Many people include cultured marble fixtures in their home. That’s because it’s easy to clean while having that unique, upmarket look of more expensive stone. When cultured marble cracks, you might not know exactly what to do. You can refinish cultured marble, but it’s a bit of a complicated process. In fact, you have to get rid of that shiny finish using sandpaper first before you can restore the gleam.
If you’re considering finding a company to handle your countertop finishing in Glendale, AZ, you want to pick a name you can trust. You should only entrust your home to the highest-quality professionals out there. A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. will get the job done right the first time, every time. Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of refinishing cultured marble:
Clean the countertop: Put on some gloves and goggles and give the countertop a thorough scrub. You’ll want to use warm, distilled water and a gentle cleaning solution. Use a sponge and a soft-bristled brush to clear off the dirt. Then rinse the countertop. Be careful doing this process, as hard bristles or too much force could result in additional damage to the cultured marble.
Fix surface damage: Repair small scratches and cracks using a polishing powder designed for marble, along with an epoxy-based glue. The tin dioxide powder will fill the scratches and the glue will be used on the cracks.
Tape the countertop: It’s important to surround the countertop with painter’s tape, especially around the sink. This will ensure polish and refinishing materials won’t get in the sink.
Sand it down: It’s time to use sandpaper with even pressure. This is to create a smooth surface. Wipe down the surface with a sponge again following this step.
Add primer: Find a paint roller to apply a primer layer on the surface. Let it sit for one hour and dry.
Use a stone-finish solution: You can find this at hardware stores. Use the spray on the countertop to restore its original shine.
Finish the process: Use a few drops of polymer resin on the countertop. Spread them across the surface using a paintbrush. Let the resin dry, then coat the surface with a high-gloss varnish appropriate for use on cultured marble.
If you’re willing to sink yourself into a long-term DIY project, then this one’s for you. If you’d rather skip the hassle and uncertainty of doing it yourself, you’ll be looking for the best in countertop finishing in Glendale, AZ. In this case, you need to go with A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. We’ve been the region’s leader since 1975, offering professional and affordable services that keep customers coming back. Our technicians are skilled in any project you could dream of and will work on bathroom fixtures, tub repair, showers and sinks. We specialize in repairing cracked fiberglass tubs.
We will also refinish tubs, showers, sinks, tiles and vanities. Our company offers a wide variety of services, from repair to refinishing of tubs and showers. We provide quality service no matter how simple or difficult the job. Call today for your free estimate!
Stains and surface damage on a bathtub often fill homeowners with dread, as they anticipate replacing their bathtubs and other fixtures. However, less expensive types of bathtub repair in Phoenix, AZ often reduce anxiety and save money. At A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC, we have restored a number of seemingly hopeless cases, and can bring our skills to your home. Here are five common bathtub issues and their repairs that can help you avoid purchasing a new tub:
Flaking and peeling: This unsightly damage can also lead to leaks and wet rot. Those conditions will not just necessitate a new bathtub—you will likely have to take apart your entire bathroom and reinstall sub-flooring and other essential structure. Flaking and peeling indicate that your bathtub was refinished before, but the job was not done correctly. The solution is simple: refinish your bathtub again, but this time, hire someone competent to do the work! We will remove the entire finish, acid etch it, prime the surface and add the finish, but this time, it should last up to 15 years.
Bubbles: This development also arises from a poor finishing job. If the coating is not allowed to cure properly and the old finish is not entirely stripped before treatment, you will see bubbles appear. Like with flaking and peeling, the only solution is to start over. The current finish, plus any previous finish left behind, will need to be completely stripped. Only then can the new finish bond correctly and offer a smooth surface.
Fading: If you notice spots where the color is fading—or, with a white bathtub, there is discoloration—then the refinish coating was not mixed well. Finish can be a picky material, and if it is too thin or the incorrect mixture, that will show in a few years with a bathtub that fades or discolors. Also, abrasive cleaners will wear down the surface and cause discoloration. Fortunately, this is solved easily by a surface refinishing. Once that is completed, use soft cleaners and avoid harsh brushes on your tub.
Roughness: The surface of your bathtub should not feel like sandpaper—it should be smooth. No one wants to sit in a bathtub with a rough surface, so this issue is often noticed quickly. The rough texture develops because the surface was not sanded thoroughly, or it was sanded but not cleaned before applying a finish. A refinishing contractor must remove the old finish, sand the tub down and clean it multiple times before adding a finish.
Tacky feel: Once the new finish is applied, it must have time to cure. If this is not done, the tub will be left feeling sticky or tacky. Poor mixes can also prevent curing. If you find your tub feels sticky after being treated, leave it alone—it may just require more time to cure. However, if that tackiness persists, call your contractor to investigate.
Before you look for a replacement, consider investing in bathtub repair in Phoenix, AZ. Call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC today and allow us to work our magic and restore your bathtub to nearly new condition!
