Steam Away Stress

Not long ago, you had to join a health club or visit a posh retreat to enjoy a spa experience. Now, high-tech home innovations can turn your own bath into a daily resort.

Dan Weeks

Spa Plumbing

Don Lapierre, owner of Mr. Rooter® Plumbing of Rhode Island, recommends that your hot-water heater be at least two-thirds the capacity of your tub. For instance, “A 60-gallon hot-water tank will serve a 90-gallon tub adequately, but the rest of the water in your house will be cold after the tub is filled,” he says. “To upgrade, you can either install a bigger heater or supplement your existing heater with an additional one.” Steam generators also should be sized to fit the dimensions of the shower enclosure, Lapierre notes. Installing a unit that’s too large wastes space and energy; a unit that’s too small can’t produce steam quickly enough to create the desired effect. The material of the shower’s surface also makes a difference. For example, natural stone requires a bigger generator than tile does. If you’re on a budget, Lapierre recommends trying to keep the location of bath fixtures the same when you remodel so plumbing is kept to a minimum. “The good news,” he says, “is that if you keep the location of fixtures the same, you can use the money you save to buy some really nice replacements.”

Imagine sinking up to your neck in a deep tub where slow-moving water continually laves you with a gentle, natural-hot-springs rhythm. Tiny, effervescent bubbles caress your skin, and soothing, ever-changing colored lighting adds to the relaxation.

This isn’t a five-star hotel; it’s home sweet spa.

My Tub Runneth Over

An overflowing tub, complete with chromatherapy lighting system and bubble generator, isn’t your only option for a supreme soak. These days, a whole new class of amenities is joining traditional hot-tub and water-jet whirlpools. New massaging tubs are likely to include quieter air jets instead of noisy water jets. The heated-air varieties are just as effective—and the comparative hush lets you relax a bit easier.

If you carry the tensions of your day in your neck and shoulders (and who doesn’t?), the ultimate in body pampering may well be your own private in-bath waterfall. A continuous, high-volume cascade of warm water deeply stimulates your muscles, your skin and your spirit.

All the Bells and Whistles

On the other hand, if you’re in the mood for some entertainment, a big-screen plasma TV, with floating remote and a waterproof keyboard for web surfing—all built into the tub—is available. And a burgeoning line of waterproof speakers can deliver premium sound right inside the tub enclosure.

With so much to do right in the tub, you may never want to leave—and that’s okay because an in-line water heater can ensure that your recirculating tub stays just as warm at the end of a long soak as it was when you climbed in. No more draining off cooling water and stirring in some more from the hot tap—now that’s luxury!

Shower Power

For years, tub lovers got all the luxury and shower seekers had to make do with the same old overhead spray. Sure, you could upgrade your stall with a massaging showerhead, a telephone-style sprayer or one that adjusted up and down. But taking a shower was still the same utilitarian experience.

No more! Bath manufacturers have brought all the luxury and technology to the shower that they formerly lavished only on upscale tubs. Now you don’t have to get into deep water to have a spa experience. Another benefit of premium showers: They deliver many of the perks of premium tubs but take up less space and require no fill time.

Personal Programming

Picture this: You step into a big, luxurious enclosure and push a button. Water—heated to the perfect temperature you select—seems to come from everywhere as multiple adjustable spray heads pulse, giving you a quick rhythmic wet-down that doubles as a massage. These new-style jets can be mounted on the enclosure walls between knee and neck levels, as well as on the ceiling and on adjustable arms, so you can configure the experience to your liking and height. What’s more, the whole show is controlled by computer, so each family member can program a personalized shower into memory.

Taking Care of Basics

While installing a high-end spa, take a look at some of the more functional aspects of your bath. Perhaps they could use some attention as well. Lavatories: Often, dripping faucets can be inexpensively repaired, but consider replacing those fixtures to match the materials, look and quality of your new spa. Or upgrade your entire lavatory with a color- and style-coordinated one. Toilets: If your home is one of those with a first-generation low-flow toilet, you know that many of these units often require annoying, and water-wasting, repeated flushes and plunging to clear the bowl. Newer models use no additional water and are far more effective. If you choose a one-piece or wall-hung unit, you get a sleeker look plus the benefits of a fixture that’s easier to clean around. Water quality: If your soap doesn’t lather sufficiently, you probably have hard, or mineral-laden, water. That condition can also make bath surfaces and fixtures hard to clean. Fortunately, installing a water softener solves the problem. (Generally the unit tucks away in a basement or utility room.) If objectionable tastes or odors plague your water, consider installing a whole-house water purification system.

As if that weren’t enough, you can also add a steam generator, surround-sound stereo—even a hands-free phone link. Telecommuters used to brag that they could work in their pajamas—now they’ll be able to join conference calls from the shower.

Take the Plunge

If you haven’t the room or the budget for a brand-new, built-in “performance shower,” other options offer similar experiences for a little less coin. An off-the-shelf spa-shower kit installs like a conventional stall but includes most power-shower goodies such as multiple sprays, mixing valves and even lighting and sound systems.

Finally, if you like your conventional shower stall but want a bit more kick, you can upgrade it with body spa shower panels. These install against one or more walls of the stall and are equipped with water jets, arranged vertically from knee to neck levels.