YOUR PLUMBING CRASH COURSE: A GUIDE TO INSTALLING A BATHTUB

Your Plumbing Crash Course: A Guide to Installing a Bathtub

Your Plumbing Crash Course: A Guide to Installing a Bathtub

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Nearly everybody seems to have their private rationale about How to Install a Bathtub.


How to Install a Bathtub
Installing a bathtub isn't specifically brain surgery, yet it does call for solid plumbing, carpentry, and also sometimes, tiling abilities. Replacing an old bathtub with a new one is additionally a moderately tough job. If the old tub is conveniently accessible, the job can move immediately; if you have to open up a wall surface to remove the old tub and position the new bath tub, the task is a lot harder. In either case, the job is within a home handyman's abilities, although you will need a helper to vacate the old bathtub and embeded in the brand-new one. Make certain you have certified on your own for the task and fit attempting it. Instead of working with a service provider to take over a halfway-completed project, it is much better to consider utilizing one before you begin. Possibilities are you may require an expert plumber to make tube connections.
This article will certainly help you mount a new bathtub in your bathroom if you have actually currently bought a brand-new bathtub and also don't require to transform the arrangement of your previous water system pipes.
Your devices as well as product checklist need to comprise the following:
  • New Tub
  • Hammer

  • Pipeline Wrenches

  • Prybar

  • Safety Glasses

  • Level

  • Pliers

  • Flexible Wrench

  • Putty Blade

  • Screwdriver

  • Cold Chisel

  • Tape Measure

  • Pipe Caps


  • Planning for the Installment


    Firstly, the supporting frame supplied with the bath should be fitted (if required) according to the producer's directions. Next, fit the taps or mixer to the bath tub. When suitable the faucet block, it is necessary to see to it that if the faucet includes a plastic washer, it is fitted in between the bathroom and also the faucets. On a plastic bathroom, it is additionally practical to fit a sustaining plate under the taps unit to stop stress on the tub.
    Fit the flexible faucet ports to the bottom of the two faucets utilizing 2 nuts and olives (in some cases provided with the bathtub). Fit the plug-hole outlet by smearing mastic filler round the sink outlet opening, and after that pass the electrical outlet via the hole in the bath. 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 completion of the flexible overflow pipe to the overflow electrical outlet. After that, screw the pipe to the overflow face which must be fitted inside the bathroom. Ensure you make use of every one of the supplied washers.
    Link the catch to the bottom of the waste electrical outlet on the bath tub by winding the thread of the waste outlet with silicone mastic or PTFE tape, and screw on the trap to the outlet. Link the bottom of the overflow tube in a similar manner.The bath ought to now be ready to be fitted in its final position.

    Removing Old Touches


    If you require to change old faucets with brand-new ones as a part of your setup, after that the first thing you need to do is disconnect the supply of water. After doing so, activate the taps to drain any type of water staying in the system. The procedure of removing the existing faucets can be fairly problematic due to the restricted gain access to that is usually the case.
    Use a basin wrench (crowsfoot spanner) or a faucet device to undo the nut that connects the supply pipelines to the taps. Have a cloth ready for the continuing to be water that will come from the pipelines. When the supply pipes have actually been removed, make use of the exact same tool to loosen up the nut that holds the taps onto the bath/basin. You will certainly need to stop the solitary faucets from turning during this procedure. As soon as the taps have been gotten rid of, the holes in the bath/basin will certainly have to be cleaned of any type of old sealing substance.
    Prior to proceeding to fit the new faucets, contrast the pipeline connections on the old taps to the brand-new faucets. If the old faucets are longer than the brand-new taps, after that a shank adapter is required for the brand-new taps to fit.

    Setting up the Bathtub


    Utilizing both wooden boards under its feet, put the bath tub in the required position. The wood boards are helpful in uniformly spreading out the weight of the bathtub over the area of the boards as opposed to focusing all the weight onto four little factors.
    The next objective is to make certain that the bath tub is leveled all round. This can be accomplished by inspecting the spirit level and readjusting the feet on the tub until the level reads level.
    To set up faucets, fit the bottom of the outermost flexible tap port to the appropriate supply pipeline by making a compression join; then do the very same for the various other faucet.
    Switch on the water system and also check all joints and new pipework for leakages and also tighten them if necessary. Load the bath tub as well as additionally check the overflow electrical outlet and also the typical electrical outlet for leakages.
    Lastly, repair the bathroom paneling as described in the maker's instruction manual. Tiling as well as sealing around the tub needs to wait till the bathtub has actually been used a minimum of once as this will settle it into its final position.

    Suitable New Taps


    If the tails of the new taps are plastic, after that you will need a plastic port to prevent damage to the thread. One end of the adapter fits on the plastic tail of the tap as well as the other end gives a link to the current supply pipes.
    If you require to fit a monobloc, after that you will need reducing couplers, which attaches the 10mm pipeline of the monobloc to the typical 15mm supply pipeline.
    Next, position the tap in the mounting hole in the bath/basin making sure that the washers remain in location between the tap and the sink. Safeguard the tap in position with the supplier supplied backnut. As soon as the faucet is firmly in place, the supply pipes can be attached to the tails of the taps. The taps can either be connected by using corrugated copper piping or with typical faucet ports. The former type should be attached to the tap ends initially, tightening up only by hand. The supply pipelines can later be attached to the various other end. Tighten both ends with a spanner after both ends have actually been connected.

    Tiling Around the Bath tub


    In the area where the bathroom meets the ceramic tile, it is required to secure the joins with a silicone rubber caulking. This is important as the fitting can relocate sufficient to break a rigid seal, triggering the water to pass through the wall between the bathroom and also the tiling, resulting in issues with wetness as well as feasible leaks to the ceiling listed below.
    You can select from a selection of coloured sealers to assimilate your fixtures and also fittings. They are offered in tubes and cartridges, as well as are capable of securing spaces as much as a width of 3mm (1/8 inch). If you have a bigger gap to fill, you can load it with spins of soaked newspaper or soft rope. Remember to constantly fill up the tub with water before securing, to enable the movement experienced when the bathtub is in use. The sealer can break fairly very early if you do not take into consideration this movement 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 reduce to dimension, are also conveniently available on the market. It is suggested to fit the tiles using waterproof or water-proof sticky as well as grout.

    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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    Installing A Bathtub

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