Whether it’s a pesky yellow stain on your glass shower or a crusty film of soap scum on your shower door, hard water stains can be tough to get rid of. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can tackle those pesky stains without resorting to harsh chemicals. These natural cleansers are sure to leave your shower looking like new again!
Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that can kill bacteria and germs. White vinegar can be used to remove hard water stains from glass shower doors and faucet heads, as well as soap scum. It is an effective alternative to harsh chemicals and can be easily purchased at your local grocery store. If you have a showerhead that is soiled with mineral deposits, try wrapping it in a plastic bag and filling it with white vinegar. The acetic acid in the vinegar will break down the mineral deposit build-up. Leave it in the solution for up to 30 minutes.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great cleaning product and it can be used to remove pesky shower stains. It can be used as a mild abrasive, scouring agent and deodorizer to dissolve dirt, tackle odors, and cut through grime. All you have to do is combine a mixture of vinegar and water to create a cleaning solution and apply it to the stained area. Then you can wipe it clean with a cloth. And the best thing about baking soda is that it’s affordable and effective at many of its cleaning tricks.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic liquid that’s traditionally used to clean cuts and skin wounds. But the stuff is also useful for disinfecting, whitening and stain removal. You can use hydrogen peroxide on pretty much anything in your home, as long as you don’t use too strong of a concentration. And it’s safer than bleach, too! Mix a solution of baking soda and 3% hydrogen peroxide for a paste that will help get rid of pesky shower stains. Or spray it onto mildewy shower curtains, walls, and tile surfaces to kill the mold and mildew that’s built up there.
Taking a nice, hot shower is one of the best ways to start your morning. So, when you go to hop in the shower only to find that it’s leaking, has low water pressure or needs other repairs, you’re starting the day off on the wrong foot. But how much will shower repair cost, and should you even attempt it yourself? Keep reading to find out.
The average cost of shower repair
The nationwide average to fix a shower ranges from $140 to $180. However, that price tag can be as high as $600 or more in some situations. You can generally expect to save some money by hiring a plumber to fix your shower as soon as you notice something’s amiss.
Factors affecting that cost
It’d be nice if plumbers could just charge a flat rate for all shower repair jobs. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Here are a few of the factors that make your repair cheaper or more expensive:
Type of repair: The first thing to consider is the type of repair required. If your shower is slow to drain, a plumber can come out and snake it to free up the clog. This is a quick, easy and cheap fix. However, addressing poor water pressure or replacing tiles could cost $600 or more.
Type of shower: The type of shower you have also plays a role in the cost. If you have a standard shower/tub combination, your plumber probably won’t charge as much as they would for someone with a stone tile shower with a rain shower faucet. This price difference is due to the intricacies involved and the parts required for repair.
Repairs vs. replacement: Sometimes, the shower is beyond repair, and the entire fixture needs to be replaced. When that’s the case, you could be facing a bill of anywhere from $1,000 to $8,000, depending on the type of shower you want. The national average for complete shower replacement is about $5,800.
The benefits of professional shower repair
Homeowners with some basic plumbing know-how may be tempted to fix their shower by themselves, but we don’t recommend it. These are a few reasons to call an expert instead:
No hassle: Plumbing is never an easy task. Even a relatively simple job like snaking a clogged drain can be a challenge for a homeowner. Save yourself a ton of trouble by just bringing in a professional to take care of it.
Guaranteed results: When you hire a professional, you can trust that the problem will be solved once and for all. Whether it’s a clogged drain or cracked tiles, an expert will solve all of your problems.
Cost savings: It sounds counterintuitive, but a plumber can actually save you money. This is because the problem will be solved as soon as possible, and you won’t run the risk of causing water damage to your home.
Call us from the get-go
The next time you need shower repair, just call our team at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. Our pros can perform everything from minor to major shower repairs and resurfacing, and we even offer free estimates for all of our services.
If you’ve ever stepped into your shower or bath only to notice that a crack is developing along the floor, you might be tempted to ignore it. However, overlooking this problem could lead to much worse damage down the line. Whether you’re noticing fiberglass cracks or another type of shower base is cracking in Phoenix, AZ, you should consider calling for professional repair as soon as possible.
Why your shower or bathtub is cracking
Showers and baths are commonly made of either porcelain or fiberglass. Fiberglass is a highly porous and flexible material that can bend over time, especially if you stand in the same place to shower each day. Porcelain is more prone to cracking from heavy objects being dropped on its surface, or the use of heavy-duty abrasive cleaners. You should pay careful attention to any dings or divots in your porcelain tub, as they can degrade over time into full-on cracks.
There are two types of cracks: stress fractures and hairline cracks. Stress fractures develop when you drop a heavy object on your bathtub or shower floor, whereas hairline cracks are from repeated abuse over time. Both are simple enough to patch if you catch them in time, typically with premade kits from your local hardware store.
Professional repair or DIY?
When should you turn to the pros for your shower and bathtub repair? When your shower or bathtub is showing signs of heavy wear, including multiple cracks, it’s smart to either replace your tub or call in a professional shower and tub refinisher, like A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. The service will cost more than a simple DIY job, but it comes with the added benefits of professional expertise as well as advice on how to properly maintain your bathtub and shower in the future.
Professional repair and refinishing should be able to return your tub to a “like-new” condition, depending on the extent of the damage. If your bathroom’s appearance is important to you or if you need to be absolutely sure your bathtub won’t further crack and leak, then you should opt for a professional repair.
