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.
Fiberglass was invented in 1932, and its creation was actually an accident. Games Slayter, an Owens-Illinois researcher, discovered the material when he unintentionally directed steam toward glass fibers. This caused them to melt together to create the material we know today. Since then, fiberglass has been used in everything from bath tubs to boats, and that necessitates services like fiberglass repair in Glendale. Learn more about this material to see how it is repaired.
Fiberglass structure
During manufacture, fiberglass forms through layers of glass fibers. Just like with its accidental discovery, these fibers melt and mold together. Filaments cross each other and build strength in the material from all directions.
However, since fiberglass contains these fibers, it is flexible too. You may notice that when you step into your fiberglass tub or shower, you feel a bit of give. This is the fibers flexing to accommodate your weight and prevent breaking under it.
When it wears out
While it offers a wide range of tension and flexion, fiberglass does wear out after being subjected to constant use and pressure. As it goes through this process, the fibers start to break and holes form in its surface. Some fiberglass bath tubs also contain a cloth reinforcement (also made from fiberglass) that will need to be repaired or replaced too.
The interesting part regarding fiberglass damage is that it will appear more like a tear than a crack. That is due to the nature of fiberglass and how it breaks down. As it is fibrous, its aging process is more like how your clothes wear out than the way your car sustains rust damage. Repairing it is more like weaving than filling holes in your wall.
What is involved with fiberglass repair
Repairing fiberglass involves helping the fibers reconnect, which makes the weaving analogy apt. It is a process of filling and bonding to restore the tension and flexion properties. This re-bonding application helps fiberglass restore its original strength.
Once the fibers reconnect, the final step involves hardening so the surface adds another layer of protection to the once-damaged area. Sometimes, customers will order resurfacing at the same time to not only repair their fixture, but also give it a like-new look.
Can I do the repair myself?
There are kits available for fixing fiberglass bathroom fixtures. If you catch the damage early or it is not that extensive, it is likely that you can effectively fix the damage yourself. Be sure to follow each step and allow enough time for your repair to dry. We recommend not using the fixture for 48 hours after repair and protecting it from dust particles. If debris sticks to the repair spot while your bathtub or shower is drying, it can affect the surface.
However, if there is extensive damage or multiple cracks, you may wish to contact a contractor. Not only may it be necessary to repair the damage, but your surface may require refinishing, too. Making a do-it-yourself repair when the damage is more serious can also result in higher repair costs in the future, so if you are not sure whether this is within your capabilities, it is best to call in a professional.
Do you need help with fiberglass repair in your Glendale home? Call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service to arrange a visit and estimate.
After purchasing that 1930s bungalow or 1899 farmhouse, you may wish to preserve its period character for as long as possible. That often means installing period fixtures in bathrooms and kitchens. However, these may require extra repair and maintenance to stay intact and continue looking their best. Read ahead to learn more about bath tub refinishing in Glendale, AZ for period fixtures.
What is bath tub refinishing?
Refinishing is restoring the appearance and construction of an older fixture. It involves repairing chips and cracks and restoring the surface on porcelain, fiberglass, acrylic and even iron. This process is often less expensive than replacing fixtures and when you wish to preserve period elements, it can be an appreciated service. Often times, refinishing a bath tub restores it to like-new condition.
Can all bath tubs be refinished?
Generally, if the bath tub can still hold water and an occupant, it can be refinished. Porcelain, cast iron and fiberglass tubs have all been successfully restored and offered another 10 to 15 years of reliable use, if not more. However, if there are deep cracks, pitting and rough surfaces that would make the bath tub unpleasant to use, it may not be a candidate for refinishing. Any serious damage needs to be assessed by an experienced bathroom fixtures contractor.
Are there special considerations for period fixtures vs. modern ones?
Sometimes, the original fixtures are tougher than anything manufactured today. They handle the cleaning, sanding, priming, painting and sealing process very well and look almost new once everything is done.
However, there are special considerations to take into account. First, confirm the material of the bath tub. Porcelain and acrylic often require different treatment and have their own levels of tolerance. Also, if there are chips and cracks, extra care should be taken to ensure they do not become more serious. You may also have to wait longer between the steps just to make sure everything is sealed. So depending on the condition of the bath tub, the process can take longer, but it usually does not involve any extra steps.
A cast iron tub will require a different process entirely. If you hire a contractor for that job, be sure the workers understand what they need to do.
I bought an old bath tub stored in a barn for decades that I wish to install in my new Victorian! Can I use it?
You should be cautious with any bath fixtures that have not been in regular use for a long while. If the fixture has always been used in the bathroom, it likely did not undergo any extra stress or face elements that it was not meant to endure. Even in the days before central heating, indoor environments did not suffer the extremes of outdoor ones.
