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.
Replacing your bathroom fixtures can be a costly and messy experience, to say nothing of the time it takes to pick out, demolish, install and clean up after a replacement process. However, there’s another great option that many homeowners love: refinishing.
Refinishing your fixtures isn’t just about getting a nicer-looking bathroom in less time, for a lower cost—there are other great bathtub and shower refinishing benefits in Phoenix, AZ:
It’s cheaper than replacing your fixtures: Not only is picking out new fixtures, removing and disposing of the old ones and installing the new fixtures a time-consuming process, but it’s more expensive. When you factor in the cost of a plumber and replacement of surrounding tiles or other surfaces, it gets downright costly. Plus, if you have to take time out of your valuable workday or weekend to oversee or complete the project, you might be losing more than you realize. Refinishing is much faster (some projects may only take a single day to complete) and less expensive, plus it produces far less product waste.
Make everything look its best at the same time: Refinishing your bathroom fixtures doesn’t just mean the shower and bathtub—you can also get your sinks, vanities and other fixtures refinished at the same time, so that everything looks shiny and brand new.
Avoid lead poisoning: If your porcelain bathtub was manufactured and installed before 1984, you could be experiencing the harmful effects of lead. Instead of throwing the baby out with the bathwater (and the tub itself), getting your tub refinished and reglazed can provide a safe and effective barrier between you and the lead content.
Save the environment: Reducing waste is a simple way you can show you care about the environment and keep the world a safer place for future generations. If your bathroom fixtures aren’t broken—just dingy, stained or chipped—then refinishing will help keep them out of the landfill while saving you time and money.
Extend the life of your fixtures: Even if you install a new fixture, that’s no guarantee that it will stay pristine forever. Ultimately, there comes a time where every fixture suffers damage, and you’ll need to consider whether it’s worth it to replace it. When you choose refinishing, however, you can add years onto their life. In fact, they can last up to 10 to 15 years longer, so your small investment now will pay off for over a decade.
When you’re ready to revitalize your bathroom fixtures, be sure to call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C.
Discover more shower and bathtub refinishing benefits in Phoenix, AZ
At A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C., we have been providing beautiful shower and bathtub refinishing services for over 30 years. We make sure to always provide superior service, from your first call to the final fixture polish. Our technicians are trained and prepared to take on all aspects of your repair or refinishing project. Call us today to get your bathroom fixture refinishing project started!
Giant showers might be all the rage these days, but do you still need to have a bathtub to successfully sell your home at a profit? Like any home fixture, they are subject to the trends of the day. (Remember the whirlpool tubs of the 1980s?) It might not make or break your house sale, but knowing what buyers are looking for always helps. Some buyers don’t mind getting what they consider “fixer uppers,” but some will balk at needing to add new fixtures after the sale.
Real estate agents and home appraisers are torn on whether you need at least one bathtub in your home. Regardless of what you decide, when you need home or bathtub upgrades in Phoenix, AZ, be sure to call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. to handle the job. We can help you repair or refinish your home fixtures so your house will be ready to sell.
Pros of having a bathtub
The more amenities, the better: When you’re selling a home, the home with the most amenities wins, and that includes tubs. When you give a buyer more options, there’s less of a chance that one fixture will make or break a sale.
Appeal to families: Naturally, families with small children will want a bathtub—it just makes it easier to bathe children without making a mess. If you’re living in a neighborhood that has plenty of family appeal, having a bathtub is going to make your home far more attractive to prospective buyers with young families.
Appeal to luxury homeowners: Of course, if you have a home with multiple or large bathrooms, you’ll also appeal to luxury homeowners. Many people consider bathtubs a great source of relaxation and self-care, so bathtubs will be expected in these types of homes.
Cons of having a bathtub
Your bathroom is too small: Sometimes your bathroom is just too small for a tub, and you have to make a choice. We see this often in condos and small apartments—there’s no sense in having a tub if it makes the bathroom impractical to use. That will turn a buyer off, too.
You might rarely use it: Family-oriented neighborhoods practically require bathtubs, but what about living in apartments or condos downtown? These neighborhoods usually cater to adults, so your home sale may not depend on whether your place has a tub.
Whatever you decide, it’s most important that your shower or tub is beautiful and inviting. If your fixtures look dull and dingy, consider having them refinished or repaired.
Get help with home upgrades in Phoenix, AZ
For over 40 years, A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. has offered a wide variety of repair and refinishing services. We work on all the fixtures in your bathroom, from tubs and showers to sinks and tile. You’ll get our quality work and excellent customer service no matter the size of the job. Call us today to schedule your bathtub upgrade or learn more about any of our other services.
