Bathtubs are (probably) the most used amenity in our homes. Since they’re used so often, they get dirty pretty quick. Dirty tubs are germ infested, look terrible and can start to smell gross after a while.
In addition to those short term consequences, a dirty bathtub can lower the value of your home if you’re trying to sell. There’s not one single factor that contributes to a dirty tub. Many small things people do (or neglect to do) lead to dirty bath tubs in Glendale, AZ. In order to keep a clean tub that’s sure to impress guests, pay attention to the following tub pitfalls.
Soap scum and shampoo buildup
The hard surface that builds up over a while around your tub in a natural reaction to water and the ingredients in soap and shampoo. After prolonged tub use, this buildup hardens and becomes increasingly hard to clean.
Mold and mildew
Mold and mildew are bound to grow in any damp area. A tub that’s constantly in use is a hotbed for mold and mildew growth. Not only are mold and mildew gross, breathing mold can be harmful to your health in the long run.
Dead skin and other body debris
We obviously take showers and/or baths to wash away the dirt and grease that we accumulate on our bodies throughout the day. The dirt, grease, hair and dead skin that doesn’t go down the drain all gets stuck in the tub. Over time all of that accumulates and causes a real big mess.
Hard water stains
Many parts of the country have water with a high mineral content, or hard water. If you happen to live in a part of the country that has hard water, over time those hard water deposits will stain the base of the tub.
Unless properly cleaned, hard water can also rust the drain cover making an unsightly red mess.
Pet cleaning
Cleaning your animals, especially dogs after they’ve been playing in the mud, is a must. However, getting them into your bathtub to get clean is always a challenge and can be equally hard on the wellbeing of your tub. Your pets’ claws will scratch the tub further damaging the tub’s protective coating.
Cleaning chemicals
Hardcore cleaning products will definitely clean up the afore mentioned problems that bathtubs often run into. However, if used in excess, these chemicals can end up damaging bath tubs in Glendale, AZ in the long run. Chemicals like bleach will slowly erode the protective coating on your tub. If this occurs, you’ll need to have your tub either repaired or completely replaced.
What can I do to fix it?
One great way to combat the build-up of all of the aforementioned is to clean your tub after each use. Bathroom cleaning experts recommend taking a few minutes after each shower or bath to wipe the tub down with a sponge or other cleaning device. If the situation gets out of hand call us at 602-531-4453 to find out how we can refinish your tub or any other amenity that is full of dirt and grime!
There’s a reason that bathrooms around America have tile flooring: thanks to its superior resilience, inherently hydrophobic properties and beautiful appeal, it’s a prime candidate for bathrooms! But, just because it boasts some of the best features around that make it ideal for the bathroom environment doesn’t mean tiling is infallible.
Anyone who has ever cleaned the tiling in their bathroom has seen what can happen to tile in just a few months’ time. Grout changes color, scuffs and abrasions appear on the tile surface, and small patches of mildew can take root with ease. Sure, new tile may look great, but what about tile that has been put through its paces?
If you’re starting to wonder about tile’s ability to remain a top bathroom option, don’t worry: there’s an easy way to protect and preserve your bathroom tiling in Glendale. We’re talking of course, about sealing it.
Sealing your tile is simply the act of coating it with an epoxy that dries on top of the tile and grout, leaving behind an invisible barrier against all of the detractors of the bathroom environment that might seek to lower its appeal. Take a look at five of the ways sealing your tile is going to ensure it lives up to your fullest expectations:
Sick of scrubbing scale buildups and hard water spots out of your tile? Sealed tile won’t hold these blemishes as well and when they do appear, they’re easily scrubbed off without you having to get down on your hands and knees to work them out!
Has your white grout become grey and black, leaving a behind a lackluster appeal? Have it professionally cleaned then sealed and you won’t have to worry about the color fading away again. Sealant preserves grout by blocking its natural pores against debris that might cause it to change color.
