Broken Bathtub? Here’s What to Do

Broken Bathtub? Here's What To Do When Your Bathtub Breaks

A luxurious hot bath is a great way to relax and escape from frigid weather, but a broken bathtub can quickly halt your relaxation. 

It’s a real bummer when appliances or bath fixtures break, but there are things you can do. Read on for some tips on what to do when your bathtub breaks.

What Causes Bathtubs to Crack?

The most common defect you’ll experience with your bathtub is cracking. Cracks can start out small, but left unaddressed, they can quickly become a bigger issue. Generally, bathtubs crack due to three main reasons:

  1. Not enough support. Tubs can be very heavy, and much like a house, they need an adequate foundation. Depending on the material of the bathtub, insufficient support can cause cracks, particularly in flexible materials like fiberglass.
  2. Damage from heavy or falling objects. Similar to a windshield, objects that are dropped into a bathtub can create tiny divots or small dents, which can gradually spread into cracks and crevices.
  3. Use of harsh or abrasive cleaners. Soap scum can be a real challenge to remove, but using harsh or abrasive cleaners or cleaning tools can do a number on the finish of the bathtub. As they eat away soap scum and residue, these same cleaners can remove the gloss and shine of the bathtub, allowing moisture to seep into the material. Over time, this can spread into cracks.

Why is Fixing a Broken Bathtub Urgent?

If small cracks, knicks, or holes have appeared in your bathtub, you may not be that alarmed. After all, small surface-level defects like these don’t seem to cause much trouble or affect the function of your tub. The danger lies in the fact that these issues are likely to only spread and become worse unless you do something about them. When you fill your tub with water, the weight and pressure is quite high, and strains any issues that might already be present. A small crack quickly becomes bigger; a little dent or hole allows moisture to weaken the entire structure of the tub, and possibly leak water beneath it. It is best to resolve any small issue before it becomes a bigger (much more costly) problem.

What to Do About a Bathtub That is Broken?

If you are able to catch the problem before it grows, there are many great do-it-yourself kits on the market that allow you to patch holes or even repair enamel. Surface repair kits allow you to seal a crack with a polymer-based tape or paint, while internal repair kits resolve the issue from the inside. Typically, these kits include a paste or glue that fills the crack. Both options can work well at fixing small cracks before they get bigger.

Salisbury Pluming is Here to Help

Some issues are outside the scope of do-it-yourself repair, such as a deeply pitted bathtub surface, or a large crack. If your Utah home’s broken bathtub falls into one of these categories, it’s best to get professional help. At Salisbury Plumbing, our experienced plumbers can help assess the level of damage to your bathtub, and the best way to repair it. If a replacement is necessary, we will work with you to find a bathtub that works great and fits your budget. Located in Lehi, Utah, contact us today for a free estimate, and get back to those cozy winter baths!

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