Plumbing 101: Tips for Bathtub Installation

Schedule A Service

How do you really feel with regards to How to Install a Bathtub Yourself?


Tools You Need to Install a New Bathtub
Mounting a bathtub isn't exactly rocket science, however it does call for strong plumbing, carpentry, and also in some cases, tiling skills. Changing an old bath tub with a brand-new one is likewise a moderately tough project. If the old bathtub is readily obtainable, the project can relocate quickly; if you need to open up a wall to eliminate the old bathtub as well as place the new tub, the job is a lot harder. In either case, the project is within a house handyman's abilities, although you will certainly require an assistant to move out the old tub and set in the brand-new one. See to it you have actually certified yourself for the job and are comfortable attempting it. Instead of employing a service provider to take control of a halfway-completed task, it is far better to take into consideration using one prior to you begin. Possibilities are you may need a professional plumber to make tube links.
This post will assist you set up a brand-new bathtub in your shower room if you have currently bought a new tub as well as do not require to transform the plan of your previous supply of water pipes.
Your tools and product list ought to comprise the following:
  • New Bathtub

  • Hammer

  • Pipeline Wrenches

  • Prybar

  • Safety Glasses

  • Degree

  • Pliers

  • Flexible Wrench

  • Putty Knife

  • Screwdriver

  • Cold Blade

  • Measuring tape

  • Pipeline Caps


  • Removing Old Taps


    If you need to replace old faucets with brand-new ones as a part of your installation, then the first thing you must do is separate the water supply. After doing so, turn on the taps to drain any water staying in the system. The process of eliminating the existing taps can be rather troublesome because of the restricted access that is typically the situation.
    Utilize a container wrench (crowsfoot spanner) or a tap tool to undo the nut that connects the supply pipes to the faucets. Have a towel all set for the staying water that will come from the pipelines. As soon as the supply pipelines have been removed, make use of the exact same tool to loosen the nut that holds the faucets onto the bath/basin. You will require to quit the single faucets from turning throughout this process. As soon as the taps have been gotten rid of, the holes in the bath/basin will certainly need to be cleaned of any kind of old securing compound.
    Prior to proceeding to fit the brand-new taps, compare the pipe connections on the old faucets to the brand-new taps. If the old taps are longer than the brand-new faucets, after that a shank adapter is required for the new taps to fit.

    Suitable New Taps


    If the tails of the brand-new faucets are plastic, then you will require a plastic port to stop damage to the string. One end of the adapter fits on the plastic tail of the faucet and also the other end offers a connection to the existent supply pipes.
    If you need to fit a monobloc, then you will certainly call for reducing couplers, which attaches the 10mm pipeline of the monobloc to the typical 15mm supply pipeline.
    Next off, position the tap in the placing opening in the bath/basin making sure that the washers are in area in between the tap and also the sink. Protect the tap in position with the producer provided backnut. As soon as the faucet is safely in position, the supply pipelines can be connected to the tails of the taps. The faucets can either be linked by using corrugated copper piping or with typical faucet ports. The previous kind ought to be linked to the tap ends first, tightening up just by hand. The supply pipes can later on be attached to the various other end. Tighten up both ends with a spanner after both ends have been attached.

    Setting up the Bathtub


    Making use of the two wooden boards under its feet, put the bath tub in the required setting. The wood boards are helpful in uniformly spreading out the weight of the tub over the location of the boards as opposed to concentrating all the weight onto four little points.
    The following objective is to ensure that the tub is leveled all round. This can be achieved by examining the level and also adjusting the feet on the tub till the spirit level reads level.
    To mount taps, fit the bottom of the outermost adaptable faucet connector to the proper supply pipeline by making a compression join; then do the same for the other faucet.
    Activate the water supply and check all joints and also brand-new pipework for leaks as well as tighten them if required. Fill the bath tub as well as also examine the overflow electrical outlet and also the typical electrical outlet for leakages.
    Ultimately, take care of the bathroom paneling as explained in the maker's instruction manual. Tiling as well as sealing around the bath tub needs to wait up until the bathtub has actually been made use of a minimum of when as this will certainly resolve it right into its last placement.

    Preparing for the Setup


    First of all, the supporting framework provided with the bathroom must be fitted (if needed) according to the maker's guidelines. Next off, fit the faucets or mixer to the tub. When fitting the tap block, it is important to make sure that if the faucet includes a plastic washer, it is fitted in between the bathroom and the faucets. On a plastic bathroom, it is also reasonable to fit a sustaining plate under the taps device to prevent pressure on the tub.
    Fit the adaptable tap adapters to the bottom of the two faucets using 2 nuts and also olives (in some cases provided with the bathtub). Fit the plug-hole electrical outlet by smearing mastic filler round the sink electrical outlet hole, and then pass the electrical outlet with the hole in the bath. Make use of the nut supplied by the manufacturer to fit the plug-hole. Check out the plug-hole outlet for an inlet on the side for the overflow pipeline.
    Next, fit the end of the versatile overflow pipe to the overflow outlet. After that, screw the pipe to the overflow face which must be fitted inside the bath. Make certain you use every one of the provided washers.
    Link the trap to the bottom of the waste electrical outlet on the bathtub by winding the thread of the waste outlet with silicone mastic or PTFE tape, and also screw on the trap to the electrical outlet. Attach all-time low of the overflow tube in a comparable manner.The bathroom must currently prepare to be suited its final placement.

    Tiling Around the Bath tub


    In the location where the bathroom fulfills the ceramic tile, it is required to seal the accompanies a silicone rubber caulking. This is necessary as the installation can move sufficient to break an inflexible seal, triggering the water to penetrate the wall surface between the bathroom and the tiling, leading to issues with dampness as well as feasible leaks to the ceiling below.
    You can select from a variety of coloured sealers to assimilate your fixtures and also installations. They are offered in tubes and cartridges, and also are capable of securing spaces up to a size of 3mm (1/8 inch). If you have a larger void to fill up, you can fill it with spins of soaked paper or soft rope. Remember to constantly fill the bath tub with water before securing, to permit the motion experienced when the bathtub is in usage. The sealer can split relatively early if you do not take into account this motion prior to sealing.
    Alternatively, ceramic coving or quadrant floor tiles can be used to edge the bathroom or shower tray. Plastic strips of coving, which are easy to use and also reduce to size, are additionally easily readily available on the market. It is recommended to fit the tiles making use of water-resistant or waterproof glue 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.

    https://www.homeserve.com/en-us/blog/how-to/bathtub-replacement/


    Installing A Bathtub

    I was made aware of that editorial on How to Install a Bathtub Yourself from someone on our other site. Are you aware of someone else who is truly interested in How to Install a Bathtub? Please feel free to share it. Thank-you for your time spent reading it.


    Contact for quality!

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *