(Picture Tom Bloom)

IS your bathtub dull, chipped, rusty or just plain dreary? There are alternatives to hauling out that 800-pound elephant and replacing it. It can be refinished, and the same things can be done with showers and countertops.

After about 10 years of scrubbing and scouring with abrasive cleaners,  the bathtub finish starts to wear off, leaving the surface porous, even if the tub is porcelain-coated. "And underneath the porcelain coating is steel, and that steel eventually starts to rust.

Acrylic and fiberglass tubs can develop hairline cracks, particularly on the bottom, which is exposed to the greatest amount of weight.  It is a smart idea to refinish your tub you will save time, labor and money.