Bathtub Refinishing – When to NOT Refinish a BathTub
Bathtub refinishing or surfacing has for a good way to repair bathtubs. It is a more cost-effective way than buying and installing a new tub. However, this method is not a guaranteed fix for some repairs. The original surface of the tub has to be in good shape because, with resurfacing, nothing is replaced. Here are the issues when resurfacing isn’t an option:
Cracks.
Fiberglass is infamous for cracking and will exhibit two kinds of cracks:
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The first is a web-like formation on the surface; this is due to the gel coat drying out. This crack can be repaired by a simple resurfacing job. You can sand down the cracks and repair, and they will not return!
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The second type is a structural crack. This can’t be fixed by resurfacing. Resurfacing will only mask these cracks for a short while, but in the long term, this solution will fail. Refinishing just covers the cracks and will not deal with the cause of them. So this should be seen as purely a cosmetic fix, leaving the cracks underneath it untouched.
Companies can now inject a pressure-absorbing foam beneath a tub to help prevent further damage. However, this fix doesn’t work when the water starts to leak through the cracks. In these situations, you will need to replace the tub entirely.
Rust is coming from behind the tub.
This is similar to cancer, meaning in time, it can spread to every part of your tub. Therefore, the best option is to remove the area affected by rust and treat it. Once rusting starts, it is a process that often can’t be stopped. Resurfacing will can extend the lifespan of the tub; however, it is not a guaranteed fix in the interim.
If you would like to make an appointment for a bathtub refinishing project, please contact J.A.X Fiberglass Repair, LLC at (971) 202-9467 now if you live in the Stayton, OR region.