For many, their shower provides a place of solitude and relaxation; it’s a space to really think. That is why it is important that your shower is always nice, welcoming and comfortable. For some people, it offers a space in which to reflect, while for others, the shower is the ultimate stage from which to belt out their favorite tunes. But many people do not update their shower due to concerns that it is too costly and time consuming.
In fact, you can actually improve your shower exponentially without spending too much money or even touching the plumbing behind the walls. In addition, there are options for every budget and style in order to make your shower into the perfect escape, from new fixtures to shower refinishing in Glendale. Here are three easy shower ideas you might incorporate into your bathroom remodel:
New tiling: Cracked and dirty tiles are not just unappealing to the eye—they are also prone to letting water in to unwanted places. Cracked tile allows the water to seep in, which can lead to mold growth. This easy element of a shower remodel not only helps keep the mold out, but also gives it a fresh look. Replacing old tile can give the shower an entirely different feel. Consider a pattern or a bold new color for a shower makeover.
New showerhead: Installing a new showerhead is a seemingly small, but very impactful shower repair in Glendale. Replacing a showerhead, especially with one with a variety of options for spray and intensity, can completely change how you shower. New showerheads can vary tremendously in cost, with some available for less than $20 and much more elaborate options costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars. For many, though, a new showerhead is worth the investment, as it can change your shower experience entirely, as well as aid in more efficient water use.
Porcelain repair or refinishing: A crack in the porcelain in your shower is not a pleasant sight for a modern, updated shower. Luckily, repairing that crack is not a very time-consuming or costly fix. The simplest way to do so is to hire a shower repair professional to do the job. While store-bought DIY repair kits are available at many stores, they often do not complete the job well and can look tacky. A professional can easily fix the crack and leave the porcelain in your shower looking smooth as brand new. For a more expansive renovation, consider having your porcelain shower refinished by a professional.
While there are many changes you can make to your shower by yourself, it is important to remember that you should always leave the big repairs and heavy-duty remodeling to the professionals. For any shower repairs you want to make that involve tearing out walls or working with your plumbing, contact A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC. For the past 30 years, we have been making area bathrooms beautiful once more with our experience in bathtub, sink, vanity and shower refinishing in Glendale. Let us make your bathroom shine and sparkle like new!
Showers often display conditions that many homeowners consider normal. However, many of these signs are far from normal and actually indicate a need for repairs. If you do not perform shower repair in Glendale, AZ as irregularities arise, you risk having to pay for a serious problem to be fixed later. Here are some of the common repairs needed for showers and the symptoms that indicate their necessity. You will be glad for this heads up that will keep your shower working!
Floor leveling
As showers get old, the floor will start to bow downwards. This happens as people stand on it and in tub-shower combinations, people tend to stand in one preferred spot, making this more likely in that design. This allows for water accumulation that can wear out the surface quicker.
People often assume their shower-tub combination is immune from this, but unfortunately, taking baths in addition to showers will worsen any surface damage. If you notice that water accumulates around the drain or in pockets around the shower floor, have this checked to see if resurfacing can improve the condition.
Fiberglass repair
The fibers in fiberglass showers wear out after some time and start to show exposed areas. If you do not repair these weak spots, you risk wet rot within your walls, as well as more extensive problems, including some that may put your bathroom out of commission for a while. Many of these repairs can be performed before the fiberglass wears down, so the sooner you contact a contractor, the better.
Tile replacement
Tiles can fall out for many reasons. Sometimes, they were simply not secured enough and all you need to do is glue one or two of them back in place. Other times, it is due to wear and tear, including moisture accumulating behind them. If the tiles are falling out over an expansive area, the water may be surfacing from behind your wall, revealing a serious problem. There is a chance a contractor will need to remove and replace all of the tile if the wall’s integrity is compromised.
Door replacement or repair
Shower doors receive a lot of abuse. Sometimes, it is just due to people shutting them too hard or kids being rough with them. Time and water will also take their toll, and you may need to replace closing mechanisms and rails so your shower door can continue doing its job of keeping water off your bathroom floor.
