When homeowners notice that their bath tubs are becoming old and in need of repair - perhaps there are deep cracks that are collecting dirt - many of them are turning to a professional company to install a bath tub liner over their existing tub. A bath tub liner will update and renew what was once an old, ugly bath tub - perhaps it is an awful lemon yellow or black in color - they might have considered throwing out in favor of a new one.
Bath tub liners come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes and fit directly over an existing bath tub along with the surrounding area and with only a ¼ inch thickness. This means the difference in an existing bath tub and the new tub liner will not be noticed in terms of size of the tub and room an individual has for bathing or showering.
What is noticeable is the difference between porcelain and acrylic - the substance that a bath tub liner is normally made of, although some could be made out of PVC pipe material or various plastics. Additionally, this upgrade will be nearly maintenance-free because there is no grout or tile to worry about and the surface is easy to clean and disinfect. And acrylic - what shiny football helmets are made out of - is nearly indestructible so it will last for many years.
Once in a while, a bath tub liner installer will have to contact a plumber to extend a bath tub's drain and overflow since the addition of a thicker lining might obstruct the drainage of water, however most tub liners fit perfectly over an existing bath tub without any problems.
Some homeowners could install a bath tub liner themselves, however, it is a two person job and some construction, do-it-your-self around the house 'handyman' type knowledge is probably a good idea to begin with.
There are a few disadvantages to a bath tub liner and one is the cost. According to the Bathtub Refinishing Referral Network, a tub liner can cost a homeowner anywhere between $2,500 and $5,000 depending on the size, color and style of tub liner chosen. A homeowner is paying for easy of installation and convenience a tub liner will provide over a new tub installation or resurfacing tub projects.
Another possible, yet rare disadvantage is that if the bath tub liner is not installed properly, then there is a chance for water to seep between the original tub and the liner and become a virtual Petri dish of bacterial or mold.
Back in the early 90s, the Hilton Hotels in Milwaukee, Wisconsin discovered that their bath tub liners, which they had installed over all their guest bathroom bath tubs that were built in the 1920s, had been installed incorrectly and mold was growing beneath several of them. They decided to remove all the bath tub liners and have the original bath tubs refurbished, a costly undertaking even for a large major hotel chain.