Find a crack in your fiberglass bathtub? No need to immediately call a professional to fix the problem for you. Repairing a damaged bathtub is a simple job that you can do on your own to save money. The following discussions will learn how to fix a fiberglass tub crack most easily.
Step-by-Step on How to Fix a Crack in a Fiberglass Tub
Ever wondered why is my bathtub 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 an arduous task, 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 get started, make sure to 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, inject foam into each of the holes for additional support. Let it rest for a few minutes as it will set a solid base on its own.
- Attach the patch
If you use fiberglass mesh, gently lay it over the damaged area, cover the crack, 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.
If you perform a fiberglass shower crack repair, the method is different from the tutorial above. But if you access the bottom of the shower pan, you can spread some epoxy over the plywood and then attach it onto 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 repairing job on your own without calling a professional. Besides, it will only take a day to get your bathtub fixed.
