I believe acrylic tubs can be repaired if you have that service in your area. Ask your builder or the outfit that supplied the tub. The cost might be way less than replacement. It could be a chance to change the color if you like because they will repair the crack and then re finish the whole tub as it's hard to spot match the finish on acrylic.

I would be worried about a tub that cracks when some one stands on it. Are they not meant to take the weight of a person and all the water they will hold. Dropped some thing on it or put a ladder in that I would believe, but if it broke from just standing on it than it is either installed wrong or defective.

dumaspup - it is a whirlpool tub. The front panel is not yet installed. It cracked on the overhang (or lip if you would) and the panel sits under the overhang, so if you were to sit on it it would not bend. BUT with the panel not on and someone standing on it then yes, it would crack because there is nothing under it to support it. I hope that kind of explains it some. Right now you can see all of the plumbing going to the jets but with the panel on it is all covered.

The builder is looking into finding a repair person to fix it.

It's possible to fill the tub with water or fill it with weight and spray structural foam in the hollows, especially in the bottom area where you are getting in and out. This is how it is being done these days setting tubs and if yours wasn't , it probably should have been as dumas mentioned. Even when setting down on a framed surface, it's a good idea to foam at least the bottom areas. Some plumbers/ builders stuff insulation.

We had a chip in our tub repaired. Our tub is white and they filled it with white BUT you can tell. The difference is barely visable and the chip was in a inconspicuous spot.

If a slight color variation will bother you, I suggest you get the new tub. It irritated me at first but now I don't even notice it.

Hmmm, I do not know if there is foam under where the crack is?? I remember watching him put in the tub. He did spray in that one foam, to keep the bugs and cold/hot air out in some of the places he drilled. I will have to look and see. I would think the tub was placed right because the inspector never mentioned it was not. (our own inspector)I took a couple of pictures so I will post them.

Not sure how well you can see the crack!
{{gwi:1515613}}

Another shot
{{gwi:1515614}}

The crack does not go over into the tub itself. When the panel goes in it will help support this right? At least that is what I have been told. I might just be getting fed a line I do not know! LOL! I have never had a tub like this.

Thanks for all of y'alls help!

Kelly

Sounds like once the panel is installed, that is the support, no foam necessary in that area. It just gets back to no one should have stepped on it. Sounds like your builder has a handle on it gettng it repaired.

The foam process i mentioned is usually sprayed down all throughout the base before setting the tub and while the foam is still "wet", before it starts expanding and curing, the tub is placed and weighted down. The foam envelopes all hollows on the bottom so that there is a solid base. Some tubs have built in supports at the bottom, most dont, so it's a good idea to get a little extra support under there. Your whirlpool tub might have it's own means of support, so no foam necessary or other means.

I think your builder is on the right track by repairing rather than replace, but as mentioned before, it will probably be re-sprayed , as spot repairs are extremely hard to match up. There's an outfit here that refinishes any tub surface and when done, looks new carrying a ten year warranty. Hopefully you have a competent outfit there. If not, strive for replacement.

Thanks sierraeast, you are a wealth of information! I see what you are saying now about the foam. I believe our tub had a support on it but this one I am not sure. I will ask the builder as I am curious now. I feel pretty good about the repair. My sister is an insurance adjuster and she gave me a name of someone she has used before who did a wonderful job! Keeping my fingers crossed :-)

Thanks again!

Kelly

I have an acrylic shower base that the plumber chipped with a pipe wrench. He dropped it right on the corner and chipped out a piece about the size of a dime. He notified his boss and they sent out a repair company to fix it. The repair is perfect, you cannot tell it was chipped.

If you do go this route, make sure that IF it doesn't hide the crack, you have the option to replace the tub. Also make sure that the repair itself has a warantee.

Kelly~

I checked in tonight to see if you had cab's yet. Haven't seen a post on that yet, but this thread is nearer the top, so maybe.....??!! I'm hoping for you. :o)

I have to be honest. That's an ugly crack. And at the front of a tub? Hmmm. I agree with the last poster who said be sure that you have the "new tub" option if they can't hide that ugly wart. Sorry, just being truthful. :O)

Hopefully you'll get a perfect repair. It sounds like others have!

So sorry to hi-jack. But I can't get PM to work and want to get in touch with

********* CHARLIEDAWG CHARLIEDAWG ***********

please email me at tragusa3@bellsouth.net