How can I soundproof my hot tub?
Hot tub soundproofing incorporates the measures you could take to absorb all (or most) sound that comes from a hot tub. Most of the noise generated in a hot tub comes from the motor, which produces noise in the form of vibrations as it circulates the hot tub water. The noise comes when the motor loses some of its energy through the vibration that occurs due to its moving components. When you are doing soundproofing, your goal is to counter these vibrations to minimize irritation when using the hot tub.
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A couple of months ago, my parents were wondering why their hot tub was so loud and some ways they could make it quieter. I decided to do some research and this is what I found.
You bought a hot tub after learning its potential to give your loved ones a relaxed and enjoyable soaking experience. The last thing you might have expected from your hot tub is noise, which is that annoying sound that comes from the hot tub motor.
Nobody would be comfortable in a noisy environment. It could ruin your experience and annoy the people around you.
The experience is worse when you have no solution for your hot tub. If you’re preparing to buy a hot tub, you need to be ready for this problem and know what you could do about it.
If you’re looking for a waterproof hot tub cover to protect your spa from the elements, check out our full article on spa covers for information on the best ones out there!
In this article, I’ll talk about hot tub soundproofing and how it can be done.
Let’s get started!
How Can I Make My Hot Tub Quieter?
You can minimize the noise from your hot tub by enclosing it in the best way possible or by creating a surrounding barrier to your hot tub. You could also keep your hot tub quieter by seclusion from the property line, which will minimize disturbance to the people in your compound and to your neighbors.
After you address your hot tub’s motor, you could still find it making a significant noise when running. This doesn’t mean that you should not take action at all! You can take different actions to keep the sound from your hot tub to a minimum to prevent it from disturbing you or your neighbors.
The practice is helpful if the wind blows in the direction of your neighbors. Such a location would eliminate any fears for noise disturbance to the neighborhood and eliminate the need to create a barrier if you intended to make your hot tub quieter for the neighbors. I found a brick or concrete base to work perfectly to eliminate unwanted noise and sounds, but you need to use an anti-vibration mat under the motor with these bases.
I have gone further to test different materials and see what works best with hot tub soundproofing. You could make your hot tub quieter by using insulation, foam, or spray to absorb the extra noise generated from your hot tub. When you decide to use any of these options, take proper caution around the motor to ensure sufficient ventilation.
If you tried all the suggested alternatives and still find your hot tub noisy, you should change your motor and look for a quieter one from your local store. There are hot tub motors designed to work with minimal vibrations, but I would recommend this as the last option.
A gravel pad may also help with soundproofing a hot tub. Check out my full article on gravel pads for hot tubs for more information.
Why Is My Hot Tub Noisy?
I have already stated that the hot tub motor is the leading cause of hot tub noise. But this is not the only reason your hot tub is producing unwanted disturbances because there are other factors as well that can make your hot tub noisy. Some of them are as follows:
Pump Vibration
It’s not easy to notice the noise from pump vibration nearby. Thus, you’ll get complaints from neighbors who will hear a deep bass humming sound coming from your compound.
The humming sound comes from the moving components of the pump. For example, the pump vibration sets soundwaves within the hot tub’s wooden cabinet, dissipating over a vast distance.
If you’re having problems with your hot tub pump surging, check out my full article on the subject for more information!
Jets And Water Noise
I have realized that hot tub owners neglect the sound from the jets and water movement in their hot tub. It’s common to overlook such issues because you might consider it soothing. After all, it’s coming from your hot tub. If it’s not your hot tub, the noise could be too annoying that it might hinder you from sleeping.
User Noise
The last thing you want to hear is that you and your loved ones are a nuisance to your neighborhood. But believe it or not, you are! If you’re the type who likes carrying music to the hot tub, going into the hot tub with friends or family, then believe me that you’re a source of noise to your neighbors, and some might complain over to you.
Hot tub privacy can also help in reducing noise, check out my full article on making your spa more private for more information.
Amplifying Decking
If your hot tub is standing on a deck, the deep bass humming sound from the pump increases due to amplification. Your deck is usually hollow and acts as an amplifier, thereby increasing the noise intensity when it travels throughout the deck. The deck supporting your hot tub will act like the body of an acoustic guitar or a violin, indicating how it will cause sound amplification.
Check out my full article on putting a hot tub on a deck for more information.
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Learn MoreCan Neighbors Complain About Hot Tub Noise?
