Acrylic bathtub liner and surround FAQS

How do I clean the acrylic? Cleaning is very simple since acrylic does not allow the growth of
mold or mildew. Look for any product that is safe for acrylic or try one of these two easy home-made
cleaning solutions: Mix 50/50 white vinegar and water or 10/90 bleach and water in a spray bottle. Spray
cleaner on and rinse off with a soft cloth. Usually, less is best – just wipe off areas where soap or
shampoo may have accumulated.  (See bottom of page for list of recommended cleaners.)

The bottom of my tub always looks dirty, will your tubs look this way too? Most likely,
your tub has traction control etched into the surface. An etched finish becomes an immediate dirt magnet.
Our bathtubs have a “pebble” type traction formed right into the bottom so it cleans as easily as the
smooth areas.

Can I install the acrylic myself? No, the installation is done by factory-trained and certified acrylic
technicians. We use industry-specific tools that are quite costly and not sold to the general public.

Why haven’t I heard of tub liners? Tub liners were first used commercially in the late 1970’s.
They were introduced to the residential market in the southwest in the mid 1980’s. Since tub liners are
sold installed, they are not seen in stores. They are just now becoming a well-known and very popular
alternative to traditional replacement.

Is the tub liner sprayed on? No; your liner is an acrylic tub that uses your existing tub as a
foundation. At your home, we take 15 measurements and photos which are sent to the factory. They enter
the figures into a computerized tub ID program to determine which of their hundreds of tub molds is
yours. A ¼” sheet of solid acrylic is placed over your tub mold and heated to 400º. The air is vacuumed
out, forming a new acrylic bathtub to your exact dimensions.

My tub bumps out in the front, can you line it? We can accommodate nearly all tub styles.
The factory can form the front of your liner with a “bump” or a smooth curve, a sculpted curve, etc. We
cannot, however, line claw-foot bathtubs. Early tubs deviate from one another so much that a liner that fits
one tub may not fit another of the exact style.

Will my lined tub or shower basin feel “solid”?. Tubs and basins are custom cast from your
fixture, to fit precisely. It will feel as “solid” as your original fixture.

I have a sloped wall in my tub area, will the wall system fit? Our design consultants take
preliminary measurements of your walls and we order over-sized acrylic “sheets”. Your installer custom
cuts and scribes the wall surround system and/or wainscot sheets at your home, for your wall. We can
even bend the sheets for arches, etc

Do you use a trim piece to finish the acrylic edge up against my wall? Most do,
however, our surround systems and wainscot feature a bull nose edge for a clean and finished look.
Matching silicone sealant is applied to the edge to assure water tightness.

I have a custom-sized ceramic tile shower. Can you install a shower basin liner?
Yes; our replacement bathtubs and basins as well as our bathtub and shower basin liners are fully
customized to accommodate your current or created space.

How long before the color yellows and the gloss starts to dull? The color and gloss are
cast throughout our acrylic. It is UV stable and will not yellow. It’s beautiful shine lasts for decades as long
as abrasive cleaners are not used on it. The shine can be buffed back up with automotive buffing
compound.

How long is my acrylic warranted and what does my warranty cover? We offer the best
value for your investment. Our acrylic has a lifetime warranty, even against mildew. The only thing your
warranty doesn't cover is man-made damage.

Why don’t you use a one-piece wall? Acrylic expands and contracts nearly as much as wood
does. One-piece wall systems have a tendency to develop horizontal cracks in the corners. They are
made of much thinner acrylic so it can be bent, taped into a sort of large triangle and brought into your
home. Moreover, it cannot be customized for cathedral ceilings, arches, slopes, etc

Will water leak through the seams in the corners? We adhere plastic corner
reinforcements to the vertical corners with silicone adhesive. This allows us to cut the acrylic with a small
gap to allow for expansion and contraction, ensure a water-tight seal and eliminate the possibility of
stress cracks

How does the acrylic stick to my walls? With butyl rubber (or butyl tape), the same adhesive
that seals the windshield into jet airplanes. Primer is applied to your walls first, to ensure maximum
adhesion. One inch strips are applied vertically every 8 inches across the wall area and silicone mastic
adhesive is applied in a zigzag pattern between the strips of butyl rubber

Is there any chance of developing a leak through the walls? We use the corner
reinforcements, silicone adhesive and butyl rubber strips to ensure an air & water tight seal. Our final
step guarantees you’ll never have a leak. We apply an acrylic bonding agent to all joints then seal all
joints with a matching silicone sealant that is specifically made to bond with our acrylic.

Can it leak through the areas by my tub spout, shower control, drain or overflow?
These areas are completely sealed around the outside perimeter with butyl rubber and inside perimeter
with silicone to ensure you have no leaks.

How is a tub liner installed? The “belly” of the tub has been cast from your tub. The outside “skirt”
and surrounding ledges arrive over-sized. Our professional installers take precise measurements of your
existing bathtub and walls and trim your tub liner to fit. Your existing bathtub and your bathtub liner are
prepared with butyl tape primer and butyl tape for bonding. A continuous bead of butyl tape and silicone
adhesive is applied around the top ledge of your tub and around the drain (and overflow) to ensure a
watertight seal. Your bathtub is installed over your old fixture, openings for the drain and overflow are
drilled and lastly, your new drain and overflow plate are installed.

In my steel tub the bath water cools off quickly - how does acrylic compare? Acrylic
has insulating properties which allow it to hold heat. It holds heat better than any other material used to
make bathtubs today.

Can I purchase products from you and install them myself? We do not retail any products
for purchase, our products are sold exclusively in conjunction with our installation.

Why can't I shower until the morning after my renovation is completed? To allow
water tight bonding between the acrylic and sealant. You may bath in your bathtub, if your bath has one,
just be sure no water gets on the sealant (caulking) that evening

What can be done with the window over my bathtub? We'll remove the wood trim and sill
and install a water proof window kit.

How can I maintain the caulking so I don't have to re-caulk all the time? Our materials
and installation techniques eliminate mildew. If you clean it regularly with a mild cleaner and a soft cloth,
(do not scrub), re-caulking won't be necessary. If issues arise, call us. It's warranted not to mildew.
Cleaning your bathroom is easier with
an acrylic bath system!

Acrylic is non-porous, so mildew and mold cannot find
a home. Cleaning with any non-abrasive is all that is
needed.

Non-abrasive cleaners make light of cleaning

Acrylic tub liners should be cleaned with a
non-abrasive, non-aerosol cleanser that does not
contain ammonia. Kaboom, bleach diluted with water,
dishwashing liquid, or vinegar and water are all good
choices. Simply spray your acrylic system and wipe of
with a sponge or cloth. Leave-on products are not
recommended.
Windex®, Kaboom®, Scrub Free® are all
non-abrasive and great for cleaning your
acrylic bath system
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
THERMAL M.D.LLC
"We Make House Calls!"
406 N. Centre St. Philipsburg PA 16866
(814)342-4302 or toll free 1-866-DR THERM
PA REGISTRATION # PAOAGHIC:003260