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!
Take a good, long look at your old bathtub. Maybe there are cracks or blemishes. Maybe it’s just looking dingy and run-down. Whatever the case may be, replacing it can bring life back to your bathroom’s aesthetic. A new, shiny tub could just be what your bathroom needs to sparkle.
Sure, you could watch a bunch of YouTube videos and then attempt to do it yourself. But do you really know what you’re doing? You’ll be risking damage to your pipes and taking valuable time, all for a less-than-guaranteed result. While it might seem that you’re saving money by going the DIY route, really you’re risking having a shoddy bathtub that winds up needing major repairs.
Instead, call in the experts in bathtubs in Glendale, AZ. A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC is the place to go when you’re thinking about replacing or refinishing your tub. Consider all the benefits to having a new bathtub:
Improve your quality of life: Probably the number one reason to upgrade your bathtub is that it will simply make your life better. You use your shower everyday, so why not make it a more enjoyable experience? You can choose the material for the tub and a new showerhead with stronger water pressure. You can also choose from a variety of finishes and colors. Make those showers and baths a truly relaxing experience by updating your bathroom.
Increase your home’s value: Let’s face facts—no one finds it appealing to go into a bathroom with a mildewed or stained tub. Broken tiles and peeling caulk aren’t going to do you any favors either. In fact, a full bathroom remodel offers the best return on investment when it comes to your house’s value on the real estate market. Potential buyers will look at a nice, new, updated bathtub and be impressed.
Use less energy: When you replace your tub, you can try out a new, more efficient showerhead. This way you can lower your water bill. If you choose to redo your whole bathroom, you’ll have more options with replacing the toilet as well.
Convenience: Replacing your tub is an ideal opportunity to make bathing a more convenient experience. You can outfit your new tub with storage caddies, shelves, seats, and grab bars. You may want to choose some new safety options as well, especially if you’re older or have children. And a new tub is less likely to need major repairs in the coming years, so you’ll save money in the long run on maintenance.
If you’re looking into new bathtubs in Glendale, AZ and surrounding areas, consider what A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC has to offer. Since 1975, we’ve proven ourselves the leader in bathtub and shower replacement and refinishing. Our experts will install beautiful new fixtures or repair your existing ones. We will also refinish tubs, showers, sinks, tiles and vanities. Our customers trust us when it comes to caulking, installation and replacement of all bathroom fixtures. Contact us today for all of your bathroom repair and refinishing needs.
If you have a porcelain sink that has been chipped, cracked or stained, you don’t necessarily have to replace it! This is a costly and messy process that can be quite inconvenient for you as a homeowner. If your sink is unique or complex in any way, you might also be reluctant to remove it.
Fortunately, there are ways you can bring your porcelain sink back to life and keep it looking great for years to come. Here are some step-by-step instructions for sink and vanity refinishing in Glendale, AZ to keep your sink looking good for the long haul:
Clean the sink: Before you get started with any other tasks, clean the sink thoroughly with an abrasive cleaner and a pad, then rinse and dry.
Prep the area: Mark off the area surrounding the sink with painter’s tape and plastic sheets to protect it from debris. Then, you can remove the drain from the sink and detach the pipe drain. Unscrew the nut below the sink that holds the metal drain and flange in place, and push up from below to loosen the drain from the plumber’s putty that was used to make a seal between the sink and the flange. You might need to use a flathead screwdriver to pry around the rim of the drain on order to be able to free it from its position.
Remove putty and caulk: Using a putty knife, remove all the caulk and plumber’s putty from the sink. You should hold the knife at about a 45-degree angle to the material you are removing.
Scrub: Use a hard water deposit remover and scrub the sink with your abrasive pad. Get rid of all hard water deposits. You should make sure to wear rubber gloves and goggles during this process.
Sand: Once you’ve removed hard water deposits, you can begin sanding the sink with a wet-dry sandpaper at 400 to 600 grits. Buff the surface in small circles. Creating this abrasion will allow the epoxy to better stick to the sink. Remove all sanding residue when complete.
Mix the epoxy: Mix the two-part epoxy following the directions on the packaging. Pour that mixture into a paint tray, and while wearing a rebreather mask, prepare to apply.
Apply the epoxy: Using a fine-bristle varnish brush or nap roller, begin applying the epoxy to the sink. Try not to overlap too much. Wait at least an hour, then apply a second coat. You should let the epoxy dry and set for three days before reassembling and using the sink. At that point you can clean it with rubbing alcohol.
This gives you a general idea of the processes used for refinishing a sink. For more information about sink and vanity refinishing in Glendale, AZ, contact the team at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC today and we would be more than happy to provide you with some tips for how you can manage your specific bathroom circumstances.
