A Beginner's Guide to Installing a Bathtub
A Beginner's Guide to Installing a Bathtub
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Every person will have their own unique opinion on the subject of How to Install a Bathtub: Install an Acrylic Tub and Tub Surround.

Setting up a tub isn't precisely rocket science, yet it does need solid plumbing, carpentry, and also sometimes, tiling abilities. Replacing an old bathtub with a new one is likewise a moderately hard job. If the old tub is conveniently easily accessible, the project can relocate rapidly; if you have to open a wall to remove the old bathtub as well as place the new bathtub, the task is a lot harder. In either situation, the project is within a home handyman's abilities, although you will require a helper to leave the old tub and also set in the new one. See to it you have qualified yourself for the work as well as are comfortable attempting it. Rather than working with a professional to take control of a halfway-completed task, it is better to consider employing one prior to you begin. Opportunities are you may require a specialist plumber to make tube connections.
This article will certainly assist you set up a new bath tub in your washroom if you have currently gotten a brand-new tub and also don't need to alter the arrangement of your previous supply of water pipes.
Your devices and also material checklist should consist of the following:
Preparing for the Setup
First of all, the sustaining structure provided with the bathroom should be fitted (if needed) according to the maker's directions. Next off, fit the faucets or mixer to the bath tub. When suitable the tap block, it is essential to make certain that if the faucet includes a plastic washing machine, it is fitted between the bath as well as the taps. On a plastic bath, it is likewise practical to fit a supporting plate under the taps system to avoid strain on the bathtub.
Fit the adaptable faucet connectors to the bottom of the two taps making use of 2 nuts and olives (sometimes provided with the tub). Fit the plug-hole outlet by smearing mastic filler round the sink outlet opening, and then pass the electrical outlet through the hole in the bath. Utilize the nut provided by the producer to fit the plug-hole. Analyze the plug-hole outlet for an inlet on the side for the overflow pipeline.
Next, fit completion of the versatile overflow pipeline to the overflow electrical outlet. After that, screw the pipe to the overflow face which ought to be fitted inside the bathroom. Ensure you use all of the provided washers.
Link the catch to the bottom of the waste electrical outlet on the tub by winding the string of the waste outlet with silicone mastic or PTFE tape, and screw on the trap to the electrical outlet. Attach the bottom of the overflow tube in a comparable manner.The bathroom should currently prepare to be fitted in its last position.
Removing Old Taps
If you need to change old faucets with brand-new ones as a part of your setup, then the first thing you should do is disconnect the water system. After doing so, activate the faucets to drain pipes any kind of water continuing to be in the system. The process of removing the existing faucets can be rather problematic as a result of the limited access that is commonly the case.
Utilize a container wrench (crowsfoot spanner) or a faucet tool to reverse the nut that connects the supply pipes to the faucets. Have a cloth ready for the continuing to be water that will certainly originate from the pipes. Once the supply pipelines have actually been eliminated, use the exact same tool to loosen up the nut that holds the faucets onto the bath/basin. You will need to stop the solitary faucets from turning throughout this procedure. Once the faucets have been eliminated, the holes in the bath/basin will have to be cleaned of any kind of old securing compound.
Before carrying on to fit the brand-new taps, compare the pipe connections on the old faucets to the brand-new taps. If the old faucets are longer than the new taps, then a shank adapter is required for the new faucets to fit.
Installing the Bath tub
Using both wooden boards under its feet, place the tub in the needed placement. The wood boards are handy in equally spreading the weight of the bath tub over the area of the boards as opposed to focusing all the weight onto four small points.
The next objective is to guarantee that the tub is leveled all round. This can be achieved by checking the spirit level and changing the feet on the bath tub up until the level reads level.
To set up faucets, fit the bottom of the furthest adaptable faucet adapter to the appropriate supply pipe by making a compression join; then do the same for the various other faucet.
Switch on the water system and also check all joints as well as brand-new pipework for leaks as well as tighten them if needed. Fill the tub as well as additionally check the overflow outlet and the typical outlet for leaks.
Lastly, fix the bathroom paneling as explained in the producer's instruction manual. Tiling as well as securing around the bathtub ought to wait until the tub has been used at the very least when as this will settle it into its final position.
Suitable New Touches
If the tails of the brand-new faucets are plastic, then you will certainly need a plastic connector to prevent damage to the thread. One end of the adapter fits on the plastic tail of the tap and also the various other end supplies a connection to the current supply pipelines.
If you require to fit a monobloc, after that you will certainly need reducing couplers, which connects the 10mm pipe of the monobloc to the common 15mm supply pipeline.
Next, place the tap in the mounting opening in the bath/basin making certain that the washers remain in location between the faucet and the sink. Protect the tap in place with the maker offered backnut. As soon as the tap is firmly in place, the supply pipes can be attached to the tails of the faucets. The taps can either be attached by using corrugated copper piping or with typical faucet adapters. The previous kind must be attached to the faucet finishes initially, tightening just by hand. The supply pipes can later on be attached to the other end. Tighten up both ends with a spanner after both ends have actually been connected.
