Whether you enjoy an invigorating shower every morning or a relaxing bubble bath in the evening, you likely use your shower or tub on a daily basis. All of this heavy use might leave you with issues like cracks, mold growth, missing tile and damaged drain caps. When your drain caps are damaged or missing entirely, it makes it much easier to lose things down your drain while you’re bathing. The moment when you realize that you are missing a piece of jewelry after stepping out of the bath or shower can be a dreadful one. Rings can be expensive, and they often hold significant sentimental value that makes them nearly impossible to replace. Because of this, it is important to take the right steps to retrieve your jewelry from your drain:
Turn off your water: The very first thing that you should do when you lose a ring or another piece of jewelry down your drain is turn off your shower or bath. The flow of water can push your jewelry further down the drain and make it more difficult to retrieve.
Remove the drain cap: You should then unscrew the drain strainer carefully and set it aside. You can use a flashlight to shine down your drain and identify the diamond or other gemstone in your ring. This will allow you to see precisely where your ring is located and allow you to get it out more easily.
Use a vacuum: If you have access to a combination wet/dry vacuum, it can be a very useful tool when it comes to getting jewelry out of a drain. Simply vacuum near the top of the drain and you should be able to get your ring out. Make sure to empty out your vacuum canister beforehand so that you don’t have to filter through dust and debris to find your ring once it’s been vacuumed up.
Try a hanger: If using a wet vacuum doesn’t work, or you don’t have one handy, you can fashion a wire coat hanger into a hook shape and use it to fish your ring out of the drain.
Call a plumber: If nothing seems to be working, it doesn’t mean there isn’t any hope for retrieving your ring. A plumber should be able to help you fish your jewelry out of the drain.
Losing a ring in a drain is a common mishap that can happen to anyone, but it might be more common if you have broken drain fixtures or a tub that could use refinishing. At A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C., we are proud to offer a superior selection of services, including bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ. Our customers have chosen to work with our professional team since 1975 and we continue to treat each one of our clients with kindness and professionalism. We are skilled to handle a variety of projects and we would be more than happy to help you no matter what your specific needs may be. Our team of experts is just a phone call away, so get in touch today.
While the kitchen is likely the most popular room in your home, the bathroom undoubtedly wins for the most visited room. It gets used on a daily basis and is often not treated well, and the toilet, bathtub and sink take the brunt of this abuse. Ultimately, this makes them less attractive for our families, friends and any guests that need to use the facilities. So, what is a homeowner to do? When cleaning doesn’t seem to have much of an effect anymore, but there’s no need for a full replacement, it may be time to consider bathtub refinishing.
To figure out if this bathroom project is right for you, first ask the following four questions about bathtub refinishing in Glendale, AZ.
How long does refinishing take?
Although there may be some factors that could tack on time, the actual refinishing process can take anywhere from four to five hours—that is, if a professional does the job. And depending on the temperature and humidity in your home, it will likely take another four to five hours to set. When compared to the days or weeks it could take to completely replace your entire bathtub on your own, refinishing is the quick choice.
How long will a refinish last?
Like a new tub, a refinished tub will last many years if properly installed and cared for on a regular basis. All too often, people use abrasive chemicals on their bathtubs that damage the finish over time. With a refinished tub, it is also important to steer clear of these abrasive chemicals. You should also avoid damaging the tub in other ways, like by dropping heavy objects on it.
How do I care for a refinished tub?
As mentioned above, you should never clean a refinished tub with abrasive cleaners, nor use a rough cloth. An abrasive or harsh chemical can scratch, dull and do irreversible damage to the finish. Instead, use mild cleansers that are guaranteed to be safe for your specific bathtub finish, and keep in mind that using more mild cleansers may mean you’ll need to clean your tub more often to avoid heavy dirt and mildew buildup. Most product packaging will state whether or not it is safe to apply to tub surfaces.
Should I replace or refinish?
It’s a simple fact of life that some tubs will be beyond repair. Decades of poor treatment and severe damage can make it a poor candidate for refinishing, but often times skilled technicians can make it happen. The other thing to consider is the cost associated with bathtub replacement versus bathtub refinishing. A full replacement can cost thousands of dollars between the expense of a new tub, fitting and plumbing, but refinishing lets you keep the tub you already love and makes it look like new again for a lot less.
Whether your bathroom can benefit from tub and shower repairs or a full bathtub refinishing in Glendale, AZ, make sure your first call is to the experts at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. Contact us today to schedule a service appointment!
Updates to your bathroom can be some of the most noticeable forms of home improvement. With a reasonable investment, you can make a big difference in the appearance and functionality of your bathroom. In addition, bathroom updates can increase your home’s value and they allow you to showcase your style preferences. If your bathtub is in poor condition, you’ve probably been considering replacing or refinishing it to get it looking great again. There are several factors that any homeowner should consider before deciding on the best option for their bathtub, from cost to overall appearance.
Consider all of the costs
When you first start looking into the cost of bathtub replacement and refinishing, you might be surprised to find that the upfront cost for a new tub isn’t all that much more than the cost of bathtub refinishing in Glendale, AZ. Before you pull out your wallet, think about all of the costs associated with replacing your tub. Consider how you will actually go about replacing your tub. You’ll probably need help from a professional plumber, and you might even need to get repairs to tiles and other material if there is any damage during removal.
Now that the bathtub has been removed, how do you get it through the bathroom door? You might have to take the door off the hinges or get creative in order to execute a successful removal. Once you’ve figured out how to actually remove the bathtub from your home, you have to consider where and how you will dispose of it. Additionally, you might find that your existing fixtures don’t accommodate the new bathtub you’ve chosen, which means you’ll be spending money on more plumbing services. When it’s all said and done, bathtub replacement can be incredibly costly, not to mention full of unnecessary hassle.
