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October 11, 2008

Chip Shot in the Shower

Q: Ed, you're not going to believe this, but our beautiful new fiberglass tub/shower unit has a golf-ball-sized chip in the surface from when my husband somehow managed to knock the towel bar into the tub. (Don't ask!) Nothing leaks, so it's pretty much cosmetic. My question is: How do we get it to look pretty again?
-Cindy (Iowa)

A: OK, I won't ask how, but doesn't that mean your towel bar is also broken? First, make sure that the new towel bar is properly anchored to the wall with approved wall shields, or better yet, see if you can anchor it directly into a stud. If you don't hang the towel bar properly, this may happen again.

Now back to the chip in the tub. The good news is that most fiberglass tubs are made pretty much from the same materials you may find in a a fiberglass boat. The principles of the two vessels are a little different -- a boat keeps water out, and a tub keeps water in.

I say this is good news because it usually means that most chipped fiberglass tubs can be repaired with a simple boat repair kit that you can find at any good marine supply store. I've made many fiberglass boat and tub repairs with these types of kits, and they are easy to work with. Just follow the instructions that come with your type of kit.

Basically, the kit will include a two-step epoxy putty that you mix up; then pigment colors can be added to match the tub or hull. Once applied to the chipped area, smooth it out and let it cure. When cured, wet-sand it to match the existing surface.

A couple of quick notes: First, don't expect an "exact" color match even if the tub is white. Second, this is for surface damage only. If you have a hole or structural damage, an expert needs to be called in to make the proper repairs.

Finally, I would recommend that you take care of this repair yourself. I'm sure your husband is a wonderful person, but it sounds like he's a little clumsy around the tub!

Ed Del Grande, the author of Ed Del Grande's House Call, was born and raised in a family-owned plumbing business. With more than 25 years of experience in every aspect of construction, he holds current Master licenses in pipefitting, fire protection and plumbing. If you have a question for Ed, send him an e-mail at eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com.

Posted by Ed Del Grande at October 11, 2008 5:13 PM

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Comments

We had a chip in a Koeler unit,it was filled from a Koeler patch kit they sold.

Posted by: Bill DeHart at November 21, 2008 6:22 AM

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