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Here's another great tip from BobVila.com.
If your bathtub has seen better days, make sure you know your options before you break out the crowbar.
Bathtubs and their surrounding walls are one of the most likely places you’ll find water damage. If you see cracked tile or failing grout or caulking, there’s almost certain to be water damage of some sort to the wall, the subfloor or even your home’s structure.
If you know your tub surround has been leaking for a while, you should never just cover it up with a new tub wall and liner. Mold and mildew trapped behind the walls and floors can multiply and continue to damage your home’s structure and your family’s health even if you can’t see it. Serious mold eradication may require the help of a professional to be sure it’s completely gone before you renovate.
Let’s say you remove the old tile and substrate and find no water damage. You can renew your tub or shower area without the expense, effort and environmental cost of junking your old tub.
If it’s stained or chipped or you don’t like the color, having your existing cast-iron tub re-glazed can save you 70 percent over the cost of buying and installing a brand new one. Acrylic or fiberglass tubs can also be repaired and re-coated for a fresh start.
If you do decide to replace your tub, there are lots to choose from. Acrylic, fiberglass and porcelain on steel are the least expensive, and cast-iron is very durable and popular. Vintage clawfoot tubs are seeing a revival. If you’ve got the space and the budget, you could sink a tiled roman tub into the floor. Or, check out the new designer stand-alone sculptural tubs. With champagne bubbles, hydrotherapy jets and even TV screens, your tub may become your favorite piece of furniture.
Find out more at BobVila.com:
The ultimate home improvement web site!
© BobVila.com 2008
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