Refinishing A Bath Tub Rather Than Putting In A New Tub

What is there that’s more relaxing than lying back in a bathtub after a hard day at school or on the job? Naturally, the response is “nothing”. A hot soak will get rid of the aches and pains of the day and relax both your body and mind. It’s no wonder that people will go to great lengths to ensure their bathtub is in good condition. That’s when knowing how to reglaze an old bathroom tub will stand you in good stead.

No matter how well you take care of your bathtub, it’s apt to develop some problems as it ages. You’ll begin to observe as well any more. There are some basic fixes for some of these problems; however, others will take some expert help. In the following paragraphs you’re going to read answers to some of the most often asked questions about refinishing a bath tub.

Isn’t it Easier to Just Get a New Tub?

To look at new bathtubs in the showroom, it looks fairly routine to replace your old bathtub with a brand new one. You can buy them for about $100 which doesn’t seem like a pot load of money. However, what people forget to consider when they choose this solution is to look at what it might cost to take out the old tub and have it hauled away, the price of new plumbing, resetting tiles, re-flooring issues, and carpentry work that must be done. They discover that the real price tag of a bathtub replacement will be in the range of $2000 and realize that they can repair their existing tub for a fraction of that cost. Its one of the better bath tub tips out there.

What Does Bathtub Resurfacing Mean?

Tubs that have been used for many years begin appearing their age with stains and scratches. A bathtub restoration will get rid of these blemishes. There are kits designed for homeowners to use to refresh their bathtubs. However, if you have no expertise in this type of work, it’s considerably better to hire a trained professional to do the job for you.

The method to use to restore a bathtub involves these steps:
* Cleaning the surface of the tub
* Applying a solvent
* Neutralizing the solvent
* Etching
* Sand-papering
When this long process is finished, your bathroom will look fresh and new again.

Moving on to the Resurfacing Process

Once you finish the restoration process, you’ll need to refinish the tub. Taking the time to refinish will mean that you won’t be required to go back and restore it so often in the future. Refinishing is something that needs to be tackled by someone with experience. After all, it involves a strong chemical called Aliphatic Acrylic Polyurethane Enamel. This is not a long process, so your tub should be ready to go once more in less than a day.

Are Bathtub Liners a Wise Decision?

A bathtub liner is a custom-made cover that will keep your tub from scratching and chipping down the road. It only takes a few hours to install your liner, and putting it in doesn’t require any additional plumbing or flooring and tile repairs. It can be a really fine choice in the majority of cases.

Handling the Work Yourself vs. Hiring the A-Team

As a general rule, a professional will be more expensive, but you can expect his repairs to endure longer. Unless you have had practice and know how to do the work the right way, it can actually be less costly to hire an expert. Perhaps the initial expense won’t be as high if you do it yourself, but when you have to get someone to redo the work, the cost starts multiplying.

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

The only time when you want to consider replacing your tub instead of restoring 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. At those times, you might as well go the cheapest route and have a brand new tub.