How To Repair Vinyl Shower

Though it might be tempting to look over minor imperfections, repairing small cracks or holes in a shower base tin can prevent larger problems from occurring down the line. Tackling these issues doesn't accept to be difficult or plush. In fact, repairing the damage could save you the coin y'all'd spend replacing the whole base. Then how exercise you repair a pigsty or fissure in a shower base? We've done the research and have some steps for you.

To repair a fiberglass shower base, take the following steps:

Thoroughly make clean the shower base.
Assess the harm and plan the repair.
Accost support problems before making any repair.
Sand and prep the expanse.
Mix the filler material.
Apply a patch if using ane.
Repair the crevice or pigsty with the filler.
Sand once again after the filler sets.
Refinish the surface.

At present that we've addressed the bones steps to repair cracks or holes in the shower base, let's discuss each one in more item. We'll list some tools you'll demand, likewise equally get over some boosted questions yous might have. Keep reading.

How To Repair A Hole Or Cleft In A Shower Base

The types of materials and tools needed can vary depending on how all-encompassing a repair you lot need. We'll list everything you could potentially need. The stability of your shower floor will decide if the extra tools are needed. If the shower flooring seems squishy or has a lot of requite you'll need more tools to repair the problem.

For pocket-sized crack/hole repair:

Tub/tile cleaner
Protective gear (disposable gloves and mask)
Sandpaper (80 and 220 grit)
Masking record
Polyester resin or epoxy in putty form
Liquid hardener
Mixing stick and tray
Fiberglass mesh or cloth (if desired)
Putty knife
Solvent textile

Many of the above-mentioned tools come in bathtub and shower repair kits so you don't have to purchase full-sized products for a few cracks. Nearly of these kits come up with the resin or epoxy mix, hardener, mixing sticks, and sometimes color matching hues to help at hiding the patch.

View this repair kit on Amazon.

In addition to the materials listed above, if you need to add support underneath the shower floor, you'll need:

Drill
Low expansion spray foam

i. Thoroughly clean the shower base of operations

To brainstorm your repair, you'll demand to thoroughly clean the shower floor using a standard tub and shower cleaner. The area needs to exist gratis of any soap scum and oils to have a successful repair. Permit the area to dry fully before proceeding.

View this cleaner on Amazon.

Read our post, "12 Types of Shower Bases and Pans," to observe out more than nigh shower bases.

2. Assess the damage and program the repair

In one case the shower base is thoroughly clean, it's fourth dimension to assess the damage. If you lot only have a few cracks or pocket-size chips, you can likely just apply the resin or epoxy mixture to fill in the impairment. If the cracked area seems to exist defective back up, you'll need to accost that consequence before covering the cracks with a fiberglass patch then resin. Often, the heart of the issue is a lack of support, so don't skip repairing it if necessary.

3. Address support problems before making any repair

If the flooring of the shower base of operations needs additional support, yous'll demand to add that support by using low-expansion foam. To go the foam under the shower floor, you'll need to drill vi to eight holes (more than or less depending on how much back up is needed) in the shower floor a few inches outside of the cracks. Wearing gloves, inject the foam into the holes.

You'll know you've injected enough when the foam expands out of the holes and probable the cracks you're repairing likewise. Wipe abroad excess with a solvent cloth. Let the foam to dry according to the manufacturer'south instructions. Afterwards drying, you can use a utility or putty knife to scrape away any remaining excess.

View this spray foam on Amazon.

four. Sand and prep the area

Utilize 80-dust sandpaper to lightly sand simply effectually the cracks, holes, or chips. If you've had to use foam to support the floor, you tin can sand abroad any excess and create a level area to work. This gives the area grit so the epoxy or resin volition adhere. Before standing, department off the areas effectually the cracks with masking record to avoid sanding areas you don't intend to repair.

View this sandpaper on Amazon.

v. Mix the filler cloth

Wearing protective gloves in a well-ventilated area, mix the epoxy or resin putty with the hardener using your mixing stick. Ready the tray on top of some flake cardboard while mixing to forbid whatever excess mix from spilling on floors or other surfaces. If yous're trying to color friction match, mix in colour at this phase as well.

View this epoxy and hardener on Amazon.

half-dozen. Apply a patch if using one

For a smoother repair, you lot might consider covering the cracks with a fiberglass mesh or cloth before applying the putty. If using, cover the cracks with the mesh or cloth and cut to size. The cloth should aggrandize a few inches outside of the crack or hole. Using this patch tin can go along the area from dimpling after repair.

View this fiber mesh on Amazon.

7. Repair the crack or hole with the filler

Utilise the putty over the cracks or holes and polish it down using the putty pocketknife. If using a patch, it might be necessary to use a bit of the putty underneath it to hold information technology in place before applying the putty over it. Don't worry nigh piling on too much, as y'all'll exist sanding information technology later. Take your time filling in the cracks or holes and smoothing them.

View these putty knives on Amazon.

8. Sand once more subsequently the filler has gear up

Permit the putty to dry out according to the manufacturer'south instructions. Using the 220 grit sandpaper, sand the expanse until smooth using careful, even pressure. This will take some time to get the area smooth and of a like texture to the rest of the tub.

View this sandpaper on Amazon.

9. Refinish the surface

If desired, apply a finisher to get an even color on the shower base. Many kits come with a finisher, only information technology's readily available in an like shooting fish in a barrel spray form.

View this finisher on Amazon.

Read our post, "6 Unproblematic Steps to Make clean an Acrylic Shower Base."

What causes a shower base to crack?

The main issue that can cause cracks in the shower base is poor installation. If proper back up isn't added to the shower base of operations nether the shower pan, the pressure from people continuing in the shower over multiple showers causes information technology to crack. Many installers rely on support from the corners and the drain, which doesn't let for all-encompassing utilise. Outside of an installation issue, if the shower base is old, the structural integrity could be compromised.

How do I know if my shower is fiberglass or acrylic?

The easiest way to tell the difference between fiberglass and acrylic is to await at the coloration. Over time, fiberglass can have uneven colors and fade in spots. Additionally, acrylic is warm to the touch. If you touch the shower base of operations and it feels absurd even in a heated room, it is likely fiberglass.

How do you fix an acrylic shower base?

Employ the process outlined to a higher place for acrylic shower bases equally well. Withal, you must exist more conscientious if you drill holes in acrylic as it can sometimes crack more than. Acrylic isn't quite equally stiff as fiberglass in this regard.

Can a shower base be replaced?

The shower base can be replaced if necessary, though repairs are often easier and less expensive. It's advised to acquire a contractor to supercede a shower base if yous've decided you demand a whole new i.

In Endmost

With a few tools and materials, yous can repair cracks or pocket-sized holes in your shower base of operations with a weekend. Only gather the tools and think your safety equipment, and you lot'll accept the shower base as practiced every bit new before yous know it.

Source: https://homedecorbliss.com/how-to-repair-a-hole-or-crack-in-a-shower-base/

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