Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - Bathtub w/ Apron : A Question
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Brax0
02-21-06, 09:19 AM
Good day DIYers and Pros.
Myself I'm a DIYer in the middle of a bathroom rebuild. I'm nearing the bathtub install and my preperation has brought to mind a couple of questions I'd like to send your way.
The tub being installed has a built-in skirt which the rough in diagram shows extends 1 1/2" below the bottom of the tub drain. The framing required for the install will place the tub level with the height of the skirt therefor suspending the tub 1 1/2" from floor to the bottom of the tub drain.
Once all support is in place and the tub has been fastened I'm sure it would be fairly sturdy but I can't help to wonder about the very bottom of the tub. The tub removed was an old one which rested directly on the floor. Are tubs these days really sturdy enough to suspend in such a way without bottom support? Would it be recommended that I find means of supporting the bottom?
The installation manual recomends using a bed of mortar to help with leveling but makes no mention of this being additional support. Unless I'm missing something that bed of mortal would have to be 1 1/2" + the depth of the drain. So roughly 1 3/4" to the bottom of the tub. This seems like an aweful thick slab of mortar mortar to me. Since it was only a recomendation that the mortar be used I can't help to wonder if this is a required step or if it's simply to help with leveling the tub. If it is required are my thoughts on the bed of mortar correct?
So to quickly recap my questions.
(1) Are tubs these days really sturdy enough to suspend in such a way without bottom support?
(2) Would it be recommended that I find means of supporting the bottom?
(3) Since it was only a recomendation that the mortar be used, is this a required step or is it just to help level the tub?
(4) If required are my thoughts on the bed of mortar are correct?
The installation manual can be found here. (http://www.aciflex.com/images/i_pdf/41_BainAciflex-022105.pdf)
(Bathtubs with apron, Bahamas / A2-221)
Many thanks for your time and effort, any other tips or suggestions would be most appreciated.
Myself I'm a DIYer in the middle of a bathroom rebuild. I'm nearing the bathtub install and my preperation has brought to mind a couple of questions I'd like to send your way.
The tub being installed has a built-in skirt which the rough in diagram shows extends 1 1/2" below the bottom of the tub drain. The framing required for the install will place the tub level with the height of the skirt therefor suspending the tub 1 1/2" from floor to the bottom of the tub drain.
Once all support is in place and the tub has been fastened I'm sure it would be fairly sturdy but I can't help to wonder about the very bottom of the tub. The tub removed was an old one which rested directly on the floor. Are tubs these days really sturdy enough to suspend in such a way without bottom support? Would it be recommended that I find means of supporting the bottom?
The installation manual recomends using a bed of mortar to help with leveling but makes no mention of this being additional support. Unless I'm missing something that bed of mortal would have to be 1 1/2" + the depth of the drain. So roughly 1 3/4" to the bottom of the tub. This seems like an aweful thick slab of mortar mortar to me. Since it was only a recomendation that the mortar be used I can't help to wonder if this is a required step or if it's simply to help with leveling the tub. If it is required are my thoughts on the bed of mortar correct?
So to quickly recap my questions.
(1) Are tubs these days really sturdy enough to suspend in such a way without bottom support?
(2) Would it be recommended that I find means of supporting the bottom?
(3) Since it was only a recomendation that the mortar be used, is this a required step or is it just to help level the tub?
(4) If required are my thoughts on the bed of mortar are correct?
The installation manual can be found here. (http://www.aciflex.com/images/i_pdf/41_BainAciflex-022105.pdf)
(Bathtubs with apron, Bahamas / A2-221)
Many thanks for your time and effort, any other tips or suggestions would be most appreciated.
majakdragon
02-21-06, 10:11 AM
If the tub is not steel or cast iron, I would strongly recommend the mortarbed. Plastic style tubs flex when weight from water/user are added. This will allow the tub to crack and also allow the caulk around the edges to seperate from the wall. A five gallon bucket of premixed mortar works and I have even heard of using premixed drywall compound It does not have to be a solid bed under the entire tub but areas that act like support piers. In this installation, more IS better. Good luck.