The Secret Weapon to Spring Clean Your Bathroom

Keep that bathtub sparkling clean!

We happen to be big fans of the bathroom. It’s an important room in the home that serves an important function. From getting ready for the day to relaxing at the end, you spend quality time in your bathroom and it deserves to sparkle and shine.

And there’s nothing like the change in seasons to inspire a good deep clean. Spring is the perfect time to open up the windows, let in the fresh air and light, and tackle those grimy places that like to hide during the darker winter months.

You can find plenty of advice online about how to get rid of the grime and soap residue that tends to build up, especially in the bathtub. But most of that advice is actually counter-productive.

Why? If you use harsh chemicals to clean your bathtub, it might look clean for a little while, but what you’re actually doing is breaking down the tub’s finish, which is the only thing that keeps it clean.

The same is true for most home remedies, like vinegar and lemon juice with baking soda. Anything acidic or abrasive will break down the finish on your tub, which opens up the pores in the porcelain or fiberglass and causes it to absorb all the more readily those microscopic body oils, soap scum, and minerals that make your tub stained and dingy.

It doesn’t make much sense to make your bathtub even dirtier by cleaning it, right? But that’s essentially what you’re doing when you use abrasive cleaners and sponges that scratch the finish.

In fact, we wouldn’t stay nearly as busy if people weren’t using harsh, abrasive cleaning methods in their bathrooms. Don’t get us wrong! We love to help people restore their bathtubs to their original shine and beauty. But we also think people deserve to have all the facts so they aren’t unintentionally ruining the finish.

So . . . What’s the Secret?

What’s the secret to keeping your tub, sink, and toilet clean without destroying the finish?

Dawn Dish Soap.

Yep. That’s the secret weapon. This simple, inexpensive product is marketed for cleaning dirty dishes but also happens to be phenomenal at cutting through shower grime without harming the surface.

If you use a warm, soapy rag and clean and rinse your tile or porcelain surfaces on a regular basis, you’ll never damage the finish and will get to enjoy the full benefits of the protection—and shine—that a good finish provides.

The same is true for acrylic or fiberglass tubs as well. Anything that has a finish on it needs to be treated gently, and needs to be cleaned frequently.

You might be tempted to pull out the heavy duty cleaners for your spring cleaning, but now you know the downside. Here’s our quick list of bathroom cleaning rules that will preserve the finish and keep away the dirt and grime:

• NEVER use harsh or acidic cleaners (even natural ingredients can be problematic)
• NEVER use an abrasive scrubbing pad
• DO use a mild, soapy cleanser like Dawn Dish Soap
• DO clean with a soft rag
• ALWAYS rinse thoroughly
• Repeat regularly!

By the way, if you don’t have a detachable shower head, we recommend purchasing a removable rubber shower head that attaches to the bathtub tap. Now you can quickly and easily rinse off the suds and not worry about leaving behind any residue.

If the finish on your bathtub has already been eroded, give us a call! We can refinish your tub so that it sparkles like new (and now you know how to keep it that way!).

How to Find the Right Bathtub Refinisher (& Home Repair Contractor)

When you’re ready to refinish the tile, countertops and tubs in your home (or complete other renovations), hiring the right professionals can be key to ensuring that the job is done properly – and that it doesn’t end up costing you more time, money and stress in the process.

To help you find you the right pros for your next project, here are some essential tips to keep in mind as you decide who to hire:

1. Get referrals – Ask family, friends, etc. for recommendations. When looking for referrals, be sure to ask the person who’s providing the recommendation whether (s)he would use that professional or company again and what (if any) negative experiences (s)he had with the pro/business.
2. Check licensing and credentials – Once you have a list of options to choose from, do some more digging to find out if the pros/businesses you are considering have the proper licensing and credentials to perform the services they provide. While you can check companies’ websites for this info, it’s also a good idea to verify it with third-party sources (like, for instance, the Better Business Bureau).
3. Look at portfolios of past work – As you continue to narrow down your options, check out the prior work each pro/company has completed. Look for before and after pictures. Visit the company showroom (if there is one). Quality, trustworthy, and experienced professionals will have examples of their prior work to share with you.
4. Check online reviews – Even if you were referred to a professional or company, checking out additional reviews (like those posted online) can be important to getting the full picture and really understanding how quality (or not) a certain pro/company may be.
5. Meet with your top choices – Face-to-face meetings can make all of the difference when you’re evaluating contractors to hire to work on your home. So schedule a meeting with each of your top options. This will not only reveal who is eager to get the job (and available/willing to meet with you and answer your questions), but it can also help you get a feel for who seems more professional and trustworthy.
6. Get quotes – When you’ve narrowed down your options to a few contractors or companies, ask each to provide you with a bid for the services/work you want completed. While you, of course, want to look for competitive pricing, be sure to keep an eye out for “value-added” features, like warranties.

