Bathtub liners are a much more expensive method of restoring an old bathtub.
Sometimes water seeps in between the liner and the old bathtub. This stagnate water can then lead to rust problems and foul odors.
Bathtub liners may also form cracks caused by excessive gaps between the liner and the bathtub or from the hydrostatic pressure of the water underneath.
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Cracked bathtub liner
The bathtub liner cracked and had to be removed.
Bathtub liner disaster
The liner was removed so the bathtub could be refinished.
Bathtub liner poor fit
This shows much “filler” was used. This means there was a large internal gap between the old bathtub and the bathtub liner. This large gap resulted in excessive flex in the liner. It wasn’t too long until the liner cracked.
Bathtub liner at thickest
At an outside edge, the bathtub liner appears to be substantial and strong, about .275″ thick.
Bathtub liner crossection
After the cracked bathtub liner was cut in two, you can see the problem. You can only see the “thick edges on a new bathtub liner.
Bathtub liner at thinnest
At the thinnest (and weakest) point, the bathtub liner was only .045″ thin.
Liner removed and bathtub refinished
The surround was reinstalled after the bathtub was reglazed.