Real DIY-ers literally like to do everything themselves. They change their oil, they paint their home and they fix all of the appliances around their house. Doing it yourself can save you a lot of money and gives you a sense of accomplishment. Bu there are some things that you should never try to fix yourself, including your porcelain tubs and sinks. Here are just a few of the reasons to leave porcelain repair in Phoenix to the pros:
You likely don’t know what you’re doing: Unless you have as many years of experience as our team members, you don’t know how to repair porcelain! Sure, there are tons of instructional videos online that’ll attempt to teach you how to fix your porcelain, but those are just videos. They can’t help you in a pinch when something goes wrong. Make sure you call a professional who can flawlessly complete the repairs without any hiccups.
Get a perfect match: Most porcelain tubs and sinks are white. But as anyone who’s ever purchased paint knows, “white” isn’t just white. There are hundreds of shades of white, from eggshell to bone white. You wouldn’t want to repair your sink or tub with the wrong color porcelain—that’ll look bad for years to come. Everyone will notice that you did a poor job fixing your sink or tub. Avoid that awful situation by calling the pros for porcelain repair in Phoenix. We’ll seamlessly match your old porcelain with the repaired portions. After we’re done, you’ll never be able to tell the porcelain was damaged in the first place.
Make sure the repairs last: What could be worse than trying to fix your porcelain? How about having to do it again because the repairs didn’t hold up the first time! Repairs made by novices often need to be made once more because the porcelain cracks or falls apart. Instead of making a habit of repairing your tub over and over, call us once and ensure it’s done right the first time!
Don’t waste your time: As you can imagine, repairing porcelain isn’t exactly the fastest project you can take on. Repairing a cracked tub or sink can take up your whole day, especially if you’re fixing porcelain for the first time and aren’t sure what you’re doing. Instead of wasting your whole weekend, just give us a call! Our experienced professionals will fix your tub while you spend your day doing something more fun.
Save money by calling the pros first: Doing it yourself instead of calling someone can usually save you a bunch of cash. That’s not the case with porcelain repair, though. Going out and buying all of the necessary supplies to make repairs can cost a pretty penny. On top of that, you may end up having to call a professional after you’ve tried and failed to fix your tub by yourself. Instead of wasting your hard-earned money, just give us a call the first time to make all of your repairs.
The next time your tub or sink cracks, be sure to call the team at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. for help. We’ll take care of your porcelain repair in Phoenix right away and have it looking as good as new in no time at all.
As we get closer to summer, temperatures are rising, which means more homeowners are beginning to fill their homes with fans or cranking up the air conditioning to stay cool. After long, hot days spent in the sun and sweltering heat, the last thing you might want to do is hop in a hot shower.
Rather than bathe in hot water during the summertime, try another trick to cool off: soaking in cold water! Few things feel more refreshing than returning from a hike, short walk with the dog or gardening session and relaxing in a cool tub.
In order to take advantage of this handy summer trick, though, you’ll want your bathtub to be in great condition. After all, who wants to lay in a cracked, discolored and worn-down tub? If your bathtub is looking a little worse for wear, now is the perfect time to call a professional for bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ.
Why bother to refinish?
Refinishing your bathtub will strip away all of the old caulk, paint, rust, soap scum and grime that has been building up in your tub for years and replace it with a shiny new glaze. Not only will the process totally revitalize your bathtub, but it can also improve the value of your home.
Even better, you’ll be able to enjoy long, relaxing soaks in your glistening new tub year-round. In summer, this is especially important, since soaking in cool water can help lower your body temperature on blistering hot days and allow you some quality time to decompress.
This time is made even more special when it’s done in a newly refinished, clean bathtub. Add some bath salts, bubbles and a glass of fruit-infused water, and you just might think you’re in paradise!
What to expect
A lot of customers hesitate to get their bathtubs refinished because they think it is an extensive process. Really, the process is pretty simple, and your tub will be ready for use in just 48 hours! Bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ is the perfect project for those hot summer days when you and your family will be enjoying the outdoors.
First, the bathtub refinisher will clean your entire tub, removing any rust or grime present, and then will remove the caulking. Using strong tub cleaning chemicals, the expert will etch the top layer of your tub away, then fill any holes or cracks evident on the surface.
Once all surfaces have been smoothed out, a few coats of paint will be applied, followed by a glaze and new caulking. Once everything sets after 48 hours, your newly finished tub will be ready for endless lazy summer night soaks.
A-1 Porcelain can make your summer relaxation even better
If your tub is looking worn down, call the experts at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. and ask about bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ. We have over 40 years of experience repairing and refinishing tubs, showers, sinks, tiles and vanities for homeowners all over the Phoenix area. We even offer maintenance services like caulking, installation and replacement of all bathroom fixtures! Call today for your free estimate!
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!
