So, you’ve taken the plunge and you’re remodeling your in-need-of-love New Jersey home. It’s almost 50/50 on whether you’ve chosen the bathroom or the kitchen. Since you’ve found yourself looking up tubs, we’ll go out on a limb and say that the powder room is on the chopping block. You can break a bathroom remodel down into a few parts. There are the superficial fixtures, like lights, sconces and shower curtains. There are the complex — and expensive — changes like the flooring or the plumbing. And then there’s that middle ground, where you’ll find vanities and the topic of today’s commentary: the bathroom tub.
Choose A New Tub…Or Else?!
Okay, so this one is pretty scary. One of the chemicals used in refinishing bathroom tubs is called methylene chloride. It’s very nasty on the human body, especially when working in an enclosed space with little ventilation — like a bathroom. Multiple deaths have been reported in the past few years from even professionals using this stuff. So if you’re updating to get that bright white color like on the tub pictured above, maybe think twice about cutting corners there.
A New Tub for the Kiddos
We all know that kids tend to be at higher risk when it comes to exposure to toxins. That’s why it’s extra scary to think that bath time could be harming them. It turns out that older tubs may contain lead, the second most common source behind the paint. If you’re already renovating, it might be time to spring for that new tub instead. Use this as the perfect excuse to say out with the old and in with the new!
A Slip-Free Tub
Okay, this is starting to make us realize why people might have only taken baths once a year. Have you ever heard of how your home is the most likely place for an accident? Well, it turns out the bathroom is a big culprit there! And one-third of those powder room related medical emergencies involve the bath or shower. A nice slip-resistant tub may just save you an expensive emergency room visit.
Leaky Tubs
Finally, a ho-hum downside to old tubs that doesn’t involve health scares! Unless you count mold, that is. Depending on the material and quality of construction, an older tub may become prone to leaking over the years. And if you’ve appropriately caulked the edges, you may not even know about a slow drip for a very long time. Until it leads to mold or even structural damage. Maybe you need a sassy red freestanding tub like the one above to replace that shower kit so you’ll be able to keep an eye on it…
We’ll be honest, older tubs can go seriously wrong. If you’re looking into replacing one (or more) while remodeling your New Jersey home, there are plenty of beautiful and affordable options out there.
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