Winnipeg Bathroom Renovations: What Does it Mean to Refinish a Bathtub?

Does your bathtub look dingy and worn down? Is the surface scratched or chipped? Are there areas of rust? If so, it may not be necessary to replace it as part of a larger bathroom renovation in Winnipeg. Refinishing the bathtub may be effective at resolving the problem.

What Does It Mean To Refinish a Bathtub?

A new bathtub comes with a protective finish that helps prevent staining and other types of damage. However, over time the finish can gradually wear away, leaving the tub susceptible to staining, chipping, or scratching. Any metal exposed by a scratch or a chip may react chemically with the water and start to rust.

Refinishing, also known as reglazing, recoating, or resurfacing, restores the tub’s protective finish, making it look new again. It should only be performed by a professional with expert knowledge of the required steps, including filling in worn areas and cracks after sanding down the surface and buffing to a high sheen after applying several coats of primer and paint. The substances used in reglazing are toxic and can be dangerous in the hands of an amateur. Furthermore, refinishing can’t be performed over again if the job wasn’t performed right the first time, so it is better to leave it up to the professionals rather than attempting it yourself and potentially botching the job.

When Is Refinishing a Tub Worthwhile?

There are situations in which it isn’t worth the time and effort it would take to refinish your tub and a replacement is a better solution. Your tub’s state of disrepair may have advanced to the point that refinishing wouldn’t make much difference. For example, if your bathtub leaks, refinishing won’t do anything to resolve the underlying problem, and if it is in constant need of plumbing repairs, you are probably better off replacing it. If you have a low-quality tub, to begin with, replacing the tub with a model of higher quality may make more sense. Refinishing doesn’t add any modern features to your tub, so if you want things like massage jets, replacing your tub is your only option.

On the other hand, if you have a high-quality tub with relatively minor damage, refinishing may restore it to its original function and beauty. Refinishing makes the most sense when a tub is antique or vintage. In the past, tubs were made of higher quality materials than they are today, so if your tub is older, you may be able to get a lot more use out of it if you have it refinished. Furthermore, refinishing your antique tub instead of replacing it helps preserve the character of your vintage bathroom decor.

What Are the Benefits of Refinishing a Tub?

If you are trying to improve your bathroom on a budget, bathtub refinishing can be much more cost-effective than replacing it. A new freestanding bathtub can cost several thousand dollars, and that doesn’t count the cost of installation. By comparison, refinishing a tub costs several hundred dollars, potentially offering significant savings.

Refinishing also takes a lot less effort than a replacement would require. There is no demolition and no old tub to dispose of, which makes the process simpler. Refinishing can take several hours because each coat of primer and paint has to dry before the next one can be applied, and the last coat of paint has to dry before the professional can perform the final buff. However, refinishing is usually completed in less than a day. If it is late in the day and the last coat of paint is still drying, the professional may have to come back the next day to finish the job.

Turn to Handyman Connection for Bathroom Renovation in Winnipeg

Whether you need bathtub refinishing or have decided on a complete renovation, we have qualified experts who can perform every type of job. Learn more about all the services we offer in your community.