Originally Published: Thursday October 17th, 1996 | Suburban Publications

**June 2024 Update: Business partner, Stan Rubi, joined Perma Ceram in 2021 and has expanded their reach throughout Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware County, PA.

In this day of inflated costs and environmental concerns, resurfacing is an economical alternative to replacement and eliminates the pollution and high energy consumption involved in manufacturing new bathtubs and ceramic tile.

Myron Dissin of Perma Ceram Inc in Havertown says that Perma Ceram can take worn bathtub and ceramic wall tile and apply a new surface in any color that will make them as easy, if not easier to maintain than if replaced.

Using space age technology, Perma Ceram developed a coating that contains glass just like porcelain. Dissin, the area Perma Ceram dealer, says the national network of more than 250 dealers resurfaces thousands of bathrooms per year.

Letting people know that resurfacing ceramic tile, fiberglass or acrylic tubs, sinks and bathroom fixtures, and reglazing cast iron tubs is cheaper that replacing them is his goal.

“Many people aren’t aware it is a very good alternative to replacement, which is very expensive,” says Dissin.

”Resurfacing and reglazing is a multiple process that usually requires people to be without the use of their tub for only two days,” says the Main Line business man.

Following are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the Perma Ceram process, which comes with the same warranty as a new bathtub.

Why isn’t it cheaper to buy a new tub?
Consider not only the cost of replacing the tub itself, but the replacement of the plumbing fixtures, tile walls, wallboard, pipes, tile floors and subflooring, all of which are damaged during removal. Perma Ceram quality resurfacing can significantly reduce the cost of remodeling.

How long does it take to resurface a tub?
The average tub resurfacing job takes three to four hours. All work is done in the tub area, so there’s no mess to clean up.

How long before the tub can be used again?
The bathtub can be used in two days.

Who is Perma Ceram?
Perma Ceram trained technicians in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean have been resurfacing bath fixtures and walls for almost 30 years. In use in homes, schools, government installations and many of the major hotel and motel chains around the country. Perma Ceram is recognized for quality and durability.

What color is Perma Ceram available?
In addition to white, Penna Ceram’s Porcelain-cote is available in every color to match every fixture manufactured. Additionally, they can blend any special decorator color designed.

How long will the Perma Ceram finish last?
With normal care and proper cleaning, your new Penna Ceram quality finish is designed for long lasting use.

For more information, call 610-647-6230.

 

There have been hundreds of stories over the years of children falling ill with lead poisoning as a result of an old, unfinished bathtub.  Throughout the conversations, rarely still, do people consider their bathtub as a source of the issue.

Perma Ceram offers affordable solutions to upgrade your bathroom and seal your bathtub, preventing it from leaching lead.

What you should know about Hidden Dangers in Your Bathroom: Is your bathtub leaching lead?

Homeowners will often replace old walls for fear of lead paint or replace old pipes to remove the lead. But no one considers that until around 1984, most bathtubs contained small to moderate amounts of the dangerous heavy metal.

In the 1960’s there was an episode of Good Morning America that discussed for the first time on television, the dangers of lead poisoning from a bathtub.

The story was broadcast from Massachusetts, where a routine blood test on a child had shown high levels of lead in their blood.  The family immediately underwent a de-leading procedure in the house, which was designed to inspect and remove all points of exposure from their home.  The cost of the process was $15,000.

After passing a rigid state inspection, it was determined that they met compliance standards and the matter was considered resolved.

A week later, their child underwent another blood test and it was determined the level of lead in his blood had more than doubled.  Concerned for his well being, and confused by his seeming continued exposure to the heavy metal,  the family resorted to lead testing strips. They used them to test every surface that their child was in contact with.

The family was in shock when they found that it was likely the source of their child’s failing health.  Dr. John Graf, who was in charge of the child’s care, was dumbfounded when the family communicated to him the source of the lead poisoning.  During the interview, he stated, “You could have knocked me over with a feather, I was unaware of this hazard coming from a bathtub.”

The family’s story spawned the investigation by Good Morning America, which brought to viewers’ attention the dangers of heavy metal poisoning from their bathtubs.   During an interview with a bathroom refinisher, a survey was revealed which found that 79% of all cast iron tubs and 27% of all steel tubs were leaching lead before they were reglazed.

Reglazing your bathroom

While bathrooms and new tubs have come a long way since then, there’s still a lack of general knowledge around the presence of lead in older bathtubs.  Older bathtubs can still hide levels of lead that are incredibly dangerous to your children. If your bathtub was made before 1984, or if your current tub is showing signs of wear, consider professional reglazing.  It will seal your bathtub and prevent it from leaching lead into your children’s bathwater.

Contact Perma Ceram for a quote to reglaze your bathtub.