Neighbors can complain about a hot tub noise, primarily when the hot tub is located in a corner near their homestead. They will also complain when the wind is moving in their direction from the hot tub. The two aspects transmit excessive noise to the neighborhood for the hot tubs that do not have soundproofing.
When a neighbor complains about the noise coming from your compound, it is a good practice to listen and then explain the cause of the noise. You could then respond to prevent disturbance to the neighbors by moving your hot tub away from the perimeter.
I agree that you can put your hot tub wherever you want in your compound but remember that it is always good to be considerate of the people around you by minimizing disturbances. If you haven’t installed your hot tub, bear in mind that its location could make you get complaints from neighbors.
If you don’t have the option of keeping the hot tub far due to the small size of your compound, employ any of the suggested methods to make it quieter.
How Do You Soundproof A Spa?
I found two methods that work perfectly in soundproofing a Spa. The first method is spray foaming, which involves filling all the voids in the spa cabinet with spray foam. The foam will help in deadening and insulating the sound. Interestingly, it will offer you a bonus that involves making the hot tub more efficient on energy consumption and cutting down the cost of electricity.
Make sure to place the foam in the larger voids, keeping away from spaces that serve as ventilation channels. Target the parts with jets and piping and avoid areas with working components like filtration/heating and pumping equipment.
Another incredible alternative is to use fiberglass panels in your spa. These materials are easy to cut, fix by the sides of your spa, and place along the underside of the component. Owens Corning is among the best fiberglass to soundproof your spa. If your local store doesn’t have an alternative for you, find one online for delivery — bearing in mind that the delivery costs could be relatively high.
Check out my full article on hot tub insulation for more information on how to soundproof your hot tub and keep it warm at the same time!
What Is Best To Put Under A Hot Tub For Sound Reduction?
The best bases I found for a hot tub to ensure sound reductions are brick and concrete options. It would help if you aimed at keeping your base solid because it will minimize the transmission of the vibrations. You may also consider putting your hot tub on anti-vibration materials like the foam, available online. The benefit of putting the hot tub motor on a sound deadening material is that it addresses the noisy motor and the sounds coming from the jets, the heater, and the pumps.
The surface on which a hot tub rests makes a difference in the amount of noise generated from the motor. For example, your hot tub could be very noisy and annoying when sitting on the deck because loose slats will vibrate and make a lot of noise.
Besides, the space underneath your deck will amplify the echoed soundwaves to produce a lot of noise. This is why I recommend using a sturdy base under your hot tub for significant sound reduction.
How To Soundproof A Hot Tub Motor Pump?
Sound deadening mats are quick and easy to install. They’re also capable of delivering excellent results because they are made from butyl rubber. It would help if you lined the bottom of the motor housing using a sound deadening mat. You could also put the housing on the mat if it is not in a fixed position. Line the housing with the mat to promote further absorption of the noise from the hot tub motor.
I have seen that the hot tub motor pump is not noisy itself. The noise comes from vibration as the motor tries to lose some of its energy when it operates. I have tested and seen that the best way to soundproof a motor pump is to isolate it from the surface it rests. You can separate the motor pump by lying it on foam or a sound deadening mat to dampen the vibrations. You should never insulate the motor directly because it could cause it to overheat.
I recommend the thermal and vapor insulation shield from US Energy Products for adding insulation inside a hot tub cabinet.
Hot Tub Noise Insulation
Noise insulation is required for most inexpensive hot tubs because they are often poorly insulated. These hot tubs will not usually come with housing, but you could build yours to ensure insulation against the noise. The requirements for accomplishing this function include a sound deadening material, a sound deadening mat or a mass-loaded vinyl, and a medium-density fiberboard. You’ll also require acoustic caulk, acoustic foam, nails, and glue.
You need to measure the hot tub motor and add a few inches to every measurement to compensate for the materials and the ventilation spaces. The MDF is then cut for each of the sizes and one for the lid. You should put one hole on the lid and another one at the back, but more holes could be added.
However, noise insulation ability will decrease with the number of ventilation holes on the housing. You should then glue a sound deadening material and seal the edges using acoustic caulk. Add another layer of acoustic foam and seal the edges again with caulk. Use nails to build the box on each side and finish by sealing the edges with acoustic caulk. After you’re done, sit the resultant box on the hot tub motor to get you moving.
