Have you noticed a crack in your bathtub while taking a bath there? We know that you are worried about what to do now or also thinking if the bathtubs fall apart. There’s nothing like that. Don’t worry. But, you need to rectify it straight away after you have noticed it, so as not to wait for the moment to see it getting worse. Well, this article will guide you completely on “how to fix a crack in a fiberglass tub” with its easy steps. Also, you will get to know how to prevent your bath tub crack. Let us begin.
What Causes A Bathtub Crack?
Fiberglass bathtubs are lovely tubs that are simple to install and fix. If you’re not careful, they might ultimately get destroyed. They may develop cracks that impair their attractiveness and endanger the stability of their structural components. Fiberglass tubs are a common option for many households.
Well, in order to prevent cracks in fiberglass bathtubs, you should be aware of the following typical causes:
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Hefty items
You could perhaps possess a steel shower caddy or any other accessory. A little sculpture, a fragrant lamp, or a vase of flowers are examples of lovely design pieces that might be placed near your bathtub. The finish of your fiberglass tub may fracture or chip if any of them are knocked to the ground and strike it hard.
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Not Enough Support
Well, your body’s weight plus the pressure of the water might exert pressure on the shell’s more delicate areas, leading to fissures. Thus your fiberglass tub should have adequate support when it is placed.
If you see cracks or chip damage to your fiberglass bathtub, it’s crucial that you spend money on crack and chip repair as soon as you can. If the fractures aren’t fixed, they can grow throughout the tub, causing water to leak through and harming the underlying components, which might include the structure of your house.
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Caustic Cleansers
When you notice soap scum, filth, hair, and germs all building in the tub, you may break out the major cleansers like bleaching, acid, and big heavy industrial cleaners. Although they could remove the unpleasantness from your tub, these chemicals might harm the tub and ruin the surface.
A fiberglass tub can be cleaned with little more than a gentle cleaner and a soft-bristled brush. Avoid using citrus cleansers, ammonia, bleach, and other items that contain any type of acidity. They will degrade the surface, making it more susceptible to cracks and fractures.
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Aging Naturally
Bathtubs are meant to be used for bathing, but as they age, the surface of the tub may eventually start to get thin and develop cracks. Due to normal usage and wear and tear, bathtubs become less sturdy over time.
How Can Fiberglass Bathtubs Be Protected From Cracks?
Fiberglass Bathtubs can be protected from cracks by maintaining the following-
- Take care not to drop or smash your bathtub with hard loads.
- Be certain that your tub has enough support. In order to prevent fractures, the ground on which it is set must also be level.
- Rinse your tub properly after every use to prevent the buildup of harsh chemicals on its surface. It is preferable to use mild home cleansers or approved cleaners.
- Avoid using strong cleaning solutions on your bathtub.
Read, also- Acrylic Vs Fiberglass Tub: Everything You Need to Know
How To Fix a Crack in a Fiberglass Tub?
Well, if you are experiencing a crack in Bath tub, here is how you can repair tub crack. Read the following steps carefully and apply them carefully.
However, before starting to fix fiberglass bathtub cracks, you need to have a Repair kit. Some repair kits are made exclusively for fiberglass tubs, while others may be used on nearly any material. When choosing a tub repair kit, take into account the material of your bathtub. Tools and chemicals needed to fix a damaged or cracked region are included in some fiberglass tub repair kits. They include the following –
- Thickener.
- Colorants.
- Fiberglass fabric.
- Brush.
- Gloves for protection.
- Spreader.
- Resin.
- Stirring device
- A mixing tray and a mixing stick.
- Hardener.
- Sandpaper.
Step 1: Clear Up The Place Near The Crack.
Clean the damaged area with your favorite household cleaner. For the glue to adhere well, make sure it is clear of blemishes, dust, and mold. When you’ve finished wiping the area off with a sponge, wash it with some water from the tap and then wipe it with a towel or cloth.
Step 2: Dust off the area around the crack with sand
After washing the area, softly scuff up the surface with an abrasive cloth or moderate sandpaper. The glue and reagents will easily link together due to the texture. Sand a fraction of an inch away from the crack. Use a cloth or brush to clean up the debris after sanding.
Step 3: Fiberglass Resin Adhesive should be blended and then used
For the correct ratio of combining the adhesive components, refer to the repair kit’s instructions. To ensure the components are fully combined, stir more than is necessary. Give the glue four to six minutes to dry after mixing. Then, using a brush, evenly spread the mixture over the dent’s surrounding area and the dent itself.
Step 4: Coarse the adhesive
After curing, the glue should be sanded with medium (grit 150 grit) sandpaper after two hours and then softly sand it one more time. The removal of extra glue will be aided by sanding. Long-term bonding of the fiberglass filler will be facilitated by removing extra glue.
Step 5: Fill the crack by using putty or glass filler
Use the repair kit’s putty knife to apply the fiberglass filler. Use cream hardener combined with all-purpose putty as an option. Once all excess filler has been removed, give it fifteen minutes to dry. Ensure that the chemical is applied completely to the fracture.
Step 6: Sand the Surface Once More
Make sure to even out the edges of the filler before re-sanding. Make sure the restored region is level with the surface as a whole. To avoid ruining the job, be cautious not to overspend. Utilize a paper towel, followed by a tack cloth, to clean the surface once it has been made smooth.
Step 7: Apply an epoxy coating
Use a paintbrush to apply the correct mixture of epoxy and gel coat to repair a crack in a wind turbine blade. Make sure that the gel coat covers the whole region of the blade, not just the narrow crack area. As a general rule, it should extend 1-2 inches beyond the cracked region.
Step 8: Put on Fiberglass Clothing
Look through your kit for some fiberglass clothes. To suit the region, cut a piece of fiberglass cloth to the appropriate size after measuring the crack’s dimensions. Be certain that it has a one-inch overlap on the dent’s margins. Whereas the epoxy is still wet, cover the repair with the substance and press tightly. Squeeze any trapped air bubbles off the fabric’s underside with the putty knife.
Step 9: Put on a finishing or sealing coat
The final step in repairing a crack in bath tub is sealing it with sealant. The sealer is designed to guard the underlying layers against harm brought on by corrosive chemicals and water. You can also think about using a polishing or shining solution to give your tub a brand-new appearance.
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Final Lines
Well, this is all about “how to fix a crack in a fiberglass tub”. After reading the article, you came to know that fixing a crack in a fiberglass bathtub is not really a hard task to do. The repair kit has all the necessary items needed to fix it. Use the items from the repair fit as mentioned in the steps above and get the cracks on your bathtub fixed and make it look like a brand new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What occurs if the fiberglass in a bathtub cracks?
It is not only a general problem when your fiberglass tub has cracks. If you don’t have the cracks fixed, they might grow throughout the tub, causing water to leak through and harm the underlying components of your home, including its structure.
Q2: Can Flex Seal be applied to patch up a cracked bathtub?
Tub cracks cannot be repaired with Flex Seal because it lacks structural value. The fiberglass fractures will start to perpetuate behind this layer even though it can block a leakage.
Q3: How long will a fiberglass bathtub last?
Fiberglass bathtubs are majorly used as they are extremely lightweight and easy to install. The lifespan of a fiberglass tub is between 10 and 15 years, and the cost per tub is among the lowest in the world. The cost of this material is also one of the lowest because of its low maintenance costs.
Q4: How much does repairing a fiberglass tub fracture cost?
Ans: Fiberglass tub repair might cost anywhere from $20 and $240 on average. When you hire someone to do a $20 DIY repair, it probably costs $200.