Opinion on these cast iron tubs

[Peter Eberhardt]

Hello, 

I don't have any experience with cast iron tubs, from these photos are you able to tell if this is a "definite replace now" situation or a "its just a gamble if you keep them" situation? 

The upper lip around the tub is all rusted out and gone. The last photo shows where the tile will end up being, it will sit beyond the rust area and it looks like a good caulking will seal it. I have 3 of these tubs, this is the worst one. Cost to replace all three I estimate about $2100 including the tub and my contractors help to install. Thoughts?  

[Matt Devincenzo]

The expensive part of the bathroom upgrade is the tile surround and the plumbing etc. So I would say when those are driving your decision to replace things, then you should at the same time replace the tub. The steel tubs are a few hundred dollars and even including labor etc, it isn't a big increase to the budget to replace. If we're talking about 'maybe I can get five more years out of this', then I'd be doing an epoxy resurfacing to get a few years until I'm ready to rip everything out and replace it.