How to Make an indoor Spa at Home

You can turn your master bathroom or a spare bathroom into an indoor spa simply by adding to, converting or redesigning some of the equipment that is already there. Read on to learn how to make an indoor spa at home.

Things You'll Need

• Whirlpool bath mat
• Pipe in different lengths and sizes
• Pipe fittings (straight and curved)
• Pipe nipples (should be copper, brass or other metal suitable for plumbing use)
• Pipe cutting tool
• Electric drill or other hole-cutting tool
• Adjustable wrench
• Ratchet wrench with 1-inch socket
• Teflon tape/solder
• Caulking

Instructions

1. Be sure the bottom of your tub has been cleaned and all cleaning products rinsed away thoroughly.

2. Unfold your whirlpool bath mat, and position it in the bottom of the tub.

3. Following manufacturer’s instructions, attach the hose to the motor, then place the motor to where it cannot be tripped over, kicked or stepped on, and where water cannot be splashed or spilled on to it.

4. Attach the other end of the hose to the bath mat.

5. Plug in the motor.

6. Fill your tub with warm water, use your remote control to turn the motor on, make whatever massage intensity and bubble flow adjustments you need to make your bathing experience more relaxing, and enjoy.

7. Have a steam generator professionally installed, or installed by someone who is very experienced with this sort of thing. You can then install the steam head into the existing shower yourself.

8. Turn off the water supply to the bathroom.

9. Open all faucets, both hot and cold, in the bathroom, including those in the sinks and tub. Allow the water to drain from the pipes. This will give you a drier working area.

10. Remove the existing shower head and base. If necessary, clean around the area where these parts were attached to remove rust, grime or water deposits.

11. Using the drill or similar hole cutting tool, enlarge the existing hole, if necessary. The hole for the steam head should be 2½ inches in diameter.

12. Run a 1/2 inch pipe from where it will attach to the steam generator to where it will attach to the steam head itself. The pipe cannot run down then up, but it can run either up and down or side to side.

13. Install a 1/2 inch curved pipe fitting to the end of the pipe where it will connect with the steam head.

14. Apply a good size bead of caulking around the steam head, then fit the steam head onto the housing, making sure that it is installed in the proper position. Refer to installation instructions. Make sure it is firmly seated.

15. Finish installing the other parts and accessories of the steam shower kit, turn the water back on, and enjoy your steam shower.

16. Attach the assembly units first, following the instructions included with the kit, securely fitting the bolt to the nut.

17. Decide where you want the towel bar and the power supply box to be located.

18. Following installation instructions, install the power supply box and any cover plates or other additional items that come with the power supply box. Make sure the power is off to the bathroom before you do this step.

19. Feed the cord through the end of the wire cover tube, then insert the tube into the cover plate.

20. Lightly mark where the entire bar assembly will attach to the wall once it is completely assembled, then remove the unit and set it aside.

21. Install any fasteners, supports or housing attachments that will be needed to hold the unit to the wall. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

22. Run the wires through the unit, following installation instructions, attach them to the power source, and attach any coverings that fit over the wiring and power source housing.

23. Install any timers, on/off switches or other necessary controls.

24. Restore power to the bathroom, plug in the heated towel bar unit, and check to see if it is working properly.

25. Fire it up, and start warming those towels.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can place the motor for your whirlpool bath mat in a cabinet or under a sink without damaging the air hose or power cord, by all means do so.

• If you are fortunate to have a separate cut-off valve that controls the water supply to the bathroom, it will not be necessary to cut off the water to the entire house. However, if you don’t have individual cut-off valves, it will be necessary to cut the water supply to the entire house

• Your heated towel bar unit can be used to add additional heat to a chilly bathroom on those frosty mornings.

• Shop around a little bit before making your selections for any of the items listed in this article. You may can find a similar item that works just as well for a lower price.

• Once you have made all your conversions, really get into the spa experience by buying bath salts, body lotions and other items similar to those used in spas. Also set the mood with soft lighting or candles, by scenting the air with a light air freshener, flowers, or similar items and by playing soft music.

• Wait until you have entered the tub and sat down to operate your whirlpool bath mat. The bubbles blowing up on and around your feet might cause you to lose your footing.

• Severe burns could result from someone touching the steam head. Therefore, when installing your steam head for your steam shower, make sure it is placed in a location where it will be hard, if not impossible, for bare skin to come into contact with it, A good place to consider is on the shower wall, where the previous shower head is a good spot. The hole is already drilled, and may just need enlarging slight

• All pipe connections must be Teflon tape/soldered. PVC or solvent cement cannot be used. Soldering requires the use of flame, which can easily ignite surrounding areas and possible spread to other rooms or the entire house. So, if you are not sure you can do the soldering properly, ask someone who knows what they are doing to help you.

• So that it will not become a fire hazard, make sure your heated towel bar unit is not located too close to any overhanging shelves or other items, and is far enough off the floor or away from baseboards.

• Make sure your power source to which any piece of equipment is connected is in good working order and properly grounded. Water and electricity do not mix. An electric current running through water will kill you.

• Check with your doctor before using either a whirlpool tub mat or a steam shower. Certain medical conditions will not allow you to use these appliances.