Contact Our Denver Bathtub Refinishing Pros for a Free Quote

Are you ready to refinish the bathtubs, tile and/or countertops in your home? If so, contact the Denver bathtub refinishing pros at Colorado Tub Repair for a free quote. Call (303) 908-8764 or email us using the contact form located here.

Most Common Bathtub Refinishing Mistakes

When you are ready to refinish a bathtub and update its look, the first choices you make in process – whether to do it yourself and, if not, who you’ll hire to oversee the project – can be crucial to the outcome of the project.

That’s because if you decide to do the refinishing project on your own (and you don’t have experience refinishing tubs) or if you hire an inexperienced professional, it’s far more likely that mistakes will be made and that the bathtub refinishing project will end up:

• Costing more and taking longer to finish
• Leaving you with less than glowing or stellar results.

To help you make your upcoming bathtub refinishing project a success, below we have identified some of the most common and costly pitfalls that can upset a bathtub refinish:

1. Cutting corners on the preparation process – The proper preparation is an essential foundation for a good bathtub refinishing job. To properly prepare a tub to be refinished, it needs to be thoroughly cleaned (including the faucet and associated fixtures); then sanded down (to remove the fine dirt particles); and then cleaned again (to remove any residual sanded down debris). Additionally, the old caulking needs to be removed, and plastic sheeting should be carefully set up around the tub (to protect the surround/other features in the bathroom).
2. Using the wrong products for the refinishing process – Here, we are referring to both the products applied to the tub (e.g., the cleansers, primers, enamels, etc.) and the items used to apply those products to the tub (e.g., the rollers, brushes, etc.). The biggest mistake in using low-quality products is that they will never produce results that look as good as moderate- to high-quality products, and that can mean that you set yourself up for poor results (regardless of the other care or effort you put into the project) when this mistake is made.
3. Not letting the tub completely dry between refinishing stages – This mistake usually arises from haste to get the job done and/or a lack of understanding about the importance of the drying phase. When the bathtub is not allowed to fully dry between refinishing stages, there’s a far greater chance that the primer and/or enamel coats will not properly adhere to the tub’s surface. While this can make for an unsightly result, it can also prevent the final stages from being completed (if enough moisture remains on the tub’s surface).

Avoid these Bathtub Refinishing Mistakes: Contact Us for Experienced Denver Bathtub Refinishing Services

Let our trusted professionals refinish the bathtubs, tile and/or countertops in your home in less time (and for less money) than you think. Contact us for a free quote today by calling (303) 908-8764 or by clicking here. You can also email us using the contact form located here.

Refinishing Process for Cast Iron Tubs

Yes – although the process can involve some different steps and/or products than are associated with refinishing jobs for acrylic, porcelain or fiberglass bathtubs, cast iron bathtubs can still be refinished to appear like new again. And refinishing cast iron (or any) bathtubs can save you a lot of money when compared to replacing the tub with a brand new one.

Overview of the Refinishing Process for Cast Iron Tubs

In general, the process of refinishing a cast iron tub will involve the following steps:

1. The old caulk is removed from around the bathtub.
2. A commercial cleanser is applied to the tub to remove any surface dirt, soap scum and/or grime.
3. Once the tub is clean, the old enamel is removed.
4. Then, the cast iron surface of the tub is rinsed and primed.
5. Next, a new topcoat will be applied to the tub’s surface.
6. The topcoat will be allowed to dry, after which the refinishing process will usually be done.

For more details about the specific steps and/or products that Colorado Tub Repair uses when refinishing cast iron (or other) bathtubs, contact us today. We’re happy to answer all of your questions about our methods, products and services.

Is it Time to Refinish My Cast Iron Tub?

