How to Repair Your Bathtub


What is there that’s more relaxing than lying back in a bathtub after a hard day at school or work? Of course, the answer is “nothing”. A hot soak will relieve the aches and pains of the day and relax both your body and spirit. It’s no wonder that people will go to great lengths to make sure their bathtub is in working order.

No matter how well you care for your bathtub, it’s bound to develop some problems as it ages. You’ll begin to see cracks and stains, you’ll have leaks, and the faucets just won’t work as well any more. There are some easy fixes for some of these problems; however, others will require some professional help. In the following paragraphs you’re going to find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about bathtub repair.

Isn’t it Easier to Just Replace the Tub?

To look at new bathtubs in the showroom, it looks fairly simple to replace your old bathtub with a new one. You can buy them for around $100 which doesn’t seem like a lot of money. However, what people fail to do when they look at this solution is to look at what it’s going to cost to remove the old tub and have it hauled away, the price of new plumbing, resetting tiles, reflooring issues, and carpentry work that will need to be done. They discover that the real price tag of a bathtub replacement will be in the $2000 range and realize that they can repair their existing tub for a fraction of that cost.

What Does Bathtub Restoration Mean?

Tubs that have been used for many years start showing their age with stains and scratches. A bathtub restoration will get rid of these problems. There are kits available for homeowners to use to restore their bathtubs. However, if you have no background in this type of work, it’s much better to hire a trained professional to do the job for you.

The procedure for restoring a bathtub involves the following steps:

When this lengthy process is completed, your bathroom will look fresh and new again.

Moving on to the Refinishing Process

Once you finish the restoration process, you’ll need to refinish the tub. Taking the time to refinish means that you won’t have to go back and restore it so often in the future. Refinishing is something that needs to be done by an expert. After all, it involves a toxic chemical called Aliphatic Acrylic Polyurethane Enamel. This is not a lengthy process, so your tub should be ready to go again in less than one day.

Are Bathtub Liners a Good Idea?

A bathtub liner is a custom-made covering that will keep your tub from scratching and chipping in the future. It only takes a few hours to install your liner, and putting it in doesn’t require any extra plumbing or flooring and tile repairs. It can be a really good choice in many cases.

Doing the Work Yourself vs. Calling in the A-Team

As a general rule, a professional will be more expensive, but you can expect his repairs to have more longevity. Unless you have experience and know how to do the work correctly, it can actually be less expensive to hire a specialist. Maybe the initial cost won’t be as high if you do it yourself, but when you have to hire someone to redo the work, the cost starts multiplying.

Is There Times When it’s Better to Get a New Tub?

The only time when you want to consider replacing your tub instead of repairing it is if the estimate you’re given for the repairs will end up costing you more than it would to have the tub replaced. In those instances, you might as well go the cheapest route and have a brand new tub.