A hot tub is a fun way to enjoy both summer and winter evenings, but it can be difficult when your hot tub is outdoors and subject to both prying eyes and adverse weather conditions. So why not install your hot tub in your garage?
You can put a hot tub in your garage, but before you do, you’ll need to ensure that your garage is properly outfitted to withstand the heat and humidity a hot tub produces. You will also need to check with your homeowner’s insurance, as it is possible for a hot tub to ruin a garage.
Remodeling your garage for the sake of a hot tub can be rewarding but risky. Let’s take a look at what it takes to prepare your garage for a hot tub and the precautions necessary to ensure the safety of you and your home.
Can You Put a Hot Tub in Your Garage?
It is possible to put a hot tub inside your garage if you don’t have enough space outside or live in a climate where having it indoors is best But, before you purchase a hot tub for use in your garage, there are several aspects you need to consider:
Ventilation
Before you think about putting a hot tub inside a garage, it’s critical to determine if it has enough ventilation to install one in the first place. Even if you install waterproof barriers, ventilation is the only way to be able to safely enjoy your hot tub indoors.
Some garages have a window that can be opened (in addition to the door), but this may not even be enough to protect the internal structure of your wall. Consider putting in vents or an exhaust fan (on Amazon) to properly control the humidity that will arise from the hot tub.
Garage Structure
Not all garages are the same. In a garage with wood elements, you’ll need to consider installing some form of vapor barrier (on Amazon) to stop the wood in your garage from rotting. Hot tubs produce a lot of steam, and without a way for that steam to exit the garage, mold can form quickly.
For garages with drywall, you may want to consider installing waterproof drywall. This will protect the wood in your walls as well as protect the drywall itself. Don’t forget that you’ll need waterproof paint on this drywall as well.
Your Garage Floor
Hot tubs require stable foundations. Most modern garages have a cement slab, which works well with a hot tub, but for those who have dirt, or other types of flooring, you’ll need to look at having a cement slab poured.
In addition, cement can get slippery when wet. To combat this, place non-slip mats (on Amazon) around the hot tub to ensure you don’t slip and fall when you are entering and exiting the hot tub.
Drainage
Hot tubs need to be drained and refilled with a higher frequency than pools, and this alone can be the largest hurdle for installing one in your garage. You might be able to get away with using an existing drain, but otherwise you’d have to install one.
You also need to consider how you will fill your hot tub. Ensure you have a water hookup that will reach your hot tub if it is in your garage.
Space
Before you start installing water barriers and remodeling walls, ensure that you truly have room for a hot tub. While most garages do have the space for a hot tub, you can’t forget the auxiliary equipment you will need for it to run.
A hot tub will also have a cover that needs to be removed and replaced during normal use. This means besides just measuring for your hot tub, you need to ensure you have room for the cover nearby as well. Some garages may be too tight of a fit for both the hot tub and the cover and you may need to go down a size.
Also, take into account the size of your car and whether or not it will fit in your garage after hot tub installation. There’s a chance you may need to find somewhere else to park your car, which could cause additional problems.
Electrical Wiring
Naturally, your hot tub will need electricity to function. Even though most modern garages have an electrical supply, they may not always be wired with an outlet in the place where you want to use your hot tub.
Take the time to measure if your hot tub cord will reach the outlet you want to plug it into. You will also need to ground your hot tub properly so that people using the hot tub suffer from any ill effects. This can take additional planning.
Home Insurance
Even if you have all of the above set up to perfectly accommodate your hot tub in your garage, you still need to check with your home insurance company before you do anything. This is because many home insurance policies are very specific about where you can and cannot place a hot tub on the property.
You may need to purchase a new policy or prepare to pay an additional premium each month for a hot tub placed in your garage. Worst case scenario, you may even need to change insurance providers, which is why you should do this step before you begin to remodel your garage for a hot tub.
Will a Hot Tub Ruin a Garage?
While it is entirely possible to install a hot tub in your garage, it’s important to recognize that it can be quite risky.
There is a chance that your hot tub, even if installed properly, could spring a leak at some point. This water could flow from your hot tub into the garage and cause damage to the structure as well as items you store in your garage, like your lawn mower.
Not only could it damage electrical equipment, but it could also inadvertently start a fire if the wrong electrical equipment was submerged or partially submerged in the hot tub water.
It’s a good idea to prepare for an emergency like this in advance by moving electrical items (like mowers) that could be damaged to an exterior shed for storage. You should also consider installing extra drains to prevent water from pooling and damaging the floor.
Additionally, if you and your family are planning to be out of town for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea to fully drain the hot tub before you leave to ensure a leak won’t spring in your absence when no one is around to take notice.
Final Thoughts on Putting a Hot Tub in the Garage
Overall, putting a hot tub in your garage is a great way to enjoy a hot tub in privacy all year round. But before you put your hot tub in your garage, ensure that your garage is properly equipped and that your home insurance will cover you if anything happens.
Know that even when properly installed, there is a chance your hot tub could ruin your garage so take proper precautions in advance to ensure this doesn’t happen.
