How to repair a lightly cracked porcelain shower base?

by delavin home
Sources SVG
Sources
How to treat hairline like crack in shower base? - Bunnings Workshop
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www.workshop.bunnings.com.au
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1
Repair cracked shower base | Bunnings Workshop community
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www.workshop.bunnings.com.au
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2
I have a crack in my shower tray. Can it be repaired or ... - MyBuilder
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www.mybuilder.com
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3
Shower Tray Crack Repair (No Repair Kits) - YouTube
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www.youtube.com
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4
Sources SVG
Answer
To repair a lightly cracked porcelain shower base, you can follow these steps:

Materials Needed:

  • Epoxy or porcelain repair kit
  • Fine sandpaper (around 400-600 grit)
  • Cleaning supplies (soap and water)
  • Cloth or paper towels
  • Plastic scraper or putty knife

Steps:

  1. Clean the Area:
    • Thoroughly clean the cracked area with soap and water to remove any dirt, grime, or soap scum. Ensure the area is completely dry before proceeding.
  2. Sand the Crack:
    • Lightly sand the crack and the area around it with fine sandpaper to create a rough surface for better adhesion of the repair material. Wipe away any dust with a clean, dry cloth.
  3. Prepare the Epoxy:
    • Follow the instructions on the epoxy or porcelain repair kit to mix the components. Usually, this involves mixing a resin and a hardener in a specified ratio.
  4. Apply the Epoxy:
    • Using a plastic scraper or putty knife, carefully apply the mixed epoxy into the crack. Make sure to fill the crack completely and smooth out the surface. Remove any excess epoxy around the crack.
  5. Let It Cure:
    • Allow the epoxy to cure as per the manufacturer's instructions. This may take several hours to a full day.
  6. Sand and Finish:
    • Once the epoxy has fully cured, sand the repaired area lightly to smooth it out and blend it with the surrounding surface. Clean the area again to remove any sanding dust.

Additional Tips:

  • If the crack is in a high-stress area or if the shower base flexes when stepped on, this repair might be temporary. In such cases, consider replacing the shower base to prevent further damage and potential leaks123.
  • For a more permanent solution, you might need to consult a professional who can assess the integrity of the shower base and provide a more durable repair or replacement12.
These steps should help you manage a lightly cracked porcelain shower base effectively.

References

1. How to treat hairline like crack in shower base? - Bunnings Workshop2. Repair cracked shower base | Bunnings Workshop community3. I have a crack in my shower tray. Can it be repaired or ... - MyBuilder4. Shower Tray Crack Repair (No Repair Kits) - YouTube5. Cracked porcelain shower repair



Author: Grant - The Surface Saver



Key insights

  • Small spot repair kits are useless, resurfacing the whole tray is the way to go.
  • Masking off the damaged area is crucial to prevent mess and ensure a smooth repair process.
  • Working quickly and efficiently is key to achieving a seamless shower tray crack repair.
  • ️ The material is easy to work with as long as it is applied thick, making the repair process more accessible for DIY enthusiasts.
  • Use the stick provided in the kit to scoop the excess material.
  • ️ Make sure all the filler is covered and remove the masking tape from around the edge to ensure a smooth repair.
  • Clearing the waste every half an hour for 2-3 hours until the material has stopped flowing back onto the waste cap is crucial for a successful repair.
  • ️ No need to order a repair kit, just use the techniques in this video to fix the damage.

Timestamped Summary

  • 00:00 Learn how to repair shower tray cracks and chips without replacing it using proper filler and resurfacing techniques.
  • 00:49 Repair cracks in shower tray by drilling holes, masking off, sanding, mixing filler, and pressing into damaged areas.
  • 02:20 Smooth out and shape the filler, remove tape, sand edges, dry surfaces, mask off, mix material, and apply heat while mixing for ten minutes.
  • 03:55 Apply the material in a thick layer, allow it to self-level, and use the roller to push it into place for a beautiful finish.
  • 05:32 Use roller to push material out of waste, blast bubbles with hot air gun, clear waste, remove tape, reapply silicone sealant after 24 hours, mop up excess material in drain, use stick to scoop excess, then use gloved finger to mop up remaining excess.
  • 06:27 Use the cocktail stick to pick out any filler, clear waste, and push material back to the center if it pools at the edge after resurfacing.
  • 06:58 Clear around the waste every half hour for 2-3 hours until material stops flowing, blast with heat gun if air bubbles form, then remove tape and wipe off residue.
  • 07:57 Repair almost any shower tray damage using the techniques in this video to make it look new again.

