Monthly Archives: September 2013

Quick and Easy Updates for Hotels Stuck in the ‘70s

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Ever stayed at a hotel with a “squishy” bathtub? Or maybe you own or work at a hotel with ‘70s bathroom décor.  A poorly maintained hotel room will undoubtedly dampen a guest’s experience, and in some cases, damage or neglect can be safety hazards. Save yourself money down the line with inexpensive, beautiful remodeling with Refinish First. Hotel rooms take a lot of abuse but we can upgrade them quickly, affordably, and with amazing results!

Refinish First’s proprietary surface refinishing is significantly more economical than replacement—and we can often return your rooms to service in about 24 hours. We repair and refinish all types of bathroom surfaces, including porcelain, Formica, fiberglass, and cultured marble. Our finishes are guaranteed against peeling and adhesion failure. We also install grab bars and provide slip-resistant surfaces for bathroom safety.

Whether you need a completely new look or just a few chips repaired, Refinish First is ready to help. Services we perform for hotels and resorts:

Contact Refinish First today to get started with a free estimate!

Want more information about how Refinish First has helped other hotels efficiently update their hotel rooms? View our Case Study on Hotel Bathroom Remodeling.

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Tile Replacement or Refinish First Refinishing?

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Replacing bathroom tile just because the grout needs repair, the tile is a dated color or you have a single tile missing, is an expensive proposition. You can save up to 75% of replacement costs by having your bathroom tile refinished by Refinish First. Ceramic tile refinishing is an affordable, durable and beautiful alternative to removal and replacement of tile countertops, vanities and walls.

Bathroom tile around the bathtub, on the walls or on the vanity are all excellent candidates for tile refinishing. Refinish First’s process of cleaning the tile, use of our bonding agent, and application of superior top coats will assure you a durable long-lasting finish for your bathroom tile. Our process involves specialized equipment, primers, bonding agents, top coats and clear finishes. The differences between painting vs. refinishing tile are durability, surface gloss and how long the new surface will last. Even though these terms sound technical, our process is much quicker and far more economical than replacement.

Compared to refinishing tile, replacing bathroom tile can be a very difficult process. Determine what is behind the tile. If the tile is set in plaster or lightweight concrete, it will be much more difficult to remove than if the tile is glued or set onto green board or drywall. Once the tile has been chiseled off the wall, it is likely the backer board would need to be replaced. This is a messy, dirty process and you’ll need to be prepared to have the bathtub out of service for days if not weeks. Before you start ripping down tile, be sure to get a free estimate from Refinish First. We can refinish this same bathroom tile for a fraction of the cost and generally have your bathroom back in use in 24 hours!

The Refinish First – Steps to Refinishing Tile

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  1. Your home comes first:
    Refinish First takes great care to ensure that all the surrounding area is masked off and protected from overspray. Exhaust fans will be used to properly exhaust any unpleasant odors from the refinishing process.
  2. Surface preparation is very important:
    The tile surface is cleaned using a special two-step process to remove any dirt, grease or other substance that may interfere with the refinishing process. All chips are filled and sanded until smooth and level.
  3. Making it stick – the critical difference:
    The key to professional refinishing results is getting the new finish to stick to the old surface. The Refinish First bonding agent, is applied to the ceramic tile to chemically “bond” the new finish onto the old surface. It provides superior adhesion and greater durability and is safe to use and handle. It’s one of the key reasons why Refinish First has become the nation’s preferred refinisher. The bonding agent eliminates the need for dangerous acids, while creating a superior bond that allows Refinish First to confidently offer an adhesion warranty on ceramic tile surfaces.
  4. The new surface:
    While Refinish First can match almost any color, our stone look finishes have become our most popular tile application. It is a technologically advanced coating that is not only beautiful, but also affordable and durable. Your Refinish First professional refinisher will be happy to provide you samples and demonstrate its durability.

Protecting Your Home from Water Damage

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Things like cracked sinks or leaky tubs and showers are not only an eyesore, they’re a safety hazard.

Water leaks lead to the growth of mold, which can cause serious health problems. In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; and with asthma symptoms in people with asthma. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children.

Damage to Tile

In addition to health problems, water leaks can cause damage to your home. A small water leak can seep in through cracks in grout or tile, eventually loosening the tiles. Repairing tile isn’t cheap, and the process to fix them is complicated. Plus, there’s no guarantee that the tile is salvageable or the subsurface fit for adhesion. If the tile is old, you may not be able to find matching tile in stores. Even if you can match the tile, you may not be able to match the old grout. In cases with serious water damage, the repair process is extensive and may put your bathroom out of commission for weeks. Refinish First’s refinishing process is much quicker, less messy, and far more economical. Our special process ensures that your tiles will look and feel like real tile.

Leaky Tub

Water from a cracked, leaky tub can seep into the baseboards of your home, threatening foundational support. If your bathroom is on the second floor, water may leak into the ceiling above, warping and ruining the ceiling. Once your home has structural damage like this, the repair process can become extremely expensive and inconvenient. No one wants to replace a ceiling, but the good news about damage like this is that it’s entirely preventable. Once you notice a leak, don’t ignore it. The damage will be far worse if you wait to fix it. Refinish First can refinish a bathtub for half the cost of replacement, which the National Kitchen and Bath Association estimates to be $3,000 or more.

Grout Repair

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Tired of crumbling grout? It’s a problem many people have to deal with. Over time, grout in tile floors, walls, or countertops becomes chipped, stained, and impossible to clean. Our refinishing process completely repairs and seals both the tile surface and the grout, creating a moisture barrier that will prevent dirt, mold, and mildew buildup. The refinished grout is easier to clean and stays clean longer.

When grout repair is necessary, the grout is floated with a special quick set mix to fill in any voids or cracks. When the grout is dry, the tile is wiped down and Refinish First’s MM-4 bonding agent is applied to ensure adhesion with the new coating.

Only after this preparation is complete can the tile be refinished with new coatings. The end result is a new look with clean and even grout lines. The grout is now permanently sealed, making the floor, wall or countertop easy to clean and maintain.

Tile grout problems we solve:

  • Unsightly chips, cracks or other damage
  • Black and moldy grout lines
  • Stained, discolored grout
  • Leaking tile
  • Germ collecting tile cracks
  • Lack of time and budget for renovation