Bathtubs are (probably) the most used amenity in our homes. Since they’re used so often, they get dirty pretty quick. Dirty tubs are germ infested, look terrible and can start to smell gross after a while.
In addition to those short term consequences, a dirty bathtub can lower the value of your home if you’re trying to sell. There’s not one single factor that contributes to a dirty tub. Many small things people do (or neglect to do) lead to dirty bath tubs in Glendale, AZ. In order to keep a clean tub that’s sure to impress guests, pay attention to the following tub pitfalls.
Soap scum and shampoo buildup
The hard surface that builds up over a while around your tub in a natural reaction to water and the ingredients in soap and shampoo. After prolonged tub use, this buildup hardens and becomes increasingly hard to clean.
Mold and mildew
Mold and mildew are bound to grow in any damp area. A tub that’s constantly in use is a hotbed for mold and mildew growth. Not only are mold and mildew gross, breathing mold can be harmful to your health in the long run.
Dead skin and other body debris
We obviously take showers and/or baths to wash away the dirt and grease that we accumulate on our bodies throughout the day. The dirt, grease, hair and dead skin that doesn’t go down the drain all gets stuck in the tub. Over time all of that accumulates and causes a real big mess.
Hard water stains
Many parts of the country have water with a high mineral content, or hard water. If you happen to live in a part of the country that has hard water, over time those hard water deposits will stain the base of the tub.
Unless properly cleaned, hard water can also rust the drain cover making an unsightly red mess.
Pet cleaning
Cleaning your animals, especially dogs after they’ve been playing in the mud, is a must. However, getting them into your bathtub to get clean is always a challenge and can be equally hard on the wellbeing of your tub. Your pets’ claws will scratch the tub further damaging the tub’s protective coating.
Cleaning chemicals
Hardcore cleaning products will definitely clean up the afore mentioned problems that bathtubs often run into. However, if used in excess, these chemicals can end up damaging bath tubs in Glendale, AZ in the long run. Chemicals like bleach will slowly erode the protective coating on your tub. If this occurs, you’ll need to have your tub either repaired or completely replaced.
What can I do to fix it?
One great way to combat the build-up of all of the aforementioned is to clean your tub after each use. Bathroom cleaning experts recommend taking a few minutes after each shower or bath to wipe the tub down with a sponge or other cleaning device. If the situation gets out of hand call us at 602-531-4453 to find out how we can refinish your tub or any other amenity that is full of dirt and grime!
If you are considering updating your bathtub, you might be wondering what the more time efficient, long lasting and affordable option is: installing a new tub, or investing in bathroom refinishing in Glendale? While there are different arguments to be made for either side, the only way to know for sure is to examine the two options through the lens of three crucial concerns: how long the job will take, how long the results will last and how much it will cost. To that end, here is a look at how bathtub refinishing in Glendale compares to installing a new tub.
Round one: time for job
Having contractors in your home for days or weeks on end is a pain, and many families would gladly take an alternative approach, especially if it offered the same general benefits. When you hire a contractor to install a brand new tub, the very best you can hope for is for them to be out of your hair within a few days. Unfortunately, those few days can easily turn into a few weeks.
Bathtub refinishing, on the other hand, is a very straightforward process. It typically takes about four to five hours to apply, and then another four to five hours before the tub is completely useable. This means that when you opt for refinishing, you could have the equivalent of a new tub in just one working day.
Round two: longevity
Bathtub refinishing might take a shorter amount of time to complete, but does it offer the same longevity as a brand new tub? Well, it all depends on how well you care for it. If you clean it regularly and avoid using harsh chemicals, it should easily last 10 to 15 years.
And as it turns out, that is also the exact amount of time that most people can expect a new tub to last before it starts showing signs of wear. That means that in the category of longevity, new tubs and refinished tubs are in a virtual tie.
Round three: price
Sure, convenience and durability matter, but for most households, there is one factor that can easily outweigh all the others: price. While the actual cost of a new bathtub might only be a few hundred dollars, there are often various extra fees for plumbing services, installation and surfacing the new tub. That means that when all is said and done, your new tub could cost as much as $2,500! Refinishing, on the other hand, also typically costs a few hundred dollars—but with no extra charges, it is a significantly cheaper option.
We have our winner!
With one virtual tie and two outright wins, it looks like bathtub refinishing in Glendale is the obvious winner of this matchup. The next time you are thinking about updating your tub, we hope you will keep these three rounds of competition in mind.
If you do choose to refinish your tub, the team at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. will be happy to do the job for you. Call us today to learn more!