One nice thing about door replacement is that it’s a chance to change the look of your bathroom. While this may seem frustrating at first, you may be surprised at your options and how well something new will go in your bathroom.
Fixture replacement
While there are shower heads and knob sets you can buy at a hardware store and replace yourself, sometimes you may prefer a design that requires a bit more expert attention. This is especially true if you are replacing the fixtures at the same time you are resurfacing or installing tile. Having the contractor who is already there means saving time later—and making sure it is done right.
A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service, LLC is available for shower repair in Glendale, AZ whether you have porcelain, fiberglass or tile. Call us today so we can help you get your shower back in great shape.
Porcelain is one of the oldest materials for bathroom fittings. Homes that retained their period fixtures often contain these delicate surfaces that could require porcelain repair in Phoenix if you treat them too harshly while cleaning or using them. Here is an explanation of why porcelain needs special care and how to provide that to these unique elements in your home.
Special properties of porcelain
Porcelain became popular for bathroom fixtures due to its durability. Most pieces, especially weight-bearing ones like bathtubs, are porcelain enamel with a cast iron base, which makes them stronger. However, while the porcelain is durable, it can also be porous, which allows it to chip, dent, scratch and discolor easily. The same surface damage can also occur with mishandling, which is why your porcelain fixtures require careful consideration during house cleaning.
Wipe down sinks every day
If you have a porcelain sink, give it a wipe down at the end of each day. After experiencing an especially busy day at the sink, consider using dishwashing liquid for extra cleaning power. Using a sponge or soft cloth, give it a once over to control soap scum, dirt and grease, as well as prevent damage and stains.
Keep it soft
Abrasive cleaners, like the granulated bathroom cleaner beloved by your grandmother, are too harsh for the porous surface of porcelain. Buy a product specifically for porcelain or make your own cleaner. Automatic dishwasher gel is good for the quick daily clean and it can also remove stains. Ammonia and water is also a good cleaning combination for porcelain. Many people report this brings back a shine to even the most abused of kitchen sinks and bathtubs, so give it a try on your porcelain fittings.
If you have rust stains, a paste of borax and lemon juice works very well. Rub it into the rust stain and then rinse with water. Even if you have bad stains in your sink, do not let the mixture sit too long, as that will weaken the surface.
Finally, you should always clean with something soft—no brushes or rough pads. Sponges work well, as do any soft rags.
Give porcelain a deep clean
Before you use this deep cleaning method, you will want to take steps to ventilate the room. This means opening windows in your kitchen (or near your kitchen) and running your bathroom fan.
Spread paper towels on the bottom of your fixture. Pour bleach over them without diluting it and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse with water and wipe the surface dry with a soft cloth. The bleach will help with stains and germs while the paper towels will protect the surface.
Continue with good-sense maintenance
For kitchen sinks, avoid placing hot items directly on the surface. Run pots and pans under cool water first. Also, do not drop heavy items on porcelain surfaces and be careful when you are installing metal fixtures like faucets. Dropping items like these can chip the surface.
At A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service, LLC we will understand if, despite your best intentions, you still require porcelain repair in Phoenix. Call us today to arrange an appointment and start anew with your porcelain sink, bathtub or shower.
Remodeling your home’s bathroom can be exciting and terrifying all at the same time. And while you might be ready with an idea of what you want, you may not know where to start when it comes to choosing the fixture material you want to use. Three of the most common materials you will find in bathrooms across America are fiberglass, ceramic or porcelain. Take a look at the differences between these three common materials:
Fiberglass
When used as a material for bathroom fixtures, fiberglass—a reinforced composite material of woven glass fibers—proves that it can handle the job. Not only is fiberglass lightweight, but it is surprisingly strong and can easily be shaped to your bathroom’s size to accommodate your needs.
Described by pros as an economical choice for your sinks, toilets or bath tubs in Glendale, fiberglass is on the easier side of available fixture materials to repair if it cracks or chips. It’s a low cost material that comes in a variety of colors, but be aware that discoloration can occur over time in fiberglass bathroom fixtures.
