I have a client that has some small cracks in two Fiberglas tubs. She’s been given options from complete replacement to resurfacing the tub floors. And by-the-way, she talked to Bathfitters, and they were the highest and most circumspect of all the repairs options. They wanted around 12K to completely replace both tubs, and also couldn’t guarantee that there wouldn’t be extra charges. They’ll be on my “Don’t Ever Call These Guys” list from now on.
Most of the builders that I deal with use the floor replacement option when they already have a unit installed and a crack is found; or some careless employee drops something sharp or heavy into the unit. However, my client has had her head filled with stuff from every contractor she’s talked to. Many of them obviously have the alterior motive of generating extra income, and have told here that only the most expensive options will work.
Anyone with any experience on this subject out there? How do these floor resurfacing repairs hold up?
Replies
rocks
The description given was good, but not enough to allow me to answer the question with any certainty.
An onsite inspection would be the only way I could come up with an answer.
However, you can maybe get a good reply from someone if you answer this-
Since it's 2 tubs, why? did they not bed the tub in plaster or some other "base" when it was set?
A crack is more than a dropped hammer. A crack below the gelcoat or finish will reappear if not re-inforced and may come back if no bedding is under the tub.
There should be no give when a HEAVY human weight is applied to the tub base unless as seen in some brands, there is let in wood reinforcement below the fibreglass bottom.
Each tub has two or three small cracks, none of which is more than a hairline but is about 1.5 - 2.25 inches long. No way to tell if there is any bedding under the units.
ok
Cracks-
Close together?
Out of the drain hole?
In one spot, but radiating out?
All over the place (well, whatever 3 does all over the place)?
Same in both tubs as far as location?
Feel any give when standing in it?
Creeks?
How's the joint at top of fibreglass sides/drywall? Show any signs of movement?-cracked caulk-built up caulk from recaulking?
Different sizes and locations on both tubs. Haven't stood in either to see if there is flexing. Doesn't seem to be any damage anywhere else on the units. None around the drains. Didn't see any extra caulking. Relatively centered, but 6 - 8 - 12 inches or greater from each other.
Unfortunately, these tubs are in a client's house that's a little mor than an hour's drive from me, so I can't go there too often. Here's a couple of pics (attached).
rock
Those to me would be a concern. I'd get a detail on what these tubs are-how they are made, whether they have any "feet" on the bottom.
It's worth a chance to get a repair-they must know it might or might not work.
I use a regional repairman, recommended by my plumbing supplier. He is good, repair is never known-brand new tubs help, but he assures me that he can color and blend anything so it disappears. I trust his judgement. I'd also trust him to tell me that "yes, I'd do it-I think I can make it work.:"
or
I might work, can't say.
Those do not look like a dropped object-tubs chip, the surface shows a ship from a drop. A heavy bowling ball from up high, might do what I see.
Back to the repair man. There's no way a spot repair would cost 12 grand. I'm guessing his charge would be at MOST, a couple hundred each tub...............MAX.
How old are these units?
Looking at those, particularly the first one, makes me suspicious that the tubs may have been (poorly) refinished once, and it's the refinishing that's peeling off.
Do you know much about the history of the tubs -- how old they are, and whether the current owner has been there since they were installed?
Unfortunately, I know nothing of the history.
I'm a property inspector, and the first time I'd ever seen the house was in October. The scenario is something I run into on a "more than just occasionally" basis - the guy selling was in the middle of a nasty divorce, and the woman buying was just finishing with a divorce. Hard to tell how they were treated by the guy in question. I also don't think he was the original owner, but hard to tell. The girl who now owns it has only been there for a month or less.
When I inspected the tubs, they were so filthy, there was no way to see the actual surfaces, so, all bets are off!! It was only after they were cleaned that the cracks could be seen.