Your bathtub is a vital part of your home and well-being. This is because it helps you stay clean and improves your mood after you take a relaxing bath. This is why you need to check your bathtub’s condition frequently. A leaking bathtub can cause severe water damage to your home’s structure over time. If your bathtub is leaking, the problem can be with its faucet, grout or drain. Instead of replacing the entire leaking bathtub, which is expensive, you can do fiberglass repair on it yourself. Here’s how to fix a leaking bathtub yourself.
1. Locate the Leaks
The first step to repairing a leaking tub is to find the leak. The leaks from the faucet and grout can be easy to spot, while those on the drain are more challenging to find. However, you can know if there is a leak in your bath’s drain through elimination. If you don’t see any leaks in the faucet and grout, it means that the leak is in the drain. To locate the leaks:
Wipe the faucet and the outside of the grout dry with a cloth.
Wrap the faucet and the outside of the grout with dry newspaper.
Let the faucet fill the tub with water and leave it for 10 minutes.
Check the wrapping newspaper for any damp spots to find the leaks.
2. Fixing the Leaks
If the faucet leaks, you will need a screwdriver, pipe wrench, gaskets and stem washers to fix it. You will start by removing the faucet handle and using the pipe wrench to remove the packing nut. Go on and replace the old washers and gaskets with new ones and put the faucet back together.
If your tub’s body or grout is leaking, clean the leakage area and dry it thoroughly. Apply a sealant to the leaking spot and let it dry for at least three hours. If the leak in your bathtub’s drain, you will need a drain removal tool, screwdriver, putty knife, plumber’s putty and a rag or paper towel. As the bathtub is an important part of your home, make sure you use quality products for the repairs.
Pros and Cons of Repairing Your Bathtub Yourself
The pros are:
It can be more affordable than having to call a professional.
It can be a fun family-bonding activity you can do with your child.
The cons are:
Poor workmanship; thus, the repair work won’t look as appealing compared to if it were done by a professional.
The refinishing work won’t last as long as if it were handled by a professional.
You risk causing more problems to your bathtub than it had before.
Are you looking for bathroom refinishing help?
Welcome to A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., located in Glendale, Arizona, for your bathroom refinishing needs. We are top-notch bathtub and shower specialists that started operations in 1975. We repair cracked fiberglass tubs and refinish tubs, sinks and showers. A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co. operates all weekdays. Call us today for unmatched bathroom refinishing assistance.
A variety of bathroom sink styles and materials makes it possible to install and use simple but effective sinks that are relatively affordable. You also could buy sinks that are very ornate and made from costly materials that could greatly increase the price. It is important to choose the bathroom sink styles and materials that will deliver the best use and long-term satisfaction.
Different Types of Sinks to Consider
Choosing the best bathroom sink ideas to use often depends on how the existing plumbing enters the bathroom and the size of the room. Some sinks might stand alone on a pedestal. Others might be mounted to the wall or rest on a countertop.
Specialty sinks even fit into corners so that small spaces can house small bathrooms. You just need to consider the available space and likely uses to determine the best bathroom sink ideas.
Choose the Best Basin Materials
You could buy a very nice sink that would look great in a master bathroom and a family bathroom. Bathroom sinks are used often but seldom for anything more than washing your hands and brushing your teeth. Good materials for a bathroom sink include:
Porcelain
Ceramic
Stone
Fireclay
Some bathroom sinks might be used in a more industrial capacity, like at a work site. It might be best to use a sink built from a sturdy metal that resists scratches and dents for more industrial types of bathroom uses. Some of the best for that include:
Stainless steel
Cast iron
Copper
You could also buy sinks made from composite materials or even glass. The wide variety of sink materials makes it important to determine what works best for each sink in your home.
How To Choose the Appropriate Shape
A sink basin comes in many shapes and sizes. They could be rectangular or square and fit in a more modular setting. Others could be oval or round and have shallow sides that taper down to a drain. Consider the size of your bathroom, how you need to mount the sink, and how often it is likely to be used when choosing the best bathroom sink styles and materials.
A good rule of thumb is the fewer people who will use a sink, the smaller it can be. A sink that is used is a spare bathroom or mostly is used by one person does not have to be large and bulky. The budget also plays a big role in choosing your ideal bathroom sink. You obviously need one that will match your budget while doing all you need to do.
Fiberglass is a fantastic material for bathtubs and showers because it can withstand a ton of wear and tear without failing—but the material can crack in some scenarios. You’ll need to address these cracks ASAP to prevent them from widening or getting longer.
Luckily, DIY fiberglass repair is an option if you have some free time on your hands. Follow these tips to fix your broken tub or shower by yourself:
Put on protective gear: The first step is to put on some personal protective equipment (PPE). Wear gloves, eye protection and a dust mask to prevent inhaling fiberglass dust or irritating your skin or eyes with the epoxy you’ll use later.
Drill a hole in fiberglass: As we just mentioned, fiberglass cracks can get longer as time goes on. To prevent that from happening, you’ll want to drill tiny holes on both ends of the crack.
Widen the crack: It sounds counterintuitive, but you actually need to widen hairline cracks just a bit to fill the crack with epoxy resin. You can do this with an electric or handheld rotary blade. Just make sure that you don’t widen it too much.
Wipe the crack: Next you’ll need to clean the crack with acetone to get rid of any excess dirt or grime. Acetone is the best choice for the job because it doesn’t leave any residue.
Fill with epoxy resin: Now that the area is clean and dry, fill the hole with epoxy resin using a plastic applicator. Be sure that the crack is completely filled.
Sand the surface: Once the epoxy dries for a day or two, your last step is to smooth it down with sandpaper.
