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My 15 year old bilevel home has a fiberglass tub which has almost always had a small crack in the bottom. It was repaired a year or two after the house was built, but reappeared soon afterward. Since this tub has been used primarily by small children, and no leaks noted as yet, I had not been concerned about replacement. (BTW, the reason for the crack is evident from the laundry room below, where nothing is supporting the tub bottom–shouldn’t something have been put there by the builder?)
Now that the kidlets are growing, I am beginning to worry that the crack may grow also, and want to avoid a waterfall into the laundry room below. I am considering replacement since the first repair never worked. Are those two piece fiberglass tubs my only option? Any ideas/suggestions/advice is welcome!
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My 15 year old bilevel home has a fiberglass tub which has almost always had a small crack in the bottom. It was repaired a year or two after the house was built, but reappeared soon afterward. Since this tub has been used primarily by small children, and no leaks noted as yet, I had not been concerned about replacement. (BTW, the reason for the crack is evident from the laundry room below, where nothing is supporting the tub bottom--shouldn't something have been put there by the builder?)
Now that the kidlets are growing, I am beginning to worry that the crack may grow also, and want to avoid a waterfall into the laundry room below. I am considering replacement since the first repair never worked. Are those two piece fiberglass tubs my only option? Any ideas/suggestions/advice is welcome!
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Replace. I would suggest epoxy to repair, but you would have to have access to the underneath of the tub to effect a quality repair. (A simple smear job from the top only would not be enough to stave off any future cracking)
If the tub is typical installation, ie, drywall surround, you could simply remove enough drywall to pull the tub out of place--cut in half for ease of removal--and slip in a new tub, properly bedded, of course. This could be completed by most DIY. I'd get a qualified plumber--if it were me.