Can you put an inflatable hot tub indoors?

Check the manual first

Some inflatable tub manuals say the tub is for outdoor use only; others allow indoor use with conditions. Follow what your maker says, as using it against the instructions may affect the warranty and safety.

Look for guidance on ventilation, floor strength and the distance from the socket. These differ by brand.

Floor strength

Water weighs about 1 kg per litre. A 916 litre tub weighs well over a tonne with the tub and four adults in it, spread over less than 4 square metres. Ground floor concrete slabs usually cope; suspended timber floors and upper storeys may not.

Read how much a hot tub weighs to add up your figures. For anything other than a ground bearing slab, get advice from a structural engineer.

Humidity and ventilation

Warm water releases a lot of moisture, especially with the cover off and bubbles running. In a closed room it condenses on walls, windows and ceilings, encouraging mould and damaging timber, plaster and stored items. Garages may also hold tools and cars that suffer in damp air.

• Open windows or doors while the tub is in use.
• Fit an extractor fan or use a dehumidifier sized for the room.
• Keep the cover on whenever the tub is not in use.
• Avoid rooms with untreated timber or electrical equipment that dislikes damp.

Drainage and splashes

Plan where water goes when you drain, and how you deal with splashes and spills. A floor with a drain, or a route to an outside drain, makes life easier. Protect the floor with a waterproof mat and an insulating layer; see our base ideas page.

Chemicals also off gas into the room. Ventilate well when dosing and store chemicals away from the tub.

Electrics

Indoor use does not remove the electrical risks. The tub must be plugged into a suitable socket protected by an RCD, away from splashes, and the pump unit must sit on a dry, level surface. Bathrooms and other wet rooms have special wiring rules; a qualified electrician should check the circuit and socket position.

Note:Hot tubs combine water and mains electricity. Use a weatherproof outdoor socket protected by an RCD, follow the maker's manual, and have any new circuit or socket fitted by a qualified electrician.

Best indoor spots

Compact tubs are easier indoors. See our 2 to 4 person guide.

See compact tubs →

Getting the tub in and out

Measure doors and corridors before you buy. The boxed tub is manageable, but you will also need room to inflate it and later to drain, dry and fold it. Inflate it in the room where it will sit, as an inflated tub rarely fits through a standard doorway.

Think about filling too. You will need a hose that reaches from an outside or utility tap, and a way to drain hundreds of litres without flooding the floor. A submersible pump can speed up draining to an outside drain; see how to drain an inflatable hot tub.

Temperature and comfort indoors

Indoors, the tub loses less heat than outside, so the heater runs less and heat-up from cold is quicker. Use our heat-up calculator to see the minimum time. The room itself will warm up and feel humid, so plan ventilation before the first soak rather than after condensation appears.

Frequently asked questions

Can an inflatable hot tub be used indoors? Some makers allow it with conditions. Check the manual, the floor strength, ventilation and electrics.

Can I put an inflatable hot tub in my garage? A garage with a concrete floor is often the most practical indoor spot, with good ventilation and a suitable socket.

Will an indoor hot tub cause damp? It can without ventilation. Use a fan or dehumidifier and keep the cover on.

Can I put a hot tub upstairs? Rarely, and only after a structural engineer confirms the floor can take the load.