Recently the talk in the chat rooms and discussion groups has turned to bathtub problems, outdated colors, leaking tubs and the desire to replace old existing tubs with newer, bigger, deeper tubs and with jetted models. There can probably be no more difficult DIY project in the realm of kitchens and bathrooms than the bathtub. The reason is simple, how do you get the old one out and the new one in? In most new construction the bathtub is actually installed during the framing phase of the building so there are no problems with getting a tub through doors, around corners and into place. Now we go 15 years down the road and the wife, better known as “she who must be obeyed”, has decided that the avocado tub that she just had to have when you built the place is no longer in style and needs to be replaced with a new one. To accomplish this you have basically 3 choices, each of which I will try to address here briefly enough to either help you get it done or decide to abandon the idea completely. Neither of the ideas qualify as a DIY project unless you are a well accomplished carpenter and plumber.
Your first choice is to have the old tub refinished with a new surface and new color. There are kits available to do this yourself but the best results come from professional services that do it for you. This, by far is the least expensive route.
The second choice would be to replace the old one, obviously from the good folks at National Builder Supply prefer, from their over 600 item selection: http://www.nationalbuildersupply.com/Results.aspx?dsNav=Nrc:id-103-dynrank-disabled,N:114
But before doing that you have to figure out how to get the old tub out and the new tub in. If you’re lucky the old tub is fiberglass and can be sawed into small pieces with a reciprocating saw and carried out a chunk at a time. If the old one is cast iron then you’re faced with idea of clearing your way to the nearest exit by tearing out doors and walls and then bring the new one in the same way. The other alternative might be that the old tub is on an exterior wall that can be opened and removed. Either way you can see that it’s not going to be easy and something that you won’t want to do but once. Maybe just buy her a new house with the tub of her choice.
The third solution is to install or have installed a tub liner over the old tub. A tub liner is a new fiberglass or acrylic tub shell that actually fits right over your old tub. There are a number of companies that offer these the most notable one is “Bathfitters” but this is not intended as a recommendation for them because I have no experience to relate. In researching this subject I ran across an interesting article on About.com entitled “About Bathtub Liners”, By Erin Loechner, from Oct 20th 2009. View the entire article at:
http://homerenovations.about.com/od/bathrooms/a/arttubliners.htm
Liners are new "skins" for your bathtub, shower pan, or walls. They are installed over your existing tub or shower; nothing is removed. Liners are made of heavy gauge acrylic. This is the same material that new, pre-fabricated bath and shower stalls are made of. So, if you were to demolish your bathroom and put in a new pre-fab unit, this is the same material that the pre-fab unit is made of. You can re-line just the bathtub or shower pan itself, or you can also add wall surrounds. Here are the pros and cons the author sees them:
Five Reasons Why Not to Consider a Bathtub or Shower Liner
1. A Cover-Up, Not a Solution:Liners cover up underlying problems instead of fixing them. The moisture in bathrooms can create mold and even eat away at structural elements which need to be replaced.
2. Trapped Water:Possibility of water getting trapped between liner and tub, creating mold and mildew.
3. Hollow Feeling:Liners may feel "spongey" or less than stable under foot.
4. Pricey:Liners are more expensive than refinishing.
5. Reduced dimensions:Because you are adding material, your bathtub will become smaller.
Five Reasons Why You Might Consider a Bathtub or Shower Liner
1. A Quick Fix:It's a faster fix than completely demolishing and replacing your bathroom.
2. Cheaper Than a Full Remodel:While more expensive than refinishing, it's cheaper than a full-on bathroom remodel.
3. Covers Up Icky Walls, Too:Refinishing only takes care of the bathtub itself or the shower floor pan. If your walls look like a warzone, refinishing won't help. But it is possible to order wall surround liners to cover up this mess.
4. No Demolition:Demolition is necessary for a full bathroom remodel. The tub and shower have to be ripped out, and surrounding materials will get damaged and must be replaced. Liners do not require demolition.
5. Competitive:Tub relining is one of those home remodeling industries like vinyl siding and window replacement: there are a lot of companies out there competing for your business. You should be able to find a company that will work with you.
Many thanks to About.com for this and their many great articles some of which are mine also.
Either of the 3 choices entail a great deal of thought, planning and money. Maybe an attractive shower curtain pulled over that old tub would be a better solution?
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