Spas

Built for Comfort and Year-Round Use

Spas in Fairfax for homeowners adding wellness features to backyard pools or outdoor living areas

Pools Inc NOVA builds custom spas for homeowners who want dedicated hydrotherapy features in their outdoor spaces. You may want a spa that integrates directly into a new gunite pool, or you may prefer a standalone unit placed near your patio or deck. Either configuration allows you to use heated water throughout colder months, extending the season beyond what a standard pool offers. This service is available to homeowners in Fairfax and the surrounding region who are planning new pool projects or upgrading existing backyards.

A spa differs from a pool in function and design. Seating is contoured, jets are positioned to target muscle groups, and the water stays consistently heated. Some homeowners choose to build the spa into the raised bond beam of a gunite pool, creating a shared circulation system. Others install the spa separately to avoid shared equipment loads or to position it closer to the house. Both approaches require excavation, plumbing, electrical work, and decisions about filtration, heating, and automation systems.

If you are considering a spa as part of a pool build or as a separate backyard feature, Pools Inc NOVA can walk you through layout options and equipment sizing during a site consultation in Fairfax.

How Spas Are Configured and What You Control

When you commission a spa, you choose seating depth, jet placement, bench angles, and the type of finish applied to the interior shell. Gunite spas are hand-troweled and waterproofed just like pools, then surfaced with plaster, pebble, or tile. Jet assemblies are installed during the plumbing phase, and each line is pressure-tested before backfill. Heaters are matched to the volume of water and the desired temperature range, which typically runs between 100 and 104 degrees.

After the spa is complete, you will notice that the water stays warm regardless of air temperature, seating provides back and leg support without floating, and jets create circulation strong enough to feel in specific zones. Pools Inc NOVA sizes pumps to ensure adequate flow without overloading breakers or causing noise issues near living spaces. Lighting options include LED fixtures that mount into the bench or along the perimeter, controlled through the same system that manages your pool.

If you select an integrated spa, the spillover edge is built to cascade into the pool when the spa is running. If you choose a standalone model, the spa operates independently and does not require the pool to be filled or circulating. Covers are not included but can be added separately for heat retention and safety.

What Homeowners Ask Before Adding a Spa

Spa builds raise practical questions about costs, space requirements, and compatibility with existing pools. The following answers address the most common concerns from homeowners in Fairfax planning wellness upgrades.

What is the difference between a standalone spa and one built into a pool?

A standalone spa has its own equipment pad and operates separately, while an integrated spa shares filtration and heating systems with the pool, usually spilling water into the pool through a raised wall or spillway edge.

How much space does a spa require?

Most custom spas range from six to eight feet in diameter and require at least four feet of depth for seating and plumbing, though exact dimensions depend on the number of seats and jet count you specify.

When should I add heating equipment?

Heating is necessary if you plan to use the spa outside of summer months, and in Fairfax, most homeowners include a gas or electric heater to maintain usable temperatures from fall through early spring.

How are jets positioned?

Jet placement follows the seating layout you approve during design, with adjustable nozzles installed at lumbar, calf, and foot positions to create targeted water pressure across multiple zones.

Why do some spas have separate circulation systems?

Separate systems allow you to heat and filter spa water without running the pool pump, which reduces energy use and wear on shared equipment during months when the pool is covered.

Pools Inc NOVA works with homeowners throughout Fairfax to integrate spas into pool projects or install them as dedicated wellness features. If you are ready to add hydrotherapy to your backyard, contact our team to schedule a consultation and review layout options suited to your property.