Ask Tom & Leslie

Replacing Worn Bath Fixtures

"The worn fixtures in my master bath are in need of an update, but I don’t quite have the budget to replace everything at once. Is refinishing a viable option for some of the items?"

Basically, you need to go fixture by fixture and look at the costs involved in replacement versus refinishing. A tub or shower can be expensive to replace and also leads to a cascade of other upgrade costs including wallboard, tiling and trim, and flooring adjustments. In that case, having a pro repair chips and cracks and apply a new finish can be a money-saving solution and stave off the need for a big-ticket purchase. Sinks can also be refinished, but the cost of the job is so close to the price of a new unit that you’re better off shopping for a replacement and a nice new faucet to go with it. Old, cracked, leaky toilets aren’t worth the trouble of repair; instead, invest in one of the new WaterSense-labeled high-efficiency toilets, which can dramatically reduce your water bill during many years of service.

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