However, that ancient bath tub you rescued from the barn may not be completely intact. It has been exposed to sudden changes in temperature, natural elements, insects and animals, all of which can have corrosive effects. If you wish to have such an item restored, hire a professional, as extra care and professional opinions as to the tub’s structural integrity are required.
Want to make your period fixtures shine? A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. offers bath tub refinishing in Glendale, AZ for modern and older bathrooms alike. Give us a call and let us know about your unique project.
Your bathroom’s countertops are one of the most important facets of the room, whether you realize it or not. Try putting on makeup or brushing your teeth or shaving without a countertop and you’re likely going to have a lot of trouble! But with all of the versatility that a countertop offers you, comes a myriad of abuse that you’re not seeing as you put them to the test each and every day.
After years and years of serving as your platform for any and all bathroom activities, it’s often not surprising when countertops crack, scuff, discolor or become damaged in any other way. Often, these damages can be mitigated or avoided altogether with the right approach. Take a look at five ways to extend the life of your bathroom’s countertops and reduce the odds that you’ll need counter top repair in Phoenix, AZ:
Keep hot and cold extremes off of your countertops whenever possible! This means curling irons, flat irons, hot blow driers and other hair care accessories, as well as things like ice packs or frozen beverages, should not be left on your countertops! These temperature extremes can cause stress to the material and over time, can wear down the resilience of a space that has seen too much abuse.
Keep chemical cleaners to a minimum when it comes to making your bathroom sparkle. The leading cause of countertop damage is often abrasive cleaning chemicals that slowly wear away at the sealant of a countertop, causing other forms of wear and tear to quickly take root. Stick to the natural cleaners and you should preserve your countertops for longer.
Clean often and thoroughly! Not only will this keep grime and debris from accumulating on your countertops to deteriorate them slowly, it’ll also make your bathroom feel more welcoming and inviting, not to mention cleaner. All it takes is a deep clean once a week and minor tidiness throughout the week and your bathroom will sparkle, including those countertops.
Reduce the impacts that your countertops take on a daily basis. This means avoiding slamming objects down on the surface, trying not to drop items on your countertops, etc. All it takes is one well placed drop or one unfortunate object slamming into the countertop to create a small chip or crack and you’ve got yourself a constant reminder of the incident.
Wash your hands frequently. Yes, that’s right, washing your hands can help to improve the life of your countertops! How? Well, your hands have all sorts of natural oils on them, which can get on the countertops themselves when you touch them… and long after you walk away the oils and other microbes will still be there, doing damage to your surface. Washing your hands helps to minimize this impact.
If you’re wondering how to make your countertops look better for longer and avoid costly counter top repair in Phoenix, AZ, start with the five tips above! You’re sure to see a noticeable difference in the longevity of this oft-used bathroom necessity.
We don’t often give much thought to our showers other than when we’re in them, and even then, we’re usually too busy singing our favorite tunes and soaping away to do much else than ponder what the day has in store for us when we step out to towel off. And while your shower might just be that familiar first step of every day, what you might be missing is all of the damage that can accumulate over time around you.
Showers are pretty resilient, considering they’re bombarded with water, soap and whatever debris is washing off of us on a daily basis… but they’re not invincible. In fact, there are some telltale areas of your shower that are going to degrade over time, which calls for shower repair in Glendale more often than not. Take a look at a few of these troublesome areas:
Grout: If you have a tile shower, the grout between these tiles is your number one area of concern. Even if you clean between your tiles regularly, they’re still bound to suffer some wear over time and it’s going to take a professional’s touch to restore the resilience to this area of your tile again. A good grout repair will eliminate organic bacteria, scale buildups and anything else that might be defacing your grout.
Caulking: Much like grout, the caulking of your shower is going to act as a seal to prevent water damage from taking its toll on your shower. Caulking isn’t the strongest material, however and can break down over time whether because it has dried out or because it simply wasn’t applied correctly the first time around. Having your shower re-caulked is going to reestablish one of your showers’ first lines of defense.
Tiles: Cracked tiles are no good for your shower and are sure to invite water into places where it certainly doesn’t belong! Water behind your tile is going to cause everything from rot to mold growth and can quickly compromise your bathroom. Have broken or cracked tiles repaired by a professional to avoid the headache that water damage can bring with it.
Porcelain: Have an annoying crack in the porcelain section of your shower? Well, unfortunately that crack isn’t going heal itself, nor is it going to get any smaller. Hiring a porcelain repair professional is about the only course of action you’ve got—other than the poor quality fix that a store-bought repair kit might yield—and making the investment to fix up your porcelain is actually making an investment in your shower itself!
If you notice things like stains, blemishes, cracks, chips, scratches or other damages to your shower that may be the result of years and years of unseen abuse, it’s time to make sure your shower is finally getting repaid for all of those refreshing showers it provided you with! Don’t let these seemingly small problems get any worse: contact a professional today to correct them while they’re still minor.
