Can You Turn a Paddling Pool Into a Hot Tub?

When you think about it a hot tub is really just a pool of water with a heater and jets. Inflatable hot tubs are remarkably similar to paddling pools so this got me wondering if you could convert a paddling pool into a hot tub of some description. I decided to do some research into hot tubs and paddling pools and this is what I found out:

So, can you turn a paddling pool into a hot tub? While the answer isn’t exactly no, it isn’t exactly yes either. You can use hot water in your paddling pool to raise the temperature to closer to the level of a hot tub. You may even be able to rig up a spa blower to make bubbles in the water. However, the experience won’t be close to that you’d have in a regular hot tub or even in an inflatable one.

This is because paddling pools are, essentially, designed for use with cold or cool water and therefore, their plastic lining isn’t built to withstand the high temperatures required for a hot tub experience. Also, the process may not be as easy as you hoped – in fact, it’s probably easier to purchase an inflatable hot tub instead.

How Can I Make A Spa From My Paddling Pool?

If you’re determined to turn your paddling pool into a spa, the easiest way to do it is to invest in a spa mat. This is a mat that is designed to sit at the bottom of a regular bath tub. It has holes in it that force the bubbles upwards when the mat is activated. Attached to the mat is an inbuilt air pump and hose that is designed to sit outside the water.

These mats were created with the intention of providing a warm and relaxing bathing experience that soothes aching muscles at the end of a long day. The bubble mat delivers bubbles to massage the body and offer an experience that is similar to a spa but less powerful. It even features an inbuilt heater that is designed to keep the water warm once it has reached a comfortable temperature.

This won’t help you to achieve a temperature as high as that you’d get in a standard hot tub, but it will help to keep the water at a pleasant heat for longer periods of use.

Although these mats are designed for use in a regular bath, they can also be easily installed in a paddling pool. Al you have to do is drop the mat into the paddling pool, attach the pump and heater with the hose and then switch it on to enjoy bubbling water.

To make the experience more spa-like, you can fill your paddling pool with warm water rather than cold from your tap. You need to take care, though. You shouldn’t use water from your kettle when you begin to fill the paddling pool. This is because it could damage the plastic liner of the pool.

Instead, add an inch or two of cold or lukewarm water to begin with before then adding some boiling water from a kettle. You can also attach your garden hose to a hot tap when filling the pool with water to enjoy a warmer bathing experience, although it will be far cooler than the temperature you would experience in a hot tub.

For a quick hack on how to attach a garden hose to the hot water tap have a look here.

Is There A Better Alternative To A Paddling Pool Spa?

One of the things that deters people from purchasing a hot tub is its permanence, not to mention its expense. A standard spa can cost a considerable sum of money, and if you’re not sure that you’re going to get a lot of use from it, you may think twice before shelling out around £3000 or more for one. Also, standard spas take up a lot of space inside or outside your home. This can be prohibitive if you live in a smaller property or only have limited outdoor space.

It’s no wonder, then, that some people wonder whether they could enjoy the spa experience but without the additional cost or inconvenience. A paddling pool seems like an obvious solution. Inexpensive to purchase and highly portable, you can easily inflate it and then deflate it as necessary without any fuss or hassle.

However, as we’ve already pointed out, paddling pools aren’t designed for use as a hot tub. While there are DIY methods that enable you to get a little extra warmth and bubbles in your pool, it won’t replicate a true spa experience.

There is a handy alternative though. These days, there are a number of inflatable hot tubs on the market that offer all of the benefits of a standard spa but at a much lower price. It’s possible to buy smaller budget hot tubs for just £300 – £400 – a fraction of the cost of even the cheapest permanent spa.

Inflatable hot tubs are also very portable. Although they are heavy when they are filled with water, when they are empty you can easily move them around to different areas. Also, they can be relatively quickly inflated and deflated whenever necessary and packed away for storage.

This makes them just as convenient as a paddling pool but with the added advantage of being designed for use as a hot tub. With included water heaters and air blowers, they offer a “plug and play” experience. You won’t have to make any additional purchases – all you need to do is plug your spa into a power outlet, fill it with water and then switch it on. You’ll soon be enjoying a true spa experience in the warm, bubbly water without any fuss.

Can I Convert A Regular Swimming Pool Into A Hot Tub?

If you’re lucky enough to already have a swimming pool at your home but you’d like to enjoy a hot tub experience too, there are ways to convert your pool into your own spa without having to make an additional purchase. There are a few things you’ll need to bear in mind, though, if you’re keen to try this out.

For a start, a hot tub will have a higher water temperature than a pool. Spas have a temperature ranging between 99 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Pools, on the other hand, usually have a temperature of between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. You may need to purchase a brand-new heating system that is capable of reaching these higher temperatures, but many pools these days come with functionality built in to reach temperatures of up to 104 degrees, so an additional purchase may not be necessary.

Another consideration is the pH balance of the pool. Higher water temperatures mean that the pH balance will change more frequently. Alkalinity testing and balancing will also need to be carried out more frequently – around 3 times weekly. The water levels will also need to be checked more often since bathers lose more body fluids when using a spa when compared with using a pool.

The one major investment you’ll need to make if you wish to convert a standard pool into a jot tub is jets. Hot tubs require many jets to promote water flow and supply massaging bubbles. There are several different plumbing and nozzle configurations of jets to choose from, and you need to choose one that can produce a relaxingly mild pressure. You can also choose between stainless steel and plastic jets, although stainless steel ones are often better since they don’t corrode as easily. These jets will need to be removed and cleaned annually.

Are There Any Other Ways To Make A DIY Hot Tub?

A quick search on the internet will turn up a host of different options when it comes to making your own DIY hot tub. People have managed to make all kinds of home-built spas out of materials as diverse as old bath tubs, sofas and pool liners, bricks and concrete, or stock tanks. Some of these projects produced very impressive results. Yet, they are often only possible if you invest a lot of time and money, and if you are prepared to put in a lot of effort. It’s much easier (and often cheaper) to buy a standard or inflatable spa and enjoy the real experience.

Related Questions

How often should I use my hot tub? There is no single answer to this question. Good-quality hot tubs are designed to be used frequently, so you can use yours every day without any problems should you wish to do so.

If I’m not going to use my hot tub for a while should I drain it? If you’re not going to be using your hot tub for two weeks or longer it’s a good idea to drain all of the water out of the tub and refilling it for use when you’re ready to use it again. If you’re planning to use your tub at least once every couple of weeks, though, you should keep it full and running.