They also come in various shades of white and cream to match common bathroom fixtures, so choose a kit that matches your tub or shower. You could easily scratch the surface of the tub, and then youll need to patch that, too. DIY tips are for informational purposes only. Usually, you need to mix the two components together in a mixing tray with a small stirring stick. Thats no big deal -- you can repeat the process to apply a second layer of epoxy and fill out the patch. If youre just repairing a chip, a crack, or even a small hole, you dont need to clean the whole tub or shower, but you should clean off the area youre repairing. The key to successful DIY shower or tub repair is to make sure youre using the right repair or refinishing kit for your tub or shower surface. If you can still feel the presence of the chip or crack after sanding, that means your patch didnt quite fill the damage. Need a Plumbing Pro Now? There are epoxy repair kits available for porcelain, enamel, ceramic, acrylic, and fiberglass bathtubs. Plus, repairing cracks or holes in your bathtub or shower pan could help prevent water damage and mold growth that can occur when moisture leaks through that damage to the floors or wall underneath your bath or shower. Do you know whether you have a fiberglass, acrylic, porcelain, enamel, or ceramic tub or shower? protect the surface from spills with a piece of cardboard. American Home Shield, AHS, Be sure with the Shield and the shield logo are registered trademarks of American Home Shield Corporation, The two-component epoxy kit you buy for your tub or shower repair will come with instructions for mixing and applying the epoxy. All Rights Reserved. Some kits come with a tray and stick, but if yours doesnt, use a small disposable tray and a toothpick, craft stick, matchstick, or other small disposable stick. GET HASSLE-FREE HOME REPAIR WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST FROM VETTED PROS. Set the tray down on something to mixit, andprotect the surface from spills with a piece of cardboard. Some kits require just a few hours of drying time, while others need to dry for a full 24 hours. Please be sure to take the appropriate safety precautions and ensure your project complies with any applicable federal, state, or local laws and regulations. Fill the damaged area, adding thin layers of epoxy one at a time and smoothing them in one direction. When you start replacing one fixture, other, nearby fixtures are affected, too, and the next thing you know, you need a new toilet, and new vanity and sink, maybe even new tile floors. Usually, you need to mix the two components together in a mixing tray with a small stirring stick. You could save a ton of money, and still get a nice, shiny, new (looking) bathtub or shower. Services vary by market. Well, its important, because different surfaces are going to require different types of epoxy. Chips and small cracks in your bathtub are easy to repair using a two-component epoxy bathtub repair kit from your local hardware store. 2022 American Home Shield Corporation. Once you have applied the patch, let it dry for the length of time recommended on the package. Set the tray down on something to mix. And thats good news, because replacing a bathtub or shower is rarely just replacing a bathtub or shower. You can fix many cracks, chips, and holes in porcelain, fiberglass, and acrylic showers and tubs yourself, using a simple kit, and save hundreds or thousands of dollars in remodeling costs. Otherwise, you may go ahead and use the tub or shower. Its imperative that you clean the surface to be repaired thoroughly and carefully before you apply the epoxy. Wash away soap scum and other residue with an abrasive cleaner like Barkeepers Friend, sand the area as appropriate, and then clean it again with cotton swabs and rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining grime or residue. Book online now. Get affordable, upfront pricing when you use ProConnect for your appliance repair needs. AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein. Before you repair or refinish a tub or shower, you need to sand the area where youre applying the patching or refinishing compound, so that the patch or new finish can take hold. Use a small spatula, craft stick, toothpick, or other tool to smooth the mixed epoxy into the crack, chip, or hole. When you repair or refinish your bathtub or shower, the bathtub remains in place, so you dont have to risk toppling that first domino and setting in motion a chain reaction of repairs that turns into a full bathroom remodel. Once the patch is dry, sand it gently with 400- or 600-grit sandpaper, until it feels as smooth as the rest of the tub or showers finish. Book a qualified, local home repair Pro with American Home Shield ProConnect in just a few clicks. So, before you start getting quotes for a bathtub or shower replacement, read these tips for how to repair a bathtub or shower. Services vary by market. Its easier to add small amounts of epoxy in thin layers than to remove excess, so be careful not to use too much. Broken Shower or Bathtub? If you have a crack, a chip, or even a hole in your bathtub, shower pan, or bathroom tile, you dont need to perform a full bathroom remodel in order to fix it. *Available in most major markets. Click here to book now. Some kits come with a tray and stick, but if yours doesnt, use a small disposable tray and a toothpick, craft stick, matchstick, or other small disposable stick. But if youre patching, be careful not to sand outside of the crack or hole youll be filling. *Available in most major markets. The two-component epoxy kit you buy for your tub or shower repair will come with instructions for mixing and applying the epoxy. 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