New Home with cracked tub

5 years ago

We built a new home and are doing a final walk through this week. When we went last month we saw the tub in the hallway bath had a small crack and questioned that regarding replacement. Now we were told it’s been “fixed” that there is a special technique used to correct any cracks and a new tub won’t be installed. I saw it and you can see where they repaired it. It’s not obvious to the naked eye but once you really look you can see where it was. My question is whether I can call this out during our punch list final walk through process? Shouldn’t I be getting a brand new tub considering this is a brand new home?
Should I push on this or will the builder shut my request down?

Featured Answer

One Devoted Dame

5 years ago

We built a tract house 18 months ago. Several master tub dings/chips that were "repaired." I was willing to give them a chance to make it like new (they brought in a pro restorer), but... I can still tell. :-(

I did not push for a totally new tub, because I had other, more important issues (like a cracked window, lazy tile work, bowing cabinets), and I was not blessed with infinite energy and patience, lol. Which is truly tragic, because apparently, I *was* blessed with the ability to see far too much detail. :-/

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Comments (17)

wysmama
5 years ago
Can’t hurt to try
PRO
Anglophilia
5 years ago
That would be totally unacceptable to me.
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NewEnglandgal
5 years ago
I would not be happy one bit. You are paying for a brand new home with everything brand new, not "fixed." No way would I accept that. JMO
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Mark Bischak, Architect
5 years ago
Is this a custom build? Is there anything in a contract that covers such things? Builders I work with would have the tub replaced before the home owner would have a chance to see it.
functionthenlook
5 years ago
I would insist on a new tub. Is the fix really going to last the normal life time of the tub. It's possible it could last only a few years. The fix could discoloration , making it stick out like a sore thumb. I wouldn't close on the house until it was replaced.
BT
5 years ago
If it is an expensive master tub I can understand the builder, but based on you description "we saw the tub in the hallway bath " I deduct that it is inexpensive acrylic - I do not know why they even bothered to install it? If there is no tile walls above it - ask for a replacement.
vinmarks
5 years ago
We had a deep scratch in our acrylic tub. They repaired it and its fine. You have to look pretty close and at the correct angle to see it. It was the front of the tub in our 2nd bath. The tub was already installed and tile installed. No way I was having them pull it out making more problems. I do not notice it when the shower curtain is open and I doubt guests would notice it either.
Addy T
Original Author
5 years ago
@BT the tub is a standard tub not acrylic and is for the kids there is tile above see photo of the tile above the tub
Addy T
Original Author
5 years ago
@vinmarks I know no one but myself will notice where the crack was but I’m more worried for the long term on how there could be issues.
fifamom
5 years ago
what do you mean by standard tub? cast iron? fiberglass? solid surface? did you pay for a new tub? is new tub in the contract? what type of tub was specified? if a new tub [undamaged] was specified then ask for the new tub or ask for a monetary concession since the tub is damaged - can you post a photo of the damage? did you take a before photo as well and compare it to a now photo? depending on the type of crack and the location of the crack it could pose a problem in the future. if they refuse to replace and you agree to this it must be noted [in big bold highlighted letters] on your final paperwork that the tub is cracked / damaged and that you will hold the builder / contractor / plumber / etc. responsible if there is more cracking / water damage / etc. etc. do not accept it on an hand shake..
robin0919
5 years ago
I would insist on a new tub. Everything is 'supposed' to be brand new. Is it a tract builder? Tract builders do that all the time. Sounds like a tract builder.
fifamom
5 years ago
we have a plumbing company and if we break something or chip something.. we pay for replacement or repair to make sure the customer is happy. doesn't happen often but it is good business and good karma to make sure the customer is satisfied..
dan1888
5 years ago
You'll need to remove the first row of tile to replace the tub.
millworkman
5 years ago
"I would insist on a new tub. Everything is 'supposed' to be brand new. Is it a tract builder? Tract builders do that all the time. Sounds like a tract builder."

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PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
5 years ago
" It’s not obvious to the naked eye but once you really look you can see where it was" The reason you noticed is because you knew that something was there, or you would have never known.

Most builders being this a tract home or a million dollar home by a custom builder such repairs are being made all the time if minor blemishes occur on the surface of a fiberglass or acrylic tub, shower pan, etc. The only thing in most cases it will be fixed before a customer will see it and after that nobody will ever notice that anything was there. The only person will know is a person who knows that the repair was done.

That said these sort of repairs are done on minor scratches and minor "nicks" that is why you will never tell that any repair was done. If the tub body is actually cracked that would be considered structural and the professionals who do these repairs would never fix them because the tub must be repaired. As the professionals go who do these repairs most work for plumbing supply stores and are certified to perform these repairs by most known manufacturers. They will use the same paint brand and color number so the repair is seamless.
User
5 years ago
I've had my fair share of cheap fiberglass tubs. I've had cracks in 2 of them. I don't know why - I'm not the size of an elephant and I'm not doing gymnastics in the shower, but anyway - I've had several cracks repaired and they were fine over the long haul.

However all the patches eventually discolored to a slightly different shade of white. No leaks, just a bit unsightly.

Whether I'd push to have it replaced is a judgement call. Depends on my confidence in the skill of the people replacing it and my tolerance for further construction at this point. Pulling out the old one and putting in a new one is going to cause some drywall work too and will be a MUCH bigger project that just fixing the crack.

If it's a standard fiberglass tub and you're going to be using a shower curtain anyway....I'd probably make official note of it to them but move on.

New Home with cracked tub

One Devoted Dame

Comments (17)

wysmama

Anglophilia

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New Home with cracked tub

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