DIY shower tray repair

In detail: DIY shower tray repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

On the market, cabins are presented in various variations, but the most widespread are corner showers of a closed type with glass or fiberglass sliding doors and a shallow tray for draining water.

Subject to the installation rules and timely maintenance, such a booth can serve for more than 10 years, but often the owners of the booths face problems already in the first years of use.

One of the most common problems is cracks in the pallet, since it is on it that the main load falls during the operation of the product.

In modern shower enclosures, acrylic (white plastic) trays are used. This is a fairly strong and "warm" material, it is not afraid of moisture, however, under the influence of excessive load, acrylic can bend and crack. The acrylic surface can also be damaged by dropping heavy objects.

If the crack is large, the best solution is to completely replace the pallet (these are standard sizes and are sold separately). Minor damage can be repaired at home.

It should be borne in mind that acrylic has poor adhesion and a special glue is needed to glue it. It should also be taken into account that the repaired surface will continue to be exposed to stress, as well as to aggressive exposure to moisture and detergents.

In this regard, the repair must be carried out in two stages: first, a patch of reinforced fabric is glued on the back of the pallet, and only after that visual defects on the front side are eliminated.

For quick repair of deep scratches, chips and small cracks on the face of the pallet, a ready-made universal repair kit for acrylic bathtubs is suitable.

Video (click to play).

The kit is sold at plumbing stores and usually includes:

solvent;
liquid acrylic;
acrylic hardener;
a paste for polishing and glossing the restored surface;
polishing cloth
gloves, a stick for mixing the components.

On sale you can find repair kits from different manufacturers ("Samodelkin", "New Bath", etc.)

To eliminate through cracks and holes on the back of the pallet, a patch must be glued.

For her, you additionally need to prepare:

fiberglass sheets;
EDP (epoxy glue);
small spatula for applying glue.

EDP universal two-component adhesive is sold as a mixing kit (epoxy + hardener).

EDP glue is made on the basis of epoxy resin, which is insensitive to moisture and other irritants. If you observe the proportions indicated in the instructions, you do not need to worry about the durability of the glue seam: the glued area will not be inferior in strength to the materials to be joined.

EDP is the most affordable epoxy glue (a set of two components costs about 150 rubles), it also has more expensive imported counterparts.

For example, Plexus MA 420 fiberglass adhesive, which is ideal for gluing composite materials and requires virtually no preliminary surface preparation. Its only drawback is its high cost (about 2400 rubles per package).

To repair an acrylic shower tray, you need to have easy access to its front and back sides. To do this, the cab will have to be disassembled.

The order of further actions is as follows:

We exclude further crack propagation. To do this, remove the stress from the zone of its formation.A few millimeters from the edges of the crack, you need to drill through holes of small diameter (3-5 mm) using a drill and drill;

We glue the patch on the back of the crack. First you need to clean from dirt and degrease the surface to be repaired. We cut out several patches of a suitable size from fiberglass, which must be glued in several layers to achieve maximum bond strength.

It is simple to prepare the adhesive: you just need to mix the EAF resin with the hardener in the proportion indicated by the manufacturer.

Since the glue hardens almost instantly, you must act immediately. The resin is applied with a brush to the cleaned surface in abundant quantities and laid with fiberglass. After the first layer has dried, the second and third layers are applied in a similar way. When the patch is finally seized, the pallet is turned over and the crack is repaired from the front side.

Fill the crack with liquid acrylic and polish it. In accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, we prepare a liquid acrylic mixture and apply it to the damage. After drying, the surface is treated with a polishing paste.

VIDEO DESCRIPTION

Almost all cracks and holes in the shower tray can be repaired on your own, but you should first determine the feasibility of repair. If the damage is severe, it makes sense to completely replace the pallet.

Care should be taken when choosing the composition for cleaning and degreasing acrylic surfaces, as some solvents can damage the outer layer of the pallet.

We recommend gluing in a well-ventilated area. The reconditioned pallet can be used only after the adhesive has completely dried.

Beautiful plastic booths quickly filled the world market and imperceptibly moved into the apartments of townspeople and the houses of villagers. They were loved for their practicality and functionality.

Over time, some elements of the boxes fail, others wear out, however, skilled owners repair the shower cabin and restore or replace parts on their own.

Economical showers with a minimum of functions or expensive hydromassage boxes are designed for daily hygiene - taking a shower.

Some of them can be used as a bath. These are complex devices with many parts. There are a lot of box modifications: from open, resembling an ordinary shower with protective partitions, to closed, sealed and stuffed with electronics.

