Is Ceramic Tile Resurfacing a Good Idea for Your Home Project?

Are your tile walls in need of an upgraded look? It’s normal for ceramic tiles to become dull or damaged over time. Luckily, bringing your bathroom back to life does not require full demolition and reconstruction. Experienced tub resurfacing companies can transform your current tiles to give you an affordable, beautiful and quick renovation.

What Is Ceramic Tile Resurfacing?

Unlike ceramic tile replacement, tile resurfacing does not demolish your current tile walls. Instead, it uses a process of deep cleaning, repair and coating application to bring your ceramic tiles back to life. This process, on average, takes around five hours, but completion time can vary from project to project. Once your tile refinishing is complete, it will take 24 to 48 hours to completely cure and be ready for use again.

The steps of ceramic tile resurfacing include:

• Cleaning: The first step is to prep the area by cleaning the tile’s surface. This can include sanding down the surface, using an industrial strength cleaners, and an acid etch to make the tiles more porous. A clean substrate free of dirt and debris allows for a smooth application and surface longevity.
• Grout repair: Over time, your grout may chip or crack. Filling in these damaged spots will help your tiles look brand new giving your tile walls a seamless look that is much easier to clean.
• Priming: Priming is a crucial step for the best finish and long-lasting results. Similar to priming a wall before painting, priming before resurfacing tiles allows the new glaze-like products to adhere properly.
• Coating: New coating will be applied over the tile and grout lines to give your tiles the look of brand-new ceramic tiles without the hassle and expense of fully replacing your tiled surface. Resurfacing coatings come in several different colored finishes and styles.

What Are the Benefits of Ceramic Tile Resurfacing?

There are several options when it comes to renovating or upgrading your bathroom. Tub resurfacing should be a top option for any homeowner, as it provides several benefits such as low cost, quick installation and customizable options.

Faster

When you choose to resurface your ceramic tile rather than undergoing a full replacement, you can avoid some of the extra steps necessary in a complete replacement. Much like tub refinishing, you can avoid the time-consuming process of removing old materials. With removal also comes the clean-up process because tile demolition and removal can make a bit of a mess.

Additionally, when you replace your tiles, you may run into the issue of having to wait for your new tiles to arrive. If you have custom-ordered tiles, or there are shipping or manufacturing issues, your renovation will be on hold until they arrive. Luckily, with ceramic tile resurfacing, most projects can be completed in just one day. The process of resurfacing itself is also much quicker than a full replacement.

Cost-Effective

If you want to renovate your bathroom on a budget, ceramic tile resurfacing is a great way to get the look you love without breaking the bank. Fewer materials are needed, and the project time is shorter, which means lower labor costs. Bringing your old tiles back to life through resurfacing can save you up to 50% compared to a tile replacement service.

Less Mess

Tile resurfacing uses your current tiles to give you a new, refreshed look. Since you are not removing any tiles, you avoid the huge mess that comes with a tile replacement. Less mess also means shorter project time since removing and safely disposing of old tiles can take up a significant chunk of time.

Easier to Maintain

Resurfaced ceramic tiles look as good as new. That means any previous staining or imperfections are now gone. Cleaning your newly finished tiles and maintaining their beauty is much easier once you have a fresh starting point. No more scrubbing or meticulous cleaning is needed for your tiles to look glossy and fresh.

Various Color Options

Tile reglazing allows you to bring your tiles back to life while changing up your bathroom design. That’s right — you can change the color of your tiles without having to replace them. Custom stone finishes are also a popular option for tile refinishing.

If you love the color of your current tiles, no worries. Custom Tub and Tile Resurfacing offers color match services so you can keep the look you love.

How Long Does Professional Ceramic Tile Tub Resurfacing Last?

Resurfaced ceramic tiles can last around 10 to 15 years, depending on maintenance and traffic. If you routinely clean and maintain your tile walls, you can expect it to meet or exceed the 15-year life expectancy. For households with bigger families or more frequent bathroom usage, your tub lifetime may be on the shorter side, depending on how well it is maintained.

How to Properly Maintain Refinished Ceramic Tile

Keeping your newly refinished ceramic or porcelain tile looking flawless is surprisingly easy. Maintaining a consistent cleaning schedule allows you to use the most gentle cleaning techniques, which keeps your tile walls looking better for longer. If you wait until there is visible dirt or discoloration, you might need more intensive cleaning methods, which can damage the tub. The reccomended care instructions and cleaning guide sent to you after your service is complete will help maintain your tile’s new surface and shiny look.

A non-abrasive maintenance routine for your refinished ceramic bathtub includes the following steps:

• Rinse: Rinse the tile walls with warm water to remove any lingering debris or excess soap buildup.
• Apply soap: Use a gentle, non-abrasive liquid soap and generously cover the tile walls. Dish soap and water is great at cutting through body oils while still being gentle on the coating, but you’ll want to use a sponge to evenly distribute the soap mixture. Other gentle cleaners can be applied with a spray bottle.
• Let it soak: Let the soap sit for around three to five minutes or as recommended by the manufacturer, to give the soap enough time to thoroughly disinfect the area and cut through any residue or oils.
• Scrub: Scrub the tub with a soft sponge or microfiber cloth. Avoid sponges with a rough side because they may scratch or damage the tile’s surface.
• Rinse again: Rinse the soap off with warm water. Be sure to completely remove all soap, as any remaining product can create a slippery surface or discolor the finish of your tiles.
• Dry: Use a soft towel or cloth to dry up the area and ensure you’ve fully rinsed away your soap or other cleaning products.

When cleaning your ceramic tile, be sure to avoid abrasive cleaners and tools. Some of these products to avoid include:

• Steel wool soap pads
• Sponges with an abrasive layer on one or both sides
• Products that contain ammonia
• Products that contain bleach
• Abrasive cream cleansers
• Powdered cleansers

When cleaning your tile, you also want to avoid steam cleaning or power wash cleaning methods. Steam cleaning can damage your refinished tiles, and it won’t provide you with a true, safe clean. Additionally, power washing is too harsh on the surface and can lead to peeling and other damage.

Find Quality Ceramic Tile Resurfacing Near You

Are you ready to upgrade your bathroom? At Custom Tub and Tile Resurfacing, we’re ready to give you the bathroom of your dreams. You can trust our experts for all your refinishing needs. Request a free quote today or reach out to our team for more information.