Q I enjoy my visits to the local spa, and the best part for me is the foot bath. The spa has a foot tub built into the floor, complete with water jets, custom lounge chair and a hand shower. Since I'm planning a new bathroom, I'm wondering if I can have a foot bath installed in my own home. Any information will be welcome.
A The product you mention is called a "pedicure spa," and just like the name says, it's usually found in professional spa settings. However, even though it's basically a commercial fixture, it's still a plumbing fixture. So if you have a high-end budget and local building codes allow, there should be no reason why you can't have one installed in your bathroom.
Keep in mind, though, that these foot baths are basically mini-whirlpool tubs, complete with all the expensive bells and whistles. Also, just like a full-sized whirlpool, extra labor to frame in and hook up the tub can be costly.
Bottom line: If you want to jump in with both feet and spend a lot of money for a little whirlpool, then a built-in foot bath can turn an ordinary bathroom into your own personal pedicure spa.
Shower base color off-baseQ I have a 3- by 4-foot fiberglass shower base with tile walls. The base is a bisque-type color. I'd like to change the shower base to white, but am not sure how this is done. Is changing a shower base a big project? Or is there a way the base can be repainted easily?
A The good news is that your present shower base is a bisque-type color, commonly called "biscuit." This is a soft, creamy, off-white shade that's at home in contemporary or traditional bathrooms. It's a very popular color, so you're not stuck with a crazy color that could take away value from your home.
Changing a shower base can be a very involved project, and should be done by licensed professionals. Basically, you're looking at a "gut job" for the shower stall, and the remodeling usually spreads to other areas of the bathroom.
As for the option of coating the base with special epoxy-type paints, do your homework to see if this can be done to your satisfaction, and check local codes. Also, look for a well-known professional refinisher in your area who will put all guarantees in writing.