Porcelain tubs can be difficult to keep clean. Without proper upkeep, the somewhat fragile surface can look dingy, scratched and dirty. Typically, porcelain tubs are made from cast iron and then coated in porcelain. Although they’re designed to last for decades, the coating is sure to eventually show some signs of wear. Furthermore, using certain cleaning products can exacerbate the damage and take years off its finish.
With this in mind, here’s a guide to the best ways to clean a porcelain tub in Phoenix, AZ:
Don’t use abrasives: When you’re cleaning enamel, you need to take care not to chip, crack or abrade your porcelain’s surface. Avoid steel wool, scouring pads, scouring powder and vinegar. All of these can break down the gloss that makes your porcelain tub so beautiful.
Use gentle cleaners only: Warm water, ammonia and baking soda should be all you need, unless your porcelain tub came with deep stains already on the surface.
Scrub with warm water: Fill a large bucket with warm or hot water, and add a quarter cup each of ammonia and baking soda. Using a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge, soak the cloth in the mixture and apply it to the tub. Keep dipping and scrubbing as necessary, making sure to focus on any stains. When you’re all done, rinse the tub with clean water and use a clean rag to further rinse and polish the surface.
Treat tough stains naturally: When you have tough stains that ammonia and baking soda can’t eradicate on their own, use the juice of a lemon and some salt. Cover the stain with salt and then squeeze the juice of a lemon on top, then let it sit for at least a half an hour. Another great solution is to use a paste of two parts baking soda and one part hydrogen peroxide. If this doesn’t work, try the lemon juice and salt method, but leave it on for an hour this time.
Try weekly upkeep: The best way to keep stains from setting in is to keep up with your cleaning—it’s boring, but true! Use about a gallon of hot water mixed with dishwashing soap and scrub down the entire tub, then rinse with clean water. You should have a shiny and clean porcelain bathtub again in no time at all!
Refinish your tub: If you have stubborn stains that just won’t quit, it might be time to call in professional help to re-glaze your tub—and if you need help, call us!
A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. can help you with porcelain tub cleaning in Phoenix, AZ. For over 40 years, we’ve provided the Phoenix area with great service at affordable prices. If your bathroom fixtures are looking dirty, dingy or just run down, give us a call. Our team of skilled professionals specializes in refinishing and repairing porcelain sinks, bathtubs and showers. Reach out to us today to find out how we can make your bathroom look brand-new again!
Fiberglass sinks in Phoenix, AZ are durable and beautiful, but they do tend to be a little difficult to keep clean. Fiberglass is sensitive to acids, chemicals and other abrasive cleaning products and techniques. That can present a real problem if you’re dealing with stains or hard water!
Over time, fiberglass can turn dull or dingy and develop stains. That’s because it’s a composite material that’s prone to scratching. The more scratches your sink has, the easier it is for stains to permeate and get trapped in the tiny crevices. You’ll need to take a little extra care when you’re cleaning a fiberglass sink in Phoenix, AZ, but the pro tips below will help prolong its lifespan. If you try them all and still can’t get the results you want, it may be time to refinish your sink—at a fraction of the cost it would be to replace it. Call the pros at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. for more information on how you can revitalize your fiberglass tub or sink.
Cleaning fiberglass
Exercise caution when scrubbing your sink—too much acid and pressure can damage the material. Here are some approaches you can try:
Scrub with baking soda and warm water: Using a soft cloth or sponge, dampen the cloth and sprinkle baking soda over it. Scrub the sink using medium pressure, aiming to remove water deposits, dirt and mineral stains. Use another damp cloth to remove the baking soda.
Mild abrasives: If you’re still having trouble with stubborn stains, try a mild abrasive cleanser. We like Bon Ami, Brill-Glow or Soft Scrub. These should allow you to scrub away deeper stains without damaging the fiberglass’ surface. After you’re finished scrubbing, rinse with warm water.
Calcium removers: Products like CLR, Lime-A-Way and even simple 5 percent white vinegar are safe enough to use on fiberglass, sparingly. (Don’t use this trick in your weekly bathroom wipe-down!) Use according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and wipe down with warm water.
Oxygen bleach as a last resort: If you still can’t get those stains out after trying the above methods, you can use oxygen bleach as a last resort. Oxygen bleach can be purchased, but you can also make your own version. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide, one part baking soda and two parts hot water. Then simply apply to the stains (and only the stains), wait an hour and rinse away.
Other sources recommend solvents such as acetone (found in nail polish remover) for stains. Be cautious when using any abrasive, as they can shorten the lifespan of your fiberglass sink.
A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. can help you with care and maintenance for your fiberglass sink in Phoenix, AZ. For over 40 years, we’ve provided the Phoenix area with great service at affordable prices. If your bathroom fixtures are looking dirty, dingy or just run down, give us a call. Our team of skilled professionals specialize in refinishing and repairing fiberglass sinks, bathtubs and showers. We look forward to assisting you soon!
