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.
Fiberglass sinks in Phoenix, AZ are durable and beautiful, but they do tend to be a little difficult to keep clean. Fiberglass is sensitive to acids, chemicals and other abrasive cleaning products and techniques. That can present a real problem if you’re dealing with stains or hard water!
Over time, fiberglass can turn dull or dingy and develop stains. That’s because it’s a composite material that’s prone to scratching. The more scratches your sink has, the easier it is for stains to permeate and get trapped in the tiny crevices. You’ll need to take a little extra care when you’re cleaning a fiberglass sink in Phoenix, AZ, but the pro tips below will help prolong its lifespan. If you try them all and still can’t get the results you want, it may be time to refinish your sink—at a fraction of the cost it would be to replace it. Call the pros at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. for more information on how you can revitalize your fiberglass tub or sink.
Cleaning fiberglass
Exercise caution when scrubbing your sink—too much acid and pressure can damage the material. Here are some approaches you can try:
Scrub with baking soda and warm water: Using a soft cloth or sponge, dampen the cloth and sprinkle baking soda over it. Scrub the sink using medium pressure, aiming to remove water deposits, dirt and mineral stains. Use another damp cloth to remove the baking soda.
Mild abrasives: If you’re still having trouble with stubborn stains, try a mild abrasive cleanser. We like Bon Ami, Brill-Glow or Soft Scrub. These should allow you to scrub away deeper stains without damaging the fiberglass’ surface. After you’re finished scrubbing, rinse with warm water.
Calcium removers: Products like CLR, Lime-A-Way and even simple 5 percent white vinegar are safe enough to use on fiberglass, sparingly. (Don’t use this trick in your weekly bathroom wipe-down!) Use according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and wipe down with warm water.
Oxygen bleach as a last resort: If you still can’t get those stains out after trying the above methods, you can use oxygen bleach as a last resort. Oxygen bleach can be purchased, but you can also make your own version. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide, one part baking soda and two parts hot water. Then simply apply to the stains (and only the stains), wait an hour and rinse away.
Other sources recommend solvents such as acetone (found in nail polish remover) for stains. Be cautious when using any abrasive, as they can shorten the lifespan of your fiberglass sink.
A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. can help you with care and maintenance for your fiberglass sink in Phoenix, AZ. For over 40 years, we’ve provided the Phoenix area with great service at affordable prices. If your bathroom fixtures are looking dirty, dingy or just run down, give us a call. Our team of skilled professionals specialize in refinishing and repairing fiberglass sinks, bathtubs and showers. We look forward to assisting you soon!
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!
When it comes to installing a new bathtub, many homeowners first look to materials that are affordable while also offering quality and reliability—materials like fiberglass, for example. Fiberglass offers all the above traits along with easy installation, a range of color options and the fact that it’s simple to care for. Choose a fiberglass tub for your bathroom and enjoy a sleek, easy-to-maintain surface every time you hop in for a bath. If you have fiberglass bath tubs in Glendale, AZ, take note of the following maintenance tips to ensure a long-lasting and good-looking tub.
Frequent cleaning
Like other areas of your home, you may wait until the bathtub is overly gross before deciding to clean it. Depending on the season, the area where you live and whether you have proper ventilation to remove bathroom moisture and odors, you should plan on cleaning your tub and other bathroom fixtures every other week to once a week. We know your life is busy, but pencil in time to clean for a germ-free and sparkling bathroom because, when you think about it, the bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in your home.
Use gentle cleaners and cleaning tools
Whether you have soap scum buildup or mildew forming around the edges of your tub or you wipe it down on a regular basis, avoid using abrasive cleaners and don’t use harsh cleaning tools that will scratch your fiberglass bath tubs in Glendale, AZ. Pair a gentle cleaning solution—like diluted dish soap or a non-abrasive cleaner manufactured for fiberglass tubs—with a soft cloth or sponge. As fiberglass is rather susceptible to scratching, never use a scrub brush or coarse pads.
Keep heavy or sharp objects from falling
Cracks and scratches can be unsightly, and they may even require repair work. So consider what shower and bath items you have stored in your bathtub area. Shower caddies, loose soap dishes, heavy bottles, razors and shaving supplies, children’s toys—secure all these items from falling down into the tub. If you have to use any tools near your fiberglass tub for maintenance purposes, lay a thick blanket down to protect its floor and surface from heavy or sharp objects that may get dropped or knocked over.
Fix damage immediately
Should your fiberglass tub sustain damage, such as cracks, deep scratches, gouges or a small crater from a dropped heavy object, you need to call in the professionals—and quickly—for an assessment and repairs. Don’t wait to call the pros—even if the damage appears small, it has the potential to expand. So that little crack on the side of the tub could spider out causing further, more costly damage. If the damage is not a mere surface scratch on the finish like you first thought, repairs may not be possible and you may have to replace the entire fiberglass bathtub.
Need repairs made? Have questions about how to maintain your bath tubs in Glendale, AZ? Interested in more information about new fiberglass bathtub installation? If any of these circumstances apply to your situation, contact A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. today.
Remodeling your home’s bathroom can be exciting and terrifying all at the same time. And while you might be ready with an idea of what you want, you may not know where to start when it comes to choosing the fixture material you want to use. Three of the most common materials you will find in bathrooms across America are fiberglass, ceramic or porcelain. Take a look at the differences between these three common materials:
Fiberglass
When used as a material for bathroom fixtures, fiberglass—a reinforced composite material of woven glass fibers—proves that it can handle the job. Not only is fiberglass lightweight, but it is surprisingly strong and can easily be shaped to your bathroom’s size to accommodate your needs.
Described by pros as an economical choice for your sinks, toilets or bath tubs in Glendale, fiberglass is on the easier side of available fixture materials to repair if it cracks or chips. It’s a low cost material that comes in a variety of colors, but be aware that discoloration can occur over time in fiberglass bathroom fixtures.
Don’t like cleaning the bathroom? Well, you won’t need to put in much elbow grease to clean your fiberglass fixtures, however, be aware that fixtures with the gel coat and ones that are matte-finished textured are not resistant to abrasive cleaners and they can scratch or leave marks.
Ceramic
Bathroom fixtures made of ceramic or ceramic title can add beauty and freshness to an otherwise simple room. Ceramic is fired clay that can create dense and durable bath tubs capable of locking in and regulating warm bath water. However, if you use ceramic tile for your tub, the irregular floor surface (individual tile spacing) of the bath tub may be uncomfortable on your bare skin, making it difficult to relax in a bath.
Depending on the type of fixture you want to be ceramic, you may or may not want to glaze it, but once it is glazed, it’s waterproof. Ceramic fixture like tubs and sinks are constructed to last you a long time. Use any type of bathroom cleanser on ceramic to keep its glaze bright, but if left unmaintained gross grout can form in the spaces between the tiles.
Porcelain
Like ceramic, porcelain bathroom fixtures are also made out of fired clay, but the difference is that they’re non porous which makes this material waterproof without needing a glaze. Porcelain is easy to clean and made of a hard glass-like material and while dense, is very resistant to cracking and chipping.
While a much heavier fixture material than most, its durability and resistance to wear makes porcelain a great choice for frequently used fixtures like tubs and toilets. Similar to ceramic, it can be clear or color glazed, yet showcases a natural white translucent look.
Thinking it’s time to remodel your home’s bathroom, but not sure where to start? Don’t jump into such a large project without a solid plan. If you need assistance selecting the right material for your bathroom sinks, toilets and bath tubs in Glendale, contact the professionals at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass for guidance and more information.
