Where you will be placing your hot tub is one of the first and most important steps in planning for a spa. While hot tubs are usually placed outdoors, there are many instances where an indoor spa would be preferable. Placing a spa indoors allows for more privacy in areas where neighbors are close. It’s also a good option if you live in a climate with extreme hot or cold temperatures or a long rainy season.

Indoor hot tubs are a great way to complete a sunroom, converted garage, enclosed patio, or even a home gym. It is important to take measures to prepare your home for the indoor spa to avoid costly repairs down the line.

Whether you’re building a new room for your indoor spa or repurposing a room of your home, hiring an experienced contractor for the project can help you cover all bases — from moisture control and drainage to accessibility and serviceability. Along with your contractor’s help, the questions below can help you assess how ready your room is for a hot tub:

Will a hot tub fit through the doorway?

Garages and some sunrooms won’t have trouble fitting a spa through the doors, but other rooms may have trouble making the fit. The largest AquaRest Spas model, the AR-600 measures 79” x 79” x 32” which means you’ll need a doorway at least 33” wide and 80” tall to fit the spa through. If you’re building a new structure for your spa, installing French doors will allow plenty of room to move in the spa.

Is my support strong enough for the hot tub?

AquaRest Spas are some of the lightest hot tubs on the market, but you will still need to have your spa surface inspected to ensure that it is strong enough to support the weight of your hot tub plus the weight of the water and the people using your spa.

The AR-600 is 295 pounds dry and will weigh 2,294 pounds when filled with water. Add the weight of 6 adult bathers at 195 pounds each and your spa surface will need to safely bear at least 3,464 pounds

Do I have the right wall and flooring materials?

Think about the steam that fills your bathroom after a hot shower. Your hot tub room will fill with even more steam depending on the length of your soaks and how long the cover is off your spa. Use wall and ceiling materials that are designed to stand up to that amount of humidity and steam. Cement walls, glass enclosures, cedar linings, and tile are all great options. Drywall made for bathrooms and kitchens is another option. A vapor barrier between your wall covering and studs and joists can prevent dry rot of your walls’ structure.

A nonslip floor is essential for a safe hot tub room. The last thing you’ll want is carpet. Even indoor/outdoor carpet can become stained and have a musty smell after constant splashing from the spa and wet footprints tracked around the room. Instead, try slip-resistant tile or concrete flooring with a textured sealant to prevent slipping.

Do I have a practical water source and drainage option?

One of the easiest options for filling your spa is installing a hose bib in your hot tub room. You will be draining and refilling your spa about every three months, so having your water source as close as possible will make the process much easier. To drain your AquaRest spa, you will attach a garden hose to the drain valve. Have a plan for where the water will go when you drain your spa, then keep a hose of that length dedicated for this purpose.

Do I have proper ventilation?

A powerful, quiet fan will be the most important element of an indoor spa room. The amount of humidity produced by the hot tub will need to be channeled out of the room to keep it comfortable and prevent damage down the road. A HVAC contractor can help you prepare your hot tub room’s ventilation so that humidity (as well as possible hot tub chemical smells) are directed away from your home

Can I do all this myself?

In the long run, hiring a contractor to prepare your indoor space for a hot tub can keep you from having to make costly repairs in the future. Contractors with experience in installing indoor spas will know of the best materials for an attractive and structurally-sound hot tub room that will provide enjoyment for years to come.