Why choose bathtub refinishing in Glendale, AZ?
In addition to avoiding the stress and unexpected costs that can come with a bathtub replacement, choosing refinishing can ensure a high degree of quality. A refinished bathtub has approximately the same longevity as a brand new bathtub does, and can remain in excellent condition for years to come. With gentle cleaning and a little maintenance, a refinished bathtub looks like new and can greatly improve the overall appearance of your bathroom. When you invest in bathtub refinishing services, your upfront cost covers every necessary aspect of the process, as opposed to bathtub replacement, which can carry hidden and unexpected expenses.
At A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C., we offer a wide range of bathroom services, including bathtub refinishing in Glendale, AZ, to restore the appearance and the functionality of your tub. No matter what kind of services you need for your bathtub or bathroom fixtures, you can trust our experienced and knowledgeable team to get the job done. For more information about all of our great services, or to set up an appointment, contact us today. We would love to work with you to restore the appearance and functionality of your bathroom.
Lead poisoning is a topic that we’ve all heard about. We know lead can live in our walls, floorboards, doorframes and other common living areas, and we’ve all been warned to make sure our water is clean. But one place that is often overlooked as a source of lead poisoning is the bathtub. This is especially dangerous, as we all spend a lot of time in our tub, whether we’re having a soak or taking a quick shower. Even worse, our children are bathing in that same tub, too, which means they are possibly being exposed to high levels of toxicity.
If you think you might have a problem with lead in your bathtub, call the experts at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC for bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ.
Here are a few must-know facts about lead poisoning in bathtubs:
High levels of lead can exist in multiple tub types: Whether you have an enamel or porcelain tub, you are at equal risk for lead, which can live in both the glaze (known as surface coating) and the substrate (or under coating). Tubs can frequently hold 300,000ppm (parts per million) of lead or more, and they are often left as is, even during extensive bathroom remodels or updates. This problem is worsened as the tub starts to deteriorate, letting potentially high levels of lead out into your bath water.
Older tubs have a high risk:Multiple studies have found that about 75 percent of tubs manufactured before 1978 have a glaze that contains lead. In fact, about 40 percent of them will even show lead dust levels that can be easily measured, just from a collection of surface particles. We appreciate an elegant, vintage tub as much as the next person—especially those beautiful claw foot varieties—but unfortunately, such tubs are also very likely to contain lead.
Blood tests can reveal lead issues:Sometimes a home sample kit isn’t enough to determine a high lead level in your home. This is a case for the experts, and A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC will be able to tell you for sure if there is a risk of lead in your bathtub. Many people discover they have a lead problem after conducting blood tests for their children. If your children show any level of lead in their blood, call in an expert right away.
Lead affects kids in dangerous ways: Any level of lead in the blood can be extremely detrimental. Kids can experience lowered IQ, as well as suffer from attention deficit disorders and problems with behavior. It can even delay puberty and cause diminished hearing.
The old adage applies here: better safe than sorry. Do you have an older tub? Did you move in to a house without knowing the status of the bathtub? Whatever your situation, it’s imperative that you protect the health of your family. Call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC to inspect your bathtub today. We can provide bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ that reduces your risk of lead exposure and looks great in the process.
If you have a vintage, antique bathtub in your home that is beginning to look a little worn, it’s much more cost-effective to refinish the bathtub than to go with a complete replacement. You might be surprised to learn that purchasing a similar tub (or paying to design a similar tub) could cost you thousands of dollars, depending on its age and the materials used to create it.
Of course, refinishing is no easy task, either. You must have a certain amount of skill to complete the job correctly and be comfortable working with certain types of chemicals. The job will also require a fair amount of time and patience, though you should be able to complete the transformation within a weekend if you are committed.
Here are some tips to keep in mind to help you achieve better bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ:
Calculate what the cost will be: Figure out all the materials you need to refinish your tub and then determine how much it will cost to purchase them. Sometimes you are able to get refinishing kits that will include pretty much everything you need, but if these kits are unavailable, you will need to collect the materials yourself. These materials could include certain painting tools (brushes, rollers, painter’s tape), protective eyewear, rubber gloves, a respirator, drop cloths, mineral spirits and chemical cleaning agents. You might be able to just get a good finish by using a brush and roller, but if that doesn’t work out well, a paint sprayer will be your best bet to give you the most professional looking result.
Know what you’re in for: This is not a simple project. Much like any do-it-yourself project, you must do your research ahead of time so you know the scope of the project and the order in which you must complete the steps. Your first step should always be to completely clean out your bathtub, getting rid of any scum, mildew or residue that has collected over time. If there are any areas that have chipped or pitted, you will need to fill these areas in with putty or epoxy and sand them down before you proceed. You should also remove the drain cover, lever plate and any caulking located around the edge of the tub.
Work with the chemicals carefully: Because these chemicals can be harmful to the human body, make sure you are wearing appropriate protective gear while performing the job. Keep the room well ventilated throughout the process, as well, so you don’t breathe in too many fumes. You may have to apply the chemicals multiple times, so make sure you allow it to dry sufficiently before each application. Once the entire project is complete, you will not be able to use the tub for several days, so make sure you have planned around this in your home. If it’s your family’s only means of bathing, you might need to make other arrangements.
Be aware that you can never be fully prepared: Just about any DIY project in your home requires you to expect the unexpected. With a bathtub refinishing job, you never know when the project could require you to just overhaul a significant portion of your bathroom. Removing the caulking could uncover some severe issues with moisture in your walls, which would require some major remodeling and wall repair, depending on the extent of the problem. Be ready for basically anything when you take on a job like this.
For more information, or to have the project done professionally, contact A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. today for bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ.
