Learning the Basics of Installing a Bathtub

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How to Install a Bathtub
Setting up a tub isn't specifically brain surgery, however it does need strong plumbing, woodworking, and also occasionally, tiling abilities. Changing an old bathtub with a new one is also a moderately challenging job. If the old tub is readily available, the project can move speedily; if you have to open a wall to get rid of the old bathtub as well as position the brand-new bathtub, the job is a lot harder. In either situation, the task is within a residence handyman's skills, although you will need a helper to vacate the old bathtub as well as set in the brand-new one. Make certain you have certified on your own for the job and also are comfortable attempting it. Rather than working with a professional to take control of a halfway-completed job, it is far better to consider employing one prior to you start. Chances are you might need an expert plumber to make tube connections.
This post will assist you mount a new tub in your washroom if you have currently acquired a new bathtub and don't require to change the arrangement of your previous water system pipelines.
Your tools as well as material list need to comprise the following:
  • New Bathtub
  • Hammer

  • Pipe Wrenches

  • Prybar

  • Safety Glasses

  • Level

  • Pliers

  • Adjustable Wrench

  • Putty Blade

  • Screwdriver

  • Cold Blade

  • Tape Measure

  • Pipe Caps


  • Preparing for the Installation


    Firstly, the supporting frame provided with the bathroom needs to be fitted (if needed) according to the maker's instructions. Next, fit the taps or mixer to the tub. When fitting the faucet block, it is important to ensure that if the tap features a plastic washer, it is fitted in between the bathroom and the taps. On a plastic bathroom, it is likewise reasonable to fit a sustaining plate under the taps device to prevent strain on the bath tub.
    Fit the adaptable tap connectors to the bottom of both taps making use of 2 nuts as well as olives (often supplied with the bathtub). Fit the plug-hole electrical outlet by smearing mastic filler round the sink outlet hole, and afterwards pass the outlet with the hole in the bathroom. Use the nut provided by the producer 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 pipeline to the overflow outlet. After that, screw the pipe to the overflow face which must be fitted inside the bathroom. See to it you use all of the provided washing machines.
    Attach the trap to the bottom of the waste outlet on the tub by winding the string of the waste electrical outlet with silicone mastic or PTFE tape, as well as screw on the trap to the electrical outlet. Connect all-time low of the overflow tube in a similar manner.The bath must currently prepare to be suited its last placement.

    Removing Old Touches


    If you require to replace old taps with new ones as a part of your installation, after that the first thing you need to do is separate the water supply. After doing so, turn on the faucets to drain pipes any water remaining in the system. The procedure of getting rid of the existing taps can be quite bothersome as a result of the restricted access that is often the instance.
    Use a basin wrench (crowsfoot spanner) or a faucet tool to reverse the nut that links the supply pipes to the taps. Have a cloth all set for the staying water that will certainly come from the pipelines. When the supply pipes have been eliminated, make use of the very same tool to loosen the nut that holds the faucets onto the bath/basin. You will certainly need to quit the single faucets from transforming during this procedure. As soon as the taps have been gotten rid of, the holes in the bath/basin will have to be cleansed of any kind of old sealing compound.
    Before going on to fit the new faucets, contrast the pipeline links on the old faucets to the new taps. If the old taps are longer than the new taps, after that a shank adapter is required for the new taps to fit.

    Installing the Bath tub


    Making use of both wooden boards under its feet, position the tub in the required position. The wood boards are valuable in equally spreading the weight of the bath tub over the area of the boards rather than concentrating all the weight onto four tiny factors.
    The following objective is to ensure that the bathtub is leveled all round. This can be achieved by checking the spirit level and readjusting the feet on the bath tub up until the level checks out level.
    To mount faucets, fit the bottom of the outermost flexible faucet port to the suitable supply pipe by making a compression sign up with; then do the very same for the other tap.
    Activate the water as well as examine all joints and also new pipework for leakages as well as tighten them if necessary. Fill up the tub and likewise inspect the overflow outlet as well as the regular outlet for leaks.
    Lastly, deal with the bath paneling as explained in the producer's user's manual. Tiling and sealing around the tub must wait till the bathtub has actually been made use of a minimum of when as this will certainly settle it right into its final placement.

    Suitable New Taps


    If the tails of the new taps are plastic, then you will need a plastic port to avoid damages to the string. One end of the port fits on the plastic tail of the faucet as well as the other end supplies a connection to the existing supply pipelines.
    If you require to fit a monobloc, then you will require reducing couplers, which attaches the 10mm pipeline of the monobloc to the typical 15mm supply pipeline.
    Next, position the faucet in the installing hole in the bath/basin making certain that the washers remain in area in between the tap and also the sink. Protect the tap in position with the producer offered backnut. As soon as the tap is firmly in place, the supply pipelines can be linked to the tails of the faucets. The taps can either be attached by utilizing corrugated copper piping or with typical tap ports. The previous kind ought to be attached to the tap ends initially, tightening just by hand. The supply pipes can later be linked to the various other end. Tighten both ends with a spanner after both ends have been attached.

