Bath Restoration

[sandmaster]

My aged mother is returning home from a prolonged stay in hospital and I am cleaning the house for her. She has been unable to use the bath for many years and when I tried to clean it found what appears to be a type of cement residue on the bottom. I suspect it is from when she had a new central heating system installed and the plumbers probably cleaned their tools in the bath. Has anyone recommendations as to how I can clean this? The usual creams and liquids do not touch it. I would wish to avoid major building work whilst she is living there as her health is not good.

[EDDIE51]

is it limescale? if so you need limescale remover and probably need to repeat the treatment to get it all.
I can't see builders washing cement off tools in the bath.

[woofgang]

maybe not cement residue but grout? Is she going to be using the bath because if she isn't then I wouldn't worry.

[Togo]

sandmaster is the bath acrylic or a steel enamelled one?

[Togo]

You could try removing the side panel and gently tapping the underside of the bath. You would not want to split an acrylic one or knock the enamel off a steel one. Gently would do it.

[Togo]

An acrylic bath will have a timber panel of some sort bonded to the bottom as a stiffener for the bath. Do not hit hard enough to damage it.

[Georgiesmum]

Didnt you say she doesnt use the bath anyway? Id just leave it. You could do more harm than good and it could be costly.

[Togo]

After further thought. You may not have much clearance between the base of the bath and the floor. So a piece of timber could be used as a lever to gently flex the bath thereby breaking the hardened cement.

[alavahalf]

Big question that makes a difference .... is it acrylic or enamel ?

[Mosaic]

Or else .... clean the bath, then put one of those non-slip mats in the bottom. This will cover up the scratchy bits and render it useable.

[sandmaster]

Many thanks everyone. I've been unable to access the internet since I posted this q. It is a steel bath, and I think it may be grout. I will probably just use the shower and when the time comes to sell the house I will allow for a new bathroom suite in the price. Many thanks everyone for taking the time to answer.