Simple self-assembled models and complex factory modifications also break, and some of the problems are common. For example, any of the presented cabins can crack the protective screen or fail the mixer.

A list of breakdowns that are most often encountered by users of shower boxes:

wear of the ladder or water seal installed under the bottom;
deformation of the pallet or the appearance of cracks on its surface;
mechanical damage to doors or protective screens;
breakage of door rollers or hinges responsible for opening;
failure of shower equipment - watering can, hose, mixer.

Read also: Do-it-yourself mixer repair

Complicated electronically controlled models can break electrical parts or experience a software failure.

Only specialists are able to deal with electronics on their own, broken glass or a deformed pallet is better to replace, however, minor breakdowns can be eliminated on your own.

For example, to repair the rollers, restore the pallet, clean the plumbing filter or clean up scratches on the plastic screen, even an amateur can do it.

Professional repairs are another waste of the household budget, and sometimes urgent restoration of parts is required. Therefore, we will find out how to fix a broken shower cabin on our own, without the involvement of qualified craftsmen.Let's consider only those situations in which special skills are not required.

The design of the built-in shower mixer differs from the traditional type, installed on the sink or above the bath.

It consists of a control unit - two handles and working communications - a system of thin tubes. The first ceramic cartridge with holes is responsible for switching hot / cold water, the second regulates the flow of water in the desired direction.

You can understand that the cartridge is faulty or the housing element is cracked by the leak that appears. Water begins to leak either when the tap is turned on, or constantly. In the first case, the seal is likely to wear out, in the second - a crack on the cartridge.

The opposite is also possible - water does not flow well into the shower. This is due to blockages: over time, the holes become clogged with limescale or corrosive deposits.

To cope with the problem, it is necessary to dismantle the entire mixer block. For work, you will need a set of screwdrivers, pliers with narrow legs. Purpose: disassemble the mixer, find the cause of the leak, repair or replace the part, install the unit in place.

Crack bonding is a temporary fix. In order for the mixer to continue performing all available functions, it is necessary to replace the cartridge with a new one.

However, preventive cleaning of metal and plastic parts is helpful. To reduce lime scale, we recommend using filters, both special for shower cabins, and general filters installed on the water supply pipes.

Cast iron and even steel pallets are not used in shower cabins. New models are made of acrylic - a durable, "warm", lightweight material.

But the acrylic bottom has a huge drawback - frequent breakdowns due to the large weight of a person taking a shower, or due to mechanical damage. In both cases, cracks form through which water flows out.

If water begins to flow from under the base of the cabin, the bottom is significantly deformed or cracks become visible - this is a signal for urgent repair.

A small wear can be restored without removing the pallet from its place, but for a thorough repair it is necessary to disassemble the booth and dismantle the base.

spatula, chisel, stationery knife, sandpaper - to remove the acrylic layer;
a drill with attachments and an engraver - for cleaning the base and cracks;
brushes for applying glue and acrylic fill.

To completely renovate a pallet, you first need to remove the old acrylic layer, clean all surfaces, make a patch of fiberglass from the outside and an acrylic fill from the inside.

In order for a fiberglass patch to serve for a long time, you must choose high-quality glue. An example of a reliable composition is the two-component EDP glue. It does not react to water and maintains its adhesion quality for many years.

The advantage of the imported analogue Plexus MA 420 is excellent adhesion even to an unpolished surface. But the alternative costs more than 2 thousand rubles, while the domestic EAF is 140-160 rubles.

If there is a choice before replacement and repair, you can safely experiment with the restoration with your own hands. It will not work - you can always buy a replacement, but if everything succeeds, you will acquire an almost new pallet and useful skills.

Small inconspicuous rollers hide under decorative strips at the bottom of glass or plastic doors.

They are tightly covered, nevertheless, water penetrates through the slots even into the bearings. As a result, the internal metal elements of the rollers become covered with rust and become clogged with dirt - a sediment of imperfect composition of tap water.

You will notice the need for cleaning or replacement when the door starts to open with force, strange noises when moving and partial blocking.

The problem is solved simply: you need an anti-rust solution, kerosene, grease, a screwdriver and pliers.

The final touch is the installation of a decorative overlay.We check the quality of work by opening and closing the booth door. After cleaning, it should move freely, without squeaking and delay.

The sooner you notice the problem and clean the rollers, the easier the procedure will be. In advanced cases, the balls inside the body are tightly "welded", it becomes extremely difficult to restore their work.

In some situations, it is easier to buy new parts, but it is not always possible to find the right size.

We do not recommend repairing the cab electronics. If the hardware has stopped correctly executing the commands, you need to call the wizard. Warranty repairs are free of charge, so be sure to keep your receipts and paperwork.