This is a good question, and one that we get asked a lot. Generally, some of the more common signs that it’s time to refinish cast iron tubs include the following:

• The enamel surface covering the cast iron is starting to chip in certain places – Chipping can be a gateway for rusting, so fixing these eyesores ASAP is important on both a functional and visual level.
• Rust is developing in certain spots – Once you notice any rust on your cast iron tub, getting it refinished sooner rather than later is crucial to preventing further damage.

Contact Us for Affordable, Experienced Denver Bathtub Refinishing Services

Let us refinish the bathtubs, tile and/or countertops in your home. Contact us for a free quote today by calling (303) 908-8764 or by clicking here. You can also email us using the contact form located here.

How to Choose a Bathtub Refinishing Company

When you are ready to refinish the tubs and/or tile in your homes, the professionals you choose to hire can make all of the difference in the cost and outcome of the project. In fact, if you end up choosing the wrong refinishing company, you could end up spending a lot more money on a poor-quality job – and you may even need to hire other professionals to fix the damage done by the wrong refinishers.

To help you avoid this costly mistake, below are some tips for picking the right tile and bathtub refinishing company when you are ready to update the look and life of your tub, tile, countertops, etc. To pick the best refinisher for the job, look for refinishing professionals with:

1. Experience – Start your search by looking for pros who have years of experience doing the refinishing projects you are planning. Fly-by-night refinishers can use cheap products, as well as unconventional (and possibly damaging) methods – and that can end up meaning a low-quality refinish. It may even mean that you need to refinish or replace your tub earlier than you would have had to if you had hired experienced professionals for the job.
2. Positive customer reviews – Experience with refinishing is just one aspect to look for in refinishing companies. Another is the quality of the customer service and experience they provide, and that can usually be discovered by checking out reviews from former clients. As you search through reviews, try to take your search beyond just a company’s website (where likely only the positive reviews will be featured).
3. Proof of their good work – In other words, look for before and after pictures that display the final products and final work done by a given company. If a company doesn’t have these available on its website, ask for some. Reputable, established, experienced refinishers should have these readily available for prospective clients.
4. Transparency – Here, we are referring to transparency not only in the processes and products a company uses but also in the prices it charges and the project schedules. Framed in another way, it’s usually smart to avoid companies that cannot provide clear answers about the nature of the work they will do, the types of products they will be using to complete that work and the way they will be charging you for the work completed.

Looking for the Best Refinishers in Colorado? Contact Colorado Tub Repair

When you want your tile, countertop or tub refinishing project to go as smoothly as possible – and to be completed quickly and cost effectively, contact the professionals at Colorado Tub Repair  by calling (303) 908-8764 or by sending us an email by clicking here.

When you contact us, we will provide you with a free quote, as well as honest answers about our services and processes.

Reasons to Use Your Tax Refund to Refinish Your Tub

Spring is a great time to get rid of the old and welcome the new. If you have owned your bathtubs for more than 10 years or so – and they are starting to look damaged, worn and dirty, refinishing your tubs, rather than replacing them, can be a cost-effective way to get rid of the old look and spruce up your bathrooms for spring while making your dollars go as far as possible.

In fact, if you have (or are expecting) a tax refund and you are focused on investing that money effectively to improve your home, here are some of the top reasons to consider using those funds to refinish your bathtub:

1. Refinishing your tub is a cost-effective way to update the look of your bathroom – In fact, while a bathtub refinishing can make the surface of a tub look like new again, it can also involve updating the color of the tub (and the surrounding tile). This can give a bathroom an entire new look and feel, effectively providing the benefits of a remodel for a fraction of the cost.
2. Refinishing tubs is far cheaper than replacing them – And that can end up meaning that more of your refund (or renovation budget) can go towards other things, like replacing the sink/vanity, getting new lights and/or switches, purchasing new linens, etc.
3. Refinishing a tub can extend its life for years – Actually, refinishing your tub can add at least 10 years to its life, making this a great long-term investment.
4. Refinishing your tub and updating your bathroom can increase the value of your home – And if you are thinking about putting your home on the market soon, this may be the most important reason to refinish your tub, rather than replace it.

Contact Colorado Tub Repair Today for a Free Bathtub Refinishing Quote

To find out how much it will cost to refinish the bathtub(s) in your home, contact the professionals at Colorado Tub Repair today to receive a free quote. You can call us at (303) 908-8764 or simply click here. You can also email us via this contact form.

