Discovering a crack in your fiberglass bathtub or shower pan doesn’t have to lead to expensive professional shower repairs or bathtub repair services. With the right tools and patience, you can address this issue yourself, restoring the integrity and appearance of your bathroom fixtures.
Finding a crack in your fiberglass bathtub or shower pan can be alarming, but there’s no immediate need to seek costly professional shower repairs or bathtub repairs. With a straightforward DIY approach, you can efficiently address the damage, potentially saving considerable money and avoiding the
inconvenience of an unusable bathroom fixture.
Step-by-Step on How to Fix a Crack in a Fiberglass Tub
Ever wondered why my bathtub is cracking? To know the answer, you should know that there are typically two types of cracks that can form in your tub: stress and hairline cracks. The former occurs when you accidentally drop a heavy object in the tub. The latter happens due to continual use.
Fixing a crack in your fiberglass tub is not arduous, but you will need to spend a whole day doing this job. Here is how to fix a crack in the bottom of a fiberglass tub:
- Clean the area
Before you start, clean the entire tub area with a sponge and cleaning agent. You may also use acetone or alcohol as both can thoroughly remove soap excesses, glass fibers, and oils.
- Drill as per requirement
Rather than removing the whole tub, consider making around seven small holes. Since you repair a hairline crack, grind a bevel around 1 ½ inches wide from the crack using a rotary tool. Then, the foam will be injected into each hole for additional support. Let it rest for a few minutes, as it will set a solid base.
- Attach the patch
If you use fiberglass mesh, gently lay it over the damaged area, cover the crack, and trim the mesh to slightly larger than the damaged area.
- Make the filler
Mix the hardener and resin putty with a mixing stick. Once it’s perfectly combined, spread it over the fiberglass mesh or all over the cracked area. Apply the mixture again to make sure all the crevices are covered.
- Leave the mix to set up
Enable the mixture to be set up in the crack for around 2 to 3 hours or longer if the cracks are large. Once the mixture is set, gently rub the surface using sandpaper. This process might take a little bit of time.
The method differs from the tutorial above if you perform a fiberglass shower crack repair. But if you access the bottom of the shower pan, you can spread some epoxy over the plywood and then attach it to the damaged area. Afterward, apply the epoxy over the exposed area and smooth it down using sandpaper.
The process of repairing a tub crack is simple. By using some accessible items and following the tutorial on fixing a crack in a fiberglass tub above, you can do this repair job independently without calling a professional. Besides, it will only take a day to get your bathtub fixed.
Remember, while DIY bathtub and shower repairs can be effective for minor issues, significant damage or structural concerns with your fiberglass fixtures may still require professional intervention. Before starting, consider the repair’s complexity and your comfort level with DIY projects.
By understanding the basic steps of repairing a crack in a fiberglass tub and shower pan, you equip yourself with the knowledge to maintain the longevity and functionality of your bathroom fixtures. Whether it’s a minor cosmetic fix or a more involved repair, the satisfaction of a successful DIY project can be both rewarding and cost-effective.
