Should I replace or refinish my bathtub?
Bathtubs do not last forever; they get scratched, chipped, rust and even discolor with age. If you are experiencing these sorts of conditions with your bathtub you have a few choices. The cost will be a factor, but each situation will be unique.
If your tub has a couple of knicks and chips, there are products that can be found in the hardware store that you can apply to hide the blemish a bit. You can purchase these repair kits for porcelain, plastic and fiberglass bathtubs. It’s not the perfect solution, but the cost is minimal - $10-20. This will not be much help if the problem is larger in scope.
If the tub is unsightly, badly damaged or in dire need of improvement, consider refinishing the bathtub. Refinishing a tub will provide a full surface renewal; the tub will appear brand new in many respects. You probably do not want to try doing this yourself unless you have experience in doing this sort of refinishing. A professional refinisher can refinish tubs made of fiberglass, plastic, and 
porcelain covered steel and can be done without disturbing the tub and shower walls. The cost is around $300.00.
Sometimes it is best to just remove the tub entirely. If you are in the process of doing a bathroom remodel it would be a great time to install that new bathtub, the bathroom will be torn apart anyway. If you are not doing major repairs to the bathroom and still need a new tub, it can be costly. Bathtubs don’t just pop out, it involves demolition to surrounding surfaces that will have to be repaired.
There is a bathroom refinishing company that I have used in the Sacramento area that did a great job for me on a project that I was doing. I didn’t need a new tub, but wanted it to look good at a reasonable price. They came through for me.
If you are considering getting your bathtub refinished, you may want to give R3 Renovations, Inc. a call. They were very professional, courteous, and thorough. Here is how they can be reached.
R3 Renovations, Inc.
20 Blue Sky Court
Sacramento, CA
95828
Phone: 916-388-2100
Fax: 916-388-2108
Web: www.r3renovation.com
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