Cleaning and Maintaining an Acrylic Tub-Shower Unit

Today I want to share some important information about our acrylic tub-shower units.

For those of you who have an acrylic tub-shower unit, here are a few tips to keep in mind when assembling and maintaining them:

The tub itself has a nailing flange around the perimeter, and the drywall of the bathroom butts up to that. The shower walls come in three pieces: First, you install the back piece, and then the two side panels. Those are then fastened to the framing members in the home.

The channels themselves are not designed to be caught; they interlock in such a way that any water that gets into that channel will drain out of the perimeter on the bottom, where the base of the tub and the side walls meet.

That being said, there is a small drip area on the front edge of the tub where the tub meets the front/side panel. It’s about four inches long, and upon installation, that area is sealed up with silicone caulking. You don’t want it to be completely filled with caulk, but you do want some in there.This keeps the water from channelling out the front of the unit, possibly seeping into the drywall and damaging members of the wood framing.

If you ever suspect that water has been seeping into your waters—indicators include bubbled paint or paint peeling off the trim boards—you’ll want to make sealing that four-inch drip area with caulk a maintenance item.

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You can apply a non-abrasive car wax to the shower walls in the same way you would on your vehicle.

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When you’re doing your regular cleaning routine in the shower, be sure to clean that channel out. Over time, the underside of the lip can start to develop a slimy film from the shampoos and soaps you use.

Both our acrylic shower and tub-shower units are very durable. However, when it comes time to clean them, it’s important to use non-abrasive cleaners. Abrasive cleaners, along with scratchy cleaning cloths, can scratch the surface of the units.

The unit itself has a non-abrasive, non-skid surface on the floor of the tub. Never wax or polish it, because that will cause the floor to become slippery, potentially turning into a hazard.

However, if you’re looking to remove some of the hard-water mineral deposits that may accumulate on the shower walls, you can apply a non-abrasive car wax to the walls in the same way you would on your vehicle. Doing so can also help restore the finish to a lustrous, like-new feel. Be sure to use a non-abrasive cleaning cloth like a terry cloth or paper towels to avoid scratching the finish.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. We’d be glad to help.

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