For post-warranty service, you can contact a company specializing in plumbing repair.

For replacement of glasses, pallet or complete disassembly / assembly of the booth, you can also contact the master. If you have no experience of such work and free time, then you can save more than one day by spending a small amount.

It is useful to check the prices of the parts before starting the repair. It also happens that replacing a pallet or shower block costs a little more than restoration work, so it makes sense not to waste time and just install new structural elements.

Videos, shot by craftsmen and amateurs, contain many useful tips and recommendations for repair work.

How to repair the pallet or prevent leakage:

How to avoid buying a new door roller:

There is nothing eternal in our world, so shower cabins also need to be repaired from time to time.

The susceptibility of pallets to various kinds of mechanical damage is explained very simply, because they bear the main load during the operation of the shower.

Acrylic, from which most shower trays are made, although durable, but at the same time quite fragile material. True, unlike glass counterparts, such products can be repaired at home.

The most common type of damage to the shower tray is cracks. Depending on the degree of their depth, cracks are:

through (holes);
small superficial (no more than 35 cm in length and an area not exceeding 100 × 100 mm);
a network of small cracks (scratches).

The main causes of cracks are:

Incorrect installation. If the technology was violated during the installation of the pallet, for example, the pallet was not aligned horizontally or the fasteners were not tightened tightly enough, then during its operation the load will be unevenly distributed, which can lead to the formation of cracks.
Initial manufacturing defects of the product. Quite a rare case, but sometimes before buying it is impossible to determine the presence of hidden internal flaws that can only appear during operation. But usually they are detected much earlier than the warranty period expires, so repairing such a pallet is not worth it.
Carelessness during operation. The most common reason. In the case when relatively cheap models of Chinese-made pallets are used in the shower, sometimes it is enough just to drop the shower head from the hands to form a crack.

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The specific steps for repairing cracks directly depend on the type of crack. In general, in order to repair almost any cracked pallet on your own, you need to have the following materials and tools:

ethanol;
hardener;
sandpaper;
acrylic paint;
epoxy resin;
acrylic liner or fiberglass;
stationery tape;
liquid acrylic;
brush;
medium sized rubber spatula;
drill with a special polishing attachment;
angle grinder.

The simplest case is when the crack on the pallet is very small and only extends along its surface.

To eliminate it, you don't even need to remove the product, you just need to dry it before repairing it.

Using a brush, cover the entire crack surface with acrylic paint in several layers and let it dry for a day.

The process of repairing deep cracks and holes looks a little more complicated. In this case, it is necessary:

Dismantle the pallet if the damage is in a hard-to-reach place or it is through.
Expand the crack with a grinder, making a chamfer along its broken edges.
Clean the seam from all kinds of contamination by rinsing it with water and degreasing it with ethyl alcohol. Under no circumstances should aggressive detergents be used for cleaning.
Mix liquid acrylic with hardener in appropriate proportions according to the instructions.
Apply the resulting mixture to the damaged area of the pallet using a plastic or rubber spatula in abundance so that it completely fills the crack. Then remove any excess acrylic that has come out.
If the crack is through, then on the reverse side, previously also cleaned and degreased, you should attach patches of acrylic liner or fiberglass, abundantly impregnated in epoxy resin.
Cover the crack with tape and let the mixture dry. This usually takes from 1 hour to a day (the duration depends on the composition of a particular repair kit).
After the composition has dried, peel off and grind the surface of the pallet with sandpaper or an electric drill with a special nozzle.

Regardless of the complexity of the work, all of them should be carried out in a well-ventilated area, since the materials used in the process (acrylic paint, epoxy resin, hardener) in a liquid state are harmful to human health and pets.

However, not everything is so rosy, because in some cases you still have to replace the pallet with a new one. For example, if a deep crack has formed in the place where the maximum load falls, then there is a high probability that the repair made will be useless.

You can, of course, try to repair the pallet, but in this case, there is a possibility that the product will be destroyed right in the process of taking a shower, and this can lead not only to water leakage, but also to quite serious injuries.

It is not worth doing repairs even if this is already the reappearance of cracks. Today, buying a new pallet will cost about 2,500-4,000 rubles.

Read here which pallets are available for shower cabins. Helpful advice on choosing.

In order to reduce the likelihood of cracking on the surface of the shower tray, you need to follow simple guidelines:

Observe the installation technology.
Carefully use the pallet during the operation of the cabin, do not drop heavy objects on it and do not jump while taking water procedures.
Do not use aggressive detergents that can thin the acrylic sides of the pallet.
Purchase products of verified brands in authorized trade facilities with the provision of a guarantee.

