A Beginner's Guide to Plumbing for Bathtub Installation

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Everyone seems to have their own individual assumption about How to Install a Bathtub Yourself.


Installing A Bathtub
Installing a bath tub isn't exactly rocket science, yet it does require strong plumbing, carpentry, as well as often, tiling skills. Replacing an old tub with a new one is also a reasonably challenging project. If the old bathtub is easily easily accessible, the task can move rapidly; if you have to open up a wall to eliminate the old bathtub and place the brand-new bathtub, the task is a lot harder. In either case, the task is within a residence handyman's abilities, although you will certainly require a helper to move out the old bathtub and also embeded in the new one. Ensure you have actually certified yourself for the work and also fit trying it. As opposed to employing a specialist to take over a halfway-completed task, it is better to take into consideration employing one before you begin. Opportunities are you might require a professional plumber to make tube connections.
This post will certainly help you install a new bath tub in your bathroom if you have already purchased a new tub as well as don't need to transform the plan of your previous supply of water pipelines.
Your devices and product checklist need to make up the following:
  • New Bathtub
  • Hammer

  • Pipeline Wrenches

  • Prybar

  • Safety Glasses

  • Level

  • Pliers

  • Flexible Wrench

  • Putty Blade

  • Screwdriver

  • Cold Knife

  • Tape Measure

  • Pipeline Caps


  • Planning for the Setup


    Firstly, the sustaining frame supplied with the bath ought to be fitted (if needed) according to the producer's guidelines. Next off, fit the taps or mixer to the bathtub. When fitting the faucet block, it is important to make certain that if the faucet features a plastic washing machine, it is fitted between the bathroom as well as the faucets. On a plastic bath, it is also sensible to fit a supporting plate under the taps system to stop pressure on the bath tub.
    Fit the adaptable faucet ports to the bottom of the two faucets utilizing 2 nuts and also olives (sometimes supplied with the bathtub). Fit the plug-hole electrical outlet by smearing mastic filler round the sink outlet opening, and then pass the electrical outlet through the hole in the bath. Use the nut provided by the manufacturer to fit the plug-hole. Analyze the plug-hole electrical outlet for an inlet on the side for the overflow pipe.
    Next off, fit the end of the adaptable overflow pipe to the overflow outlet. Afterwards, screw the pipeline to the overflow face which must be fitted inside the bathroom. Ensure you utilize every one of the supplied washers.
    Connect the trap to the bottom of the waste outlet on the bath tub by winding the string of the waste electrical outlet with silicone mastic or PTFE tape, and screw on the trap to the outlet. Attach all-time low of the overflow tube in a similar manner.The bath should now be ready to be fitted in its last position.

    Removing Old Touches


    If you need to replace old faucets with brand-new ones as a part of your installment, after that the first thing you ought to do is detach the water supply. After doing so, turn on the faucets to drain any water remaining in the system. The process of removing the existing faucets can be quite troublesome due to the restricted access that is often the situation.
    Make use of a container wrench (crowsfoot spanner) or a tap device to reverse the nut that links the supply pipelines to the taps. Have a cloth prepared for the remaining water that will come from the pipes. When the supply pipelines have been removed, use the very same tool to loosen the nut that holds the faucets onto the bath/basin. You will certainly need to quit the single taps from transforming throughout this procedure. When the taps have been removed, the holes in the bath/basin will have to be cleaned up of any type of old securing substance.
    Prior to moving on to fit the new taps, contrast the pipe links on the old taps to the brand-new taps. If the old faucets are longer than the new faucets, after that a shank adapter is needed for the new faucets to fit.

    Installing the Bath tub


    Using the two wood boards under its feet, put the bathtub in the needed placement. The wood boards are practical in uniformly spreading the weight of the bath tub over the location of the boards rather than concentrating all the weight onto 4 tiny points.
    The following objective is to ensure that the bath tub is leveled all round. This can be achieved by examining the level and also changing the feet on the tub until the level reads level.
    To mount taps, fit all-time low of the outermost versatile tap connector to the suitable supply pipe by making a compression join; then do the exact same for the various other faucet.
    Activate the water supply and also examine all joints as well as new pipework for leaks and tighten them if required. Fill up the tub and likewise inspect the overflow outlet and the normal electrical outlet for leakages.
    Finally, take care of the bath paneling as defined in the producer's user's manual. Tiling and securing around the bath tub ought to wait till the tub has actually been made use of at the very least once as this will settle it into its final placement.

    Suitable New Taps


    If the tails of the new taps are plastic, after that you will need a plastic adapter to prevent damages to the string. One end of the adapter fits on the plastic tail of the tap and the other end offers a connection to the existing 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 basic 15mm supply pipe.
    Next, position the faucet in the placing hole in the bath/basin guaranteeing that the washers are in place in between the tap and also the sink. Protect the tap in place with the manufacturer provided backnut. As soon as the faucet is firmly in position, the supply pipes can be linked to the tails of the taps. The faucets can either be linked by utilizing corrugated copper piping or with typical tap connectors. The former kind ought to be linked to the faucet ends initially, tightening just by hand. The supply pipes can later on be linked to the other end. Tighten up both ends with a spanner after both ends have been connected.

    Tiling Around the Tub


    In the area where the bath satisfies the floor tile, it is essential to seal the joins with a silicone rubber caulking. This is necessary as the installation can relocate sufficient to split an inflexible seal, creating the water to pass through the wall between the bath and also the tiling, leading to difficulties with dampness and feasible leakages to the ceiling listed below.
    You can choose from a variety of coloured sealers to blend in your components as well as fittings. They are marketed in tubes and cartridges, and can securing spaces up to a width of 3mm (1/8 inch). If you have a bigger void to load, you can fill it with twists of drenched newspaper or soft rope. Remember to constantly fill the bath tub with water prior to securing, to permit the motion experienced when the tub remains in usage. The sealer can split fairly early if you do not think about this activity before sealing.
    Conversely, 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 reduce to size, are additionally conveniently available on the market. It is a good idea to fit the floor tiles utilizing water-resistant or waterproof sticky and 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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    How to Install a Bathtub

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