Remodel your tub quickly and easily with a bathtub liner
After an exhausting day with your work, nothing can be more pleasurable than immersing yourself in a hot bath. However, it is not the case with bathtubs full of cracks and holes because they may cause such problems as overflow pipes or bathtub drain, which necessitates bathtub refinishing.
However, if you neither want to grin and bear it nor spend a large sum of money on replacing your existing tub, so what can you do to better the situation?
Well, there are quite a few remodeling ideas, and we are here to provide you with a miracle method: a bathtub liner.
Contents
What are Bathtub Liners?
Bathtub liners (also known as bath liners or acrylic liners) are tailor-made bathroom accessories under the form of sheets. They are made of acrylic or PVC plastic, and are moulded to fit your tubs, thus giving them a pristine look.
These liners are reported to be durable, easy to maintain and polish. Many products from famous liner companies even come with a lifetime warranty.
The range of colors on offer for bathtub liners is quite limited, and mainstream options are almond, biscuit, grey or white. However, that should not count for too much importance, considering its major benefits below.
Why Not Just Change Your Tub?
It is always easier said than done, and indeed, changing your tub can be quite a demanding task when put into practice. Bathroom remodeling projects are both capital-intensive and time-consuming, and replacing the bathtub is no exception. Holistic bathroom remodeling can also be a real eyesore as it damages your wall surround, flooring and plumbing. You have to replace your old tub, not to mention the removal of the bathtub surround and tile wall.
Liner installations are much simpler, more labour-saving and cost-effective. If an upgrade in comfort is all you need, you should consider the idea of tub liners, which is quite a practical solution to your bathtub imperfections.
How to Remodel Your Tub Quickly and Easily With a Bathtub Liner
While experienced bath fitters ensure higher accuracy and technical know-how, you can still install a bathtub liner on your own with specialists’ in-home consultation. Provided that you follow our guidelines, a certain level of meticulousness will do.
Step 1: Check the bathtub
Make sure that your tub is clean and free of dirt. Even a thin film of soap and bath oil must be removed so that the liner will stick well later.
A rag helps with clearing soap scum and oil away, provided that the bath surface has a sufficient amount of alcohol on it.
Step 2: Pull out the knobs
This is a must when you execute a shower conversion, and it helps get the tub liner in place.
In case you want to replace the water tap as well, take it off first and do that later.
Remove the knobs before going on to the next step
Step 3: Apply adhesive and sealer.
Both adhesive and sealer are substances whose functions are respectively to stick things together and prevent water from escaping.
First, apply adhesive to your existing bathtub, and make it evenly proportioned. Do not fail to miss a single space or else you will eventually your efforts will be wasteful.
Next, disperse the sealer well so that the outer edge of the tub liner can be enveloped, thus countering moisture or drainage under the bottom.
Step 4: Install
The main point of this remodeling project is here.
Before installing the liner, apply silicone caulking to the drain at the top as well as the gasket at the bottom. For the sake of effectiveness, choose bands of silicone with the minimal length of half an inch.
Carefully put the liner on your bathtub, and apply great pressure so that it clicks into place. If the liner is larger than expected, trim it with a utility knife. Remove the air by either pressing the tub liner hard to the surface or laying heavy objects on it, thus making it stick well.
Step 5: You are almost there!
Fill the tub with water, and drain it after a while. At this point, polish both the bathtub and the liner using a neutral cleansing agency in combination with warm water.
You should also stay alert to the possibility of damaging the tub’s surface if you use scouring powder or abrasive cleaners.
To optimize the wanted result, allow the liner to dry for at least one day before it can come into service. Once your waiting finishes, you can savor every pleasing moment to the full!
Tips on the maintenance and purchase of bathtub liners
Take pictures of your bath
If you intend to install a liner yourself, it is advisable to take some pictures of your bath before shopping for a bathtub liner. Shop assistants from liner companies can rely on the measurements and give you useful advice on liners which are fit for purpose.
Opt for suitable cleaners
Such products can come under various forms, such as cream, detergent, gel, etc. Scrutinize their labels as well as usage so that you can choose compatible cleansers for your tub liners.
Look for necessary information before purchasing a suitable product
Clean gently
Contrary to popular belief, scrubbing hard will do more harm than good. Also, distance your tub liners from abrasive sponges and steel wool as they will leave your liners with scratches, thus making them fragile and unattractive. Instead, appropriate pressure in combination with a rag, soft sponge or microfiber cloth will stand users in good stead.
Avoid rubbing the bathtub surface too hard
Disinfect on a regular basis
If you want to prolong the lifespan of your bathtub liners, great emphasis should be put on frequent sanitizing. A mixture of water and bleach will do, but if you want to repel mold and mildew as well, clean the surface with a moderate solution of water and vinegar.
It is also noteworthy that water strapped between the tub surface and tub liner gives rise to the proliferation of harmful bacteria.
Getting rid of water trapped beneath tub liners
Improper measurements or lack of care in installation may lead to the accumulation of water between the liner and the tub. And this is how you can overcome the issue.
First and foremost, use a screwdriver and pliers to unscrew the drain shoe (an elbow that carries water through a drain pipe). Then, suck out all the water with a shop vacuum. Unless you want to be in the same bath with mold, carry out this step carefully.
For the next 24 hours, leave the shoe drain out so that the moisture between the bath and liner disappears completely.
Drill through the bathtub surface, but do not touch the liner so that residuary water drains out. It is also important to ascertain that the water is collected during this process.
Lastly, treat the joint between your tub and liner with a caulk gun, and your problem has been successfully solved!
Create a pleasurable environment
When cleaning your bath and tub liner, wear strong gloves, especially those made of rubber to protect your hands. An open window (if possible) and a working fan provides ideal ventilation, which repels the excessive odor from cleansing products.
Conclusion
Despite the repeated arrival and disappearance of various bathroom renovation trends, bathtub liners still stand the test of time and sustain its mainstream popularity.
Should you want to enhance the comfort of your bath without such bother as removing tub or bath surround, tub liners are an ideal option for you. Importantly, you can curb installation costs even further by doing it yourself, provided that you take great care.
Above are our tips on the upkeep as well as ways to remodel your tub quickly and easily with a bathtub liner. We hope that you derive some valuable experience from these pieces of advice, and good luck for now!
Read more: Most Comfortable Soaking Tubs Reviews
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