Tub Repair
Bathtub Repair, Chip & Fiberglass Crack Repair in Portland, OR
Fixed at the source, not patched over
A chip from a dropped bottle, a crack spreading across the basin, a floor that flexes when you step in: damage like this does not automatically mean a new tub. Most bathtub damage is repairable, and fixing it early matters, because water that gets through a crack can reach the framing and subfloor. Bathroom Surface Solutions repairs porcelain, fiberglass, acrylic and cast iron tubs across Portland, OR and SW Washington, backed by a written 10-year warranty.
Chip & crack repair
Most chips come from impacts: a dropped shampoo bottle, a metal can, tools during a bathroom repair. Left alone, chips and cracks let water into the material, where the damage spreads. We fill them with professional-grade waterproof fillers, then sand the repair flush so you cannot feel a ridge or dip. The topcoat is tinted on-site to match your tub, so the repair disappears into the finish. If the tub is being refinished anyway, up to 10 small chips are included at no charge.
Fiberglass tub repair
Fiberglass tubs are lightweight and flexible, which is exactly why they crack. The most common cause is missing support beneath the basin: a void between the tub and the subfloor lets the floor flex every time someone steps in, until the material fatigues and snaps. Age and harsh cleaners leave the surface brittle and prone to fine spiderweb cracking on top of that.
A soft or breaking floor cannot be fixed from the top. We support the basin from beneath with high-density waterproof material so it stops flexing, then repair the crack itself. Low spots where water pools instead of draining are re-sloped at the same time. Once the structure is sound, the repairs are sealed under the new finish.
Repair, refinish or replace?
Repair on its own makes sense when the tub is otherwise in good shape: one chip, a small crack, a single worn spot. The repair is color-matched to the existing finish.
Repair plus refinishing is the right call when there are several chips or cracks, a soft floor, or a surface that is stained and hard to clean. The repairs are sealed under the same bonded finish we apply on a full bathtub refinishing job, and most projects are done in about a day for $650 to $1,045.
Replacement makes sense when the tub has severe structural damage, or when you are remodeling and changing the layout anyway. Once demolition, plumbing and tile work are included, the national average for replacing a bathtub is $3,251 per HomeAdvisor. If replacement is the better option for your tub, we will say so.
Our bathtub repair process
- 1. Assessment: We check the extent of the damage and what caused it, including probing for soft spots and voids beneath the basin.
- 2. Structural support: Weak, flexing floors are supported from beneath with high-density waterproof material, so the repair holds.
- 3. Surface preparation: The tub is cleaned of soap scum, body oils and old caulking, then etched with an acid wash so the new coatings bond permanently.
- 4. Filling and sanding: Chips, cracks and gouges are filled with waterproof fiberglass fillers and sanded flush with the surrounding surface.
- 5. Masking and priming: The bathroom is masked against over-spray, and four coats of high-bond epoxy primer are applied.
- 6. Topcoat and cure: Five coats of acrylic urethane with a built-in clear coat are sprayed on. The tub is ready to use in about 12 hours.
Most projects are backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee and a written 10-year warranty. Bathroom Surface Solutions is licensed, bonded and insured, family-owned and operated since 1979. Call 503-227-0826 or book online for a free estimate.
Before & after
Family-owned and operated since 1979, we have perfected our methods of revitalizing any porcelain or acrylic tubs, as well as kitchen tiles, vanity tops, kitchen countertops to restore them to like-new condition.
“We have had Bathroom Surface Solutions refinish a few projects for us. Our bathtub and shower in Portland OR, countertop refinishing in Tigard at our rental, and at our vacation home in Mt. Hood. My husband and I were very impressed with the overall experience!”
- Kelly and John S.
Common questions
Bathtub repair FAQ
In most cases, yes. Chips, cracks, low spots and even soft, flexing fiberglass floors can be repaired and sealed under a new finish. If the damage is too severe for a repair to hold, we will tell you replacement makes more sense.
Refinishing a standard bathtub runs $650 to $1,045, and up to 10 small chips are included at no charge. Larger chips add about $50, re-sloping a low spot about $100, and structural crack repairs $125 to $350 depending on severity. Estimates are free.
No. Repairs are sanded flush with the surrounding surface, and the topcoat is tinted on-site to match your tub. The repaired area blends into the rest of the finish instead of standing out like a hardware-store patch.
Most repair and refinish jobs are done in about a day. The tub is ready to use roughly 12 hours after we finish, depending on room temperature and humidity.
If the tub is structurally sound, repair plus refinishing restores it at a fraction of replacement cost. Replacement is the better call when the tub has severe structural damage, or when you are changing the layout of the bathroom anyway. The national average for a full replacement is $3,251 with demolition, plumbing and tile work included, per HomeAdvisor.
Ready for your free estimate?
Most projects are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a written 10-year warranty.