DIY bathtub refinishing isn’t just a waste of money – it’s a health risk. Before you try to redo your bathtub on your own, you need to understand the types of chemicals that go into tub refinishing and the DIY Bathtub Refinishing Health Risks. Professional bathroom remodelers know how to handle these chemicals and they have safety equipment to protect themselves throughout the project. Your off-the-shelf refinishing kit isn’t going to come with that.
Let’s take a look at some of the health risks associated with bathtub refinishing and why this process is best left to the pros.
Hazardous Fumes Released during Bathtub Refinishing
Hazardous fumes are released throughout the bathtub refinishing process. In the beginning, refinishers must strip off the existing finish on the tub so the new coating stays secure. The stripping agents release harmful fumes, especially if there is limited ventilation in the bathroom. Professional refinishers know how to protect themselves from the vapors, but you may not.
Epoxy coating may also release fumes as it is sprayed onto the surface of the bathtub. These dissipate fairly quickly, but they are harmful if you do not have the right facial protection. A basic dust mask isn’t enough to shield you from the vapors. You need a proper fitting respirator to truly protect yourself from inhaling toxic fumes.
Refinishing Products Can Absorb into Your Skin
Not only do you have to worry about airborne chemicals, but you also need to consider the ones your skin will interact with. Our professional bathtub refinishers protect their skin with heavy duty gloves and suits so they do not touch the chemicals with their hands or arms. Methylene chloride is a chemical used in many stripping agents, and it can be deadly if inhaled or absorbed into the skin. This is why it is so important to let well-trained professionals handle your bathtub refinishing, rather than trying to do the work on your own.
Bathtub Refinishing Is NOT Dangerous after the Coating Has Cured
Don’t let the information above scare you away from bathtub refinishing entirely. The end results are 100% safe to be around. Most tub and tile refinishing projects are completed within a few hours, and you can resume use of your bathtub the next day. Your refinishing contractors will give you a timeframe to let the epoxy fully cure, and then you can use your tub like normal.
How Professionals Avoid These Health Risks
The contractors here at Maryland Tub and Tile understand every chemical that goes into the refinishing process. We have years of experience working with ceramic bathtubs, claw foot tubs, fiberglass bathtubs, and much more. This allows us to plan for any special issues in your bathroom.
During your free consultation, we will evaluate your bathroom to determine what prep work will need to be done ahead of time. We plan out how to ventilate the room, what finishing agents we will use and how long it will take to prepare the tub and refinish it.
If your bathroom has limited ventilation, we will use fans and vents to clear the fumes. We wear gloves, respirator masks, eye protection, and safety suits throughout the project to prevent chemicals from going into our skin or airways. We use the most efficient stripping agents and coating compounds on the market to minimize the health risks across the board.
Additional Benefits of Professional Bathtub Refinishing
In addition to protecting your health and safety, professional bathtub refinishing provides:
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- Better looking results that last significantly longer
- Higher quality finishes that are built to last
- Seamless tub and tile refinishing to cover grout lines and enhance your bathroom
- Lower costs overall – DIY bathtub refinishing chips easily and may need to be redone in a few years
- Satisfaction guarantee from professionals you can trust
- Lower risk of human error – we’ll do the job right the first time, every time
- More colors to choose from
- No need to demo
- Crack and chip coverage so your new coating looks sleek and smooth
DIY tub refinishing can turn out okay, however, most of the over the counter products do not contain the adhesive properties found in professional products. This causes premature wear and tear and having to strip and refinish again in a couple years. If you consider the time required, health risks and low cost of professional refinishing, it is not one of those DIY projects that pays for itself.
To learn more about bathtub refinishing or to schedule a free quote, contact Maryland Tub and Tile at 1-877-717-8827.