Bathtub refinishing is a necessary maintenance step if you wish to improve the appearance and structural integrity of your tub. The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. It’s also possible to injure yourself if the product comes in contact with the skin. For these reasons, proper ventilation and a well-fitting respirator are essential if you’re considering tackling a bathtub refinishing project on your own.
Of course, you could also bypass all these concerns by hiring professionals for bathtub refinishing in Glendale, AZ instead. But if you’re planning on doing it yourself, read on to find out the risks and how to keep yourself safe:
Recognize the dangers: The sad reality is that fumes have taken the lives of people who have failed to prepare adequately for this hazardous situation. The CDC reports that 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents in bathtub refinishing that contained methylene chloride. This is an extremely dangerous compound when not used in the right way. Methylene chloride is liable to affect brain function, reducing concentration. Exposure to this dangerous chemical may cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea and eye, nose and throat irritation.
Ventilation: One of the main keys is ensuring that air is moving in and out of the bathroom so that the fumes don’t stick around for too long. A good start is to leave the bathroom vent fan running on high. If you’re able to open a window or otherwise encourage the circulation of air, you should do so.
Read the signs: If the fumes are a bit overwhelming at any point during the application process, you need to remove yourself from the room. The smell of the fumes will decrease as the products dry. Some people are more sensitive to the odor of refinishing fumes then others, so it’s important to respond to what your body is telling you.
Come prepared: No matter if you’re refinishing a tub or using a chemical stripper, you need to use organic vapor cartridges. A dust mask isn’t going to do the trick and will provide no benefits.
Do you want to hand over the potentially hazardous job of bathtub refinishing in Glendale, AZ to the professionals? Let’s face facts: it just makes sense to bring in experts who will do the job right the first time, all while staying safe.
Since 1975, A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. has provided competitively priced bathtub and shower refinishing services across the Phoenix metro area. We specialize in repairing cracked fiberglass tubs and will also refinish showers, sinks, tiles and vanities.
Our loyal customers call us for all their bathroom maintenance needs, including caulking, installation and replacement of all bathroom fixtures. Our team of expert technicians is ready to make your bathroom look beautiful and increase your property’s value. Reach out to us today for all of your bathroom repair and refinishing needs—we look forward to working with you soon!
When you’re working on a home design or remodeling project, it can be overwhelming just how many options are out there. Consider the typical bathtub—most tubs look generally the same, and you would think that it wouldn’t lead to many design choices. However, once you start designing a bathroom, you’ll find out you can choose between porcelain, ceramic tile, fiberglass, acrylic… and the list goes on. After weighing all these options, you’ll likely turn to affordable and reparable fiberglass.
Fiberglass is a great option, and there are plenty of great places to call for fiberglass bathtub repair in Glendale, AZ. Read on for more information on why a fiberglass tub is one of the best options for your bathroom:
It’s affordable: The biggest benefit of fiberglass for most families is that it’s reasonably priced. The material is budget-friendly, and cheaper than natural materials as well as other plastic, like acrylic. And when you’re doing bathroom upgrades or designs, you will want to spend money on the fixtures and features that hold the biggest design punch, like tiling, vanities and flooring—not the bathtub.
It’s easy to repair: One drawback of fiberglass tubs is that they do show wear and tear more than tubs made of something like porcelain or ceramic. The surface is fairly soft, so it’s prone to things like cracks and scratches. However, sanding down the surface makes the fiberglass look like new, and you can hire a company to do all the difficult work for you. It’s a huge benefit that you can repair your fiberglass tub, as it’s always more affordable to repair than to replace the tub, and you avoid things like delivery fees and the extra installation time that comes along with buying a new bathtub.
It’s lightweight: This might seem like an odd point to raise, but because fiberglass tubs are relatively lightweight, they can be installed in your home more easily. Other materials make for a very heavy tub that is difficult to carry and place properly. Another important point about the lightness of the material is that it means you shouldn’t have to install any extra support in the floor to handle the weight of the tub. That saves you a lot of money and a huge hassle.
If you have a fiberglass tub that needs some love, make sure to seek a quality company to provide your fiberglass bathtub repair in Glendale, AZ. One first-rate option in the Phoenix area is A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C., a company committed to making sure you get the bathroom you desire at the best possible price.
For over 40 years, the team at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. has offered a wide range of services, including repair of tubs, showers and sinks and the refinishing of anything in your bathroom. On top of this, you can also call us for any type of maintenance you’d like to have done, including installations and caulking. Call our experts today for more information!
If you notice a crack in your tub during your morning shower, you might not think much of it. After all, the tub still drains and the shower still works, so everything seems status quo. But the reality is that a crack is a sign of serious damage. It’s liable to spread and deepen, causing water to leak out every time the tub is used.
By addressing the problem early on, you can save yourself money and hassle. You’ll want to bring in professional experts in bathtub repair in Glendale, AZ to ensure that your tub functions long into the future. Read on to find out about what exactly was causing this problem in the first place:
Flexibility: The source of the crack is dependent on the material the tub is made from. Some materials (for example, fiberglass) are highly flexible. This means the material will bend when weight is placed on top of it. However, if it is improperly installed or lacks sufficient support, the weight will put undue pressure on the surface and cause cracks to form. Unfortunately in these cases, the repairs may be more complex.
Dropped objects: If a heavy object is dropped in the tub, it might appear to be fine at first. But over time, the divot, crevice or crack will expand and grow. What was at first something barely noticeable could become a major problem. These stress cracks are typically on the surface level. If you get to them early, you can use a DIY kit to fix them on your own.
