Bathtubs are an essential component of any house, and they are available in a wide range of forms and materials to fit your requirements and tastes. Your bathtub is one of the most used rooms in your house and a key feature of your bathroom. It’s where you take hot baths, soak in the tub after a hard day, or relax with a soothing soak if your back hurts.
While your bathtub is a common feature in most houses, it isn’t usually in good condition. Fortunately, giving your bathtub a makeover is simple. You can either replace your bathtub or remodel it for a more contemporary, updated style with a little effort, patience, and know-how. How to know when to replace or reglaze your bathtub?
Why Reglaze Your Bathtub?
Bathtub reglazing is a cosmetic procedure that involves replacing the old porcelain coating on the inside of your bathtub with a new glaze. The porcelain coating on your tub becomes less safe if it is worn out or damaged. If you slip on it, it will hurt you, but it may also allow germs to develop on the tub, making you sick. Worn-out porcelain is also more difficult to clean, increasing the expense of upkeep.
Benefits of Bathtub Reglazing
- It is less costly to reglaze. You may have your tub reglazed within a few days after discovering the leak, saving you a lot of money over replacing it.
- It's a lot easier than replacing the bathtub. Another advantage of reglazing is that it is considerably simpler to replace your bathtub.
- It takes less time. Reglazing your bathtub is significantly quicker than replacing it. You won't have to wait for a new tub from the manufacturer, either.
- It's a lot less work than replacing the bathtub. You won't have to deal with a lot of tradesmen breaking into your home and drilling holes in the walls (or ceilings) of your bathroom to get to your tub.
- When compared to replacing, it takes less time. Because the reglazing simply impacts the tab, you may still use the restroom while it is being done. Bathtub refinishing of high quality may result in a great, well-made, and well-maintained finished product.
Drawbacks of Bathtub Reglazing
- You will only have one chance to reglaze. In the event that the procedure is not carried out to fulfill your particular requirements, you will need to investigate your alternative available choices.
- The reglazing process is reliant on the weather since the substance that is used must be allowed to dry. As a result, refinishing will not be possible during the warmer months.
- When compared to purchasing a whole new tub, reglazing is not a long-term answer for your current one.
- The compounds that are utilized in the finishing process are very hazardous and may cause a variety of health issues. When breathed, they have the potential to produce drowsiness, headaches, and irritation in the throat. As a result, it is strongly suggested that this work be carried out by an experienced contractor.
- The bathtub that is going to be reglazed has to be in a terrible state of disrepair. The refinishing process is a cosmetic kind of rehabilitation that may cover up any little damage.
When You Should Replace Your Bathtub?
You may need to replace your bathtub rather than reglaze it for a variety of reasons. The first is that your tub has many cracks and breaks. This is a serious problem that will not be solved by reglazing. It is costly to replace a cracked or damaged bathtub. A tub reglaze may assist temporarily, but it’s not a long-term answer.
Benefits of Bathtub Replacement
- The long-term answer is to replace the item. You won't have to redo your tub in the near future.
- When you replace a bathtub, you're erecting a whole new one in its place. If you don't want to pull down any walls or fixtures in your bathroom, this is the most basic alternative.
- You may select from a variety of materials and choose a less costly one if you want.
Drawbacks of Bathtub Replacement
- It's an expensive procedure. Removal, installation and new flooring costs will have to be included. Inexperienced DIYers may end up spending more than if they had hired a professional.
- During the replacement, you will not be able to use the restroom.
- As a result of the many steps required, replacing involves a substantial amount of time and effort. Demolition of the old tub, removal of the components, and installation of the new tub are examples of such tasks.
- The procedure of installing a bathtub might take up to a month, depending on the complexity of the job.
- The new tub may not be as good as the previous one in terms of its quality. When it comes to tabs, it is common for older ones to be made of better quality material than newer ones.
Conclusion
In the house, bathtubs are among a select few fixtures that are seldom upgraded. You can understand why when you look at all the possible problems and drawbacks. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to increase the safety and longevity of your bathtub. It’s time to think about getting a new one if yours is beyond repair. The cost of replacing a bathtub is more than reglazing it, but it’s also more long-lasting than reglazing it.