DIY kits can get the job done, too. They come with an agent to seal and fill the crack, or repaint the surface. However, you do run the risk of a poor color match or mistakes in application, as with any DIY repair project. We recommend using DIY kits if you can catch small cracks fast, but anything bigger should be left to the pros.
Repair your fiberglass shower cracks in Phoenix, AZ
The team at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. can repair and refinish your bathtub, shower, sink, vanity and tiles so your bathroom looks brand-new—with no messy demolition and expensive replacement work required. For over 40 years, we have worked hard to restore our customers’ bathtubs and showers so they look like new. Call us today to discuss your refinishing needs and to get a quote. We look forward to assisting you soon.
If there are cracks in your bathtub’s floor, the good news is that, in most cases, you don’t need to replace the whole tub. You could try to do it yourself, but this isn’t a great idea. Often with DIY projects like these, you end up creating more problems than you solve. In an effort to save money in the short run, you actually lose money in the long run if the job isn’t done properly.
Instead, you should hire a local expert for shower repair in Glendale, AZ. A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC specializes in fixing cracked fiberglass tubs. Here are some things to know before you get started.
The importance of repairing a cracked shower
You may think that leaving a crack alone is no big deal. Sure, shower cracks are ugly, but who’s going to be looking in your shower that closely anyway? Well, the reality is that beyond the cosmetic issue, cracks in the tub are liable to do serious damage to your home’s foundation.
When a repair professional comes in, that means you’ll be able to get to the root of the problem. It could be issues with caulking, loose tiles, structural deterioration or poor materials.
Inspecting the area
Take a look at the crack in the shower floor. Does the floor flex around the crack when you put pressure on it? If it doesn’t, this is a good sign. If it does flex, then that means there may be an issue with the shower pan. Poor construction could mean that the shower pan will need to be repaired or replaced. This will be a more major repair.
Maintaining the shower
The professionals from A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC have taken care of everything in terms of repairs. Regular maintenance can help prevent future problems from popping up. Here’s what we recommend:
To ensure that the repairs are fully set, don’t use your shower for 48 hours afterwards.
When cleaning the shower, don’t use abrasives, scouring pads or harsh acids. This will help you avoid ruining the shower floor.
Sometimes dust particles will attach to the surface while it is still drying. No need to pick at it or try to solve it yourself. These will work out on their own as you continue to use and clean the shower.
Avoid using removable bath mats with suction cups.
It’s also good practice to regularly clean your shower. We recommend using cleaners like Lysol Tub and Tile, Dow Tub and Tile, Fantastis, 409 and bleach with a bit of water.
Shower repair in Glendale, AZ has never been easier with help from A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC. Over the last four decades, we’ve proven ourselves to be the leader in bathtub and shower refinishing services in the Phoenix area. Our trained experts do all manner of bathroom repair, including tubs, shower and sinks. We will also refinish tubs, showers, sinks, tiles and vanities. Call us today for all of your bathroom repair and refinishing needs!
Regardless of which materials your shower is made of, years of daily use take a big toll, which eventually causes damage to your shower. Many professionals would agree that a leaky shower is one of the worst problems you can run into. Damage from leaks doesn’t just end in your bathroom, and the problems don’t stop as soon as you fix the leak. Keep reading to learn all about shower leaks and how you can prevent them from happening in your bathroom:
Floor damage: The first danger posted by a leaking shower is damage to the bathroom floor. The last thing you want is pools of water collecting around the base of the shower. Unless the leak is addressed quickly, the water will continue to pool up on the floor and can begin to rot the floorboards underneath. What if the floor gets so weak that the ceiling below collapses? That’s a major issue that you really don’t want to deal with! Call us for shower repair in Glendale, AZ as soon as you notice a pool of water. We’ll diagnose and fix the problem as quickly as possible.
Wall damage: The second issue with a leak will probably have to do with the wall adjacent to your shower. Water from the leak will seep into the drywall and wreak havoc if it’s not repaired promptly. If your shower is leaking against the wall, you’ll want to have the area inspected by a drywall contractor. A professional is the only person who will be able to tell just how much damage the leak has caused and what needs to be done to correct the problem.
Mold issues: One of the worst parts about having a leaky shower is the fact that your worries aren’t over after the repairman is finished with the job. Mold growth resulting from leaks is a major concern. Be sure you call a professional for mold remediation after your leak has been addressed and your shower has been fixed. Mold removal experts will get your house and bathroom back in order so you can live without worry that your health is in danger.
While major repairs will almost certainly need to be handled by a professional, there are some steps you can take to mitigate the risk of leak damage:
Making repairs in a timely manner: The best way to avoid problems caused by leaks is to call a repair service to fix cracks in your shower as soon as you notice them. The earlier your crack is repaired, the less damage you’ll have to deal with. And just as importantly, the faster your crack is fixed, the cheaper the repair will be.
Caulking often: If you haven’t checked the caulk around the fixtures in your bathroom in a while, it’s time to do so! Ensuring that all of your bathroom fixtures have fresh caulk is a major key in leak prevention. If you’re not sure of how much caulk you need around your shower, give us a call. We can caulk all of your fixtures to ensure you’re protected against leaks and other big problems.
If you’re shower is leaking, don’t wait around before calling A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC for shower repair in Glendale, AZ. We’re available seven days a week to fix all sorts of issues with your showers, tubs and sinks.