    Tiling Around the Bathtub


    In the area where the bath satisfies the floor tile, it is necessary to seal the joins with a silicone rubber caulking. This is necessary as the installation can move sufficient to fracture an inflexible seal, creating the water to penetrate the wall surface in between the bathroom as well as the tiling, resulting in problems with dampness and possible leakages to the ceiling listed below.
    You can pick from a range of coloured sealants to blend in your fixtures and installations. They are offered in tubes as well as cartridges, as well as are capable of sealing voids up to a width of 3mm (1/8 inch). If you have a larger gap to fill, you can load it with spins of drenched newspaper or soft rope. Remember to constantly load the bath tub with water before sealing, to permit the motion experienced when the bathtub is in usage. The sealer can break rather very early if you do not think about this motion prior to sealing.
    Conversely, ceramic coving or quadrant ceramic tiles can be made use of to edge the bathroom or shower tray. Plastic strips of coving, which are easy to use and also cut to dimension, are also quickly readily available on the marketplace. It is recommended to fit the floor tiles using water-resistant or water-proof sticky and also grout.

    A Step-by-Step Guide to Installing a Bathtub


    Is your bathtub looking a bit dated lately? Believe it or not, installing a new one is a project you can do yourself. Whether your bathtub is broken or doesn’t fit in with your current bathroom’s design, you can fix it without having to hire a contractor or paying labour costs.



    But, beyond saving money, there are other benefits of installing your own bathtub. When you do this project yourself, you can customise every step of the process. You can also make sure the finished product looks exactly the way you want it to.



    This DIY project is quite involved, but by doing some research, preparing your bathroom and using the right equipment, it is definitely one you can take on. This guide will help you understand the technical procedures behind installing a new bathtub.


    Remove the Existing Bathtub


    To remove the old bathtub, you will need to turn the water supply off before you start any work. After you turn the water off, there will likely still be some water left in your plumbing system, which you can remove by turning on a faucet below the level of the bathtub. Once the water stops running, you are ready to start working.



    The easiest way to remove the tub is to remove the faucet, handles and other piping and then pull the tub out from the wall. If this doesn’t work in your situation, you will need to remove part of the wall, remove the piping and then slide the tub out.


    Choose the Right Bathtub


    The ideal way to replace your bathtub is to find one that has the exact dimensions and has the drain and faucet on the same side as your old one. This way, it will fit in the same place and you won’t have to change the piping system in your bathroom. Choose a tub that matches your home’s decor and fits with the style of the bathroom.


    Install the Plumbing and Ledger Board


    You can purchase a tub drain kit at a hardware store which will have all the pieces you will need for your new tub’s plumbing. Follow the instructions that came with the kit to install the plumbing in the new tub and then take measurements to make sure the plumbing in the tub will align with the plumbing in your bathroom. If it doesn’t, now is the time to make necessary adjustments.



    Some bathtubs need a ledger board that is installed on the wall behind the tub to help support it. If your new bathtub requires one, the directions that came with it will tell you how high it should be installed. If your old bathtub had a ledger board, and it is still in good condition, you can adjust its height to match the new bathtub.


    Install the Bathtub


    When the plumbing and ledger board are ready, you can install the new bathtub. Carefully lower it into the space, being careful not to damage the tub, wall, plumbing or ledger board. Since bathtubs are very heavy and you will need to line the tub up exactly, it is wise to have someone help you with this step.



    Once the tub is in place, it needs to be perfectly level, so use a bubble level instead of estimating how level the tub is. Put the level on the top edge of the tub, not the bottom on the inside, since many tubs are designed with a sloped bottom.



    If the bathtub isn’t level, adjust the ledger board and shift the tub until it is. When it is level, use screws to attach the tub to the wall studs. Most bathtubs have pre-drilled holes in the upper flange, so use these but do not over tighten the screws.


    Hook up the Plumbing


    Now that the bathtub is installed, it needs to be attached to your plumbing system. First, install the shoe fitting under the tub and drain pipe, then the overflow pipe and then the drain flange. Your tub plumbing kit will include specific instructions on how to install these pieces.


    Install the Bathtub Surround


    A bathtub surround will protect the walls around the tub from water damage and can give your new bathtub a more finished look. To install one, make sure the wall is completely clean and dry so that the adhesive will be able to hold the surround securely. Then, measure the surround and mark the same dimensions on the wall above the tub.



    Following the directions that came with the surround adhesive, apply it to the wall. Press the surround against the wall on top of the adhesive and then pull it away for about three minutes to activate the adhesive, then apply the surround again. Keep in mind that this is the most common way to use an adhesive, but you should check the instructions on the package for any special steps.



    If there is any excessive adhesive around the sides of the surround, you can use mineral spirits to remove it. Then use masking tape to hold the surround panels in place until the adhesive is dry. Using silicone, seal all the cracks between the surround panels and the gap between the bottom of the panels and the top of the bathtub.



    If you want to install tile above your bathtub, instead of a bathtub surround, the process will be very similar. But, you will need to measure and cut tiles and install each one individually, using tile spacers to make sure they are evenly spaced. You will then use grout to fill in the spaces between the tiles.

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    How to Install a Bathtub Yourself

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