If one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2016 is improving your home, then you might consider doing so by investing in a bathroom facelift or full-on remodel. As a business that provides repair and refinishing of tiles, showers and bath tubs in Glendale, AZ part of our job is to stay up to date on the latest bathroom design trends, and we can tell you right now that 2016 is going to be a bold year for bathrooms. From lighting to tubs to tiles, here are all the hot design trends for bathrooms and bath tubs that our customers can expect to see this year:
Fresh lighting: With LED vanities, recessed lighting, lighting underneath the shower floor and much more, 2016 is the year when you can kiss everything you thought you knew about bathroom lighting goodbye. Change the way you look at your bathroom by exploring all the options.
Statement tiles: No longer are bathroom tiles confined to boring, rigid patterns. Instead, now is the time to experiment with bold colors and fun geometric shapes, making your bathroom floor or shower tiling one of a kind. Just make sure that all parts of the bathroom are consistent with one another.
Natural design: Over the past few years, natural design has been all the rage, and now that trend is finally moving into the bathroom. Wooden counters and floors, jagged stone accents and even an entire plant wall are great ways to incorporate this style, but make sure you can commit to the upkeep.
Freestanding tubs: For years, practical shower-tub combinations have been the norm, and they are still smart for more functional bathrooms. But if you want to create a master bathroom oasis and have a lot of space to work with, freestanding bath tubs in Glendale, AZ are a wonderfully luxurious and elegant choice.
Floating vanities: Rather than going with a more traditional framed bathroom vanity and medicine cabinet, consider a floating, frameless vanity that has a roller door (similar to how a residential garage door opens). This will make your bathroom feel less cluttered, and give it a cool, modern vibe.
Frameless shower doors: Following the minimalist, modern trend, consider frameless, clear shower doors to create a seamless flow in your bathroom. Obviously, if multiple people use the bathroom to get ready in the morning at the same time, this is not a great privacy option. But if you have the room to yourself, consider splurging a little.
Extension of the home: Typically, the bathroom is the one room of the house that tends to break with the general design scheme. But lately, more people have been thinking of the bathroom as an extension of another room, using decorative accents to blend it with the rest of the home.
Whatever design ideas you choose to incorporate into your bathroom remodel in the coming year, we hope you will consider hiring A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. for all your tiling, bath tub, vanity and shower work.
When the time comes to invest in a bathroom remodel and new bathroom tiling in Glendale, AZ, the prospect can be so exciting that it can be difficult to look at it from all angles. While there are likely a million different ideas and questions running through your head, it is important to have a firm handle on what you do and do not want before the process begins.
Fortunately, you can figure out a lot just by asking yourself a handful of questions. With that in mind, here are five questions to ask yourself when planning your bathroom remodel and bathroom tiling in Glendale, AZ:
Do I have the space for this?
Remodels can work wonders, but they cannot add square footage that does not exist. You might be tempted to splurge on the double vanities and freestanding tub, but those things will not feel so luxurious when you barely have any room to store your toothbrush. A good approach is to go crazy listing all the things you want, and then firmly edit yourself down to the essentials.
Will this make sense in daily life?
This question relates back to having enough space, but it also relates to general functionality. Will your little kid have trouble figuring out the fancy showerhead? Will all your towels fit in that chic little cabinet? Will a pedestal sink make sense, or do you need to keep a lot of things out on the counter? Remember to always approach things with your daily life in mind, as opposed to your magazine cover fantasies.
Do I have wiggle room in my budget?
Obviously, before you can get started you need to know exactly how much you are willing and able to spend on a remodel and new bathroom tiling in Glendale, AZ. But beyond that, you need to have a budget worked out that includes some wiggle room. In construction and remodeling, it is always a good idea to expect the unexpected, and that ought to be reflected in your budget.
Is this too trendy?
When picking trendy design elements for your new bathroom, it is best to approach each piece with this test: “If I cannot afford to remodel the bathroom again for another 15 years, would I still like this piece? Or would it be embarrassingly outdated?” Those two questions should keep you safe from falling victim to any silly trends.
Do I trust my contractor?
When you hire someone to do work on your house, you deserve to know you are getting the very best. With that in mind, look for the following traits: experience, full licensing and certification, accreditation from the BBB, detailed estimates and timelines and personal recommendations. You should also always feel comfortable communicating with your contractor, as you will need to be able to ask questions and make suggestions.
If you need a trustworthy, experienced and helpful contractor to help with your bathroom tiling in Glendale, AZ, we hope you will count on A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. to provide a job well done.
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.
