One of the most common questions we’re asked is: how long will the repair last? It’s a fair question — you want to know that the money you’re spending will give you a durable, long-lasting result and not just a temporary fix. This guide explains what determines repair durability and what you can do to maximise the life of your repair.
What Determines How Long a Repair Lasts?
Repair durability is influenced by several factors: the quality of materials used; the skill of the technician (particularly in preparation and layering); the type of surface being repaired; the location of the damage; and how the repaired surface is used and maintained afterwards.
Expected Repair Durability by Surface Type
Acrylic Bath Chip Repairs
A well-executed acrylic bath chip repair, using professional-grade fillers and properly cured, should last many years — often the lifetime of the bath itself in normal use. The repaired area is a solid fill that, once cured, is as hard as the surrounding acrylic. What causes repairs to fail prematurely is usually either inadequate surface preparation (the filler not bonding properly) or impact to the same area causing a new chip adjacent to or overlapping the repair. Avoid abrasive cleaners on repaired areas.
Worktop Chip Repairs
Kitchen worktop chip repairs — particularly at edges and around hob cutouts — are exposed to daily use, heat and moisture. A professional repair on a granite or quartz worktop should last for years without issue. Laminate worktop repairs in areas exposed to water (around the sink) are slightly more susceptible to moisture over time — keeping the repair well sealed is important. Avoid cutting directly on a repaired area.
Tile Chip Repairs
Tile chip repairs are extremely durable — the filler used is hard-set ceramic compound, and once cured is rock-solid. In normal domestic use, a tile chip repair can reasonably be expected to last the life of the tile. In very high-traffic areas (commercial kitchens, heavily used floor tiles), repairs may show some wear at the edges over years of use.
Floor Scratch Repairs
Hardwood and LVT floor scratch repairs in moderate-traffic areas can last many years. In high-traffic areas, the repaired patch may show differential wear relative to the surrounding floor — particularly on softer wood floors. A refinishing coat applied after repair can help even out this wear.
Aftercare Guidelines
To maximise the lifespan of your surface repair: leave the repair to fully cure for 24 hours before wetting (for bath repairs) or placing heavy items on it (for worktop repairs); clean repaired surfaces only with non-abrasive cleaners; avoid abrasive cloths, scourers or cleaning pads on repaired areas; for bath repairs, use a bath mat in the base to protect against future dropped items; for worktop repairs, always use a cutting board rather than cutting directly on the surface.
Guarantees
Shazam Repairs stands behind the quality of our work. If a repair fails within a reasonable period as a result of workmanship rather than subsequent damage or misuse, we will return to address it at no charge. Contact us at the time of repair for specific guarantee terms for your job.
