Aug 30 2010

What to Do When you Need to Refinish a Bathtub

So your bath looks grungy, scratched, rusty, and old. You have looked at new tubs in your local home improvement store, and you’ve seen models you like for less than $200. It sounds like a cheap fix ; however, you’ve forgotten to include some items in your guess. What about the pricetag to remove the old tub, hauling charges to take it to the rubbish heap as well as rubbish heap charges, professional help to install your new tub, and the chance of extra plumbing desires requiring the services of a plumber? All of a sudden, your inexpensive small project has exploded into a big-time cost. Did you know that you can refinish your old bathtub without it costing a fortune so that it will look almost like new?

By reading the information on bathtub refinishes that you’ll find online, you may only get more confused. Some sites will tell you that only a professional can refinish a tub so that it will finish up looking wonderful. They caution you not to even think about trying the job yourself. Other sites, however, will give you a far more favorable opinion regarding doing the job on your own so that you can avoid the heavy costs of the pros. What many sites advocate are modern tub refinishing kits that provide you with the materials and know-how to make this a do-it-yourself project.

Start by researching the various kinds of kits that are available. You need to find a fine quality kit that incorporates a special bonding agent. Without this bonding agent, your new surface is going to start peeling before long. At the same time you’re purchasing the kit, read the packaging to see what other supplies the manufacturer recommends that you have,eg protective gloves, brushes, and facial masks. It’s simpler to do any project if you don’t have to stop and run to a store each time you don’t have a tool or supply you need. Once everything is assembled, it will be a straightforward matter to start refinishing your tub.

It’s critical that you read the directions meticulously and follow them step by step. It will require some patience to spread the different coats on uniformly and to attend while each coat dries comprehensively, but these steps are important, and once you’re done refinishing your bathtub, your finished product will reward you for your perseverance.

Aug 28 2010

Is it a Good Idea to Try Do-it-Yourself Bathtub Refinishing?

Refinishing your bathtub might appear to be a difficult task. All things considered, no doubt you’ve never attempted anything at all like it, and also you don’t have confidence in your knowledge. It’s a widespread feeling, because in your head you can’t help but wonder what could happen in the event you create a mess with the job. There is certainly little room for error if you are trying to add a fresh surface which will look as flawless and last for as long as the existing one. You may have drips and runs that appear to be nearly as unattractive as the initial problems you’re trying to cover up. Bathtub refinishing can be a task better left to professionals; however, you can try it yourself should you be willing to spend some time and follow the instruction manual explicitly.

Maybe wish to buy a kit. Just be sure it features a special bonding agent that can help the coatings adhere to your tub. Kits that don’t offer you this medium can provide a fresh finish that will be more likely to start peeling. You should do everything you can do to acquire a good seal between the tub and the coating products. This will likely include thorough cleaning to remove all dirt, debris, and soap scum then light sanding to smooth away scratches and provide a roughed-up surface that’ll give the new coatings something to hang onto.

Perhaps you would prefer to hire professional help after you have prepared the surface for refinishing. A pro should have practiced the best processes for painting enamel smoothly. However, if you are planning to do the painting yourself, take the time to practice the technique on a piece of scrap lumber so that you are not trying it cold turkey over the actual tub surface. You know your skills a lot better than anyone, so it’ll be your choice to decide whether or not to tackle the work yourself. Don’t feel bad if you end up deciding to spend the additional money for professional assistance. This can be a difficult job, and it’s better to assess your abilities and change your mind about what you’re doing while you go than to simply plunge ahead making a mess of things.

Hopefully, when you’ve finished the task, you will be pleased and proud of your results. If you end up with runs as well as other flaws, it will likely be a difficult job to eliminate them. In fact, it’s going to mean that you have to start all over to sand down the bad spots so that it looks smooth. Now you can save money by not having to call on professional bathtub refinishing firms. That will end up costing you a lot more than if you hired a skilled contractor to begin with.

Aug 24 2010

Smooth, Contemporary Styling of Free Standing Bath tubs

Would you like a new bath tub inside your bathroom which can be chic, functional, and extremely efficient? What about installing a freestanding bath tub. No, we are not necessarily referring to a Victorian bath tubs, though those have recently undergone a resurgence of popularity. We’re talking about an entire line of gorgeous bathtubs which are created with modern-day bathrooms in mind. Many of the bathtubs are actually modeled after Japanese bathtubs, and the Japanese tend to be well known for knowing just how to take fantastic baths. These kinds of bathtubs are lavish and deep and this will give you the opportunity to unwind simply by soaking clear up to your neck at any time you want.

Contemporary freestanding bathtubs, while built to be much like traditional Japanese, European, and in some cases American bathing facilities, tend to be anything except conventional. You’ll discover such features as iPod connectivity, whirlpool jets, inline heaters, digital sound, as well as FM radios as intrinsic parts of a few versions. They are made to be quick to install making use of standard American plumbing fixtures. Rather than fading into the background inside your bathroom, these bathtubs are usually meant to occupy center space and are effortlessly the focal point of virtually any bathroom. A number of bathtubs offer steam showers and steam rooms, and a few are actually created with walk-in access for any person who is disabledd or handicapped.

Many versions of the brand new freestanding bathtubs tend to be primarily based on European design. As an example, the Munich Free Standing Tub is shaped a little like a Viking ship, although it’s lines are smooth and easy rather than ornate. This luxury bathtub is created of a stainless steel box beam frame coated with acrylic. It’s self-leveling feet lend the tub greater structural strength. This wonderful tub is likely to offer your bathroom a totally new and contemporary look.

