So, you’ve recently restored your porcelain or fiberglass bathtub—congratulations! Now that it’s looking fresh and new, we bet you want to keep it that way. Professional bathtub refinishing can add years to your tub’s lifespan, especially if you care for it properly.
Here’s how to take the best care of your “new” tub so that it stays looking clean and restored for years to come. If you have any questions, be sure to ask A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C.—we’re the experts on bathtub maintenance in Phoenix, AZ:
Wait for the curing period to conclude: Your bathtub refinishing will include a curing period, during which the refinished covering will have the opportunity to fully set. It takes about 90 days to cure completely, although you’ll be able to use your tub within 48 to 72 hours of the refinishing process.
Clean and caulk the faucet: Keeping errant moisture away from your tub ensures that you won’t have to deal with water damage or erosion. Check the caulking every month or so to make sure there are no problems developing.
Scrub with gentle cleaners only: Liquid soap or body wash is one of the gentlest ways to clean your tub—simply scrub and rinse away for a clean, fresh tub. You can also ask your tub refinishing team what kind of cleaners they suggest. As a general rule, stay away from abrasive soaps, brushes and cleaning tools. They will scratch the shiny new finish and make it harder for you to maintain your tub’s new finish.
Wax every one to three months: Much like your car, your bathtub needs to be waxed—and you can even use car wax to do it. About a week after your tub is refinished, wax it for the first time. Then wait a month and do it again in order to keep the finish looking brand-new. Simply take auto wax and apply it according to the directions, buff with a soft cloth and rinse away. Be sure to buff gently, as you don’t want to scratch the finish with too much elbow grease.
Repair chips right away: If you notice chips in your finish, repair them before they get worse—you can either have a professional come repair them, or get a porcelain repair kit from the hardware store. As a general rule, the bigger the chip, the more likely you’ll want a pro to handle the repairs, unless you don’t care whether it looks good (but if you’ve just had your tub refinished, we suspect attractiveness is on your mind).
Avoid suction cups: Non-slip bathmats and other items with suction cups are great to keep you from slipping, but hot water can react with the suction cups and damage your tub’s finish. Avoid using these in your tub.
Keep surfaces dry: Finally, wipe down your tub after using so the surfaces remain dry, and never leave washcloths or sponges lying in the tub.
A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. performs bathtub repair in Phoenix, AZ—call us today to get started with an appointment.
Eventually, all of our home fixtures will wear out at one time or another. Bathtubs are not immune—sometimes they can be refinished, but at others, it’s more prudent to replace your bathtub entirely. How do you know when you need to get a new tub, or when you can get by with bathtub repair in Phoenix, AZ? Read on to find out.
When to replace your bathtub
The first thing to evaluate is how bad the damage is. Is your tub cracked? Is it buckling from repeated weight? Is it leaking from its drain or supply lines? That’s a sure sign that you need to go ahead and replace it with a brand-new tub. Otherwise, you could see water damage to your floors, walls and ceilings if left unattended.
When you notice these serious issues with your bathtub, you need to get it fixed right away. Try not to use the tub if you can avoid it—otherwise, you’ll be increasing the likelihood of more costly repairs to the surrounding room.
When to refinish and repair your bathtub
If your tub’s damage is minor, like dents, dings and discoloration, you can have the tub refinished and complete any necessary bathtub repair in Phoenix, AZ. Both fiberglass and porcelain tubs are good candidates for refinishing, and they can often leave your tub looking like new. If your tub is otherwise in good shape, refinishing it can add new life to the tub and extend its lifespan by several years. It’s a much more economical option than simply replacing your tub—you’ll avoid needing to hire a contractor to rip it out, install a new one, fix the walls and pay for landfill fees and demolition services.
Refinishing a bathtub is a simple process that takes very little time from start to finish—you can start using your bathtub in as little as 24 to 48 hours after it’s refinished. First, the contractors will strip the caulking and remove the hardware like faucets, drains and more. Then they lightly sand the surface so that the new glaze can stick. If there are still dings and dents, they’ll fill those first so the glaze goes on smoothly.
