Often, cracks form in bathrooms made of fiberglass. And a completely logical question arises, how to fix fiberglass tub cracks? The detailed procedure that helps you repair the fiberglass tub you can read in this article.
Filling a crack in a fiberglass bathroom
Quite often, people often wonder how to fix fiberglass tub cracks. To work, you need to prepare a cleaning agent, fine grit sandpaper, scissors, a cleaning fiberglass cloth, a rag, a lint-free cloth, and a compact brush. A special repair kit is also required.
It is important to prepare gloves, as well as run good ventilation.
This is because you have to work with aggressive compounds that can damage the respiratory tract. An equally common question is, can you repair a cracked fiberglass tub? The detailed repair procedure for fiberglass tubs we describe below.
Cleaning the surface around the hairline crack, and drying
Fairly many people are wondering, how do you seal a crack in a fiberglass tub? You must clean the surface around the hairline cracks with a household cleaner.
It is important to remove dirt, mold, and debris. Next, the area is cleaned with a sponge and washed with clean water. Finally, it remains to dry the surface with a lint-free cloth or a piece of cloth.
Fiberglass bathtub grinding
Next, using fine-grit sandpaper, you need to grind the surface that is located around the hairline cracks. It is important to achieve a lightly rough texture.
Thanks to this, the glue lies down better because adhesion to the surface improves. Once sanding is complete, remove debris with a brush or cloth.
Glue preparation and application
Ready-made kits designed to repair a fiberglass tub contain an adhesive or binder. There is also instruction for the preparation of the composition.
It must be properly prepared, and then treated to a hairline crack in a fiberglass and a polished surface. You can work with a brush from the set or pre-purchased.
Make sure the adhesive covers at least an inch of the crack. This way you can get the best results. Glue must be allowed to penetrate all deformations to better nourish them. Wait for the composition to dry, after which you can proceed to the next step.
Filling with putty
Once the adhesive has been set, use the fiberglass filler that comes with the repair kit.
Apply it with a putty knife to fill all cracks, even minor ones.
Remove excess fiberglass filler if there is any around the crack. Wait for drying.
Fiberglass bathtub re-sanding
Again, you need to grind the surface that is around the hairline crack. To do this, again, you need to use sandpaper.
You have to work until all surfaces are leveled. Remove dirt afterward.
Try to work carefully. Otherwise, you risk spoiling the whole result of the work done.
Pouring epoxy
A fiberglass tub repair kit contains an epoxy gel coat or polyester resin. It must be used and prepared according to the repair kit instructions. Apply some resin to the hairline crack and the surrounding area. It is better to work with a brush.
Apply the mixture not only to the hairline crack, but also around it for 2 inches. This allows you to achieve maximum results.
Add a fiberglass cloth
The repair kit contains fiberglass clothing. Cut off such a piece that it covers the entire surface on which the epoxy mixture is applied.
Cover the hairline cracks with a rag after the epoxy has dried.
Lightly press the fabric into the mixture, and smooth with a putty knife. This eliminates air bubbles, which in the future may crack again.
Re-applying epoxy
The next step is that the epoxy is applied again. It is better to use a brush in your work. It is recommended to apply abundant layers for better hold.
Application of sealant or finish
The last stage of work is that you need to apply a sealant. It is also included in the repair kit. You need to apply it to the area that has cracked.
The main purpose of the sealant is to protect the layers of materials that are used to seal the damage.
After the sealant has dried, you can use the bath for its intended purpose. To restore the glossy surface, it is appropriate to use a polishing compound.
The above instruction applies to all kinds of cracks that may form in the bath.
It can be used if you need to fix a cracked tub edging.
Some housewives use this method to repair shower trays.
The fiberglass repair kit features
There is already a ready-made fiberglass repair kit that helps in the repair of a fiberglass tub.
They include all the necessary tools, as well as chemical components for fiberglass tubs.
You can use the repair kit for a fiberglass bathtub and for also other materials.
Items
The fiberglass repair kit includes several items, including:
- fiberglass cloth;
- several types of resin;
- brushes;
- clamps;
- trays for mixing compositions;
- mixing sticks.
There are several repair kits on the market. More about useful tools that help you to repair the crack in a fiberglass you can find below.
For surface repair
If you need to repair a damaged surface, use a simple set. It includes paint and polymer tape.
This is enough to close the outer surfaces of the cracks and give the bath an attractive appearance.
Interior Repair Kit
If you have to fill the inside of the crack, it is recommended to use this set. It includes paste and glue.
Causes of cracks in a fiberglass bath
Many housewives are interested in why cracks can form in the shower pan. Often this happens for several reasons.
Natural aging
Even if you do not use the bathroom too often, it wears out over time. That is why the coating becomes thinner, which is lead to the formation of cracks.
Insufficient surface
Often, a fiberglass tub is placed on uneven surfaces. Because of this, the weight of a person who bathes is not uniform. This is what causes cracks to form.
Use of aggressive cleaning agents
As you know, cleaning the bathroom is quite a responsible process.
That is why some housewives buy aggressive but effective products. They may contain bleach or acids.
These components contribute to the slow destruction of the surfaces of the bath. They thin the coating and make it vulnerable to pressure cracking.
Mechanical damage
Often, cracks in the bath appear due to impacts. The coating of fiberglass structures is quite light, so it is not difficult to damage it.
You can determine the effectiveness of the repair by the depth of the crack. If it is shallow, you can carry out repairs yourself.
If the hairline crack has spread to the other side of the fiberglass tub, professional help is required.
The cost of plumbing is about $80. That’s $30 more than a kit for the fiberglass tubs that can be used for repairs.
Some craftsmen may charge up to $150 for their work. It all depends on the complexity of the work, as well as the qualifications of the master.
However, specialists know the principles of such work better, so their skills are more effective.
Preventing the formation of cracks in the bath
As you know, it is better to prevent a hairline crack than try to fix it.
You can use several recommendations as a preventive measure:
- Check that the tub is properly fixed. It should stand on a flat surface, and not change its position.
- Do not use aggressive products to clean the bathroom. Stop at fiberglass cleaners, as well as mild household cleaners. The household cleaner cannot damage the surface.
- Avoid dropping the tub or throwing heavy objects into it.
- Wash the tub after each use. This prevents the accumulation of aggressive chemical components on the surface.
If a hairline crack is already visible on the surface, locking holes must be made at its ends.
Their optimal depth is a quarter of an inch.
This prevents a further increase in the size of the crack. After that, it remains only to fix it according to the instructions described earlier.
Conclusion
As you can see, repairing a hairline crack in a fiberglass tub is quite easy. To do this, you need to buy a special repair kit. If the crack is large, or if you are afraid of making a mistake during work, it is better to contact the master.