Have you started keeping your shower curtain closed just to hide your bathtub? An outdated, worn-out tub can make even the most immaculate bathroom look dirty and dingy. Even worse, a worn tub is the perfect home for mold, mildew and bacteria. If your tub is starting to look worse for wear, you may be considering replacing it—but have you ever considered simply refinishing it?
A lot of homeowners don’t realize how simple bathtub refinishing is. The refinishing process can basically be broken down into three steps:
Stripping the old surface
Repairing any surface imperfections
Applying a primer, coating and sealant
Refinishing your bathtub only takes a few hours, and your tub will look like new and be ready for use the next day. While not all bathtubs are candidates for refinishing, most are. Even serious stains and cracks can be rectified by refinishing your tub. So before you decide that a new tub is in order, here are just a few of the benefits of opting for bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ instead:
Refinishing is less expensive: People often think that buying a new tub and refinishing their existing tub costs about the same. While refinishing may be similar in price to a new tub, what people often forget is that a new tub comes with other additional costs, like installation, plumbing alterations, removal and disposal of the old tub and having to redo the tile and flooring surrounding the tub. When you take into consideration all these added costs, refinishing is usually hundreds of dollars cheaper than purchasing a new tub.
Refinishing is faster than replacement: A new tub can take up to three days to install, and it may be even longer before you can actually use it. Refinishing, however, can typically be completed in just a few hours, and even though you have to wait for the surface to cure, you’ll still be enjoying your like-new tub by the next day.
You don’t have to deal with the mess of a demolition: Having a new tub installed means having a crew invade your home, breaking down your existing tub, dust, debris and all the mess and stress of a demolition. Refinishing is far less disruptive to your home and your life.
Helps get rid of leaks and pesky stains: Refinishing your tub doesn’t just make it look good—it also helps resolve issues like leaks and stains. The newly refinished surface is much easier to clean, resistant to stains and any pores in the old surface will be filled and no longer be a breeding ground for mold and mildew. In addition, cracks in the surface will be sealed, preventing leaks and other issues.
Before you go out and buy a new tub, why not consider bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ? At A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC, we’ve been providing refinishing services for over 40 years. To learn more about how bathtub refinishing can help your bathroom and your wallet, give us a call today!
Regardless of which materials your shower is made of, years of daily use take a big toll, which eventually causes damage to your shower. Many professionals would agree that a leaky shower is one of the worst problems you can run into. Damage from leaks doesn’t just end in your bathroom, and the problems don’t stop as soon as you fix the leak. Keep reading to learn all about shower leaks and how you can prevent them from happening in your bathroom:
Floor damage: The first danger posted by a leaking shower is damage to the bathroom floor. The last thing you want is pools of water collecting around the base of the shower. Unless the leak is addressed quickly, the water will continue to pool up on the floor and can begin to rot the floorboards underneath. What if the floor gets so weak that the ceiling below collapses? That’s a major issue that you really don’t want to deal with! Call us for shower repair in Glendale, AZ as soon as you notice a pool of water. We’ll diagnose and fix the problem as quickly as possible.
Wall damage: The second issue with a leak will probably have to do with the wall adjacent to your shower. Water from the leak will seep into the drywall and wreak havoc if it’s not repaired promptly. If your shower is leaking against the wall, you’ll want to have the area inspected by a drywall contractor. A professional is the only person who will be able to tell just how much damage the leak has caused and what needs to be done to correct the problem.
Mold issues: One of the worst parts about having a leaky shower is the fact that your worries aren’t over after the repairman is finished with the job. Mold growth resulting from leaks is a major concern. Be sure you call a professional for mold remediation after your leak has been addressed and your shower has been fixed. Mold removal experts will get your house and bathroom back in order so you can live without worry that your health is in danger.
While major repairs will almost certainly need to be handled by a professional, there are some steps you can take to mitigate the risk of leak damage:
Making repairs in a timely manner: The best way to avoid problems caused by leaks is to call a repair service to fix cracks in your shower as soon as you notice them. The earlier your crack is repaired, the less damage you’ll have to deal with. And just as importantly, the faster your crack is fixed, the cheaper the repair will be.
Caulking often: If you haven’t checked the caulk around the fixtures in your bathroom in a while, it’s time to do so! Ensuring that all of your bathroom fixtures have fresh caulk is a major key in leak prevention. If you’re not sure of how much caulk you need around your shower, give us a call. We can caulk all of your fixtures to ensure you’re protected against leaks and other big problems.
If you’re shower is leaking, don’t wait around before calling A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC for shower repair in Glendale, AZ. We’re available seven days a week to fix all sorts of issues with your showers, tubs and sinks.
Whether you enjoy an invigorating shower every morning or a relaxing bubble bath in the evening, you likely use your shower or tub on a daily basis. All of this heavy use might leave you with issues like cracks, mold growth, missing tile and damaged drain caps. When your drain caps are damaged or missing entirely, it makes it much easier to lose things down your drain while you’re bathing. The moment when you realize that you are missing a piece of jewelry after stepping out of the bath or shower can be a dreadful one. Rings can be expensive, and they often hold significant sentimental value that makes them nearly impossible to replace. Because of this, it is important to take the right steps to retrieve your jewelry from your drain:
Turn off your water: The very first thing that you should do when you lose a ring or another piece of jewelry down your drain is turn off your shower or bath. The flow of water can push your jewelry further down the drain and make it more difficult to retrieve.
Remove the drain cap: You should then unscrew the drain strainer carefully and set it aside. You can use a flashlight to shine down your drain and identify the diamond or other gemstone in your ring. This will allow you to see precisely where your ring is located and allow you to get it out more easily.