If, nevertheless, it was necessary to seal the crack, then to increase the service life of the product, you can strengthen the bottom of the pallet by doing the following:

Remove the front screen and lay a brick cushion under the bottom without using cement mortar;
Fill the space between the bricks and the pallet with low expansion polyurethane foam.

Read also: DIY photo studio repair

The modern world dictates its own rules to people, forcing them to run faster and faster through life, which is probably why in most apartments, as well as private houses, old, bulky and such comfortable baths began to be replaced with comfortable and compact shower stalls, which significantly save time, with this fulfilling its functions, that is, providing high-quality washing at any time.

But this is not at all about this, but about the fact that the main load in the shower goes, of course, to the pallet, which is why numerous scratches, chips, cracks and other mechanical damage appear on its surface, which at first seem small and insignificant, but then they can reach catastrophic proportions when the replacement of this part is the only way out of the situation. So is it possible to immediately organize the repair of the shower tray with our own hands, will it be expedient and justified financially, will it be possible to cope with such a difficult task and is it possible to perform all the actions at home and we will try to figure it out.

Photos from the site:>

There is a huge selection of various types and types of shower trays on the market, and they are made from a wide variety of materials, from ordinary and familiar to everyone, classic ceramics, to innovative artificial stone, which today even "knows" how to warm up from the inside. However, the most popular were and remain acrylic pallets, due to their quite acceptable properties and qualities, as well as the price that is quite affordable for any buyer. In addition, there is quite complete information on how to repair a shower tray made of acrylic, that is, you can do everything yourself, without turning to professionals, whose services are necessarily paid.

Most of the pallets for conventional shower stalls at affordable prices are made from such a common material as acrylic. It is quite durable, it is not at all afraid of temperature changes or, even more so, humidity. However, it is quite fragile, especially when it does not have reinforcement in the thickness of the material. Such pallets need to be handled with the utmost gentleness and care, and if the shower tray is cracked, it is better to ask a real specialist what to do. Only knowing for sure that you can handle it, you can take on repairs, although even if it fails, you just have to get a new one.

There is also a catch, since it is acrylic that can easily burst, scratch, break off, if handled carelessly, or even by accident. True, you should not be upset, since this unique material is easy to repair, the main thing here is not to miss the moment, but to do everything on time, until the entire surface is covered with ugly black cracks and so on. Repair of acrylic shower trays is possible both in a special workshop and simply at home, so do not worry, if you try, anyone can do it. It is convenient to divide all types of breakdowns into subcategories, and then repair them as they occur, without putting them on the back burner.

The simplest scratches, which are extremely easy and simple to cover with a special compound, usually included in the main kit, specially developed for this purpose.
Shallow and shallow ruts and minor cracks.
Through holes and holes in which edges converge or do not converge.

It is clear that the shower tray cannot be damaged by itself, unless the builders or you yourself installed it incorrectly, and it simply could not withstand the load.In all other cases, if a crack appears in the shower tray, then, most likely, it is precisely those who improperly operated it that are to blame. Moreover, there may be several such reasons, you should definitely understand them in more detail and get to know better. So, let's try to classify breakdowns into categories.

As already mentioned, improper installation of equipment, that is, its incorrect installation and assembly, often leads to such consequences as a crack in the shower tray, and we will tell you what to do in this case below.
The original factory defect of the pallet can also easily and simply lead to the fact that it simply bursts during use, and sometimes even right at the time of installation.
Carelessness and negligence during the use of the shower can also lead to its breakage. For example, all such surfaces are afraid of pinpoint impacts, so you should not drop anything heavy on them, and the shower head itself may turn out to be that fatal contraption that broke your pallet. Chips and cracks may immediately appear on its surface, which must be repaired in order to eliminate the leak.

It is imperative to understand that, in many respects, do-it-yourself repair of the shower tray, and the video at the end of our article will definitely and clearly demonstrate all possible options, it will almost directly depend on the type of breakdown. Moreover, some special devices and tools may be required there, which are far from always at hand even with the most advanced home craftsman. But this rarely happens, and most often every man has almost everything he needs to seal a variety of cracks and chips, scratches and even through holes.

Photos from the site: GidroGuru.com

First, whatever one may say, you need to prepare everything and only then get down to business, especially since you won't have to do anything super complicated. If you are tormented by the question of what to do when the shower tray burst, the video will help you understand and decide exactly. In fact, you first need to collect the necessary materials and tools, and only when everything is ready to start the repair process itself. Otherwise, you may have to quit your job and run in search of something else, and in the meantime, the paint will harden, everything will dry out, and the pallet will only have to be thrown away. Thus, to the question of how to repair an acrylic shower tray, there is a funny, but completely true answer - everything is gentle to do extremely quickly and clearly.

