Updating the tub area, repainting a wet basement

Q: I am considering an acrylic liner for my tub and shower walls. Are these durable and reliable? Also, do they pose any health hazards from vapors?

A: Acrylic and fiberglass liners for bathtub and shower walls are quite durable. I have a bathroom with such a liner that has been in place for about 25 years and it looks as good as new. There is little chance of leaks if the liners are properly installed, since there are few joints and these are sealed during installation.

I think these liners have a number of advantages over ceramic tiles. There is no grout to crack or discolor, they are easy to clean because of their smooth, almost-seamless construction, and many have built-in soap dishes and/or shelves for bath and shower materials. The liners are also relatively easy to install; many retrofit kits have only three panels. And an acrylic or fiberglass tub-wall liner costs less than a ceramic-tile installation.

Acrylic tub liners are also available to fit almost any bathtub. One of these can make an old, beat-up tub look like new.

I am not aware of any special health hazards from acrylics. This material has been used for many years for a long list of products found in virtually every home and office. Tub and shower panels are applied with adhesive that often has a strong odor, but if the area is well ventilated the odor dissipates in a reasonable time, and the adhesive itself is locked behind the panels.

Q: I have had problems with water in my basement, and I tried to paint the walls with Drylok waterproofing paint. The walls had been previously painted, but over the years the paint deteriorated and left unsightly spots. The Drylok has since flaked off in large patches. What went wrong and what do I do now?

A: The surface must be properly prepared for good results. Drylok should not be applied over previously painted walls (unless the original paint is removed or is also Drylok in good condition). The concrete surface should be clean, dry and free of impurities such as grease, mildew and efflorescence (white, powdery mineral deposits that leach to the surface of some masonry). Drylok containers include instructions for preparing the surface, or you can find more details on the manufacturer's Web site, www.ugl.com.

Your biggest problem now, if you want to try painting again, will be to get the old paint off the walls. This might require an extreme treatment such as sandblasting.

Q: There is a crawl space under part of our house. It contains water pipes, and I worry about the pipes freezing. A hatchway leading to the crawl space was sealed shut during a flooring job. Any suggestions?

A: There isn't much you can do to protect the pipes unless you reopen access to the crawl space so the pipes can be reached.

If subfreezing weather is very unusual in your area, insulating the pipes might be enough protection. You could wrap them with sections of R-11 fiberglass wall insulation (about 3 inches thick), tied or taped in place with the vapor barrier on the outside. Slip-on pipe insulation made of foam is also available, but won't be as effective as fiberglass.

If subfreezing weather is more common, you can protect the pipes with thermostatically controlled electric heat tapes. Heat tapes are available at some hardware stores.

It is sometimes possible to keep water pipes from freezing during cold spells by letting the water run at a slow trickle — moving water freezes less quickly than water that is standing still.

Quick tip

An old gas or electric stove can be converted into a sturdy workbench with ready-made storage space in the oven. Start by removing burners, the control panel and electrical cord from the stove. Build a simple top from 3/4-inch-thick plywood. The top should have a border about four inches deep all around and be just large enough to fit over the top of the stove. I have also converted old sink cabinets and kitchen wall cabinets into workbenches by adding a simple top.

Questions may be sent to Gene Austin at doit861@aol.com or 1730 Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422. Sorry, no personal replies.