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Most bathroom mirrors last 10 to 15 years with regular maintenance. The actual lifespan is determined by the quality of the mirror, its materials, the way it was hung, and the overall ventilation and humidity level in your bathroom. Meanwhile, LED bathroom mirrors tend to have a lifespan of 30,000 to 50,000 hours.

Yes, it is possible to repair a damaged or cracked mirror, but whether you should do it yourself depends on the extent of the damage. For minor issues like small chips, cracks, and scratches, you can use a DIY approach. Resin-based repair kits can fix minor cracks, while scratches can often be removed with metal polish, nail polish, baking soda, or a glass polisher. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.

However, for more significant damage, DIY repair is not recommended. Repairing and resilvering mirrors is a delicate process that can involve caustic chemicals and requires a high level of precision. The materials for a DIY attempt can cost over $100, which may not be a significant saving compared to hiring a professional. Since a failed attempt could result in more damage and higher repair costs, it is often better to hire a mirror repair expert from the start, especially for large, valuable, or extensively damaged mirrors.

The methods outlined here are intended for surface scratches—ones that don’t cut into the glass very deeply. For deep scratches, you should consider a more comprehensive glass scratch repair kit. These kits come with abrasives, polishing compounds, and specialized tools designed for removing deep scratches from glass. If you feel uncomfortable tackling a deep scratch on your own, consider calling a local glass repair contractor.

While wavy glass is sometimes called antique glass or restoration glass due to the fact that it's found exclusively in older homes, the proper names for wavy glass are actually crown glass and cylinder glass. Most commonly used for circular or portal windows, crown glass was created by manufacturers using a process of blowing and spinning. Meanwhile, cylinder glass was used more commonly because it created large square sheets that could be shaped to fit windows of all shapes and sizes.