Sealed tile and grout is going to resist water to a tremendous degree, which in turn protects your subflooring and vapor barrier. What this means over the long term is a lack of shifting, sinking or moving tiles that can occur when warping happens below the tiling.
If you have stone tile (not ceramic or porcelain), it’s an absolute must that you invest in sealant. Sealing stone tile means preserving its integrity over the long term and preventing water from eroding it in time.
As mentioned above, grout is naturally porous, which means easy rooting for mildew and other natural growths that occur in humid and moisture-rich environments (like your bathroom). Sealing the grout and tile closes up these pores, making it a no-fly zone for organic growth.
Having tile in your bathroom is absolutely a smart choice for materials, but it’s one that’s not infallible. Make sure you’re giving your bathroom tile in Glendale the support it needs to stand strong and stay looking great for years to come with proper sealing.
Flipping houses is one of the most lucrative professions out there. But, as you might expect, this isn’t something that just anyone can do. In fact, it takes someone with a tremendous depth of knowledge regarding the housing market, property values, home renovations and legal procedure.
If you didn’t already know, the main idea behind flipping a home is to buy low and sell high, usually after putting a few dollars into upgrading and modernizing the home, to make it more appealing to a new buyer. This is the hard part, however, since you’ll need to minimize your out of pocket cost and maximize the value-add of your investment.
This is where the bathroom becomes a superb opportunity. Bathrooms are a clear focal point in homes (we spend a lot of time in them), they’re cheap enough to upgrade (when done right) and they can leave a big impression on people if they exceed expectations. Because of these things, it’s in many flippers’ best interests to pay some attention to the bathroom.
Let’s take a look at a few of the things that can really jack up the value of a home, that won’t end up costing you in the end:
Shower refinishing in Glendale, AZ is going to be a big value-add for many people. People see the shower as a comfortable amenity: somewhere they can relax, unwind and get clean. Refinishing the shower means refreshing this coveted space and projecting an air of cleanliness for prospective home buyers.
Countertop finishing in Glendale, AZ is another great way to enhance the appeal of a bathroom, without actually having to put in a lot of work or expense. Breathing new life into the existing countertops goes a long way to restoring the entire look and feel of the room.
Updating fixtures is a great way to modernize without a lot of heavy lifting. Replacing those old 70s fixtures with something a bit more on trend can give the impression that more things have been updated and that the bathroom is modern-ready.
Throwing in a brand new mirror or investing a few bucks in vanity refinishing in Glendale will dramatically increase the appeal of the bathroom. Not only is a mirror something that’s coveted in a bathroom, it can also open the room up and help reflect natural light: two things that really resonate with home buyers.
If you’re going for the big finale, upgrading materials might just be the big winner for you when it comes to flipping a home. Changing out linoleum for tile flooring or old porcelain for a tile shower can tip people over the edge and cause them to stop and think positively about the entire home.
Flipping a home is never easy, but if you can leverage a single room to your advantage, it can help to create an entire train of thought regarding the hole home. Capitalize on the bathroom with some of the above tips and see what some TLC to this oft-used room can do for you!
Are your counter tops showing signs of wear and needing to be replaced? While you may think you need to replace them, it’s entirely possible that they only need to be repaired. This will give your counter tops new life at a fraction of the cost. And not only will counter top repair in Phoenix, AZ, save you money—it will also avoid the mess and time associated with replacing your counter tops.
Benefits of counter top repair
Counter top repair in Phoenix, AZ can make old and worn counter tops look new again. Repairs can be done on a multitude of surfaces, including porcelain and fiberglass. The process requires the use of a very hard and durable acrylic coating, which is applied to the surface of your existing counter top. It can change the appearance of your counter tops to a different texture or color, as well as repair cracks and chips.
The biggest benefit to repairing your counter tops is the amount of money you will save compared to having them completely replaced. On average, a homeowner will save between 30 percent and 50 percent over replacement costs by investing in counter top repair in Phoenix, AZ. This is works particularly well on custom counter tops or very large surface counter tops that would be costly to replace.
