Why Do Bathtubs Crack? How to Maintain and Repair Bathtub Cracks

Taking a nice, long bath is the perfect way to unwind after a long day but a large crack running down the center of your tub will prevent you from being able to do this. While a bathtub crack is not a major cause of concern, it can certainly interfere with your relaxing plans and if you ever notice a crack in your tub, it must be addressed right away to prevent further damage.

There are a few common causes of bathtub cracks and here are just a few:

Heavy items repeatedly being dropped

Large bottles of shampoo and conditioner or children’s bath toys slamming into the side of your tub can cause cracks to form in your bathtub. Whenever something heavy comes into contact with your tub, small dents will start to appear and over time, these will grow into larger cracks that are more problematic and noticeable. Do your best not to drop heavy items into your tub or slam them against the sides to prevent cracks.

The use of certain cleaning products

Many people do not realize that certain cleaning products can actually weaken their tub. Cleaners like bleach will erode the finish and gloss of your bathtub, allowing moisture to leak into the material, resulting in cracks. For this reason, you need to make sure that the cleaning products you are using are suitable for the material that your tub is made from.

Lack of support

Certain materials, like fibreglass, for example, are very flexible and can bend if too much weight is placed on top. This will cause the material to crack, so it is very important that you ensure your tub is installed correctly so that it is well supported. If you were not present when your tub was first installed, you can hire a plumber to assess the situation for you.

Cracks in your tub are more than just an eyesore and can lead to bigger problems if they are not fixed. Every crack will affect the structural integrity of your tub and the longer you wait to repair it, the bigger it will get, resulting in costly repairs and more headaches. Leaving cracks in place will also allow water to seep in and this is very problematic because it can cause mould to grow in your home. All of these issues can be prevented if you fix minor cracks as soon as you notice them.

Aqua Bath & Lighting can provide you with all of your plumbing fixtures. We have locations in both Edmonton and Calgary and offer a wide variety of bathtubs, so if your bathroom is in need of an upgrade, come and visit our showroom or contact us today!