Why should you hire a pro for fiberglass repair?
It seems pretty easy to follow the steps above to fix any damaged fiberglass—but trust us, you’re better off hiring a professional for these reasons:
Proper assessment: First and foremost, a professional can take a look at the fiberglass and tell you whether or not repairing the damage is even worth it. For example, you might be better off just replacing a fiberglass tub if it has a massive hole in it.
Guaranteed results: If your fiberglass specialist determines that fiberglass repair is the best option, they’re sure to do a better job of fixing the damage than you could. Not only will the repaired area look better, but the repaired patch will hold up better over time.
Save your time: Whether it’s damaged fiberglass or a broken appliance, hiring a repairman to fix it always saves your time. Think of all the better things you could do with your time than worrying about fixing a crack in your tub.
Call our team first
Before even wasting money on the materials for DIY fiberglass repair, just call our pros at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. We offer fair pricing, and our team has years of experience—you can trust that the job will be done right the first time and you won’t spend a fortune on repairs.
Having a porcelain tub in your home can be a wonderful asset and a real feature piece that gets guests talking. They are becoming somewhat of a rarity in the modern era, but those of us who are lucky enough to have antique ones cherish them. They usually contain plenty of room for a relaxing soak, which is a luxury we all need now more than ever. However, due to its very nature, porcelain can sometimes take a beating and look a bit worse for the wear as the years pass.
Fortunately, it’s actually quite simple to breathe some new life into this key bathroom piece. While porcelain tub refinishing is a job that should usually be outsourced to a pro who has the right equipment and knowledge to get the job done right, a skilled DIY-er may be able to tackle the project. Read on for a primer on how to get your porcelain tub looking like new (even if it’s an antique):
Scrub down the scum: The first step is to scrub the inside and outside of the tub—any household cleaner will do. Use a stiff bristle brush or a sponge with a scrubbing surface for best results.
Break out the TSP: Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is sold at any home improvement store and is a great way to degloss the surface of the porcelain. Make sure you wear rubber gloves as a you scrub, and rinse the entire tub with water when you’re done.
Remove hardware: The next step in porcelain tub refinishing involves removing the hardware to protect it from sanders and paint in the next steps. A screwdriver is probably necessary at this point, although a tub spout might come right off by turning it counterclockwise with your bare hands. Anything you can’t easily remove should be covered with painter’s tape for added protection.
Sand it down: Next, sand the entire surface with fine grit paper. Rough grit will scratch up the surface, so avoid that at all costs. A palm sander will help save your grip at this point, and is well worth the investment. Use a shop vac and tack cloth to clean up the excess dust this is sure to create.
Prime: Cover any area around the tub with plastic sheeting and start spraying down the tub with acrylic primer contained inside a spray painter. Allow the first coat to dry (roughly 30 minutes), then apply a second coat.
Poly the tub: Finally, use the sprayer to apply a layer of epoxy acrylic to the whole tub. Let it dry before applying two more coats. After the final coat is added, don’t touch anything on the tub for at least 48 hours as everything fully and completely dries. When that time is up, put the hardware back in place, apply caulking around all seams and then you’re all done!
A porcelain tub refinishing project can seem intimidating for most DIY-ers, so if you prefer to leave it to the pros, our team at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass has the knowledge and experience to do any bathroom job right, no matter the size or the materials required. Call us today!
Fiberglass bathtubs and showers are affordable, durable and attractive, but they’re prone to cracks and pitting after years of regular use. Luckily, fiberglass repair can bring these features back to their original, beautiful condition. This project can be challenging for the average DIY-er, which is why hiring a fiberglass repair professional is your best bet for a quality fix.
Here’s a brief summary explaining how to get the job done the right way.
Repairing a fiberglass tub
From small pits to large cracks or indents, all it takes is a simple epoxy kit and a few tools to fix a tired-looking fiberglass bathtub. Your repair technician will wear protective gear, including goggles, a respirator and gloves, during the process. After assessing the type of damage to the tub, the technician will form a plan to tackle it.
Small chips and cracks only require a simple filling and refinishing, while larger holes or cracks require significant intervention. In these cases, the technician will typically add extra support to the tub structure before patching and refinishing the fiberglass.
Your technician will follow a similar process to the one listed below:
Preparing the area: The technician will use a cleaning solution and sponge to remove oil, soap scum and loose glass fibers.
Drilling: If any extra support is needed below the tub, the technician will drill a few small holes in the surface and inject a foam support below.
Patching: To repair large holes, the repair technician will lay fiberglass mesh as a patch and then seal it with resin putty and hardener. For smaller holes, all it takes is a small amount of the putty to fill them effectively.
Drying: The mixture will dry and set on the tub surface for about three hours or longer. After setting, the technician will sand the surface and then use finishing polish to help the repair blend in with the rest of the tub.
Repairing a fiberglass shower pan
Fixing cracks and holes in a shower pan follows a similar process to the one described above. The only real difference in the process is that the shower pan can be reinforced with plywood or any type of board instead of with foam. Your fiberglass technician will perform the following additional steps:
Sealing: The repair technician spreads epoxy on the plywood and presses it into the hole or crack from the unexposed side, sealing it effectively.
Applying the topcoat: To complete the repair, your technician adds a top layer of epoxy on the exposed surface of the shower pan. Finishing follows the same process as that for bathtubs, with the surface sanded and carefully polished to blend in with the surface.
Looking to bring back the original look and feel of your bathtub or shower with professional fiberglass repair? Reach out to the experts at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. We’ll restore the appearance and function of a tired bathtub or shower in as little as a day.
