Taking a bath has been shown in many scientific studies to be good for both your physical and mental health.
But a bath can be anything but relaxing if you are sitting in a tub that is chipped, stained, or otherwise not appealing. Even so, this doesn’t mean that you need to go out and buy a new one right away.
This information has been put together to help you decide if it is more cost-effective for you to get a new bathtub or have your old one refinished.
So let’s dive in!
What Does It Mean to "Reglaze a Bathtub"?
Reglazing a bathtub, which is also called recoating or refinishing, is a repair that has nothing to do with how it works. It will get rid of any small flaws on the surface of your tub, making it look as good as new.
Here’s how the process works:
The first thing a trained and experienced bathtub repair expert will do is sand down the surface of the tub. This gets rid of any spots or small scratches on the surface. After that, they will fill in any remaining cracks or chips. Then, they will put a coat of primer on the bathtub and then paint it. Depending on the kind of tub you have, they may have to use more than one product.
After the painting is done, they will give it one last buffing to finish.
The reglazing process can give a worn-out bathtub a new lease on life. However, some bathtubs need more extensive repairs than just reglazing. Read on to learn when it’s a good idea to keep your tub and when it’s time to get a new one
How often should a tub be reglazed?
If your bathtub is in a good state for maintenance, it might be worth keeping. Reglazing may make ugly flaws disappear, leaving a surface that is once again beautiful and smooth.
Your tub can’t be in too bad of shape, though. Here’s how you can figure out if reglazing your bathtub is the best thing to do.
Stains
Over time, use will cause your bathtub to change color. Even if you clean it often, the surface will eventually get a strange yellowish tint to it, even if you clean it often.
Even though this isn’t strange, it sure stinks up the place.
Even if the stains are very dark, the refinishing process can make your tub look like it did when it was new. Sanding and painting will either completely get rid of the stains or cover them up so that you can’t see them after the job is done.
Some Marks on the Outside
If you have your tub reglazed, it will hide small scratches on the surface. You could also fill in most of the holes.
But you shouldn’t re-glaze a tub that has one or more big cracks in it. There is a chance that these cracks will make your tub less stable or cause it to leak. If a bathtub has a lot of cracks, it is highly recommended to replace it.
In that case, your bathtub could flood with little to no warning.
Limits on the budget
Most of the time, reglazing is less expensive than buying a whole new tub.
In addition to spending money on the purchase, you will also have to pay someone to take the old bathtub out of your house. Most of the time, this means you have to pay a professional to take it away and get rid of it.
As a result, the price may end up being greater.
If you don’t have a lot of wiggle room in your budget, you can save money by reglazing your bathtub to make it last longer. So, you won’t have to spend all your money to get a “new” bathtub.
How often should a bathtub be changed?
The reglazing process can make your tub look better and give it a second chance at life, but some tubs are too damaged to be reglazed. Here are some signs that it may be time to get rid of your tub and get something else.
Your bathtub is getting old and worn.
Usually, a bathtub will last for about 25 years. If your tub is getting close to that age or is already older than it, you should think about getting a new one.
Even if it is working fine now, there is still a chance that it will break down in the near future. Even though reglazing your tub is cheaper than buying a new one, it is not worth the money if you plan to replace it soon anyway.
It always needs repairs and maintenance
If your bathtub keeps breaking down and needing repairs, you might want to get a new one. If you have to keep spending money on repairs, reglazing a broken tub is a waste of money because you will have to do it again and again.
But a small fix here and there and there’s nothing to worry about.
After the problem is fixed and the surface is reglazed, you will have a bathtub that works well for a long time. On the other hand, you shouldn’t spend money, time, and effort keeping up with a bathtub that needs many repairs every year.
Time Limitations
The reglazing process may take more than one visit to finish. After all, the professional can’t buff your bathtub while the paint is still wet, and they have to wait for the primer to dry before they can do any kind of painting on the tub.
Because of this, it’s possible that your bathtub won’t be ready for another week or two.
If you don’t have time to wait, buying a brand-new bathtub is likely to be the best solution. You might be able to buy your new tub and have it put in on the same day.
Major Leaks
When a bathtub starts to leak, you should start looking for a new one as soon as you can. Fixing a bathtub that leaks a lot can be hard and will only work for a short time. Instead of spending money on an expensive fix that might or might not fix the problem, it would be better to buy a brand-new bathtub.
Mildew and mold are both
If mold or mildew is growing within your tub, you should get rid of it as quickly as possible. Reglazing the surface might cover up the mold, but it won’t get rid of the problem completely. If you use a moldy bathtub for a long time, it can cause serious health problems.
Mold exposure can cause a wide range of health problems, such as:
- Problems with breathing
- Headaches
- Responses brought induced by allergens
- Fatigue
- Eyes that itch and are red, and so on.
- If left untreated, mold exposure can also cause more serious health problems, like anxiety and depression. When mold is found in a bathtub, it must be replaced right away.
Figuring Out When It's Worth It to Refinish Your Bathtub
If your tub still works well after it has been refinished, the money will have been well spent. Through the process of reglazing, surface flaws like scratches, small cracks, and stains can be fixed.
But refinishing your bathtub is a waste of money if it is old, leaks, or has mold all over it. Soon, you will have no choice but to buy a new bathtub.
Are there signs of wear and tear on your bathtub? Click this link to learn more about the bathtub repair services we offer and how we might be able to help you.