The project is relatively easy and efficient in noise insulation. I advise you to provide enough ventilation to make sure the motor functions correctly.
Can You Soundproof A Hot Tub Enclosure?
Yes, you can. Soundproofing a hot tub enclosure is possible using spray foam, insulation panels, and noise panels. Read on to find out how you can use each of these methods.
Spray Foam
Spray foam is also an effective alternative for soundproofing a hot tub motor. Interestingly, the foam will deaden and insulate the motor pump. This means that you’ll not only have a quieter hot tub but a hot tub that is more energy-efficient. When you’re applying the spray foam, make sure you do not extend to the parts that could get too hot and those that require ventilation. Target the large voids where jets and piping are located, avoiding the working components.
I recommend the Great Stuff Pro foam for sealing small problem areas that may be causing a lot of noise inside the hot tub.
Insulation Panels
You can enclose a hot tub by adding insulation panels in the hot tub. The material that works best for this function is fiberglass. There are different qualities of fiberglass whose functionality and installation differ. Specifically, the pink rolls available in your local dealer are not of the best quality and might be disappointing. Therefore, you could use fiberglass panels for the best results with insulation.
I recommend the Ceramic Fiber Fire Blanket for best results.
Noise Panels
The majority of the hot tubs release not less than 41 decibels of sound when multiple operations run. However, the intensity varies across brands, with some reaching 67 decibels of noise. If your hot tub sits on a wooden deck or a loose control box, the noise intensity could worsen. Noise panels could be an excellent solution to minimizing the sound.
Silencing your hot tub will require you to understand the cause of the noise. For example, the hot tub could be noisy because it is too close to the ground. An easy solution to such a case is to use noise panels such as plywood. Lay the plywood between the floor and the hot tub to solve the problem.
I recommend the acoustic panels from Burdurry for insulating a hot tub enclosure.
What Is The Quietest Hot Tub?
I have found Highlife Collection from Hot Spring Spas to be the quietest in the market. You can tell that a hot tub is quiet from the pump it uses and the insulation.
Circulation pumps are recommended for a hot tub because they move less water volume, are small-sized, and are less noisy when compared to the two-speed pumps that circulate at low speed while jetting at high speed. The circulation pumps are designed to be quieter and are typically mounted on a rubber pad. Good insulation is also essential because it encases the waterlines and plumbing works to eliminate vibration and noise from the hot tub cabinet.
The Hot Spring Spas manufactures hot tubs using SilentFlo 5000 type circulation pumps. These pumps are designed to ensure that you never hear a vibration or a noise from the hot tub. Incredibly, the circ pump draws less power than a forty-watt lightbulb when it comes to cleaning and heating, meaning that your operating costs will be more efficient when using these hot tubs.
The type of insulation materials on Highlife Collection hot tub enclosures comprises innovative FiberCor, which fill their cabinets to increase soundproofing capability by up to four times compared to an average hot tub. Other hot tubs from this brand use multiple high-density layers or even polyurethane foam for insulation
Hot Tub Soundproofing: Conclusion
Hot Tub Soundproofing is necessary if your hot tub produces sounds that are annoying to you and your neighbors. Hot tub soundproofing is all actions that help to absorb all the noise from a hot tub (or most of it). The hot tub motor is the biggest source of noise caused by vibration when the motor is operating.
A surrounding barrier, an enclosure, and seclusion of a hot tub from the property line are all strategies you could adopt to make your hot tub quieter. Your hot tub could be noisy because of pump vibration, jets and water noise, user noise, and amplification from the decking.
Neighbors can complain about a noisy hot tub, but you can insulate it using foam or fiberglass. You could also insulate a hot tub housing using spray foam, insulating panels, and noise panels.
I found Highlife Collection from Hot Spring Spas to be the quietest in the market because they use circulation pumps and excellent insulation materials. Make the right decisions using the information I provided in this article to keep your hot tub quieter.
If you’re wondering if you can leave your hot tub on all the time, the answer is yes but there are some things you should know. Check out my full article on the subject for more information.
Check out this great article from Arctic Spas about hot tub insulation for more information on keeping a hot tub warm and quiet during winter!
I hope you found this article about soundproofing a hot tub helpful.
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James Brockbank
Stop wasting time and money with hot tub maintenance and confusing water chemistry! Get Instant access to this easy-to-use book and video course so you can spend less time cleaning and more time soaking.
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