It has been scientifically shown that bathing improves both physical and mental wellness.
However, if you’re sitting in a dirty, chipped, or unsightly tub, your bath may be anything but pleasant. However, this does not need a trip to the shop to purchase a replacement.
This article will help you choose whether you should invest in bathtub refinishing vs bathtub replacement.
So let’s dig in!
What Does Bathtub Reglazing Entail?
Reglazing a bathtub, sometimes referred to as recoating or refinishing, is a purely aesthetic repair. It eliminates minor surface flaws and restores the tub’s like-new appearance.
Here is how it works.
A competent bathtub repair technician will begin by sanding the tub’s outside. This eliminates any minor scuffs or stains. They will then repair any residual fractures or chips. The tub will next be coated with primer and paint. Depending on your tub, they may need to apply many coatings.
After the painting is complete, there will be one last polishing.
Reglazing may revitalize a worn-out bathtub, but some bathtubs need more than just reglazing. Keep reading to discover whether to save and when to replace your bathtub.
When to Repaint Your Bathtub
If your bathtub is in pretty decent shape and still functional, it is likely worth keeping. Reglazing may transform unsightly flaws into a beautiful, smooth surface once again.
However, your tub cannot be too worn down. Here’s how to determine whether your tub needs reglazing.
Stains
Your bathtub will begin to discolor over time. Even with frequent cleaning, you will eventually have to cope with an odd, yellowish discoloration.
This is typical, but also disgusting.
Whether the stains are faint or heavy, reglazing may restore the white color to your bathtub. Sanding and repainting will either erase the stains or hide them so they are no longer visible.
Light Scratches
When you refinish your bathtub, you will fill up minor scratches. You can also repair the majority of cracks.
However, you should not reglaze a tub with one or more significant cracks. These fissures may compromise the tub’s structural integrity or create leaks. It is preferable to replace bathtubs with severe cracks.
Without a drain, your bathtub might quickly become a flood zone.
Strait Budget
Often, reglazing is less expensive than purchasing a new tub.
In addition to spending money on the purchase, you must also remove the old bathtub from your home. This usually requires hiring a professional to remove and dispose of the waste for you.
This might increase the cost.
If you have a limited budget, you may prolong the life of your tub by reglazing it for less money. This may offer you a “new” bathtub without breaking the budget.
When to Change Your Bathtub
Reglazing may enhance your tub and give it a new lease of life, but some tubs are beyond the point of no return. Here are some indications that it’s time to replace your bathtub.
Your bathtub is becoming outdated.
Most bathtubs have a 25-year lifespan. If your tub has reached or is approaching this age, you should consider replacing it.
Even though it is functioning normally at the moment, it may fail in the near future. Although the expense of reglazing a tub is less than purchasing a new one, it is not worthwhile if the tub will be replaced soon afterward.
Constant Maintenance Is Required
If your bathtub requires continuous repairs, you might consider purchasing a new one. Reglazing a defective bathtub is a waste of money if constant repairs are required.
However, an infrequent repair is not caused for concern.
After repairing the issue and reglazing the surface, the bathtub will survive for many years. However, a bathtub that requires many repairs each year is not worth the cost, time, and effort to maintain.
Limited in Time
The reglazing procedure may need many visits. In any case, the professional must wait for the primer to dry before they can paint, and they cannot polish your tub if it is coated in wet paint.
Due to this, you may have to wait up to two weeks for your bathtub to be completed.
If you do not have the time to wait, purchasing a new bathtub may be the most expedient option. You may even be able to purchase and install your new bathtub on the same day.
Major Leaks
When a bathtub begins to leak, you should begin shopping for a replacement. Fixing significant bathtub leaks may be difficult and temporary. Purchasing a new bathtub is preferable than investing in a costly repair that may not endure.
Mildew and Mold
If your bathtub is infested with mold or mildew, you must eliminate it immediately. While reglazing may conceal mold, it cannot eliminate it. Continuing to use a mold-infested bathtub might pose major health risks.
Some of the symptoms associated with mold exposure include:
- Respiratory problems
- Headaches
- Allergic responses
- Fatigue
- Red, itchy eyes, etc.
- Even more severe problems, such as anxiety and depression, might result from living with mold. Therefore, it is generally advisable to replace a bathtub as soon as mold is discovered.
Recognizing When Bathtub Refinishing Is Valuable
Investing in bathtub refinishing is worthwhile if the tub is in excellent operating condition. The reglazing technique may eliminate surface flaws including as scratches, fractures, and stains.
However, if your tub is old, leaky, or moldy, reglazing is a waste of money. You will eventually need to purchase a new tub.