When something breaks or wears down, it’s human nature to want to replace it with something better and your home’s countertops are no exception. If they’ve suffered damage over the years or have fallen victim to a chance accident recently that has left them scarred, it’s quite tempting to start squirreling away money for a brand new countertop installation. But, instead of shelling out all of that cash for brand new materials, why not give counter top repair in Phoenix, AZ a shot?
Counter top repair is much easier, far more cost effective and quicker to complete than a brand new installation—not to mention effective at restoring your existing aesthetic to a brand-new level. Take a look at the top three reasons to choose counter top repair in Phoenix, AZ over an unnecessary installation:
New countertops are expensive! What material are your current countertops? High-end granite or marble? Affordable laminate? How about quartz or travertine? No matter what material you currently enjoy, it’s going to cost you an arm and a leg to replace it, as compared to simply fixing up your existing installation. Plus, if you redo your countertops, you’ll be tempted to go big or go home and few homeowners plan far enough ahead to budget once they’ve made the decision to replace their countertops, let alone upgrade them!
Your room will be useless while the replacements are taking place. In a room like the bathroom or kitchen, you need full access all of the time—access that you aren’t going to have when you have to worry about how long it’s going to take to fully replace your countertops. Counter top repair in Phoenix, AZ is far quicker and only centers on the affected areas, allowing you to still make use of the areas not being treated.
You get more bang for your buck with repairs. Everyone always says, “make improvements to your home and its value will increase.” While these people may be speaking the truth, no one ever said that the improvements had to be brand new to bestow value! In fact, fixing up your existing countertops to look like new will instill value in your home almost as well as investing in new countertops will—both perceived value and actual value! It’s all about how they look and feel when it comes to determining their real value.
If you’re scrubbing down your countertops one day and realize that they’re a little worse for the wear, don’t be so hasty to jump to conclusions—doing so may cost you far more than you had anticipated. Instead, consider the cost-effective choice of counter top repair in Phoenix, AZ, as opposed to a complete renovation. Better yet, give the professionals at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC a call today to learn how refinishing your countertops can be just as good, if not better, than investing in brand new materials!
There are certain materials that, when applied properly in your home, exude class, sophistication and luxury. Tile is predominantly one of these materials and when used to accent and shape your bathroom, tile can create an aesthetic that’s unmatched in both quality and allure.
Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t even consider bathroom tiling in Glendale for fear of paying too much for too little. This couldn’t be further from the truth, however, as tile is one of the most lasting implementations that you can put your faith and your money into. Though it may cost more upfront than a simple linoleum installation, the benefits that tile brings with it far outstrip other conventional flooring materials.
In fact, who said that tile had to be used solely for your flooring? Take a look at a few of the ways that bathroom tiling in Glendale can enhance the appeal of your home and bring longevity and value to this frequently used room:
Resilience: When you pay to have your bathroom remodeled, you’re essentially paying for the replacement of existing materials with a higher grade, newer level of quality. And, if you’re seeking a better level of quality in your bathroom, it only makes sense to choose materials that are going to stay in prime condition for longer and look better than your existing implementations. In this regard, tile is virtually unbeatable! Tile is highly resilient against water saturation, won’t be subject to scuffs or dings that can compromise other flooring materials and are easily repaired if damage does somehow befall a section of tile installation.
Versatility: As stated above, there’s no unwritten rule that says tiling is only admissible as a flooring material. Chances are you’ve seen gorgeous tile showers somewhere before—why not bring this level of sophistication into your own bathroom? Bathroom tiling in Glendale is easily applied to create stunning showerscapes of all types and when applied by a professional who understands the aesthetic requirements needed to create this luxurious amenity, you’re certain to have a finished product that’s fit for royalty.
Home value: You get out of your home what you put into it and this idea couldn’t be truer than when it comes to using quality materials in your bathroom. Tile flooring or a tile shower will serve to raise the overall value of your home—both actual value and the perceived value of anyone that may prospectively own it. If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market sometime in the next 5-10 years, tiling your bathroom will give you a boost in value when the time does come to sell—and, until that day comes, you’ll get to enjoy your purchase in all of its luxury!
Remember, tile isn’t without its drawbacks—it’s more expensive per square foot than most materials, it can be hard to clean and when it’s damaged, the damage is far more noticeable. Aside from these things, however, tile is a smart choice for homeowners looking to get more out of their homes, specifically their bathrooms.
Refinishing your bathtub is usually done to help restore your existing amenities to a clean, pristine-looking state. But why do our tubs lose their shine over time and what can be done to prevent it? You may be surprised to learn that a majority of bathtub breakdowns occur as the result of cleaning them with abrasive cleaners, rather than succumbing to normal wear and tear—its this breakdown that invites in other particulates that can build up and cause decay in the enamel of your tub.
So, this begs the question: if cleaning your tub can actually break it down over time, leading to a need for bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ, how exactly are you supposed to keep it sanitized? This is a question that many people find themselves asking after a professional has helped to restore their tub and to those people, we invite you to read ahead on how to properly clean and care for your tub!
Safe cleaners
There’s no shortage of bathroom cleaning products on the market today—nearly an entire aisle in your local grocery or hardware store is dedicated to bathroom cleanliness! Some of these products, however, have no business in your bathroom, as they’re known to cause decay in the protective layers of your tub or shower.
Cleaning products with abrasive chemicals or high acidity may get rid of those soap scum stains, but they’re also destroying the layer of protection that your tub relies on to stay clean and healthy. Bleaches also have a tendency to take a toll on tubs, which can lead to a faster breakdown of the materials in your bathroom, leading to more frequent bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ.