How to Re-caulk Your Bathtub

Years of enjoying bath time can wear down bathtubs, causing unsightly damage that may even affect the quality of your bathing experience.

If you love bath time and are ready to give some love back to your tub, re-caulking the tub can be an effective way to remove mold, mildew and other unpleasant damage while giving your tub – and possibly your entire bathroom – a fresh, clean look.

4 Basic Steps to Re-caulking Your Tub

1. Remove the old caulk – Carefully using a putty knife or razor blade, peel the old caulk away from the base and/or top edges of the bathtub. Caulk softener can be helpful in more stubborn areas.
2. Clean the surround – With a small vacuum, remove any remaining caulk debris from around the tub and/or surrounding tile. You may need to go over these areas with a wet towel to capture smaller debris.
3. Apply the new caulk – After cutting the edge of the caulk tube, use a caulk gun to apply new caulk to the necessary areas. For each region, try to apply the caulk in a single, steady motion so that an even amount is distributed across that region.
4. Smooth it out & clean off the excess caulk – Once a region has been re-caulked, use your finger to push down and smooth out the newly applied caulk. As you do this, keep an eye on the surrounding tub and tile to make sure you are not inadvertently transferring the caulk onto those clean surfaces. Once done, let the caulk set and dry.

Re-caulking Your Tub: Helpful Pro Tips

• Replace the caulk around the tub once a year if you are serious about preventing water damage and prolonging the life of your tub.
• When preparing to re-caulk your tub, filling it with water before you get started can be helpful (in that it can open up the gaps by weighing the tub down).
• Take your time when cleaning the tub and tile after the old caulk has been removed and before applying the new caulk. Re-caulking on a surface that is as clean as possible is important to proper application/ensuring a solid connection.
• Know the caulk’s drying time. Most caulks have short drying/setting times. Be sure you are aware of this before you get to work so that you know how long you have to smooth out/fix the new caulk after applying it.

Give Your Tub More Love by Refinishing It

While re-caulking a tub can go a long way towards preventing water damage, if the damage has already been done – and your tub needs more love than a simple re-caulk job, contact the pros at Colorado Tub Repair for a free bathtub refinishing quote. You can call us at (303) 908-8764 or click here. You can also email us using the contact form located here.

Love Bathing in Your Tub: Fun Bath Time Items that Won’t Kill Your Tub

Taking a nice, warm bath can be a joy for children and adults alike. While kids may love bath time because they get to play with water, for adults, baths can be a place to unwind, get some space and relax.

Regardless of why you and your family may love bath time, what you do and/or use during bath time may not be showing your bathtub any love. While we have previously pointed out some things to avoid using in tubs to avoid damaging them, below are some tub-friendly items (i.e., items that won’t damage your tub) that may help you (and your kids) love bath time just a little bit more… if that’s possible!

1. Bathtub caddies – Want a place to put a book, a candle or even maybe a glass of wine while you enjoy a bath? Try a shower caddy that rests over the edges of your tub.
   • Pro Tip: Remove the caddy after every bath, and dry the edges of the tub where the caddy rested. This ensures that your tub’s surface will fully dry after each use.
2. Dye-free bath bombs and bubble baths – Bubble bath doesn’t just have to be for your kids. Try adding some dye-free bubbles to your next bath session for some added luxury and fun.
   • Pro Tip: Rinse any residual bubbles out of the tub when the water finishes draining. This prevents the damaging buildup of soap scum.
3. Stain-free bathtub coloring sets for kids – These allow kids to essentially color in the tub.
   • Pro Tip: Same as above – rinse any residual colors off of the tub and/or surrounding tile to prevent any discoloration.
4. Floating bathtub LED lights – For children and adults, floating LED lights can add a new twist to bath time (and a whole new feel to the bathroom – especially if you turn down the overhead lighting).
   • Pro Tip: Remove these lights from the tub after each use. While these lights can present a falling hazard to the next unsuspecting bather, they may also trap water beneath them if you leave them in tub (and water trapped on the surface of your tub will damage it).

Show Your Tub Some More Love: Contact Colorado Tub Repair Today

If your tub is ready for some extra love, it may be time to refinish its surface, giving it a new look and life. To receive a free bathtub refinishing quote today, click here or contact us by calling (303) 908-8764. You can also email us using this contact form.