Heavy-duty cleaners: Highly abrasive cleaners such as bleach can ruin the finish and gloss on the bathtub. This is more than a mere cosmetic issue. This erosion can lead to pockets of moisture collecting and expanding cracks. These are referred to as hairline cracks, which can cause the tub to warp over time. This is when you need to call in the experts to fix the problem.
How to prevent the problem: It’s possible to have a stone-resin tub installed which is non-porous and therefore won’t crack. However, these are more expensive, and a properly installed and maintained fiberglass tub should last for years to come.
If your tub is cracked or damaged, you may think you can do the repair job yourself. But if you don’t want to risk the investment you’ve made, you’ll need to call in the experts for bathtub repair in Glendale, AZ. Since 1975, A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. has been providing the highest-quality bathtub and shower repair services in the greater Phoenix area. We specialize in repairing cracked fiberglass tubs, along with refinishing tubs, showers, sinks, tiles and vanities. Our customers know they can rely on us for every maintenance item, including caulking, installation and replacement of all bathroom fixtures.
For more than three decades, we’ve provided quality service no matter how simple or difficult the job may be. Call us today for all of your bathroom repair and refinishing needs and get a free estimate!
If your tub is looking a little worse for wear or you want to update its appearance, bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ can give you the look you desire. However, most homeowners fail to realize that there is one crucial step to take before having your tub refinished: you must check to see if the tub has been resurfaced in the past.
To the untrained eye, bathtub resurfacing can be a little hard to spot—after all, that’s the entire purpose of refinishing! But proper identification of a previously resurfaced tub is important to getting the job done well and budgeting for the project appropriately.
The problem with resurfaced bathtubs
When a bathtub is resurfaced, professionals will repair any cracks or holes in your tub, then coat it with a specialized chemical spray or roll-on substance.
Previously resurfaced bathtubs are able to undergo the refinishing process again, but a few more steps will need to be added to the process. If your tub has been resurfaced, it will need to be sanded down and stripped before the new layer of coating can be applied.
This is because new coatings will not adhere properly to existing coatings; they are designed to bond to the tub surface itself. This means that any existing coatings must be completely removed, so that they will last longer and look better.
Unfortunately, this process also comes with a higher price tag. Since stripping takes extra time, your bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ will probably cost more. However, this extra cost is worth the longevity and beauty that comes with a newly resurfaced bathtub.
How to spot a resurfaced tub
In order to tell if your bathtub has been resurfaced in the past, look for these three signs:
Peeling or flaking: If the surface layer of your tub is peeling or chipping away like old paint, the tub has probably been resurfaced in the past. Refinishing coatings don’t last forever, and they can eventually become worn-down and flaky over time. Chipping usually occurs near the tub drain and spreads outwards. You will usually be able to see the original tub’s color underneath the flakes, as well.
Painted drain cover: If your tub has a colored drain cover that matches the tub, it’s likely that it has been resurfaced in the past and that the prior refinishing company left it unmasked and coated over it as they did work on the tub. Covers for tub drains are typically only sold in metal finishes like chrome, and most homeowners aren’t in the habit of painting the covers themselves.
Tub looks newer or is a different color: If you have an older bathroom in which the walls and floors match, but the tub does not, it may be a possibility that your tub has been resurfaced. Older bathtubs used to be coated to match the bathroom colors, so a newer-looking, shiny white tub might be a sign that it’s been refinished recently to look more modern.
Call a professional for assistance
If you’ve checked for the signs and still aren’t sure if your tub has been resurfaced, call a professional like A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. for help. Our team is full of experts in bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ, and we can identify a previously refinished tub and get to work making it look like new once again.
Fiberglass tubs are not necessarily known for their long life and durability when compared with porcelain tubs. The fact is that while porcelain tubs may last for decades, a fiberglass tub is more likely to last about 10 to 15 years. One of the first problems with a fiberglass tub is that the bottom cracks or splits. You may think this is not a huge problem, but it can definitely become one if not dealt with quickly.
When you have a cracked tub, you should call a service for bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ. Addressing this problem in the early stages means you will be less likely to have to replace your tub. Here are some of the dangers associated with a cracked fiberglass tub and why you should get it fixed right away:
Floorboard rot: When water leaks below the tub’s support layer, it will bleed directly into the floorboards that act as the bathroom’s base. This can cause multiple issues with water damage, mold and rot accumulating in the tub. If this problem is left untreated, the floorboards beneath the tub could bust and eliminate support. You’ll want to avoid a cave-in at all costs.
Mold and mildew: Right beneath the tub is a cushion that prevents water from seeping through to the wood beneath. However, if you have a cracked tub bottom, it means this cushion is likely to break as well. A variety of materials like dirt, skin cells and water will seep through this and cause rot. This is a perfect place for mold and mildew to grow. It’s difficult to clean this out because it’s under the tub. Mold and mildew can also result in health issues like exacerbated respiratory conditions and allergic reactions.
What to do about it: You could take the DIY route—slap on half a roll of duct tape or try to do the fiberglass crack filling yourself. But let’s face it—these are at best temporary measures. The best call is to bring in the professionals. They may be able to repair the tub, or even replace it, for less than you think.
Is your home in need of bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ? Then you’ve come to the right place. A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. has been proudly providing the region with bathtub and shower refinishing services for more than 40 years. Our specialists will do it all, from repairing showers, sinks and tubs to fixing cracked fiberglass tubs. We also refinish and replace showers, sinks, tiles and vanities.
The bottom line is that if your bathroom needs a bit of TLC, then A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. is here for you. We’ve built a reputation for excellent customer service and will go the extra mile to make sure that you’re satisfied. Our happy customers also know to call us for maintenance, including caulking, installation and replacement of all bathroom fixtures. Call us today for all of your bathroom repair and refinishing needs. We look forward to assisting you!
