How Bathtub Refinishing Can Turn Your Baths Into Something Wonderful

Bathtub refinishing is a great solution to an icky bathtub. The whole idea is that you have an elegant bath waiting for you after a long day at work. You can soak and enjoy your favorite aromatic soap, and just let the day's stresses wash down the drain. Unfortunately, this fantasy disappears when you've got mold, mildew and cracks all over the tub.

Bathtub refinishing is the obvious solution. Many people decide to get it replaced, but this is a major repair that costs a lot of money. It's also wasteful. Why get a new tub when all you have to do is a little work on the old one?

How Bathtub Refinishing Works

This is a very simple procedure, and it costs much less than replacing the tub. Instead of any major repair work, bathtub refinishing involves simply putting a new lining in your tub. All you're doing is restoring the tub's surface to get rid of the chips, scratches, stains and so forth. You don't have to really change anything at all.

Acrylic is the most popular material. The reason is that it is easy to install, looks as good as new, and is especially good for restoring porcelain bathtubs. Porcelain is what most bathtubs are made with, so acrylic is a natural choice. Acrylic is also more durable and scratch-resistant, which is another reason it's a great alternative to getting the tub replaced.

How Does It Work?

The first step in the process of bathtub refinishing is to carefully measure the dimensions of the tub. The liner has to match the size perfectly or it will be impossible to install. What they will do is make a shell that fits just inside. Once measurements are made, the liner will be manufactured and this can take some time. However, installation itself can be done in just one day.

Can You Do It Yourself?

Bathtub refinishing can be done as a DIY project. However, most people decide to call in the pros to do it for them. The main reason is that the tub must first be cleaned carefully, and this is a deep cleaning most people aren't into doing themselves. In order to give it the deep cleaning it needs, you have to use harsh chemicals and make sure that all of your body is well protected.

You can also do it yourself with DIY kits, but the effectiveness of these varies pretty widely. If you'd like to try this, be sure to get a recommendation from someone you trust on which kits are the best to buy. If you buy one that's not so great, it will end up making your tub look worse than it did before! One problem people often complain of when using kits is that the effects don't last long-term.

Hiring A Professional Service

Most people choose to hire a professional to take care of their bathtub refinishing. This way, you can be sure that the job will get done right and your immaculate shiny porcelain tub will stay that way. Look online for a professional service in your area and ask them for a pricing estimate. It can usually be done for a very reasonable price, and much more cheaply than replacing the tub.