The smartest choices in cleaning chemicals are those that are proven to be gentle on the enamel of your tub. Lysol products are known for their effective, yet safe approach to stain removal, alongside 409 cleaners and watered down bleaches. But, even if you use these products, it’s important not to use scouring pads, which are just as damaging to your tub as a harsh chemical.
Cleaning more often
One of the easiest ways to avoid bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ is to take charge of cleaning your bathtub in a way that will extend its life. Along with using better cleaners and less abrasive cleaning methods, it’s also in your best interest to clean more frequently.
For many people, designating that twice monthly cleaning day for their bathrooms may seem like enough to keep the stains at bay, however by doing less intense cleaning more often, you’ll actually be cutting down on the work you have to do, while extending your tub’s overall pristine appearance. Cleaning once weekly will keep your tub in good standing and your overall effort to beautify your bathroom will be minimal.
Looking for more tips on how to keep your tub and shower looking good for the long haul? Consider speaking with an expert the next time you have repairs or restoration work done—you might learn a few simple things that can help you to enjoy your bathroom amenities for longer.
When something like your bath tub is damaged and it needs to be fixed by a professional, it’s common for a homeowner to have questions about the process. Knowing what caused the problem, how it’s going to be fixed and hoe much it’s going to cost are all standard inquiries, however the questions don’t often stop there. Here’s a quick list of some of the most common questions we get regarding bath tub refinishing in Glendale and the answers to those questions, for homeowners who are concerned about their tubs:
How do I properly clean my tub after it’s refinished?
This is a great question for a number of reasons. First, it shows that a homeowner is actively planning ahead, to preserve their bath tub after it’s refinished and repaired. Second, it’s a necessary question when it comes to properly maintaining your tub after investing in a refinishing service. The answer to this question is to not use abrasive cleaners on your tub—these will serve to strip away at protective layers, causing discoloration and breakdowns. Instead, use dish soap and use it often—frequently cleaning with a safer product will prevent tough grime buildups that often need more abrasive attention.
Will the project leave any noticeable traces of work behind?
Many people often worry that a bath tub refinishing in Glendale will stick out like a sore thumb, alerting everyone to your need for professional cleaning services. The reality is that refinishing your tub won’t make it stick out at all, save for a slight odor that will disappear in a few hours time. Your bath tub will look like its been recently cleaned, showing no signs of professional work outside of its fantastic shine! The smell, which is a product of restorative chemicals, is non-toxic and will dissipate in just a few hours.
How long does a full tub refinish take?
This is perhaps the most common question outside of cost when it comes to bath tub refinishing in Glendale. The answer, depends on the size of your tub and the state it’s in. Some refinishing jobs can be completed in just a couple of hours, while others can drag on for upwards of three hours! What’s important to remember, however, isn’t how long your refinishing job is going to take, it’s how long you’ll need to leave it alone for. Freshly refinished tubs should be avoided for a minimum of 24-hours, to ensure that the job sets properly and your tub is protected against ongoing use.
When is the best time to refinish a tub during a bathroom remodel?
Homeowners who are entirely renovating their bathrooms often ask this question, because they want to make sure that they’re getting their full money’s worth out of a tub refinishing job. The answer to this, is near the end of the job. Refinishing your tub after the rest of the bathroom is completed will serve to give you the best chance at a clean refinish—after all of the dust and grime has been cleared out of your newly remodeled space. Refinishing also creates static electricity, which can attract dust particles while a job is in progress, so it’s best to leave it until the end.
When you’re a homeowner, the prospect of saving a few bucks by undertaking a DIY project can be alluring. Between the excitement of putting some elbow grease into your very own home and the feeling of accomplishment you’ll have when the project is all done, it’s enough to make anyone feel like the king or queen of their castle! But, be careful as to which projects you take on as DIY ventures and which ones need a true professional to handle them—the difference could mean more work for you and more money out of pocket if something goes awry.
Porcelain repair in Phoenix is one of those jobs better left to a professional. You’ve probably seen cheap repair kits in the store or DIY guides floating around the online home repair forums, which is great—these resources will help people make very minor repairs to their tub or shower all by themselves! But be warned, anything larger than a hairline crack and a store bought kit and some handy advice won’t be enough to save you from making a potentially costly mistake!
The trials of porcelain repair
The number one reason to avoid store bought kits when undertaking porcelain repair in Phoenix is because they’re not as easy to use as you might think! Some come with chemicals that need to be mixed, others come with epoxies that can get very messy very quickly and even more won’t harden into a material that’s up to scratch. You may feel confident buying one of these kits off of the rack at the store, but we’re betting that once you crack it open, you’ll quickly feel as though you’re in over your head!
Porcelain isn’t easy to repair unless you have years of experience doing it. Knowing the right way to fix a chip or gouge, versus knowing how to properly assess a fracture or crack, means all the difference in the world when you’re talking about how the finished repair is going to turn out. You might use one method for re-molding a corner that has chipped off, while another is used for meshing together two parts of a crack—but when applied incorrectly, your bonded repair material may actually exacerbate the issue!
Technique and method
One major issue with DIY porcelain repair in Phoenix is the technique that many homeowners adopt. For quick fixes, you’ll probably find that “paint on” kits would be the best to use—however many homeowners take the “paint on” concept literally and attempt to apply it like paint! This isn’t going to yield desirable results, however, since adding coats that are too thick will yield bumps in your finished product. Along with this, if you attempt to sand down your patch after applying too many costs, you could damage the existing porcelain and end up with a faded, spotty patch.
In the end, there are many projects worth a DIY approach, but porcelain repair isn’t one of them. Leave your porcelain fixes to a professional if you value the longevity of your fixtures and you’ll find that paying a small price for a professional fix with yield lasting results that are well worth the cost!
