It has been demonstrated via numerous scientific studies that taking a bath can improve both one’s physical and mental wellbeing.
However, if you are sitting in an unattractive tub that is chipped, stained, or otherwise unappealing, your bath can be anything but pleasant. Despite this, it does not follow that you should immediately go out and purchase a replacement.
This information has been compiled for the purpose of assisting you in determining whether or not it is more cost-effective for you to have your bathtub replaced rather than refinished.
So let’s dive in!
What Exactly Is Meant by “Bathtub Reglazing”?
Reglazing a bathtub, which may also be referred to as recoating or refinishing, is an entirely cosmetic type of repair. It will make your tub look as good as new by eliminating any minor surface defects that it may have.
The operation is as follows:
Sanding down the surface of the bathtub is the first step that a trained and experienced expert in bathtub repair will take. This eliminates any blemishes or light scratches on the surface. After that, they will put in any cracks or chips that are still present. After that, they will apply a coat of primer and then paint to the bathtub. Depending on the type of tub you have, they may have to apply many applications.
After the painting is finished, they will finish up with one final buffing.
A worn-out bathtub can be given new life by undergoing the reglazing process; however, there are some bathtubs that require more extensive repairs than just reglazing. Continue reading to find out when it is appropriate to save your tub and when it is time to replace it.
How Often Should You Reglaze Your Tub?
It is possible that your bathtub is worth keeping if it is in a state that is considered to be quite excellent maintenance-wise. Reglazing may transform unsightly defects into a surface that is once again lovely and smooth.
However, your tub can’t be in too bad a shape. Here is how you may determine whether or not reglazing is the best solution for your bathtub.
Stains
Your bathtub will eventually become discolored due to use. Even if you clean it on a regular basis, the surface will eventually develop a strange discoloration that seems like it has a yellowish cast to it.
This is nothing unusual, but it certainly stinks up the place.
The refinishing process can restore the original white color of your tub even if the stains are very dark. Sanding and repainting will either eliminate the stains entirely or cover them up so that they are no longer visible after the operation is complete.
Scratches on the Surface
Small and superficial scratches on your tub will be concealed once you have it reglazed. Additionally, you may fill in most of the cracks.
You should not, however, reglaze a tub that has one or more significant cracks in it. It’s possible that these cracks will compromise the structural soundness of your tub or lead to leaks. It is highly recommended to replace bathtubs that have developed significant cracks.
In that case, your bathtub has the potential to become a flood zone with little to no prior warning.
Budget Restriction
In many cases, reglazing is more cost-effective than purchasing an entirely new tub. In addition to making a financial investment in the purchase, you will also need to pay someone to remove the outdated bathtub from your home. In most cases, this means shelling out money to hire a specialist to remove it and dispose of it for you.
Because of this, the cost can end up being higher.
If you have a limited amount of wiggle space in your spending plan, reglazing your bathtub can help extend its life at a lower cost. Because of this, you won’t need to empty your bank account to get a “new” bathtub.
How Often Should You Replace Your Bathtub?
The process of reglazing can improve the appearance of your tub and give it a new lease of life, but there are some tubs that are too damaged to be reglazed. The following are some warnings that it might be time to replace your bathtub with something else.
Your Bathtub Is Showing Its Age
The typical lifespan of a bathtub is approximately 25 years. You want to seriously consider obtaining a new tub if the one you have is getting near to that age or is already older than it.
Even if it is functioning normally right now, there is still a chance that it will fail in the not-too-distant future. The expense of reglazing your tub, even though it is less expensive than purchasing a new one, is not worthwhile if you plan on replacing the tub in a short amount of time regardless.
It Constantly Requires Maintenance and Repairs
If your bathtub is continuously breaking down and needing repairs, you might consider replacing it with a brand-new model. If you have to keep putting money into repairs, reglazing a broken tub is a waste of money because you will have to do it again and again.
However, a minor fix here, and there is nothing to be concerned about.
After you have the issue repaired and the surface reglazed, you will have a bathtub that serves you well for a significant amount of time. On the other hand, investing money, time, and effort into maintaining a bathtub that requires many repairs each year is not something that should be done.
Constrained by Time
The procedure of reglazing may require more than one visit to complete. After all, the professional will be unable to buff your bathtub while it is still covered in wet paint, and they will have to wait for the primer to dry before they can do any type of painting on the tub.
As a result of this, it is possible that you will have to wait a week or two before your bathtub is completed.
Investing in a brand-new bathtub is likely to be the most expedient option if you do not have the luxury of waiting. It is possible that you will be able to purchase and install your new tub on the same day.
Major Leaks
As soon as a bathtub develops a leak, you ought to begin looking for a replacement as soon as possible. Fixing significant leaks in a bathtub can be challenging and only provide a temporary solution. Instead of shelling out cash for an expensive repair that may or may not solve the problem, it would be smarter to invest in a brand-new bathtub.
Visible Mildew & Mold
You should get rid of your tub as soon as possible if it has mold or mildew growing inside of it. Reglazing the surface may hide the mold, but it will not eliminate the problem entirely. Using a mold-filled bathtub for an extended period of time can result in major health problems.
Mold exposure can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including the following:
- Respiratory problems
- Headaches
- Reactions caused by allergies
- Fatigue
- Eyes that are itchy and red, etc.
- Mold exposure can also create more serious health problems, such as anxiety and depression if left untreated. When mold is discovered in a bathtub, it is imperative that you immediately replace it with a new one.
Recognizing the Moments When Refinishing Your Bathtub Is Worth It
If your tub is still in good functioning condition after it has been refinished, it will be money well spent. The technique of reglazing can eliminate surface flaws such as scratches, minor cracks, and stains from the surface.
However, reglazing your bathtub is a complete financial waste if it is old, has leaks, or is covered in mold. You won’t have a choice but to purchase a new bathtub very soon.
Is your bathtub showing signs of wear and tear?
Simply click this link to find out more about the bathtub repair services that we offer and how we might be able to assist you.