Fiberglass shower floors are very durable and can last years with very little maintenance; however, if your fiberglass shower floor is struck hard enough by a hard object, it will crack. Fiberglass is made of reinforced plastic resin and is used in various construction projects including shower. When water infiltrates these openings, it can leak behind the unit and create pools of water, soak insulation, weaken studs, and even result in mold within the wall and floor cavities. Whether it is a bathtub, shower stall, or combination bathtub/shower surround, the process for minor repairs is the same for both fiberglass and acrylic materials.
- How To Repair Crack In Fiberglass Shower Floor
- Repair Crack In Fiberglass Shower Floor
- Repair Fiberglass Shower Floor Video
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Even though a fiberglass shower stall usually can't flex against the framing enough to crack easily, the sharp and focused impact of a heavy object can be enough to crack it. It's important to fix cracks in the wall or pan as soon as you notice them, because they can allow water to leak into the framing, and it doesn't take long for the water to rot the wood. An epoxy repair system works best for wall repairs, but to repair a cracked pan, you should rely instead on a custom-made insert for strength.
1
Put on goggles, a respirator and gloves, and turn on the bathroom exhaust fan. Grind a bevel about 1 1/2 inches wide centered on the crack with a rotary tool and an 80-grit sanding accessory. The purpose of the bevel is to provide surface area to which the fiberglass repair tape can adhere.
2
Lay cellophane tape around the borders of the bevel to keep the repair materials off the undamaged surface of the stall.
3
Mix epoxy fiberglass repair resin with the hardener that comes with it in the proportions recommended by the manufacturer. Spread it inside the bevel with a small paintbrush.
4
Cut a piece of 9-ounce fiberglass cloth from a roll that is wide enough to fill the bevel, wet it down with the epoxy and lay it on the crack. Cut a smaller piece of tape, wet it down and lay it on top, then lay an even smaller piece on top of that one. The final piece of cloth should come flush with the surface of the stall.
5
Allow the epoxy to cure overnight, then mix enough two-part polyester fiberglass filler to cover the repair. The filler is similar to auto-body filler. Choose a color that matches the shower stall. Mix it with hardener and trowel it on with a plastic putty knife. Allow it to cure for 20 to 30 minutes, then sand it flat with 120-grit sandpaper.
6
Touch up the color, if necessary, by spraying the repair with epoxy touch-up paint. If the color and sheen of the paint aren't an exact match to the stall, consider spraying a wider area or even the whole stall.
How To Repair Crack In Fiberglass Shower Floor
Things You Will Need
- Goggles
- Respirator
- Rotary tool
- Sanding accessory
- Cellophane tape
- Epoxy repair resin
- Small paintbrush
- 9-ounce fiberglass cloth
- Polyester fiberglass filler
- Plastic putty knife
- 120-grit sandpaper
- Epoxy touch-up paint
- Tape measure
- Shower pan overlay
- Bricks
Tip
- You probably won't be able to make the repair to your shower wall disappear completely. If you need an invisible patch, call a professional fiberglass repair specialist, who can repair the crack with fiberglass gelcoat.
Warnings
- Grinding fiberglass releases minute particles can can cause respiratory problems. Make sure you are protected and keep everyone else out of the bathroom while you're working.
- Cracks in the shower pan indicate either a defective pan or serious structural problems with the shower support framing. If your shower pan is cracked, you need to address the underlying problem.
References (2)
About the Author
Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies.
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Repair Crack In Fiberglass Shower Floor
ebarbary,You might consider calling a resurfacing company who does fiberglass repair work to fix it.
A new shower will definitely fix the problem but the price may be more than what your budget allows. If done properly a 'cut out', as it is called, is stronger than some showers and bathtubs that have been installed. The reason is that the bathtub or shower may not have proper support beneath it, or maybe none at all. Alot of times what we find is that some concrete in a bag, scrap 2x4s or pieces of drywall have been tossed under the bathtub or shower when it was installed. Pouring a new foundation during the 'cut out' process makes certain that this is not a problem anymore.
When choosing a resurfacing company consider asking them these questions:
What do you use to make the repair? Is it fiberglass or a plastic filler? (Fiberglass is stronger, and unlike plastic filler is waterproof)
Will you be using fiberglass cloth to strengthen the repair?
Do you use expandable foam for support or do you pour a new foundation? (Expandable foam eventually undermines the repair because it is not a solid substratum. It will definitely crack again)
Do they refer to it as a 'cosmetic repair' or a 'cut out'? (A 'cut out' is a fiberglass repair where the entire floor is cut out, a new foundation is poured, and a new floor is placed down while the foundation is still wet. A major fiberglass repair is then done over the top of it. A 'cosmetic repair' is just that, cosmetic. It only looks good but eventually will crack again)
For more information on any resurfacing question, visit our website: www.ABETTERSURFACE.com
Repair Fiberglass Shower Floor Video
Larry Hunt, Area Manager
A BETTER SURFACE