Description
The damage to be repaired is not always what you see on the surface
 An air pocket between the finish you touch (gel-coat or acrylic) and the fiberglass structure. A mould in the shape of the bathtub is sprayed with the top coat, then sprayed with the fiberglass. An air-pocket between the layers causes a void which can be revealed by pressure on the topcoat above the void, cracking like an eggshell.
It is repaired by removing the topcoat above the void, which can sometimes be quite larger than what is seen above, filling and fairing the void, and applying new topcoat.
Voids are deceptive
Voids are manufacturing defects - they are air bubbles between the gelcoat topcoat and the fiberglass structure. Voids are common repairs that cause delays when estimated incorrectly. The reason for the inaccuracy is that the amount of damage is not immediately recognised and the person identifying and estimating the repair is unfamiliar with the nature of a void. The predictability of a successful repair appointment starts with an accurate assessment of what needs to be repaired. Let's look at some examples of inaccurate estimations in order to see how to avoid the same mistakes and omissions that cost more money and time than was necessary.Some examples of inaccurate void estimations that led to costly delays
Get it off my priority list...
The first project we'll look at was a drain area with voids. The superintendent misidentified the repair as a 1/2" chip because he didn't take the time to physically inspect it. According to him:Â "Well, I was standing there with the inspector and he pointed it out so I just called it in to the office."
Did you catch that? He didn't physically touch it or consider what the repair would entail - It was placed on his priority list and he got it off that list as quickly as he could.
...and put it on someone else's list.
By not giving the estimation of the repair's size and scope any serious attention it created delays that became part of other peoples' priority lists on the day of the repair: his office's receptionist had to relay the request for the revision's authorisation to her boss and he had to authorise accounting. Then the plumbing company's receptionist and scheduler and field crew had to be contacted because the repair crew were not authorised to remove the drain. The repair crew had to leave to keep another scheduled appointment; a $45 trip fee was charged.
This was originally ordered as a 1/2" chip which is understandable, but a less casual look would have easily revealed that the gelcoat was like an eggshell over a void.
The drain basket/shoe was removed and more voids were revealed by simply rapping on the topcoat. Notice that the factory did a partial repair but didn't grind it out to reveal the entire void.
Grinding revealed that the full extent of the damage was not a 1/2" chip but a cluster of voids which are a combined 3". A different size and scope - one hour vs. two hours.
Once the job is done it's hard to recognise that there was a problem to begin with. The field superintendent now has to explain to the office why the extra costs and delays were incurred.
"crack or void"... "small or large"...
The next void we'll look at was along the unit's shower wall perimeter. The superintendent misidentified the repair as an "impact crack" and estimated the size incorrectly as "one half inch". Whatever his reasons were he defended his estimate by referring to the photo (below) of the yellow stick-it note...the note that measures 3" x 3"...the photo that also shows the holes that don't look like cracks.
...what's the difference?
The delays this incorrect identification and estimate caused involved multiple communications to the accounting (and legal) debt of the superintendent's company to establish existing scope, verify the revision, and obtain authorisation to proceed. The superintendent needed to meet with the contractor who had to authorise accounting who wanted to know why the purchasing agent was buying tubs prone to voids. Meanwhile the repair crew had to leave to keep another scheduled appointment; a $45 trip fee was charged.
The superintendent was close enough to the repair to place a stick-it note but claimed to not see the other visible clues to an existing void.
A void is a hollow area under the topcoat. Gelcoat that's crushed down like an eggshell or a deep hole is a good indication of a void.
Give the area a few solid taps with a screwdriver handle to break the gelcoat like an eggshell. Don't be afraid of breaking the unit because it's already broken and needs to be repaired. If you don't uncover it now a revision will need to be submitted.
Reveal the full scope of the repair for an accurate estimation of costs for authorisation from your company. Accurate estimation allows our company to schedule the proper time for your project to be completed and taken off your priority list.
Monica Daye Khan –
Monica Daye Khan reviewed Joy of St. Croix on FB at https://www.facebook.com/joyofstcroixfrontdoor/—
5 star
February 8, 2018
They do a fantastic job. I am a property manager for a 282 unit property. The technician scheduled to do the work was thorough, quickly available, timely, informative and very patient with my many questions. Most importantly, he made my resident feel comfortable and confidant that the job was getting done right. I would highly recommend to anyone and will certainly go back to them for our tub repair needs.