Use a vacuum: If you have access to a combination wet/dry vacuum, it can be a very useful tool when it comes to getting jewelry out of a drain. Simply vacuum near the top of the drain and you should be able to get your ring out. Make sure to empty out your vacuum canister beforehand so that you don’t have to filter through dust and debris to find your ring once it’s been vacuumed up.
Try a hanger: If using a wet vacuum doesn’t work, or you don’t have one handy, you can fashion a wire coat hanger into a hook shape and use it to fish your ring out of the drain.
Call a plumber: If nothing seems to be working, it doesn’t mean there isn’t any hope for retrieving your ring. A plumber should be able to help you fish your jewelry out of the drain.
Losing a ring in a drain is a common mishap that can happen to anyone, but it might be more common if you have broken drain fixtures or a tub that could use refinishing. At A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C., we are proud to offer a superior selection of services, including bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ. Our customers have chosen to work with our professional team since 1975 and we continue to treat each one of our clients with kindness and professionalism. We are skilled to handle a variety of projects and we would be more than happy to help you no matter what your specific needs may be. Our team of experts is just a phone call away, so get in touch today.
When your tub needs an overhaul, but you just aren’t ready for a remodel, you do have options—two of them, to be precise, as you can have a tub liner installed or a spray finish applied. Both are very different options for your bath tubs in Glendale, but they can make a world of difference to the appearance of your bathroom.
Installing tub liners
Having a tub liner installed takes some precision, as a mold is made of your bath tub using a sheet of acrylic. Weighing in at 35 lbs or so, the tub liner will slip fully over your existing tub shape. It will be designed to provide an exact match of the dimensions of your existing tub structure, so it fits snugly in place.
A tub installer can easily install this liner into your bath tub by prepping your old tub with alcohol and removing the drain and trim. This will allow the liner to snap into place against the walls, where two-sided tape and a silicone adhesive will attach it in place.
Then, a new drain will be added, and the seams will be caulked. The time needed to create the bath tub liner into a mold can take four to six weeks, but only six to eight hours to install when completed. Once liners for bath tubs in Glendale have been installed, you can begin using your tub immediately. A tub liner will drastically change the look of your whole bathroom, giving it a clean and fresh appearance.
Applying a spray finish
Having bath tubs in Glendale re-glazed takes some effort, as the process requires respirators due to the strong chemicals used. Your bathroom will be protected from head to toe so that none of the finish gets on a surface that it shouldn’t. Proper ventilating will also be taken into consideration.
First, hydrofluoric acid will be applied to dissolve the existing porcelain glaze. It preps the surface, so the new finish application will adhere. Once clean and dry, two coats of epoxy will be added. This also helps to adhere the finish.
All dust and dirt will be wiped away, and then four coats of polyurethane finishing coat will be applied. Bath tubs in Glendale will have to be lightly sanded between each coat, but then the tub will be polished with the final application to give it a nice sheen.
In total, it will take a tub refinisher approximately four to six hours to complete this process. The tub will need to cure for 24 hours or more before water can touch its surface. The end result will amaze you, as you will have a new looking bath tub without having to rip your old tub out.
Having a liner installed or investing in re-glazing for your bath tubs in Glendale are the ideal ways to freshen up a bathroom without the headaches and hassles of remodeling. Call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. to have your bath tub redone using either process. We can get your bathroom looking like new again, without the added cost of tearing out fixtures or knocking down walls.
While the kitchen is likely the most popular room in your home, the bathroom undoubtedly wins for the most visited room. It gets used on a daily basis and is often not treated well, and the toilet, bathtub and sink take the brunt of this abuse. Ultimately, this makes them less attractive for our families, friends and any guests that need to use the facilities. So, what is a homeowner to do? When cleaning doesn’t seem to have much of an effect anymore, but there’s no need for a full replacement, it may be time to consider bathtub refinishing.
To figure out if this bathroom project is right for you, first ask the following four questions about bathtub refinishing in Glendale, AZ.
How long does refinishing take?
Although there may be some factors that could tack on time, the actual refinishing process can take anywhere from four to five hours—that is, if a professional does the job. And depending on the temperature and humidity in your home, it will likely take another four to five hours to set. When compared to the days or weeks it could take to completely replace your entire bathtub on your own, refinishing is the quick choice.
How long will a refinish last?
Like a new tub, a refinished tub will last many years if properly installed and cared for on a regular basis. All too often, people use abrasive chemicals on their bathtubs that damage the finish over time. With a refinished tub, it is also important to steer clear of these abrasive chemicals. You should also avoid damaging the tub in other ways, like by dropping heavy objects on it.
How do I care for a refinished tub?
As mentioned above, you should never clean a refinished tub with abrasive cleaners, nor use a rough cloth. An abrasive or harsh chemical can scratch, dull and do irreversible damage to the finish. Instead, use mild cleansers that are guaranteed to be safe for your specific bathtub finish, and keep in mind that using more mild cleansers may mean you’ll need to clean your tub more often to avoid heavy dirt and mildew buildup. Most product packaging will state whether or not it is safe to apply to tub surfaces.
Should I replace or refinish?
It’s a simple fact of life that some tubs will be beyond repair. Decades of poor treatment and severe damage can make it a poor candidate for refinishing, but often times skilled technicians can make it happen. The other thing to consider is the cost associated with bathtub replacement versus bathtub refinishing. A full replacement can cost thousands of dollars between the expense of a new tub, fitting and plumbing, but refinishing lets you keep the tub you already love and makes it look like new again for a lot less.
Whether your bathroom can benefit from tub and shower repairs or a full bathtub refinishing in Glendale, AZ, make sure your first call is to the experts at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. Contact us today to schedule a service appointment!
