Stupid question about bathtubs

[sbj405]

How can you tell if the tub is cast iron as opposed to steel covered with enamel? I have a nice heavy tub and since my remodel would not actually change the location of the tub, toilet, sink, I'm wondering whether refinishing is a better option.

[Stinky The Clown]

1. Here's some stuff for you ......

Check out this thread. It talked about bathtub refinishing.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=287&topic_id=1753

Cast iron and porcelain on steel are hard to tell apart when installed. It is really a matter of listening to the sound they make when you thunk 'em. Not having one next to the other, you don't know how to compare. I can tell you that steel will sound kinda 'tinny' while cast iron will sound 'solid'. But that's obviously like trying to describe to a lifelong sightless person the color red. It pretty much is meaningless unless you have some experience and a frame of reference.

Here's a way that **may** allow you to check it in place, but it involves some work.

Remove the cover by the stopper lever and see if you can see a raw edge of the tub cutout where the stopper mechanism goes through. You don't even need to actually uninstall anythng, just allow the cover to come far enoguh away from the tub to get a peek at the raw edge. Steel is thin sheet metal. Cast iron, in that part of the tub, is probably at least 1/8 thick and likely even thicker.

Another way to get a for-sure read is to remove a tile and see what the edge of the tub below the tile looks like. Obviously this will only work if you have a loose tile that needs fixing or you intend to remove all the tile anyway.

There is an off chance you might also be able to tell by pressing hard on the middle of the exposed side of the tub. Steel just might give a little. Cast iron won't. This test is definitive **only** to confirm steel. Neither heavier steel nor cast iron will deflect enough to notice and therefore no deflection could still mean there's steel under that porcelain.

Bon chance!

[sbj405]

2. Thanks.

I am actually glad to learn that the difference is not readily apparent.

The area around the drain where some of the enamel is worn is rusted. Does that help in id'ing at all?

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Unfortunately, no, it doesn't ......

..... both steel and cast iron rust.