
Your
shower enclosure will undergo a lot of use during its lifetime, and it’s no surprise that it can sustain some damage. However expensive or top-quality your
shower tray is, if something heavy is dropped or the tray is mistreated, it is inevitable that cracks will appear. Indeed, a cracked shower tray is not unusual, but it is not something that cannot be fixed. It is important that cracks in a shower tray are fixed properly as water seeping through can cause mould, damp and further damage – and very quickly, too – so if you want to know how to fix it, you’re in the right place! Here’s our very brief guide to fixing a cracked shower tray in easy steps.
Get the Right Materials – you need to buy the right repair kit for your shower, so check whether it is a resin one or an acrylic model. Your local hardware store will be able to sell you the right kit, so talk to them about the best way forward.
Examine the Crack – check that you have the exact location of the crack pinpointed and that there are no more. An unnoticed crack may have caused strain on your shower tray and led to more cracks appearing, so you need to be aware of all of them and the full extent.
Clean the Tray – to apply the epoxy fixing and the patch that will cover the crack it needs to be perfectly clean, so give your shower tray a thorough wash before you begin the process, and leave it to dry completely.
Using Filler or a Patch – there are two methods of physically fixing a shower tray crack; one is to use
filler, and the other is to apply a fibreglass patch. Your local store will be able to advise you on which route you need to take, and both are simple jobs. In each case, you need to prepare the crack for fixing by sanding down around it; the rough surface you create will help the epoxy or resin to attach correctly. Brush away the dust, and you are ready to fix the crack.
Filler – apply the filler that you have been supplied as directed on the container; it may consist of two elements that need to be mixed, so do this in a throw-away container. Apply it nice and thick to the crack – remember you will smooth it out later so don’t worry about how it looks at this point – and then leave it to dry. It’s best to leave overnight to be certain. To finish off, sand away the excess until you are happy with how it looks, and you’re done!
A Patch – apply the glue and patch to the crack as directed by the makers, and trim away any excess. Leave it to dry, and trim further if required – and that’s it! That’s how easy it is to fix a cracked shower tray, but be aware that if cracks appear regularly or you can see more than one it may be that your tray is incorrectly fitted, so it might be advisable to get a professional in to have a look. For single cracks, the DIY way saves you a great deal of money!