Tiling Around the Bath tub
In the area where the bath fulfills the tile, it is needed to seal the joins with a silicone rubber caulking. This is very important as the installation can relocate sufficient to fracture an inflexible seal, triggering the water to pass through the wall surface in between the bath as well as the tiling, leading to complications with dampness and possible leakages to the ceiling below.
You can choose from a selection of coloured sealers to assimilate your components as well as fittings. They are marketed in tubes and also cartridges, as well as can sealing gaps approximately a width of 3mm (1/8 inch). If you have a bigger void to fill up, you can fill it with twists of soaked paper or soft rope. Keep in mind to always fill the bath tub with water before securing, to enable the motion experienced when the bathtub is in usage. The sealant can split relatively early if you do not take into account this motion prior to sealing.
Additionally, ceramic coving or quadrant tiles can be utilized to border the bathroom or shower tray. Plastic strips of coving, which are easy to use and reduce to dimension, are likewise conveniently readily available on the marketplace. It is advisable to fit the floor tiles making use of water-resistant or water-proof adhesive and cement.
How to Install or Replace a Bathtub
Find Your Dimensions
The first step in any bathtub installation or replacement is to select the right size tub for your bathroom. Start by measuring your existing bathtub’s alcove from wall to wall. The standard size for bathtubs is around 5 feet long and 30 or 32 inches wide. Purchase the size that’s closest to your previous tub.
After you’ve measured, you’ll need to figure out what type of tub you need. Face the alcove. If the drain is on the right-hand side, you’ll need a right drain tub. If it’s on the left, get a left drain tub. Easy enough, right?
Disconnect the Water Supply and Drain Assembly
Before you can start on your removal, make sure that you turn off the tub’s water supply. Some bathrooms have a shutoff valve, but if you don’t see one, you’ll need to turn off the supply at your house’s water main. Once the water’s off, open the valves to release any remaining air in the supply lines.
Then, disconnect the tub drain flange. This process varies based on the type of drain you have, but in most cases, you’ll need a drain flange removal tool to perform this task. If you’re feeling handy, you might be able to use a pair of needle-nose pliers to twist and pull the flange.
Now comes the fun part. In order to disconnect the drain assembly, you’ll need to be able to get to the space underneath the tub. You might need to access the tub drain from a crawlspace or a basement. Don’t forget to take a pipe wrench with you, as you’ll need it to loosen the pipe at the connection.
Cut Out the Old Tub
After removing the drainpipe assembly, you can take out the old bathtub. Cut a strip above the tub edge in the wall surrounding the bathtub that's about 6 inches in height. The tools you need here may vary depending on the type of wall surround you have in the alcove. If you’re cutting drywall, use a drywall saw and remove the section of the wall all the way down to the studs. If you have tile, you’ll need to use a grinder with a diamond blade to cut through the grout line. Then, use a chisel to remove the individual tiles. Take care here not to cut through any studs.
Find the tub flange. Remove the screws that attach the flange to the studs in the wall. At this point, the tub should be freed from the wall.
Once you’ve removed the flange, use a utility knife to cut away the caulk between the tub and the floor. When this is done, you should be able to lift the tub up and out of the alcove. Keep in mind that, depending on what it’s made of, the old tub could be tremendously heavy. You should plan to have a friend help you move it just in case.
Install the New Tub
Before you make any adjustments to the area, place the new tub in the alcove to make sure it fits properly and that the tub drain lines up with the P-trap underneath the floor.
Remove it and install a 2 x 4 ledger board. Measure the tub’s flange, then mark that height on the wall. Screw the ledger board to studs in the wall. This will help to support the weight of the tub.
Once the ledger board has been installed, go ahead and secure the drain to the tub. For this step, you’ll need some plumber’s putty. Roll a small amount of putty in your hands and wrap it around the underside of the drain flange. Push the drain into the tub from underneath the tub.
When the drain has been attached, connect the overflow drain. To do this, you’ll place the gasket on the overflow elbow and move it behind the tub. Once that’s on, connect the overflow pipe and the drainpipe, but take care not to overtighten.
Secure the Tub
After the connections are in, it’s time to set the tub in place. Before you start, make sure the flange lines up with the markings you made in Step 4. Because the ledger board holds the tub in place, it’s important that it matches up. If not, you’ll need to remove it and readjust.
Once your measurements line up, attach the flange to the studs on all three sides of the wall. Please note that you should not screw the flange to the wall. Instead, you should use roofing nails because they won’t rust over time. When the tub is in place, install the baseboard and the molding in front of and around the tub.
Repair and finish off the drywall or tile that you cut in Step 3. If you’re installing a fiberglass bath surround, now’s the time to adhere it to the alcove.
Then, enjoy your tub! While all these steps might seem intimidating, removing and installing a new bathtub is a relatively easy DIY project that can be completed in a single day. And now, when you settle in for your next bubbly soak, you can enjoy your bath without the distraction of a tub in disrepair.
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