Video Full Text

  • 00:00 Hey, Grant. Here from The Surface Saver. This video covers shower tray crack repairs. There's two shower tray crack repairs and a chip repair that we cover in this video. It shows you how to get your shower tray looking great again. Without replacing it. Obviously, we don't do small spot repair kits because they are useless. Because resurfacing the whole tray is the way to go, with the proper filler and we'll show you that. All the kit is available, just click the link in the description box. Or if you are on our website, just click through to the order page to place your order. It's a great video for DIYers to get a great looking shower tray, without replacing it. Happy Resurfacing! As with all resurfacing start off by cleaning and rinsing the tray. Dry everything really well. This is the tray we are resurfacing today.
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  • 00:49 You can see the crack, the chip and the large crack around the waste pipe. Start by drilling at either end of the crack and some holes in between to stop the crack getting worse. Once you have done that scrape away any burrs. Mask around the damaged area to stop things getting messy. Mask off and cut around the drain cover using the blade from the kit. Remove the excess tape. With the wet and dry paper from the kit, sand the sharp edges smooth. Tape around the damage to reduce mess and so you can work the filler in. Squeeze out the required amount of filler onto the card. Add the hardener in a ratio of a golf ball size to a pea size of filler to hardener Mix well until all one colour. Then smear into the damaged areas. Pressing hard initially then lighter to build layers. Work the filler into the crack.
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  • 02:20 All the way around. Take the stick from the kit and clean around the waste cap. Working quickly. With your finger smooth out the filler to form what looks like the original shape of the waste. Clean with the stick again. Now remove tape. Once all the tape has been removed except what is covering the drain. After 10 mins. Take the wet and dry paper, wet it and sand the edges of the dried filler smooth. Then remove the rest of the tape. Dry all surfaces with paper towel. Dry thoroughly around the waste pipe to remove all moisture. Mask off the drain cover again and cut off the excess. Mask off the tiles or shower screen around the tray ready for resurfacing. Now the prep work is done its time to mix up the material. Pour all the hardener into the main tub. Apply gently heat to the side while mixing for ten minutes. Make sure you scrape the material on the sides of the tub.
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  • 03:55 When mixed, the material should be the consistency of heavy double cream. Now it's time to start resurfacing. Discard the mixing stick. Fill the cup from the kit. Starting in one corner, pour a thick layer. Allow the material to run into the edges and over the side. Pour another full cup from the first corner all around to the last corner. The aim is to pour a thick layer without leaving patches and allow the material to self level. Pour the rest of the material into the cup and apply to the base and any areas that are uncovered. Don't worry about being very precise, the material is so easy to work with as long as you get it on thick. Take the roller from the kit to push the material into place. The material will self level to a beautiful finish. Just use the roller to push the material around making sure you cover all surfaces and spots. Work the material from the edges to the centre. Do a few criss crosses to help the material find its level.
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  • 05:32 Use the roller to push the material out of the waste. You may notice there a bubbles forming. Don't worry just blast them with the hot air gun and they will pop in seconds. That's all the resurfacing done. All we need to do now is to clear the waste a few times and remove the tape and reapply the silicone sealant after 24 hours. Use paper towel to mop up the excess material in the drain. Use the stick provided in the kit to scoop the excess material. Once you've used paper towel, you may find it easier to use a gloved finger to mop up the excess.
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  • 06:27 Make sure all the filler is covered. If you have spotted something falling in, just use the cocktail stick from the kit to pick it out and then leave to level again. As soon as you've finished resurfacing, start clearing the waste. Then remove the masking tape from around the edge. About 20 mins after resurfacing, we noticed that the material was pooling slightly at the edge we started. Simply push the material back to the centre and leave to self level again.
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  • 06:58 About 30 mins after resurfacing, clear around the waste again using the stick provided if necessary. Depending on the height of your waste cap, you may need to clear the waste every half an hour for 2-3 hours until the material has stopped flowing back onto the waste cap for at least 1 hour. Blast with heat gun for a couple of seconds if air bubbles form. When you are sure the material has completely stopped flowing over the waste for at least 1 hour, it should be safe to remove the tape from the waste cap. If you see any residue, just wipe off carefully with paper towel. This is the finished result.
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  • 07:57 The tray is as good as new. No sign of the damage or cracks. No sign of the chip. Or the waste pipe crack. You can use the techniques in this video and apply them to fix almost any shower tray damage and get it looking great again. Click the link in the description box to order your kit or if you are on our website, just click through to the order page.
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