Ask the plumber: Shower-base change can be costly, involved

Q. I read your plumbing column every week and thought that you would be the perfect person to answer my question. 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 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. In short, it’s a very popular color. This means 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.

Bottom line: I’d try to stay with the biscuit shower base, because going from off-white to white could cost you a lot of green.

Ÿ Master contractor and plumber Ed Del Grande is the author of “Ed Del Grande’s House Call” and hosts TV shows on Scripps Networks and HGTVPro.com. Visit eddelgrande.com or write eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com.

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