When you’re working on a home design or remodeling project, it can be overwhelming just how many options are out there. Consider the typical bathtub—most tubs look generally the same, and you would think that it wouldn’t lead to many design choices. However, once you start designing a bathroom, you’ll find out you can choose between porcelain, ceramic tile, fiberglass, acrylic… and the list goes on. After weighing all these options, you’ll likely turn to affordable and reparable fiberglass.
Fiberglass is a great option, and there are plenty of great places to call for fiberglass bathtub repair in Glendale, AZ. Read on for more information on why a fiberglass tub is one of the best options for your bathroom:
It’s affordable: The biggest benefit of fiberglass for most families is that it’s reasonably priced. The material is budget-friendly, and cheaper than natural materials as well as other plastic, like acrylic. And when you’re doing bathroom upgrades or designs, you will want to spend money on the fixtures and features that hold the biggest design punch, like tiling, vanities and flooring—not the bathtub.
It’s easy to repair: One drawback of fiberglass tubs is that they do show wear and tear more than tubs made of something like porcelain or ceramic. The surface is fairly soft, so it’s prone to things like cracks and scratches. However, sanding down the surface makes the fiberglass look like new, and you can hire a company to do all the difficult work for you. It’s a huge benefit that you can repair your fiberglass tub, as it’s always more affordable to repair than to replace the tub, and you avoid things like delivery fees and the extra installation time that comes along with buying a new bathtub.
It’s lightweight: This might seem like an odd point to raise, but because fiberglass tubs are relatively lightweight, they can be installed in your home more easily. Other materials make for a very heavy tub that is difficult to carry and place properly. Another important point about the lightness of the material is that it means you shouldn’t have to install any extra support in the floor to handle the weight of the tub. That saves you a lot of money and a huge hassle.
If you have a fiberglass tub that needs some love, make sure to seek a quality company to provide your fiberglass bathtub repair in Glendale, AZ. One first-rate option in the Phoenix area is A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C., a company committed to making sure you get the bathroom you desire at the best possible price.
For over 40 years, the team at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. has offered a wide range of services, including repair of tubs, showers and sinks and the refinishing of anything in your bathroom. On top of this, you can also call us for any type of maintenance you’d like to have done, including installations and caulking. Call our experts today for more information!
If you notice a crack in your tub during your morning shower, you might not think much of it. After all, the tub still drains and the shower still works, so everything seems status quo. But the reality is that a crack is a sign of serious damage. It’s liable to spread and deepen, causing water to leak out every time the tub is used.
By addressing the problem early on, you can save yourself money and hassle. You’ll want to bring in professional experts in bathtub repair in Glendale, AZ to ensure that your tub functions long into the future. Read on to find out about what exactly was causing this problem in the first place:
Flexibility: The source of the crack is dependent on the material the tub is made from. Some materials (for example, fiberglass) are highly flexible. This means the material will bend when weight is placed on top of it. However, if it is improperly installed or lacks sufficient support, the weight will put undue pressure on the surface and cause cracks to form. Unfortunately in these cases, the repairs may be more complex.
Dropped objects: If a heavy object is dropped in the tub, it might appear to be fine at first. But over time, the divot, crevice or crack will expand and grow. What was at first something barely noticeable could become a major problem. These stress cracks are typically on the surface level. If you get to them early, you can use a DIY kit to fix them on your own.
Heavy-duty cleaners: Highly abrasive cleaners such as bleach can ruin the finish and gloss on the bathtub. This is more than a mere cosmetic issue. This erosion can lead to pockets of moisture collecting and expanding cracks. These are referred to as hairline cracks, which can cause the tub to warp over time. This is when you need to call in the experts to fix the problem.
How to prevent the problem: It’s possible to have a stone-resin tub installed which is non-porous and therefore won’t crack. However, these are more expensive, and a properly installed and maintained fiberglass tub should last for years to come.
If your tub is cracked or damaged, you may think you can do the repair job yourself. But if you don’t want to risk the investment you’ve made, you’ll need to call in the experts for bathtub repair in Glendale, AZ. Since 1975, A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. has been providing the highest-quality bathtub and shower repair services in the greater Phoenix area. We specialize in repairing cracked fiberglass tubs, along with refinishing tubs, showers, sinks, tiles and vanities. Our customers know they can rely on us for every maintenance item, including caulking, installation and replacement of all bathroom fixtures.
For more than three decades, we’ve provided quality service no matter how simple or difficult the job may be. Call us today for all of your bathroom repair and refinishing needs and get a free estimate!
Stains and surface damage on a bathtub often fill homeowners with dread, as they anticipate replacing their bathtubs and other fixtures. However, less expensive types of bathtub repair in Phoenix, AZ often reduce anxiety and save money. At A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC, we have restored a number of seemingly hopeless cases, and can bring our skills to your home. Here are five common bathtub issues and their repairs that can help you avoid purchasing a new tub:
Flaking and peeling: This unsightly damage can also lead to leaks and wet rot. Those conditions will not just necessitate a new bathtub—you will likely have to take apart your entire bathroom and reinstall sub-flooring and other essential structure. Flaking and peeling indicate that your bathtub was refinished before, but the job was not done correctly. The solution is simple: refinish your bathtub again, but this time, hire someone competent to do the work! We will remove the entire finish, acid etch it, prime the surface and add the finish, but this time, it should last up to 15 years.
Bubbles: This development also arises from a poor finishing job. If the coating is not allowed to cure properly and the old finish is not entirely stripped before treatment, you will see bubbles appear. Like with flaking and peeling, the only solution is to start over. The current finish, plus any previous finish left behind, will need to be completely stripped. Only then can the new finish bond correctly and offer a smooth surface.
