How To Repair A Crack In A Tub

Repair A Cracked Bathtub

Replacing a cracked bathtub can toll thousands of dollars, but repairing a cracked bathtub is an cheap DIY project. In this post, we'll become over the pace-by-step process of fixing a bathtub cleft, then we'll help you prevent the problem from happening again.

Overview

To repair your cracked bathtub, you'll need to buy a bathtub repair kit. Note: the post-obit tutorial is specifically geared toward repairing a plastic or fiberglass bathtub. If the bathtub yous're trying to repair is fabricated out of cast atomic number 26, this isn't the tutorial for y'all.

At that place are several different brands of bathtub repair kits available on the market today. The procedure outlined in this tutorial could vary depending on the brand you purchase. Always check with the instructions in the repair kit before getting started with the patch.

Process

Pick up a bathtub repair kit from the hardware store or home improvement heart. Make sure that the kit you buy volition repair tubs made from plastic or fiberglass (which e'er material was used to brand your bathtub). Friction match the color in the kit to the color of your bathtub, and determine whether or not your kit includes everything y'all need to fix your bathtub. If you need to buy more than materials to set up your bathtub, now is the time to make those purchases.
Clean the area around the scissure in the tub. Dry the surface area thoroughly earlier continuing.
Sand the crack in the tub and a 1 inch radius all effectually the crack.
Cut a slice of mesh to fit over the fissure, if necessary. Your kit will specify how large the crack must be in social club to justify utilize of mesh.
Mix the epoxy and tinting materials every bit instructed in the kit. Individual kits may vary. Some kits will take you mix the epoxy and tint together in a dish, other kits may include a baggie for mixing.
Spread the epoxy over the fissure. Move rapidly because the epoxy volition get-go to harden, probably in a affair of minutes after being exposed to air. Apply a wooden stick or a putty pocketknife to spread the epoxy.
Place the mesh over the epoxy (if the mesh is justified). Lay the mesh flat over the moisture epoxy.
Place more epoxy over the mesh. Smooth the summit layer of epoxy so that the edges of the epoxy will dry smooth. Allow the epoxy to dry out.

For more information, check out this video that shows the step-past-step process of patching a bath tub:

https://www.youtube.com/picket?v=TKNtMgPahtc

Tips and Suggestions

Repairing the bathtub won't be adequate if the bathtub doesn't have the support information technology needs to prevent this from happening once again. You lot can install back up past spraying the underside of the tub with expandable polyurethane, which is also available at hardware stores and home improvement centers.

To exercise this, only buy a couple cans of expandable polyurethane, admission the nether side of the tub and spray There may exist a panel in the wall you can use to access the tub. If not, yous may accept to attain the tub from the basement or crawl infinite.

Follow the instructions on the can of polyurethane to use it properly. Go along the polyurethane away from the tub'south drain so you or future plumbers tin can work on the bleed when necessary. Note that polyurethane continues to expand for hours afterward information technology's been sprayed in a space, so even if the polyurethane doesn't await like information technology'south going to fill the space below the tub, give information technology time earlier spraying another tin.