Don’t like cleaning the bathroom? Well, you won’t need to put in much elbow grease to clean your fiberglass fixtures, however, be aware that fixtures with the gel coat and ones that are matte-finished textured are not resistant to abrasive cleaners and they can scratch or leave marks.
Ceramic
Bathroom fixtures made of ceramic or ceramic title can add beauty and freshness to an otherwise simple room. Ceramic is fired clay that can create dense and durable bath tubs capable of locking in and regulating warm bath water. However, if you use ceramic tile for your tub, the irregular floor surface (individual tile spacing) of the bath tub may be uncomfortable on your bare skin, making it difficult to relax in a bath.
Depending on the type of fixture you want to be ceramic, you may or may not want to glaze it, but once it is glazed, it’s waterproof. Ceramic fixture like tubs and sinks are constructed to last you a long time. Use any type of bathroom cleanser on ceramic to keep its glaze bright, but if left unmaintained gross grout can form in the spaces between the tiles.
Porcelain
Like ceramic, porcelain bathroom fixtures are also made out of fired clay, but the difference is that they’re non porous which makes this material waterproof without needing a glaze. Porcelain is easy to clean and made of a hard glass-like material and while dense, is very resistant to cracking and chipping.
While a much heavier fixture material than most, its durability and resistance to wear makes porcelain a great choice for frequently used fixtures like tubs and toilets. Similar to ceramic, it can be clear or color glazed, yet showcases a natural white translucent look.
Thinking it’s time to remodel your home’s bathroom, but not sure where to start? Don’t jump into such a large project without a solid plan. If you need assistance selecting the right material for your bathroom sinks, toilets and bath tubs in Glendale, contact the professionals at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass for guidance and more information.
When you think about what fiberglass looks like, you’re probably envisioning that pink fluffy stuff found in attics: fiberglass insulation. While insulation is one form of fiberglass called fiberglass insulation, in the case of items such as bathroom fixtures, it is an all-purpose reinforced composite plastic material of woven glass fibers, with relatively low weight and excellent strength that can maintain shape and stability.
The fiberglass in your home
Since fiberglass is affordable and known to be quick to repair, it’s a popular material used for the most utilized fixtures in many bathrooms. In this form, fiberglass is easy to handle and can withstand constant use and harsh environmental conditions, if used in an outdoor setting. The bathroom is a high traffic area, so you want to be sure that your sink, shower and toilet won’t fail the test of time… or your family! Therefore, knowing if you are in need of fiberglass repair in Glendale before a bathroom item completely breaks can save you a big headache later on.
Fiberglass bathtubs, toilets and sinks are fantastic when they are brand new and new-ish, but over time they begin to show signs of wear that may require some repair work. As one of the most used rooms in your home by family and guests, keeping up a bathroom cosmetically, as well as its inner workings, is vital and letting necessary fixes go for too long could indeed lead to major water damage when water leaks or seeps through cracks and stress fractures. Recognizing the signs of wear and choosing fiberglass repair in Glendale can save you from having to purchase more expensive, entirely new bathroom fixtures.
Spotting fiberglass damage
While brand new they may look great, over time a fiberglass bathroom fixture will take on a dull look and feel. In fiberglass showers, tubs, sinks and toilets, watch for dullness to the originally shiny surface; a lack of smoothness is likely to be coupled with a dull shine.
From tiny stress fractures and chips to larger cracks that need more immediate attention, fiberglass tubs are prone to cracking, chipping and even accumulating small dents from continued use over time. And, with cracking comes leaking, which is not good for the bathroom or the rest of your home. When leaking occurs, the bathroom can begin to smell musty and moldy due to the constant dampness. Discoloration is another sign that may signal it is time to repair those fiberglass fixtures.
Reinvesting in your home’s bathrooms through repairs to tired tubs, showers, toilets and sinks is a great way to breathe new life into a bathroom. For a very low cost you can potentially restore a bathroom back to that high level of form and function it once had.
If now is the time to reinvest in your bathroom with fiberglass repair in Glendale, consider contacting the professional fiberglass folks at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service for a free repair estimate.
