Repairing a Bath Tub

Q. I have a bathtub that developed rust around the drain, causing small holes that leaked. It was repaired but the repair didn't last long. Would a tub liner solve this problem? Some contractors say "no" and one says "yes." What do you think?

A bathtub liner - a plastic shell that fits exactly into the existing tub - should have its own drain fitting and bypass any leaking areas of the old tub. There may be a good reason why some contractors have said it won't work; certainly if the pipes are a problem, a liner won't help. If a reputable contractor is willing to give you a written guarantee that the liner will stop the leaking, then you may be justified in going ahead with it. A tub liner is an excellent way to renew a beat-up tub. A liner may cost more than refinishing a tub, but the cost is far less than removing an old tub and installing a new one. Tough acrylic liners in a variety of colors can be molded to fit almost any old bathtub.