Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Bathtub installation
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Bathtub installation
rictra
07-28-02, 06:09 PM
We are installing an acrylic bathtub, and we have 1-1/2" extra on one side of the new tub than the other. We read from this forum (since there are no instructions with the tub), that we need to pour a mortar support for the tub.
Can we build a wooden platform to support the tub instead of pouring a mortar base? Our new tub has a piece of plywood along the bottom. Can we rest that on a 1-1/2" wooden platform?
Can we build a wooden platform to support the tub instead of pouring a mortar base? Our new tub has a piece of plywood along the bottom. Can we rest that on a 1-1/2" wooden platform?
Doug Aleshire
07-28-02, 08:16 PM
rictra,
In reference to your question, I made the general statement to additional support with some type of grouting material, i.e. gypcrete, plaster (joint compound) or mortar when it comes to providing proper support and minimizing movement.
Depending on the manufacturer, NOT ALL tub or shower pans are required to use the above as sound support.
In addition, the plywood your mentioned could be the very bottom of your tub, if this has a front edge and this plywood is flush with the bottom. This or a board is not always placed there for support as it is placed there for storing and shipping of the products. It may be there for support but rarely have I seen this. In the industry, it is common to use an additional support as mortar or joint compound to minimize any movement that could be encountered, but IT IS NOT ALWAYS REQUIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER BUT IN FACT IS RECOMMENDED AND NOT CONSIDERED IMPROPER.
Depending on what you have, it sounds as though this is not for support only because you say you want to place this on a 1 1/2" board. This tells me that the plywood is indented under the tub and not flush with the bottom of the tub.
I would seek the manufacturer and consult for proper installation if you are not sure.
Good Luck!
In reference to your question, I made the general statement to additional support with some type of grouting material, i.e. gypcrete, plaster (joint compound) or mortar when it comes to providing proper support and minimizing movement.
Depending on the manufacturer, NOT ALL tub or shower pans are required to use the above as sound support.
In addition, the plywood your mentioned could be the very bottom of your tub, if this has a front edge and this plywood is flush with the bottom. This or a board is not always placed there for support as it is placed there for storing and shipping of the products. It may be there for support but rarely have I seen this. In the industry, it is common to use an additional support as mortar or joint compound to minimize any movement that could be encountered, but IT IS NOT ALWAYS REQUIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER BUT IN FACT IS RECOMMENDED AND NOT CONSIDERED IMPROPER.
Depending on what you have, it sounds as though this is not for support only because you say you want to place this on a 1 1/2" board. This tells me that the plywood is indented under the tub and not flush with the bottom of the tub.
I would seek the manufacturer and consult for proper installation if you are not sure.
Good Luck!
judah363
07-31-02, 04:37 AM
Oh no Rictra,
I agree with Doug....wood is used for storing and shipping.
Wood would evenually rot.
yes, you would want to check with the manufacturer
I agree with Doug....wood is used for storing and shipping.
Wood would evenually rot.
yes, you would want to check with the manufacturer
masterjoe
07-31-02, 09:56 AM
I strongly recommend to pour in a mortar bed in order to support the weight of the tub, water & person(s). It's not hard. Tricks that I used is to build a form around the tub using a thin plywood and 2x4"s then pour mortar mix inside. It'll be a most economical and durable solution.
However, there's another option: use expandable foam.
You'll spray it into the bottom of tub and it'll expand, fill in voids and harden; very easy and quite durable.
However, there's another option: use expandable foam.
You'll spray it into the bottom of tub and it'll expand, fill in voids and harden; very easy and quite durable.
Doug Aleshire
07-31-02, 10:36 AM
Masterjoe,
The expandable foam idea is great for additional insulation to keep the water warm but the foam in a can doesn't have the density when dry to be hard enough to sustain weight of a person. This was tried by a person a while back and was total disturbed by the fact that after using the tub, very shortly thereafter, when they got into the tub, it "creaked". The expandable foam failed to maintain it's "assumed" rigidness. You definitely need a solid system underneath.
Just thought I'd let everyone know what happens with foam in a can.
The expandable foam idea is great for additional insulation to keep the water warm but the foam in a can doesn't have the density when dry to be hard enough to sustain weight of a person. This was tried by a person a while back and was total disturbed by the fact that after using the tub, very shortly thereafter, when they got into the tub, it "creaked". The expandable foam failed to maintain it's "assumed" rigidness. You definitely need a solid system underneath.
Just thought I'd let everyone know what happens with foam in a can.