Cracking in bathtubs is a common occurrence. It doesn’t matter how it happened but how it should be resolved. You need to fix any hole or crack in your bathtub as soon as it occurs to prevent further damage, which can lead you to buy a new one.
Will Flex Seal fix a cracked bathtub? Yes, but only use a flex seal as a temporary solution. The seal works better if you put a thick layer to the crevice or hole to prevent the leaking temporarily. However, the efficiency of the seal is majorly affected by extreme temperature fluctuations. Failure to find a permanent solution in a few days will cause the crack to widen and the bathtub to break eventually.
What is Flex Seal?
This thick liquid formula is applied to cracked surfaces, including sinks and bathtubs. Flex Seal can also fill holes or leaks on porcelain tiles, concrete, or vinyl flooring. The highly adhesive Flex Seal spreads quickly for easy application. Being waterproof, it’s great for use in places that handle water.
How Does Flex Seal Work?
The Flex Seal sprays a thicker liquid than traditional spray paints and quickly seeps into crevices. Additionally, the spray dries up faster to form a rubber-like surface which blocks moisture and water in the bathtub. Therefore, you can resume bathing after the seal has dried and cured.
What Causes Bathtub Cracks?
Bathtub cracks are mainly caused by dropping heavy objects on their surface as it’s designed to handle lighter items like soaps or shampoo bottles. Hiring a licensed or professional plumber is best when installing a new bathtub to prevent cracks due to poor installation. Lastly, the use of aggressive cleaners also contributes to the cracking of the bathtub.
How to Fix a Cracked Bathtub with Flex Seal?
Before you start, assemble all the items you need, like; an old rug or towel, Fine-Grit Sandpaper, Rubberized Water Proof Flex Tape, and Flex Seal Spray Rubber Sealant Coating.
- Clean your working area using fine-grit sandpaper or an old towel. This is because the seal works excellently on clean areas.
- Take the flex tape, cut a few long strips, stick it over the cracked area, and let it cure for about 10 minutes. By now, you should not care about the initial bathtub anesthetic as the patch is visible enough.
- Apply the flex seal once the flex tape patch has cured completely. Spray the Flex Rubber Sealant to keep out air, and moisture, among other contaminants. Notably, the spray should conceal a larger surface than the leak. It would be better to use temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit and apply more coats to form a thick layer.
- Leave the spray to cure appropriately for 24 to 48 hours. After that, you can fill the bathtub with water.
- Check for any leaks. Spot the water level with a marker and give it around 1 hour, then come and check to see if there’s any change. If the water level reduces, the crack still leaks, while no difference means you did a perfect job. You will need to reapply more layers to the leaking place again, but only after draining the water and drying it up.
Alternative Sealants for Fixing Cracked Bathtub
Flex seal isn’t the only sealant for cracks on the market. You can also try the following adhesives to fix your cracked bathtub.
Epoxy Resin Glue
The high flexibility and durability of epoxy resin glue make it a preferred choice by many people. The glue is ideal for mending cracks in ceramic tiles, bathtubs, or metal pipes. Here are the steps to follow;
- Clean the cracked area using water with soap or a degreaser.
- Rub with a dry piece of cloth and ensure the area is dry enough
- Fill the glue in the cracks using a scraper or putty knife until it spills to the sides. This helps the glue to seal the area entirely and not leave room for leaks.
- Leave the adhesive to cure for about 24 hours. Come back and check for any leaks. Conversely, it will be hard to get leaks since the glue has high resistance to water and moisture. But if you discover leaks, then reapply the epoxy resin glue.
Polyurethane Foam Insulation
The polyurethane foam makes a perfect waterproof seal for your bathtub cracks. Unfortunately, the formula is only significant for application in small areas. Besides sealing the cracks or holes, the foam adds more strength to your bathtub to prevent future recurrence.
Bathtub Repairing Kit
A bathtub repair kit effectively repairs cracks, scratches, dents, or holes in a bathtub. If installed correctly, the repair kit will solve your leaking bathtub permanently. The kit is highly efficient on plastic or fiberglass bathtubs. But it doesn’t work well with metal or ceramic bathtubs, although you can still use it as a temporary leak cover.
Repair kits come with all the necessary items to do all patch-up work without a plumber. The kit includes two separate repair compounds: part A and part B. Mix the compounds and apply them to the cracked area, then give it some hours to cure.
Will Flex Seal Repair a Cracked Bathtub?
Only use the seal to prevent leaks for a few days as you look for a permanent sealant. This is due to the sealant’s inability to sustain drastic changes in temperature and less structural characteristics to fill leaks permanently.
How Long Will Flex Seal Last When Applied?
When applied to a surface, you should leave the flex seal to settle for 3 to 4 days if you want it to last longer. In general, the durability and efficiency of the seal depend on the type of surface it’s applied on. A flex seal applied multiple times will last longer than single coats.
Flex seal though a perfect temporary solution for cracks in bathtubs or sinks, doesn’t have structural requirements for filling cracks permanently. A bathtub should be maintained regularly to endure daily use. Cracks in the bathtub should not be overlooked; they should be filled immediately to stop leaks and avoid more extensive damage.