Next, the contractor will prime the bathtub, which can require several layers. The primer needs time to dry in between. Then they’ll spray on several layers of a top coat. Depending on the top coat used, the contractor may need to come back to buff the tub before it’s finished, but many top coats are good to go as soon as they’re cured.
After the top coat is applied, it will need a period of time to cure. At that point, you’ll be able to use your tub once again, and it will look just like new.
In short, when your tub has major damage, you’ll need to bite the bullet to replace the entire fixture. However, if it just has cosmetic damage, you can hire a contractor for bathtub repair in Phoenix, AZ.
When your sinks and tubs need a facelift, call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C.
Rust stains occur when iron in your tap water oxidizes and clings to the surface of your sinks and tubs. The telltale orange stains are common in areas that have a lot of iron in the water, and if you use bleach-based cleaners, you can actually make the stains even worse. If you’re experiencing a rusted bathtub in Phoenix, AZ, here’s how to clean and prevent rust stains.
Cleaning rust stains
There are two all-natural ways to get rid of rust stains in your bathtubs and sinks. First, lemon and salt make a highly-effective cleaning combo: squeeze lemon juice over the stains to dampen them, then sprinkle regular table or kosher salt over the stains. Allow to sit for several hours, then gently clean with a fresh microfiber cloth. Rinse clean to remove any lingering lemon juice or salt.
You can achieve similar results using baking soda and water. Make a paste by mixing baking soda and water together (it should be thick and hold its shape, similar to arts and crafts paste), then apply it to the rust stains. Let the mixture sit overnight, then use a clean cloth to wipe the stains away. Rinse and repeat if needed.
If neither of these methods works, try using a little elbow grease and a cleaning screen, available at most hardware stores, to get the job done. It’s slightly more abrasive then scrubbing sponges and will help remove any remaining rust. Oxalic acid can also remove the rust stains, although it is not natural like the other solutions.
Preventing rust stains
Now that you’ve gotten rid of the rust, here are some steps you can take toward rust stain prevention in Phoenix, AZ:
Install a water softener or purifier: The most effective way of getting rust stains out of your bathtubs is to eliminate the iron altogether. Installing a water softener or purifier that’s designed to remove iron will solve the problem at its source and provide the most long-lasting results.
Rinse and wipe down your tub after each use: You can keep your tub clean by making sure to rinse down its walls and sides after each use, then wiping them down with a towel. This helps remove any iron residue, even if you can’t see it in the water.
Don’t store metal in the tub: Do you have metal cans or other metal tools sitting around in your shower or bathtub? This can leave behind rings and other rusty remnants. Store your metal cans and items in a cabinet that will protect the metal from humidity.
Clean your bathtub once a week: Finally, cleaning your bathtub at least once weekly will go a long way toward eliminating rust buildup. If you notice stains starting to form, use one of the methods above to remove them—it will be easier the earlier you catch them. And remember, never use bleach.
If your tub is too far gone, call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., LLC. We can refinish your rusted porcelain and fiberglass tubs and sinks in Phoenix, AZ so they look brand new.
Rust stains occur when iron in your tap water oxidizes and clings to the surface of your sinks and tubs. The telltale orange stains are common in areas that have a lot of iron in the water, and if you use bleach-based cleaners, you can actually make the stains even worse. If you’re experiencing a rusted bathtub in Phoenix, AZ, here’s how to clean and prevent rust stains.
Cleaning rust stains
There are two all-natural ways to get rid of rust stains in your bathtubs and sinks. First, lemon and salt make a highly-effective cleaning combo: squeeze lemon juice over the stains to dampen them, then sprinkle regular table or kosher salt over the stains. Allow to sit for several hours, then gently clean with a fresh microfiber cloth. Rinse clean to remove any lingering lemon juice or salt.