Fading: If you notice spots where the color is fading—or, with a white bathtub, there is discoloration—then the refinish coating was not mixed well. Finish can be a picky material, and if it is too thin or the incorrect mixture, that will show in a few years with a bathtub that fades or discolors. Also, abrasive cleaners will wear down the surface and cause discoloration. Fortunately, this is solved easily by a surface refinishing. Once that is completed, use soft cleaners and avoid harsh brushes on your tub.
Roughness: The surface of your bathtub should not feel like sandpaper—it should be smooth. No one wants to sit in a bathtub with a rough surface, so this issue is often noticed quickly. The rough texture develops because the surface was not sanded thoroughly, or it was sanded but not cleaned before applying a finish. A refinishing contractor must remove the old finish, sand the tub down and clean it multiple times before adding a finish.
Tacky feel: Once the new finish is applied, it must have time to cure. If this is not done, the tub will be left feeling sticky or tacky. Poor mixes can also prevent curing. If you find your tub feels sticky after being treated, leave it alone—it may just require more time to cure. However, if that tackiness persists, call your contractor to investigate.
Before you look for a replacement, consider investing in bathtub repair in Phoenix, AZ. Call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC today and allow us to work our magic and restore your bathtub to nearly new condition!
When your tub needs an overhaul, but you just aren’t ready for a remodel, you do have options—two of them, to be precise, as you can have a tub liner installed or a spray finish applied. Both are very different options for your bath tubs in Glendale, but they can make a world of difference to the appearance of your bathroom.
Installing tub liners
Having a tub liner installed takes some precision, as a mold is made of your bath tub using a sheet of acrylic. Weighing in at 35 lbs or so, the tub liner will slip fully over your existing tub shape. It will be designed to provide an exact match of the dimensions of your existing tub structure, so it fits snugly in place.
A tub installer can easily install this liner into your bath tub by prepping your old tub with alcohol and removing the drain and trim. This will allow the liner to snap into place against the walls, where two-sided tape and a silicone adhesive will attach it in place.
Then, a new drain will be added, and the seams will be caulked. The time needed to create the bath tub liner into a mold can take four to six weeks, but only six to eight hours to install when completed. Once liners for bath tubs in Glendale have been installed, you can begin using your tub immediately. A tub liner will drastically change the look of your whole bathroom, giving it a clean and fresh appearance.
Applying a spray finish
Having bath tubs in Glendale re-glazed takes some effort, as the process requires respirators due to the strong chemicals used. Your bathroom will be protected from head to toe so that none of the finish gets on a surface that it shouldn’t. Proper ventilating will also be taken into consideration.
First, hydrofluoric acid will be applied to dissolve the existing porcelain glaze. It preps the surface, so the new finish application will adhere. Once clean and dry, two coats of epoxy will be added. This also helps to adhere the finish.
All dust and dirt will be wiped away, and then four coats of polyurethane finishing coat will be applied. Bath tubs in Glendale will have to be lightly sanded between each coat, but then the tub will be polished with the final application to give it a nice sheen.
In total, it will take a tub refinisher approximately four to six hours to complete this process. The tub will need to cure for 24 hours or more before water can touch its surface. The end result will amaze you, as you will have a new looking bath tub without having to rip your old tub out.
Having a liner installed or investing in re-glazing for your bath tubs in Glendale are the ideal ways to freshen up a bathroom without the headaches and hassles of remodeling. Call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. to have your bath tub redone using either process. We can get your bathroom looking like new again, without the added cost of tearing out fixtures or knocking down walls.
If you’ve noticed your bath tub is cracked, chipped or even leaky, your first thought may be to go out and buy a new one. Not so fast! There’s no reason to go out and spend thousands of dollars on a new bath tub. Often times, bath tubs in Glendale can be repaired for a much lower price than a complete tub replacement. Here are some common bath tub problems that don’t require replacement, and which can instead be treated with professional repairs:
Rust in your bath tub: The orange-red rust color that can build up in bath tubs in Glendale is unsightly, and most people think it’s kind of disgusting. Since rust is caused by dissolved iron in tap water, it’s unavoidable if you don’t take proper care of your bath tub. We recommend wiping your bath tub down with a towel after each use to get rid of any iron residue that is left sitting in a wet tub. If you neglect to do this, you’re going to have a rusty tub after a while. If you’re sick of having a rusty tub in your bathroom, don’t just go out and buy a new one. Instead, consider repairing it for a much lower price. Our professionals can clean your tub and get out any rust stain to make it look as good as new.
Cracks or chips in your bath tub: Whether you have a fiberglass or porcelain bath tub, it runs the risk of chipping or cracking over time. But fear not—most cracks can be repaired, no matter how bad they seem. With the proper equipment, our professionals can fix your bath tub in a matter of hours and also ensure that the repaired area blends in seamlessly with the original color of the bath tub. It’s pertinent to call us as soon as you notice any crack or chip in your bath tub. Cracks and chips will only get worse as time goes on, and will also run the risk of developing mold inside the crack. We pride ourselves on our ability to repair cracked fiberglass bath tubs, but we also have decades of experience repairing porcelain bath tubs, too.
Leaky bath tubs: Leaks can happen in bath tubs for a variety of reasons. From small cracks to bad plumbing or even old caulking, bath tubs can spring leaks at any time with little to no warning at all. When that happens, you need to call a professional to fix it right away. What may seem like a minor problem at first can quickly turn into a major issue. We’re able to fix and stop any type of leak you could imagine.
Most bath tubs in Glendale can be repaired for a few hundred dollars. Compare that to the cost of a new tub and give A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC a call today. If your tub isn’t in need of repair, but you could use a new look, give us a call to find out how we can refinish your tub to totally transform its appearance.
