How To Fix Your Bathtub

By Author: Scott Rodgers
Total Articles: 14
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At the end of a hard day, especially in the middle of winter, chances are you will want to complete the day with a wonderful warm bath. Nowadays it's rather a luxury because baths use lots of water and you are probably saving it up for a particular occasion and taking a shower most other days.

But on the night you've decided to enjoy a long bath, the last thing you have is to find a problem with your bath. Nonetheless, these things happen and it's best to keep an eye on your bathtub every so frequently so you can do the necessary repairs before you've got a major problem and water is leaking all over the floor.

If you have a fibreglass bathtub, you will find it's normally covered in a polyester gelcoat. The good news is that you can easily purchase a fix kit for gel coats from your plumbing or local hardware store. If you follow the manufacturer's instructions with care, you will be able to make the repairs yourself.

You may have a scratch on your acrylic bathtub. There is a chance that you adore your bathtub and you will not want to leave the scratch looking ugly in the bathroom. The easy solution ...
... is to use a car polish and apply carefully just as you would on a car, without using something abrasive.

Small chips on your acrylic bathtub can be fixed using a two-part car repair filler. Mix the filler as per the guidelines for applying to a car and mix in a little acrylic paint so that it is the same as the color of your bathtub. Apply the filler and when it hardens, rub it down with fine wet and dry sandpaper. It is important to keep it wet as you sand.

If you have a large chip in your acrylic bathtub, it's best that you telephone a specialist. These aren't easy to mend all by yourself.

If you have an enamel bathtub, you will discover that the surface is like glass. It is generally very hard, but if it's hit, you will discover it is possible to chip. For a small chip you can use nail polish. If the chip is larger, you can use an epoxy resin repair kit, that is available from your local hardware store.

To do this, you must first clean the area and look for rust. If there's rust, then use a rust converter or remover. Then you can use a small amount of epoxy resin filler according to the guidelines. Use a spreader or plastic blade to apply it to the chip and then clear off any excess without delay. The filler can take anywhere from twenty to sixty minutes to set, and once it has done this, smooth it with a fine sandpaper wrapped around a block of wood. It is important to not scratch any of the other enamel.

Once you have sorted either the small or the larger chip, you can use a suitable enamel paint. You may need to apply a few coats, in which case, gently sand the set paint in between each application, once more taking great care not to scrape off any of the other enamel.

If you have children living in your house, there's the possibility that over some time your enamel bathtub may become extensively damaged or stained. If this is true, it's best to get a contractor to resurface your bathtub if you are not experienced at this sort of job. The contractor may finish the job onsite at your house. This is the better option as it means you do not have to remove the wall tiles and sheeting which can be costly and time consuming, especially as you will have to put them back up once more later. Or else the contractor will take the bathtub away to their factory where they will resurface it.

If you feel confident that you can do it yourself, you have to mask and cover all the adjoining surfaces and faucets. If you have dripping faucets, and you have not got the time to fix them yourself, that is obviously preferable given the volume of water that is unnecessarily going down the drain, you will have to put plastic bags over the faucets in order that the water doesn't drop onto the bathtub surface.

At first, give the bathtub a light sand and then wipe the surface with a cloth which has been dampened with mineral turpentine to get rid of any residual soap or body oils.

When the surface is totally dry, paint the surface, brushing up the sides from the bottom in a sweeping motion. Wipe away any wet runs without delay and work fast to maintain a wet edge. If you are confident using a spray gun, use this with several light applications to produce a professional finish.

Then leave the room and close the doors and windows for twenty-four to minimise as much as possible the insects and dust. Then do not use for another 48 hours, and even longer in cold weather, as the steam will have an affect on the paint.

If you have a spa bath in your house, the most effective way to maintain it is to frequently wash it with warm soapy water or liquid cleaner using a soft cloth or a rag. Don't use any sort of abrasive cleaner. If you have stubborn stains, you can use a fine cutting agent or toothpaste. To clear out the residue in the jets and pipes, add some dissolved nappy soaker powder to the spa with clean water and operate the spa for fifteen minutes. Then flush the jets and pipes with disinfectant to keep them free from bacteria. And if you like to use essential oils, check them first to see if they stain the spa bath.

Delimited Author Bio Resource Box

Scott Rodgers is a recently retired Los Angeles plumber and is committed to helping you keep the bathroom looking wonderful and working well. For more useful plumbing tips and information, visit Scott's website: http://eLocalPlumbers.com
Scott Rodgers is a recently retired Los Angeles plumber and he loves to share his many years experience of baths and plumbing supplies. For more useful tips and information, visit Scott's website: http://eLocalPlumbers.com