contractor chipped the tub

[lynneeliz64]

We are in the midst of a bathroom remodel. This weekend I cleaned the tub and the shower pan and discovered 2 chips in the bottom of my brand new tub. There was some damage found on the removable front panel the week before so the contractor is getting a new one. The tub and the front panel were installed separately so I don't know if the 2 issues are related. Since the tub is already installed I KNOW the contractor is going to want to fix the chips rather than replacing the tub. I've had this happen on a previous remodel and the fix never lasted, plus the company then went out of business. The tub is American Standard Town Square 5 x 42. Should I let the contractor fix it or should I make them take it out and replace it? I'd appreciate the pros and cons. The remodel is not finished the cultured granite wainscote is supposed to go in this Friday but the floor is already tiled. :wall:

I've left the contractor a message on his phone over the weekend so a quick replay would be VERY appreciated!

[Doug Aleshire]

lynneeliz64,

My opinion is that it be replaced, pure and simple. Contractor may feel that a fix is in order but you have a history of it not lasting. With this kind of expense, bathroom remodel, replacement is the only option. It's your money!

Hope this helps!

[lynneeliz64]

Thanks for the input.

The contractor met with my husband today. He says they will repair the chip. He says that if we dispute it will go to his insurance and his insurance will just repair the tub - not replace. The renovation isn't even finished yet and they have damaged the tub. The tub was never cleaned when it was put in so I have no idea if it came damaged or one of the other tradespeople have damaged it. The contractor couldn't have inspected it either because no one bothered to clean it enough to see any damage. I got nervous and cleaned it this weekend because I had this happen to a relative as well. She let them repair the tub (18 years ago) and it was never the same. She had several attempts at fixing it and it was never okay. My husband agreed with the contractor today but I still think it's a mistake - our 3 week job is now into week 7 because of delays due to this tub. I'm not happy. Does anyone else have any experience with having a tub repaired (acrylic) he tells me it will look like new and we'll never know it was there.

[joneq]

Call the manufacturer of the tub and find out if there is someone they Dreccomend. Used to be that Dupont{ I think] had repair kits that were virtual color matches and only some repair people had them. If not try a place like bathfitters or rebath someone that does bathtub liners they may be able to steer you in the right direction.Tub liners are available in a very limited number of colors though and they may not be able to match thecolor right.

Please do not under any circumstances let the contractor repair the chip himself. You need a person that understands you do not want to see or feel the repair and is capable of doing a repair like that.

If the contractors insurance company wll only pay for a repair tell him you have no objection if he doesn't report it and pays for it himself. Plenty of contractors do not go through their insurance companies. Even if he has to replace it he could still make a profit.


Bottom line= the tub should have had a protective coating on it and it was the contractors job to put it there. Here is just 1 of them. Ask why it wasn't put on.

http://www.strippablecoating.com/Tubs.asp

[lynneeliz64]

For anyone else this happens to. The contractor would only fix not replace the tub. He brought out his finisher to do the work, and unfortunately I wasn't around to see this, the guy look at the chips and decided to try cleaning them with alcohol. The chips weren't chips - it was stuff they think was on the tub from the factory. I have great eyesight and was very doubtful so I've had a good look and can't see anything. Hopefully this might help someone else in the future before having a near heart attack like I did...