Unlike replacing your counter tops, repairs can typically be done in 24 to 36 hours, and you won’t have the mess of demolition. You can have a new look in your kitchen in hours, as opposed to the days it would take to replace your counter tops with new ones. Counter top repair in Phoenix, AZ will also give your counter tops a useful life of up to 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance.
What to expect with counter top repair
When completing counter top repair in Phoenix, AZ, a contractor will first prepare your counter tops for the application. They will clean the counter tops and dry the surface, removing any dirt and lint. They will then mark the damaged area, masking scratched surfaces with tape. Next, an adhesive will be applied to your counter tops and left to dry for at least 24 hours. Once dried, a sealant will be put on over the adhesive. This is designed to protect against scratches and chips and give your counter tops a nice shine. The last step is to wipe the surface clean after the sealant has cured. When complete, you will have beautiful new counter tops to appreciate.
If your counter tops are worn or damaged, think about repairing them before you replace them. Counter top repair in Phoenix, AZ is a budget-friendly alternative to replacing counter tops. You can change their look and enjoy them for many years to come. When you need to repair your counter tops, contact A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. We are an experienced contractor knowledgeable in the repair and refinishing of countertops, bathtubs, showers, sinks, vanities and tiles. With over 30 years in business, A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. offers competitive pricing and quality work, courtesy of our knowledgeable technicians.
When it comes to installing a new bathtub, many homeowners first look to materials that are affordable while also offering quality and reliability—materials like fiberglass, for example. Fiberglass offers all the above traits along with easy installation, a range of color options and the fact that it’s simple to care for. Choose a fiberglass tub for your bathroom and enjoy a sleek, easy-to-maintain surface every time you hop in for a bath. If you have fiberglass bath tubs in Glendale, AZ, take note of the following maintenance tips to ensure a long-lasting and good-looking tub.
Frequent cleaning
Like other areas of your home, you may wait until the bathtub is overly gross before deciding to clean it. Depending on the season, the area where you live and whether you have proper ventilation to remove bathroom moisture and odors, you should plan on cleaning your tub and other bathroom fixtures every other week to once a week. We know your life is busy, but pencil in time to clean for a germ-free and sparkling bathroom because, when you think about it, the bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in your home.
Use gentle cleaners and cleaning tools
Whether you have soap scum buildup or mildew forming around the edges of your tub or you wipe it down on a regular basis, avoid using abrasive cleaners and don’t use harsh cleaning tools that will scratch your fiberglass bath tubs in Glendale, AZ. Pair a gentle cleaning solution—like diluted dish soap or a non-abrasive cleaner manufactured for fiberglass tubs—with a soft cloth or sponge. As fiberglass is rather susceptible to scratching, never use a scrub brush or coarse pads.
Keep heavy or sharp objects from falling
Cracks and scratches can be unsightly, and they may even require repair work. So consider what shower and bath items you have stored in your bathtub area. Shower caddies, loose soap dishes, heavy bottles, razors and shaving supplies, children’s toys—secure all these items from falling down into the tub. If you have to use any tools near your fiberglass tub for maintenance purposes, lay a thick blanket down to protect its floor and surface from heavy or sharp objects that may get dropped or knocked over.
Fix damage immediately
Should your fiberglass tub sustain damage, such as cracks, deep scratches, gouges or a small crater from a dropped heavy object, you need to call in the professionals—and quickly—for an assessment and repairs. Don’t wait to call the pros—even if the damage appears small, it has the potential to expand. So that little crack on the side of the tub could spider out causing further, more costly damage. If the damage is not a mere surface scratch on the finish like you first thought, repairs may not be possible and you may have to replace the entire fiberglass bathtub.
Need repairs made? Have questions about how to maintain your bath tubs in Glendale, AZ? Interested in more information about new fiberglass bathtub installation? If any of these circumstances apply to your situation, contact A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. today.
