How Long Does Resurfacing Last?
Our estimators get a lot of questions throughout their day from curious consumers and one of the most frequently asked ones is, “how long will my refinished tub last??” And frankly, I’m surprised (and a little concerned) that everyone isn’t asking this question. Do they not want to know, or do they not know to ask? Regardless of the reason, transparency is they key to building a trusting relationship between company and customer. So if the resurfacing company you’re hiring can’t give you a straight answer to this question then…RUN! And go find someone who will. You definitely want a company who will realistically manage your exceptions right off the bat. And maybe it really could be that these refinishing novices don’t know what questions to ask during the estimate process so for more info info in that regard check our our blog: 6 Questions You Should Ask Your Bathtub Resurfacing Professional.
Warranty Does Not = Lifespan
A common misconception when dealing with service providers is that the warranty dictates the longevity of the product. And this is simply not the case. As far as I’m concerned warranties are mandatory in the refinishing industry. Pretty much anyone who does work in your home should offer some sort of warranty, and if they don’t you may want to ask them why they won’t stand behind their work; if only for your own peace of mind. But let me give you an example of how the warranty does not necessarily dictate the life of a product…
Our refinishing warranty is for 5 years on the workmanship. Now regardless of the warranty the surface could last more than 5 years or less than 5 years. A lot of that hinges on the amount of abuse the refinished tub endures. Officially, we let our customers know that with proper care and regular cleaning a resurfacing surface could last well over 10 years. And believe me, we’ve seen it happen! In our experience it is pretty rare for our customers to experience premature coating failure.
Now, our casting coating is warrantied for 10 years against peeling, chipping, and flaking. But it is important to note that according to the manufacturer this special coating is categorized as permanent and will last for at least 25 years. But much like the resurfacing the longevity of this coating depends on the amount of abuse it endures. Technically it is more durable than traditional spray refinishing but it is not invincible. Proper upkeep and regular cleaner are the best defense against premature coating failure.
Longevity Through Proper Care
Understandably, it can be a little intimidating to find out that your effort is directly correlated to the durability of your resurfaced surface. However, at Custom Tub and Tile we took the guess work out of aftercare. After each service you are provided with both an electronic and a hard copy of our recommended care instructions and our cleaning guide for your records. By following our instructions you can not only maintain the fantastic look of your newly resurfaced tub but also ensure the life of your coating. This goes along with transparency, make sure your refinisher is providing you will all the info you need to make an educated decision. In our experience, sometimes it is a deal breaker for customers to find out that bleach is not an approved cleaner. Making resurfacing and casting not the ideal solution for their lifestyle, which is totally ok! But, wouldn’t you want to know that before spending hundreds of dollars on a tub resurface? I know I would.
Ask about our recommended cleaners before booking an appointment! Maybe you’ve been using an approved cleaner all along.
Our Process
At Custom Tub and Tile our refinishing process is very particular. From the quality of the materials and equipment being used down to our multi-step process; it’s undeniable that our in-house trained technicians are experts in tub refinishing. And just as it is our responsibility to be as transparent as possible with our customers it is also our responsibility to deliver an outstanding service that provided them with a new surface that will stand the test of time.
When it comes to refinishing: thickness matters. That is why we use 8 layers of material on top of your original tub surface. To start, we apply a chemical etching substance that removes the gloss from the tub and makes the surface more porous. Then we coat the unfinished surface with a high-gloss, polymer topcoat that returns your old tub’s gleam and luster. But before we start resurfacing your bathtub, we take the necessary measure to protect your bathroom floor and other components by masking and taping the floor and surrounding walls. We take extra care to protect everything not being resurfaced from the etching solution.
The resurfacing process also involves primers and paint materials that are applied using an industry-specific sprayer. In order to achieve a professional appearance, the primer and paint must be sprayed as evenly as possible over the entire surface of your bathtub. It is important to keep the spraying in motion continuously while making sure the right amount of paint is placed on your bathtub. Which is why we alway recommend having a professional refinish your tub. You just can’t achieve the same results with a DIY kit.
Compare and contrast our tub resurfacing and our tub casting processes…
The Longest Lasting Option on the Market
For those consumers who value longevity over all else, there is an option for you. Tub casting is without a doubt the longest lasting option that does not involve replacement or installation of liners currently available on the market. It has all the benefits of tub resurfacing (i.e. cosmetic benefits, quick, and cost effective, etc) but it’s permanent! Not only is the tub casting coating about 5x thicker than traditionally resurfacing it comes with a 10 year warranty. Providing our customers with the greenest and most durable coating available has been a long-standing dream at Custom Tub and Tile, and with PureCoat we’ve made it happen!
Look Out For Premature Coating Failure In These 3 Places
Around the drain. Especially if the drain (or other fixtures) has been replaced since the resurface. Breaking the seal will cause water to get between the tub and coating which leads to premature coating failure.
Ledges. If you keep shampoo bottles or other shower supplies on the ledge of your resurfaced tub for an extended period of time it can cause the coating to prematurely fail. Our customer are advised to used a hanging shower caddy to store their belongs away from the tub ledges.
Bottom of the tub. If you have a slow draining tub, an issue with standing water, use a suction cup bathmat, or have a leak the coating on the bottom of the tub can fail prematurely.