As a result, you will be able to take pleasure in them for a very long time and in numerous ways. Your swim spa will be the ideal place to unwind, enjoy yourself, and have fun with the family. They can also give you a new way to work out.

How long does a swim spa last?

A swim spa is a long-term investment that should last for many years. Like a car, the spa will eventually need maintenance and parts replaced, but it can easily last for decades if you maintain it properly. Most swim spas have a lifespan of around 15 years, with some lasting up to 20 years.

What type of foundation is needed for a swim spa?

Depending on the size and weight of your swim spa, as well as the quality of the soil beneath your house, you can choose one of the two options. A concrete slab will work if the ground under your house is stable. If you want to put the swim spa on unstable terrain, you’ll need a concrete pad or a reinforced concrete base.

Does a swim spa add value to your home?

Swimming pools and spas have long been associated with luxury and relaxation, and the addition of a swim spa can greatly increase the value of your property.

Wrap Up

An indoor swim spa can be a great addition to any home. Before you begin the installation process, it’s important to make sure your home has the correct flooring, electrical, and plumbing requirements. Additionally, you’ll also want to consider the humidity of the room, drainage, and safety.

Any Questions About Indoor Swim Spas? Call us at 888-884-3742 and Request a FREE Consultation!

About The Author:

Manny Brambila

Pool & Spa Expert

Manny has been in the Pool & Spa industry for over 15 years and is considered a pool, swim spa, & hot tub expert. He has been a Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) since 2009 and worked 15 years in aquatic training and development for the largest pool chemical and customer care company. He also has been an outside consultant for the Pool and Spa industry in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles since 2018. In the past few years Manny has become Director of Operations for Epic Hot Tubs with a priority of providing customers with the most reliable information and best service possible.