You can achieve similar results using baking soda and water. Make a paste by mixing baking soda and water together (it should be thick and hold its shape, similar to arts and crafts paste), then apply it to the rust stains. Let the mixture sit overnight, then use a clean cloth to wipe the stains away. Rinse and repeat if needed.
If neither of these methods works, try using a little elbow grease and a cleaning screen, available at most hardware stores, to get the job done. It’s slightly more abrasive then scrubbing sponges and will help remove any remaining rust. Oxalic acid can also remove the rust stains, although it is not natural like the other solutions.
Preventing rust stains
Now that you’ve gotten rid of the rust, here are some steps you can take toward rust stain prevention in Phoenix, AZ:
Install a water softener or purifier: The most effective way of getting rust stains out of your bathtubs is to eliminate the iron altogether. Installing a water softener or purifier that’s designed to remove iron will solve the problem at its source and provide the most long-lasting results.
Rinse and wipe down your tub after each use: You can keep your tub clean by making sure to rinse down its walls and sides after each use, then wiping them down with a towel. This helps remove any iron residue, even if you can’t see it in the water.
Don’t store metal in the tub: Do you have metal cans or other metal tools sitting around in your shower or bathtub? This can leave behind rings and other rusty remnants. Store your metal cans and items in a cabinet that will protect the metal from humidity.
Clean your bathtub once a week: Finally, cleaning your bathtub at least once weekly will go a long way toward eliminating rust buildup. If you notice stains starting to form, use one of the methods above to remove them—it will be easier the earlier you catch them. And remember, never use bleach.
If your tub is too far gone, call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., LLC. We can refinish your rusted porcelain and fiberglass tubs and sinks in Phoenix, AZ so they look brand new.
An issue with plumbing is one of the problems that we see DIY enthusiasts tackle all the time. These problems can range from a slow drip in a shower to an outside hose spigot that needs some extra lubrication to get it moving again after some time lying dormant. Plumbing jobs of any real complexity or risk should of course be left to pros like those at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C., but for the most part you’ll be surprised at the range of faucet problems in Phoenix, AZ you can tackle all on your own to get your water back up and running smoothly in no time at all. Below we’ve outlined some of the common issues that customers run into and how they can be best addressed with some basic tools and maintenance.
Clogs can cause issues
One of the main problems that we see customers run into is a clogged faucet in Phoenix, AZ that’s causing big issues in their water output. One of the problems that can sometimes be attributed to this is low water pressure. Many homes just have low water pressure to begin with, but if that’s never been an issue, and now suddenly is, a clog could be the culprit.
Start by looking at the piece called the diverter valve, which controls the water going into the faucet. Over time, this can get clogged with mineral buildup or small debris, so cleaning it out could solve the problem. If it doesn’t, then you might need a new diverter. The other issue that clogging can cause is a mist spraying out of your faucet, which a sign that the aerator needs to be cleaned out. Freeing the faucet of mineral and debris buildup can help this flow smoothly again.
Handle leaks
Leaks coming from the handles at your sink are another faucet problem in Phoenix, AZ that we frequently see customers reporting. There are a few fixes to this that we encourage people to try. You can first take a shot at tightening the packing nut at the handle, or alternatively we find that a lot of the time a damaged O-ring is the culprit and needs to be replaced. Replacing an O-ring is a bit of a job, but one that can be handled by many DIY enthusiasts. If you’re feeling like it might be outside of your comfort zone, then give our team of professional technicians a call and we can have it replaced for you in no time at all.
Dripping from the spout
It’s probably the most common faucet problem in Phoenix, AZ: that dripping from a faucet that can keep you up at night. Usually you will need to replace the valve seat, as well as the seat washer if you have a compression style faucet. If not, then it’ll likely just be a valve seat replacement that’s in order.
Some of the most common faucet problems can be easily handled by homeowners themselves—you’d be surprised at how much you can take on once you start taking a look “under the hood.” For anything more complex than this, or if you just want an expert’s opinion, give A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. a call. We’d be glad to help you fix your faucet!