There can be also numerous unique designs of modern clawfoot in addition to slipper tubs which could be included with wonderful effects in vintage homes. In the event that you’ve got a lovely Victorian residence, a modern-looking tub is going to look and feel out of place. However, if you pick a bath tub designed to appear similar to those in Victorian days yet loaded with the comforts of present day living, you’ll be in a position to receive the very best of both worlds.

After years of bathtubs hidden in the recesses inside bathrooms, freestanding bathtubs are becoming front and center again and offer you unparalleled grace and style. For those who haven’t considered freestanding tubs during the past few years, you can do yourself a favor by taking a glance. You’ll end up being astonished at just how far these timeless bathtubs have come!

Jun 08 2010

Ideas you can Use when it’s Time to Resurface a Bathtub

Like just about every thing else in your home, eventually your bathtub may start looking old. Over time tubs get scratches, rust stains, and begin showing other signs of constant use, and you will need to do something to rectify the problem. After all, a significant eyesore such as an unsightly tub can throw off the a harmonious relationship of any decorating scheme, and even if you hide it with lovely shower curtains, you and your family unit still know it’s there and need to utilize it. Disgusting, isn’t it! When your tub gets to the place where you need to do something in relation to the way it looks, you have a few options. You may replace the tub, have a company come in to put a cover over the present tub, or you can refinish the tub yourself.

“What? Me refinish a bathtub?” you could be thinking to yourself, but don’t get so excited. The project really isn’t that difficult despite the fact that it is a lengthy, dirty procedure. There are entire kits available, both in stores and online, that will supply you with all the materials you will have to have to refinish your tub as well as step-by-step instructions you can employ to help yourself process the job. Among the keys to a good bathtub refinish is taking some time and doing each step slowly and carefully. Getting in a rush is only going to cause you to make mistakes which aren’t going to be easy or cheap to fix.

Bathtub refinishing can also be used to hide a color that you just can’t live with. Back in previous decades, various colors of tubs were in vogue. Unfortunately, those colors now seriously date your residence, because they just aren’t in style any more. Utilizing a kit you are able to cover up the pink, green, or yellow that absolutely doesn’t fit in with your 21st century décor without needing to go to all the expense and hassle of putting in a completely new tub. Besides, you’ll find that the old tubs were built to be substantially tougher than the more recent models are, so why do away with a good thing if you don’t have to?

Refinishing your bathtub will mean thoroughly cleaning up and sanding your tub to get rid of any dirt and soap scum and to leave a finish which your new coatings will stick to. Be sure the kit you decide on has a bonding agent, because without having this component, the job you do isn’t going to last very long.

Mar 27 2010

Some Reasons to Love a Cast Iron Tub for Your House

You may be on the lookout for a new bath tub or deciding to have one for the first time. However, before you finalize your decision on which tub to buy, it is a must to take into account a lot of factors. First is the size of your bathroom. With the bath tub being one of the biggest fixtures that you can place in the bathroom, you should determine how much free space you have and if it complements the bathroom design.

One popular choice, mainly because of its easy installation features, is a cast iron bath tub. The cast iron bath tub is a beautiful fixture for your bathroom and is sometimes called a corner roll top bath. Unfortunately, one must allot quite an amount of money to be able to purchase one of these tubs. If the cast iron bath tub you intend to get is an antique, then the price will go a lot more higher. What you are buying though is pure elegance and luxury that is definitely worth every penny you will spend. However, if you already own a cast iron bath tub in your bathroom but you need to get another one with a different design, you can choose to get an appraiser or visit any dealers in your local area to know how much you can sell it for second hand. This will enable you to save cash on the new bath tub you will be buying.

Another possibility is simply to have your old iron cast bath tub renovated. Such procedure saves you money as opposed to buying a new one and beautifies your old bath tub at the same time. The renovations can be made either at your own home or in a service station, with the latter being really difficult since the bath tub is relatively heavy.

If on the other hand you are buying a new one for your bathroom, you will find that the installation of an iron cast bath tub is quite simple with no complicated installation techniques involved. It may even be done by you. Cast iron bath tubs are specially designed to rest either on a pedestal or on its own. It need not be built and attached to the bathroom. If you have intentions of installing your new iron cast bath tub, you can follow the enumerated steps hereunder.

1. Turn off your water system – do this while installation is going on since this will not take long. It is best that you prevent leak out and water build up that may result into accidents. After turning the system off, let the pipes drain first before removing the old bath tub.

2. Removal of the Old Bath Tub – just as iron cast bath tubs are easy to install, so is it to remove. On the other hand, acrylic tubs are harder to fix and remove for remodeling would be required. During such renovations, you will need to acquire the services of professionals.

3. (Preparations ~ Make Necessary Bathroom Preparations} – Once the old tub is removed, you can now prepare the bathroom to accommodate the new iron cast bath tub. Lots of people may be needed to carry the tub towards your bathroom since it is heavy.

4. Drain Attachment – Place the new tub near the area where it will be located and begin attaching the tub drain. After installing the drain, you can already push the bath tub in the area where it will be permanently situated. Always make sure that the floor which will hold the bath tub is strong enough to carry its weight plus the water and the person so that accidents will be prevented.

5. Install Back All Plumbing Works – when everything is set up in place and the safety of the connections are made sure, the last thing to do is install plumbing like the faucets, handles, showers and the like. An old fashioned bathtub shower faucet works best with cast iron tubs.