How To Repair Fiberglass Shower Floor

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Though it might be tempting to look over small-scale imperfections, repairing small-scale cracks or holes in a shower base can prevent larger bug from occurring down the line. Tackling these issues doesn't have to be difficult or plush. In fact, repairing the impairment could save you the coin you'd spend replacing the whole base. And then how practice you repair a pigsty or crack in a shower base? Nosotros've washed the inquiry and have some steps for you lot.

To repair a fiberglass shower base, take the post-obit steps:

Thoroughly clean the shower base.
Assess the damage and plan the repair.
Accost support issues earlier making any repair.
Sand and prep the surface area.
Mix the filler material.
Utilize a patch if using 1.
Repair the scissure or pigsty with the filler.
Sand over again after the filler sets.
Refinish the surface.

Now that we've addressed the basic steps to repair cracks or holes in the shower base, permit's discuss each 1 in more detail. We'll list some tools you'll need, as well equally go over some boosted questions you lot might accept. Keep reading.

How To Repair A Hole Or Crack In A Shower Base

The types of materials and tools needed tin vary depending on how extensive a repair you need. We'll listing everything you could potentially need. The stability of your shower floor volition determine if the extra tools are needed. If the shower flooring seems squishy or has a lot of give you'll demand more tools to repair the problem.

For small crack/hole repair:

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

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. Well-nigh of these kits come 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 add-on to the materials listed above, if you lot demand to add together back up underneath the shower floor, y'all'll demand:

Drill
Low expansion spray cream

ane. Thoroughly clean the shower base of operations

To begin your repair, you'll need to thoroughly clean the shower floor using a standard tub and shower cleaner. The surface area needs to be free of whatsoever lather scum and oils to have a successful repair. Allow the area to dry fully before proceeding.

View this cleaner on Amazon.

Read our post, "12 Types of Shower Bases and Pans," to notice out more about shower bases.

two. Appraise the harm and plan the repair

One time the shower base is thoroughly clean, it's time to assess the damage. If you only take a few cracks or pocket-sized chips, you can likely just apply the resin or epoxy mixture to fill up in the damage. If the cracked expanse seems to be lacking support, you'll need to accost that event before covering the cracks with a fiberglass patch and then resin. Oftentimes, the eye of the upshot is a lack of back up, so don't skip repairing it if necessary.

3. Address back up bug earlier making any repair

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

You'll know you've injected plenty when the foam expands out of the holes and probable the cracks you're repairing too. Wipe away backlog with a solvent fabric. Allow the foam to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. Later on drying, you lot can use a utility or putty knife to scrape abroad whatsoever remaining excess.

View this spray foam on Amazon.

iv. Sand and prep the area

Employ lxxx-grit sandpaper to lightly sand just effectually the cracks, holes, or chips. If you lot've had to use foam to support the floor, you can sand away any excess and create a level area to work. This gives the area dust and then the epoxy or resin will adhere. Before continuing, department off the areas effectually the cracks with masking tape to avoid sanding areas you don't intend to repair.

View this sandpaper on Amazon.

five. Mix the filler cloth

Wearing protective gloves in a well-ventilated surface area, mix the epoxy or resin putty with the hardener using your mixing stick. Set the tray on top of some bit paper-thin while mixing to prevent any excess mix from spilling on floors or other surfaces. If you're trying to color match, mix in colour at this stage as well.

View this epoxy and hardener on Amazon.

6. Apply a patch if using one

For a smoother repair, you might consider covering the cracks with a fiberglass mesh or cloth earlier applying the putty. If using, encompass the cracks with the mesh or cloth and cut to size. The material should expand a few inches exterior of the fissure or pigsty. Using this patch can go on the surface area from dimpling after repair.

View this fiber mesh on Amazon.

7. Repair the crack or hole with the filler

Utilize the putty over the cracks or holes and smooth it down using the putty knife. If using a patch, it might be necessary to apply a bit of the putty underneath information technology to hold it in place before applying the putty over information technology. Don't worry about piling on also much, as y'all'll be sanding it later on. Take your time filling in the cracks or holes and smoothing them.

View these putty knives on Amazon.

8. Sand again after the filler has set

Allow the putty to dry out according to the manufacturer'south instructions. Using the 220 dust sandpaper, sand the expanse until smoothen using careful, even pressure level. This will have some fourth dimension to get the surface area smooth and of a similar texture to the rest of the tub.

View this sandpaper on Amazon.

ix. Refinish the surface

If desired, use a finisher to get an even color on the shower base. Many kits come up with a finisher, but it'south readily available in an piece of cake spray form.

View this finisher on Amazon.

Read our post, "six Uncomplicated Steps to Clean an Acrylic Shower Base."

What causes a shower base to crack?

The main upshot that can cause cracks in the shower base is poor installation. If proper support isn't added to the shower base 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 bleed, which doesn't allow for extensive utilize. Outside of an installation issue, if the shower base of operations is old, the structural integrity could be compromised.

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

The easiest way to tell the difference between fiberglass and acrylic is to look at the coloration. Over time, fiberglass can have uneven colors and fade in spots. Additionally, acrylic is warm to the touch. If y'all touch the shower base and it feels cool even in a heated room, it is likely fiberglass.

How do you fix an acrylic shower base of operations?

Employ the process outlined to a higher place for acrylic shower bases besides. Nevertheless, yous must be more than careful if you lot drill holes in acrylic every bit it tin can sometimes fissure more. Acrylic isn't quite as potent as fiberglass in this regard.

Can a shower base be replaced?

The shower base tin be replaced if necessary, though repairs are often easier and less expensive. Information technology's advised to acquire a contractor to replace a shower base if you lot've decided you demand a whole new ane.

In Closing

With a few tools and materials, you tin can repair cracks or minor holes in your shower base of operations with a weekend. Just gather the tools and call back your safety equipment, and you'll have the shower base equally good as new earlier you know it.

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