Q: How do you prepare a shower before caulking?

• <div><p>Before you begin caulking a shower, you&rsquo;ll need to use a utility knife or solvent to remove the old caulk and inspect the area for mold. If needed, take appropriate steps to <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-clean-mold-mistakes-avoid.htm">get rid of the mold</a>, then wipe everything down with dish soap and warm water before letting it dry completely. Finally, surround the caulking area with two strips of blue painter&rsquo;s tape&mdash;one above the joint where you&rsquo;re caulking and another below it.</p></div>

Q: Is a peeling bathtub bad?

• <div><p>A peeling bathtub is not a good thing. It&rsquo;s a sign that the finish is coming off, and continued exposure to water and cleaning products can continue to damage the finish and eventually the underlying structure of the tub. What starts as a few chips or flakes can worsen into large chunks peeling off.</p></div>

Q: Can I resurface my Corian countertop?

• <div><p>If your Corian&reg; countertop begins to appear dull or dirty, or you notice scratches on the surface, you can return it to its original finish while maintaining its look. To do this, repair any scratches with a repair compound and sand the surface after it dries. </p><p>Then, use an orbital sander with either a 100-, 30-, or 15-micron disc and finish with a hand pad (like Scotch-Brite&trade; 7447 or 7448) or lamb&rsquo;s wool bonnet and automotive cutting compound for a matte, semi-gloss, or gloss-finish, respectively.</p></div>

Question 1

How do you prepare a shower before caulking?

Accepted Answer

•

Before you begin caulking a shower, you’ll need to use a utility knife or solvent to remove the old caulk and inspect the area for mold. If needed, take appropriate steps to get rid of the mold, then wipe everything down with dish soap and warm water before letting it dry completely. Finally, surround the caulking area with two strips of blue painter’s tape—one above the joint where you’re caulking and another below it.

Question 2

Is a peeling bathtub bad?

Accepted Answer

•

A peeling bathtub is not a good thing. It’s a sign that the finish is coming off, and continued exposure to water and cleaning products can continue to damage the finish and eventually the underlying structure of the tub. What starts as a few chips or flakes can worsen into large chunks peeling off.

Question 3

What are signs that I need to refinish my bathtub?

Accepted Answer

•

There are a few signs, both obvious and not so obvious, that it's time to refinish your bathtub. While some of these signs aren't an urgent problem, others could lead to significant damage if left untreated. Signs you should look out for include:

Rust stains, which signal the tub's enamel or surface sealer is deteriorating
Small chips, which can grow into larger chunks and can lead to rusting
Discoloration, which doesn't lead to a more significant problem but can be unsightly
Dirty surfaces, which means that the tub glaze is breaking down and allowing dirt to seep below the coating

Question 4

Can I resurface my Corian countertop?

Accepted Answer

•

If your Corian® countertop begins to appear dull or dirty, or you notice scratches on the surface, you can return it to its original finish while maintaining its look. To do this, repair any scratches with a repair compound and sand the surface after it dries.

Then, use an orbital sander with either a 100-, 30-, or 15-micron disc and finish with a hand pad (like Scotch-Brite™ 7447 or 7448) or lamb’s wool bonnet and automotive cutting compound for a matte, semi-gloss, or gloss-finish, respectively.

Question 5

Is it less expensive to resurface or replace a bathtub?

Accepted Answer

•

Resurfacing a bathtub is less expensive than replacing one. Resurfacing a tub costs about $330 to $630, depending on the material, while replacing a tub costs an average of $4,150. But remember that resurfacing is a temporary solution for a worn-out tub, and you may need to refinish a tub every few years to keep it looking new.