Avoid These 5 Tub Killers to Keep Your Tub in Top Condition.

The small touches you add in and around your tub can personalize your bathroom and enhance your bathing experience. Sometimes, however, these touches may also come with a downside – and that can be that they ruin the surface of your bathtub, causing stains, rust and other unsightly damage that reduces your tub’s shelf life.

To help you avoid this (especially in light of the fact that some of these tub killers are prominently featured on social media sites like Pinterest), here are some specific bath accessories and products to refrain from using in your tub.

1. Acidic, abrasive or gritty cleansers – You may think that you are loving your tub back by aggressively cleaning it with caustic or gritty cleaners, including some “home recipes” for tub cleaners (like those that contain vinegar). Your tub may even glisten after you wash it with these harsh substances. The fact is, however, that these substances will damage the surface of your tub.
   • For a thorough cleaning that won’t damage your tub, use Dawn dish soap.
2. Bathtub mats – These mats, which are fixed by suctions cups that stick to the bottoms of tubs, can trap water and soap scum beneath them. Overtime, this trapped water and grime can eat away at the surface of tubs. This causes the regions beneath the mats to become damaged far more quickly than the areas of the tub that are allowed to breath and dry between bathing sessions.
   • For slip and fall protection that won’t damage your tub, consider adding a safety grip and/or installing a walk-in tub conversion.
3. Bathtub pillows and headrests – Also fixed by suction cups, these accessories can also be tub killers, accelerating the damage wrecked on your tub’s surface.
   • For head support when bathing, roll up a towel, and place it under your head and/or neck. Towels can be removed (and even used to dry the tub) when you are done bathing. And they won’t cause any extra damage.
4. Any toys or accessories with suction cups – By now, it may be obvious: suction cups or anything that traps water and/or soap scum on the surface of a tub will ruin it. So, the real take away is to avoid any bathtub items with suction cups. This is a great way to show your bathtub some love!
   • For some extra fun or utility in the tub, opt for toys that can be removed after bath time, as well as shelving outside of the bathtub/shower area. Removing everything from the tub after bath or shower time allows for complete drying (another way to give your tub back some love!).
5. Bathtub tints or colors – If these items are not specifically “stain-free,” don’t use them in your tub. They can discolor and stain your tub.
   • For extra luxury in the bath that won’t ruin your tub, go for some fancy, dye-free bubble bath or even rose petals.

Show Your Tub Some More Love: Contact Colorado Tub Repair Today

If your tub is ready for some extra love, it may be time to refinish its surface, giving it a new look and life. To receive a free bathtub refinishing quote today, click here or contact us by calling (303) 908-8764. You can also email us using the contact form located here.

Why restoration is a better alternative than replacement for tubs & tile

When you are ready to invest in updating a bathroom, two of the various decisions you may have to make can involve whether you want to restore or replace the aging bathtub and tile. While both restoration and replacement can have the same outcomes – making your bathroom look fresh and new again, the costs and processes associated with these different options can vary dramatically.

And understanding these differences can help you extend your renovation dollars so that you can make as many home improvements with your budget as possible.

Benefits of Tile & Tub Restoration (over Replacement)

• Lower costs – Restoration is usually only a fraction of the cost of replacement for both tile and tubs. This is because, in general, with restoration, there will be less demo work, there won’t be as many new (and expensive) materials to purchase, and getting the job done can require less labor overall.
• Faster turnaround times – Restoring tile and tubs typically takes far less time than replacing them.  In fact, when it comes to refinishing and restoring tubs, the entire process (including the work and the time needed to allow the work to set) tends to take less than 30 hours (for tile, the amount of time can vary according to the area of the tile being restored). This means that, within days, you can get back to using your bathroom, whereas you may be out of your bathroom for weeks or longer with tile and tub replacement work.
• Lasting results – While restoring tubs and tile is generally cheaper and faster than replacing them, restoration also comes with the benefit of enduring results, with restored tubs and tile lasting up to 15 or 20 years, if not longer, with the proper maintenance. This can really maximize the return on your renovation investments.

Need a Quote? Contact Colorado Tub Repair Today for a Free Tile & Bathtub Restoration Estimate

Let us restore the tile and/or bathtubs in your home. Contact us for a free quote by calling (303) 908-8764 or by clicking here. You can also email us using the contact form located here.