How To Repair A Shower Stall Floor

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Though information technology might exist tempting to expect over minor imperfections, repairing small-scale cracks or holes in a shower base can preclude larger issues from occurring down the line. Tackling these issues doesn't accept to be difficult or costly. In fact, repairing the damage could save you the coin you lot'd spend replacing the whole base. So how do you lot repair a pigsty or crevice in a shower base? We've done the research and accept some steps for you.

To repair a fiberglass shower base of operations, take the post-obit steps:

Thoroughly clean the shower base of operations.
Assess the harm and plan the repair.
Address support issues earlier making any repair.
Sand and prep the surface area.
Mix the filler material.
Apply a patch if using i.
Repair the crevice or hole with the filler.
Sand again after the filler sets.
Refinish the surface.

Now that we've addressed the basic steps to repair cracks or holes in the shower base of operations, let's discuss each 1 in more detail. We'll listing some tools you'll need, equally well equally become over some additional questions you might have. Keep reading.

How To Repair A Hole Or Fissure In A Shower Base of operations

The types of materials and tools needed can vary depending on how all-encompassing a repair you need. We'll listing everything yous could potentially need. The stability of your shower floor will determine if the extra tools are needed. If the shower flooring seems squishy or has a lot of requite you'll need more tools to repair the problem.

For minor crack/pigsty repair:

Tub/tile cleaner
Protective gear (disposable gloves and mask)
Sandpaper (eighty and 220 dust)
Masking tape
Polyester resin or epoxy in putty form
Liquid hardener
Mixing stick and tray
Fiberglass mesh or cloth (if desired)
Putty pocketknife
Solvent textile

Many of the above-mentioned tools come up in bathtub and shower repair kits so yous don't have to purchase full-sized products for a few cracks. Near of these kits come with the resin or epoxy mix, hardener, mixing sticks, and sometimes color matching hues to assist at hiding the patch.

View this repair kit on Amazon.

In addition to the materials listed above, if you need to add support underneath the shower floor, you lot'll need:

Drill
Depression expansion spray cream

i. Thoroughly make clean the shower base

To begin your repair, yous'll need to thoroughly clean the shower floor using a standard tub and shower cleaner. The area needs to be gratuitous of any soap scum and oils to have a successful repair. Permit the surface area to dry fully earlier proceeding.

View this cleaner on Amazon.

Read our post, "12 Types of Shower Bases and Pans," to find out more most shower bases.

2. Assess the damage and plan the repair

Once the shower base is thoroughly clean, it's time to assess the damage. If you only take a few cracks or small chips, you can likely just apply the resin or epoxy mixture to fill in the impairment. If the cracked area seems to be lacking support, y'all'll need to accost that issue before roofing the cracks with a fiberglass patch and and so resin. Frequently, the eye of the issue is a lack of support, so don't skip repairing it if necessary.

3. Accost support issues before making any repair

If the floor of the shower base of operations needs additional support, you'll need to add that support by using low-expansion foam. To become the cream under the shower floor, y'all'll demand to drill six to eight holes (more than or less depending on how much support is needed) in the shower floor a few inches exterior of the cracks. Wearing gloves, inject the foam into the holes.

Yous'll know you've injected enough when the foam expands out of the holes and probable the cracks you're repairing as well. Wipe abroad excess with a solvent cloth. Allow the foam to dry according to the manufacturer'due south instructions. After drying, you can apply a utility or putty pocketknife to scrape away whatever remaining excess.

View this spray foam on Amazon.

4. Sand and prep the area

Utilise lxxx-grit sandpaper to lightly sand merely around the cracks, holes, or fries. If you've had to use foam to support the flooring, you tin can sand abroad any excess and create a level expanse to work. This gives the expanse grit so the epoxy or resin will adhere. Before standing, section off the areas around the cracks with masking tape to avoid sanding areas you don't intend to repair.

View this sandpaper on Amazon.

5. Mix the filler material

Wearing protective gloves in a well-ventilated expanse, mix the epoxy or resin putty with the hardener using your mixing stick. Set the tray on top of some scrap cardboard while mixing to prevent any backlog mix from spilling on floors or other surfaces. If you're trying to color match, mix in colour at this stage besides.

View this epoxy and hardener on Amazon.

6. Apply a patch if using one

For a smoother repair, you might consider covering the cracks with a fiberglass mesh or cloth earlier applying the putty. If using, cover the cracks with the mesh or cloth and cut to size. The cloth should aggrandize a few inches outside of the crack or hole. Using this patch can keep the expanse from dimpling later repair.

View this fiber mesh on Amazon.

vii. Repair the crack or pigsty with the filler

Use the putty over the cracks or holes and smoothen it down using the putty knife. If using a patch, it might exist necessary to utilise a bit of the putty underneath information technology to hold it in place before applying the putty over it. Don't worry nearly piling on too much, as you'll be sanding information technology later. Take your fourth dimension filling in the cracks or holes and smoothing them.

View these putty knives on Amazon.

viii. Sand again after the filler has gear up

Allow the putty to dry out according to the manufacturer's instructions. Using the 220 grit sandpaper, sand the area until smooth using conscientious, even pressure. This will take some time to get the area smooth and of a like texture to the rest of the tub.

View this sandpaper on Amazon.

nine. Refinish the surface

If desired, use a finisher to get an even color on the shower base. Many kits come up with a finisher, but it's readily available in an like shooting fish in a barrel spray course.

View this finisher on Amazon.

Read our mail service, "6 Simple Steps to Clean an Acrylic Shower Base."

What causes a shower base to crack?

The main issue that can cause cracks in the shower base of operations is poor installation. If proper support isn't added to the shower base under the shower pan, the force per unit area from people standing in the shower over multiple showers causes it to cleft. Many installers rely on back up from the corners and the drain, which doesn't allow for extensive utilize. Outside of an installation issue, if the shower base of operations is old, the structural integrity could be compromised.

How do I know if my shower is fiberglass or acrylic?

The easiest manner to tell the difference between fiberglass and acrylic is to wait at the coloration. Over time, fiberglass can have uneven colors and fade in spots. Additionally, acrylic is warm to the touch. If yous touch the shower base and information technology feels cool even in a heated room, information technology is probable fiberglass.

How practise yous fix an acrylic shower base?

Use the process outlined above for acrylic shower bases too. However, you must be more careful if you drill holes in acrylic equally it tin can sometimes crack more than. Acrylic isn't quite as stiff as fiberglass in this regard.

Tin a shower base be replaced?

The shower base can be replaced if necessary, though repairs are oftentimes easier and less expensive. It's advised to acquire a contractor to replace a shower base if yous've decided you demand a whole new one.

In Endmost

With a few tools and materials, you can repair cracks or small holes in your shower base with a weekend. Merely get together the tools and call back your safe equipment, and yous'll have the shower base of operations every bit proficient as new before you know information technology.