Medical, quality, 90% or 70% ethyl alcohol, which can be purchased at a regular pharmacy without a prescription.
Acrylic, special purpose liner, or a piece of fiberglass, if the hole is through. If it is difficult or impossible to find such an acrylic insert in hardware stores, and a repair kit was not offered at all in the kit, then a small piece of fiberglass can be purchased at automotive spare parts stores.
Medium to very fine sandpaper.
The most common scotch tape, on which half of the country is kept, is scissors, as well as a brush.
Small spatula made of rubber. If there is no special one, you can use the one with which you made the grout of the tiles.

Ideally, you should also have a drill with special grinding attachments and an angle grinder. Naturally, you can cope with sandpaper, fixed on a wooden block, but it will take much longer, although maybe even better. However, this is far from all, since you need to find out how to glue the acrylic shower tray, that is, what materials and substances it would be advisable to use in this case.

It's not a shame to ask the right questions, because if you buy a pallet in a store, do not forget to ask how to seal the shower tray if it suddenly bursts, and the seller must have an answer ready, and in advance. In fact, the most advanced brands and consumer goods companies offer a complete DIY crafting kit, meaning in fact, you just have to follow the instructions and the kit is included in the kit. However, if you accidentally or intentionally bought a counterfeit stall, it makes sense to find out how to glue the shower tray, if there is no repair kit in the original delivery.

In order to insulate the pallet, a two-component acrylic compound is required. You need to connect the components and prepare it immediately before starting the repair, otherwise it will dry out and lose its properties.
You may also need an epoxy adhesive, which also has two components and takes slightly longer to dry than acrylic.
Some masters recommend using ordinary professional shoe glue called "Dismokol" to repair acrylic shower trays. It has excellent adhesion as well as hydrophobic properties, but it can flake off under constant stress.

If you are faced with the question of how to repair a crack in the shower tray, then you need to think about how you will prepare the surface. It is imperative to know that you can degrease acrylic only with the help of a special compound, or ordinary medical alcohol. No petroleum products, as well as acetone solvents, should be used at any time, since they can damage acrylic, corrode it and spoil it.

Many are interested in the question of how to glue the acrylic shower tray, if only a few cracks appear on it, and even then, not at all through, and in general, is it possible to do this and whether it is necessary. Naturally, if you do not closely monitor the condition of your own pallet, then most likely it will become unusable very quickly, especially as such a fragile material like acrylic. It will be much easier and faster to immediately figure out how to glue the shower tray, and conduct audits and inspections on a regular basis, than then mess with the holes in your "vessel".

Photos from the site: GidroGuru.com

It is not necessary to remove the pallet, since you will have to repack all the plumbing, which is not at all necessary with a superficial crack.
First, you need to qualitatively remove all the water from the pallet, wipe it, and also let it dry for at least an hour or two.
Wipe the crack itself, as well as the area around it, with a cotton swab dipped in ethyl alcohol to degrease the surface, ensuring a secure adhesion to the adhesive.
Using a regular brush, apply a layer of acrylic compound, after mixing it as indicated in the instructions and let it dry a little.
After the acrylic has dried a little, you can apply a second layer, making sure that there is not too much of it.

The action can be repeated as many times as you like until you are satisfied with the result. After the last layer, keep in mind that the less paint you apply, the better it will hold, you need to let the acrylic dry completely for at least a day, but two or three is better. If the place of the crack seems sloppy to you, you can walk over it with fine sandpaper, and then paint over it carefully with a thin layer.

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All of the above related to such a crack, which is not through, but what to do and how to fix the shower tray, which is completely cracked and through and through? But this question also has a simple answer, and such a task is not at all difficult to cope with. True, it will not be childish to tinker, but the cost of a new pallet, the purchase of which will then be postponed indefinitely, will be able to save money and spend this money on something more necessary.

Photos from the site:>

The time until complete drying will need to be seen in the instructions for the acrylic composition. Most often, it can vary between one hour and a whole day, but it is better to let the pallet dry thoroughly, this will definitely not hurt. Excess acrylic must be removed immediately, and the place of gluing must be covered with tape. If, when completely dry, you find irregularities, you can carefully grind them with simple fine sandpaper, or with a drill with a special nozzle, and paint over with the same acrylic compound on top. But if even now it is not entirely clear to you how this could have happened, that the shower tray burst, and what to do, the video will definitely clarify all the misunderstandings.