Sink Into Your Tub Installation
(Final part of a bathroom renovation series)

by: Liz Roberts

A new bathtub is like a shot of B-12 to your bath. It brings the extra oomph into making the room look striking, pretty, or even daring. Yet, despite it’s easy attractiveness tub installation is labor intensive. Unlike with the toilet and sink installations, you’ll need a lot of time and help. It is worth it because your bathtub will give you many years of service along with endless hours of relaxation.

How do you go about choosing your new tub? One tip is to actually try it out, making sure you feel completely comfortable. Also when doing this, make sure your neck and head are easily supported by the tub’s rim. Are you romantic? Then consider the two person tub. This is an option to the singular tub however it takes up a lot of valuable space. Styles vary as with sinks. You can choose anything from a modern to an old fashioned freestanding look. Remember that the best bath tubs are made out from enameled cast iron. They’re incredibly heavy (requiring a strong supportive floor underneath). Their finishes are deep and durable. You may want to opt for acrylic which has been reinforced with fiberglass. Fiberglass tubs are the lightest but their drawbacks are that they easily fade in direct sunlight and scratch from anything banging into them. You can buy fiberglass reinforced acrylic which comes in easy to install modular units.

Bathtubs can either come in freestanding or modular units. If you have a large bath area, then consider a freestanding tub. These are easy to maneuver around and can also be made the centerpiece of your bath. A more compact modular unit is better in a smaller bathroom. It usually combines a bath and a shower while a freestanding tub has a shower hose or a separate shower located elsewhere in the bathroom. Remember it’s important to also check with local building codes to make sure your tub is regulation quality. Homeowners have been known to install tubs that exceed weight requirements which leads to ones crashing through two stories into basements.

Once you’ve picked out the new tub, there is the problem of removing the old one. (these directions will be for set in or modular bath tubs). Always have one or two assistants to help you with the removal. Also wear goggles at all times in case a ceramic shard goes flying your way. Cover the work area with a heavy tarp to prevent pieces from landing on the floor or in the hallway where they might get stepped on. Remember to disconnect the old drain from the tub. You may also may have to cut into the ceiling below the tub.(this doesn’t apply if the bath is over a crawlspace or basement). Remove any caulking that is sealing the tub and surrounding tiles(which will probably have to be removed). If you’re dealing with a cast iron tub, use a cut off saw to cut it into removable pieces. For a fiberglass tub you can use any type of saw blade.

Start the removal process by putting two cuts across the width of the tub. This will create three divisions. The center will be the first to be removed and can be taken out in one big chunk. The end pieces can be taken out the same way or smashed into more manageable bits.

If you’re relocating your tub to another area , remember to make sure you have the right amount of support underneath. New joists may need to be installed to support the new tub. Use copper piping to connect to existing pipes using a brass or dielectric filling between then. After redoing the plumbing, it’s now time to install the tub. With your assistant’s help, lower the tub into place so that the continuous flange fits against the wall studs and rests on 1 by 4 or 2 by 4 supports. Anchor the tub to the enclosure with nails or screws. These are to be inserted through the flanges into the studs. Assemble the drain connections by connecting the tub overflow with the tub drain above the trap (don’t connect beyond it).This will result in a compression fitting that screws over the arm of the overflow assembly.

Now run the hot and cold water lines to your tub’s mixing valve. These are attached by sweating(uniting) directly into the valve. Extend a piece of ½ “ piping according to the manufacturer’s instructions for the tub’s spout. Sweat on a male threaded fitting at the end of the pipe or use a brass nipple of the proper length and a ½” cap. Restore the water pressure and also check the drain connection and supply pipes for any leaks . Seal the joints between the wall and tub with a silicone caulking to protect against any water seepage. Install the water spout and handles. Check to see if these are working properly.

A new bath tub adds to your bath’s décor as well as to your happiness. It will bring a new dimension to the room’s look as well providing a new facet to relaxing. There’s nothing as satisfying as lounging in a tub you installed. The work and effort are definitely worth a well deserved bubble bath.