In older houses especially, it’s not uncommon to find that a floor joist has been cut to make room for plumbing, or has rotted because of water damage. Clean out the debris, then remove the tub—either by breaking it into pieces or carrying it out whole. Then install the drain—it’s easier to do now, as long as you remember not to rest the tub weight on the drain after you’ve installed it (Photo 12). The tub finish is very durable but … Secure tub to wall / deck. Also, make sure the GFCI is set and the circuit breaker is flipped on. 5.5 h. There was enough play in ours that we didn’t need to extend the drain the extra inch required for the center of the 32-in. Then, attach the drain to the new tub… Check with your local distributors for model and installation instructions. (Note: Think ahead and try to position your spout and faucet to complement your future tile layout.) With the old tub out of the way, there’ll never be a better time. If the wall insulation is at all moldy or damp, pull that out as well. Place a heavy-duty dropcloth over the floor and protect or remove other bathroom fixtures. Also, check the P-trap to make sure its center reaches the new drain. Not only do garden tubs take up valuable space, they’re often placed in a carpeted bathroom, which makes them notorious for cultivating both mold and soft spots in your flooring, due to water splashing over and saturating the carpet. A typical or standard garden tub has a starting price of around $2,000, without installation costs factored in. Open the plumbing access panel behind the tub and test the hot and cold water shutoffs. Stuff a cloth into the trap to block sewer gas and keep out debris. Begin the rough-in plumbing work for the whirlpool by laying out the center lines for the drain, the new anti-scald faucet, the tub spout and the shower head (Photo 7). If you own a home with a garden tub and you do use it, tearing out the carpet may be the first step in combating any potential issues. stubs to the open end. Adjust the cost to where you live with your ZIP Code. You don’t always have to remove the existing tile to do this. Molded soap holders. Removable access panel. Mark the new center lines for the tub drain according to the manufacturer’s rough-in guide. If so, you might be a little alarmed - and you’re... It’s probably hard enough just paying the monthly principal and the interest rate on your mortgage. The first step in drop in tub installation is to decide how much of the bathroom to demolish. 8 copper ground wire from the motor to all metal associated with the tub. Cut out more subfloor with a jigsaw if necessary. Seat the tub fully into the mortar, but don’t get into the tub or put any weight in it until the mortar hardens. Push the tub into the enclosure and mark the top of the flange on the wall studs with a pencil. Questions & Answers . In this article, we’re installing an American Standard whirlpool. If you have a sore knee or a sprained ankle, you may find it nearly impossible to maneuver safely without a secure handle. Other manufacturers have somewhat different tub designs and installation techniques. Remove the tub walls. HomeAdvisor's Bathtub Installation Cost Guide gives average prices to install or replace a tub. Lay an old blanket or dropcloth over the area you’re breaking to keep the shards from flying. Several Options. How to Install a Bathtub: Install an Acrylic Tub and Tub Surround, How to Remodel Your Bathroom Without Destroying It, Installing a Bathroom Sink: Wall-Hung Sink, 16 Cheap Bathroom Updates with Wow Factor, Remodel a Bathroom with Marble Mosaic and Limestone Tile, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Parts of Your Home Prone to the Most Winter Weather Damage, Family Handyman Vintage Project from 1983: How to Hang Wallpaper, An Expert Guide to Framing Basement Walls, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Lift the tub into place for a test fit. The sides of the garden tub are usually bowed outward. Protect the tub before and during installation with cardboard or thick blankets. above the overflow level of the tub, but these can be higher if desired. No matter what method you use, the weight of the tub must be supported by the floor, not the tub rim. Break cast iron tubs into manageable pieces with a sledge by covering a section with a drop cloth and then hitting that spot with sharp, controlled blows until it cracks. You may also need to install backers for the shower head and the tub spout. Don’t solder in the tub spout until after you install the tub (Photo 16). With the tub surround removed, the lip of the tub … Have an electrician install new electrical lines (Figure A). Whether you’re considering a standard bathtub or a whirlpool tub, Lowe’s is your go-to for all things bath, from tubs and wall surrounds to faucet hardware, drains and more. Slice the drywall around the edge of the tile with a utility knife, then pry and … Make Freestanding Tub Installation a Breeze with this Tool. Some porcelain enamel coated tubs will come with a corrugated cardboard protective cover. If you know anything about mobile homes, you’re well aware of their famous garden tubs. 55 gallon capacity. The shards from the enamel and cast iron are razor sharp; eye protection is a must. Let the mortar harden overnight. Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration. Pull out the pieces and carry them out. Inspect the tub for damage. But you’ll enjoy the extra width when you’re soaking in the tub. If your tub is fiberglass or enameled steel, it will be much lighter. If you have more room, you can install a drop-in model—a whirlpool meant to sit on top of a tiled deck. They allow you to turn the water back on to the rest of the house while you’re remodeling the tub area. The layout of our bathtub surround made installing a shower a little tricky. Assemble your copper pieces and solder them all at once (Photo 9). it is specifically designed to accommodate this exact issue. Then plug in the tub and turn it on. This isn’t necessarily bad; you may have to remove more drywall anyway to get the new tub in (Photo 11). If they still provide strong water pressure, you can add new galvanized fittings, or make a transition to copper with a special dielectric coupling—a fitting that prevents rapid corrosion in the steel ($5 at a plumbing supply store). Copyright © 1717 US Mobile Home Pros | mobilehomesell.com, What You Need To Know About Putting A Double Wide On A Basement, How To Fix Soft Spots In A Mobile Home Floor & Identify The Problem, Mobile Home Expenses You Need to Include in Your Budget. Types of Bathtubs Alcove bathtubs, or shower tubs , are the most common tubs. It’s easiest if you solder a short stub onto the uphill side of the ball valve to add on to later (Photo 2). This type of tub is typically used in a master bathroom. Check with your electrician or inspector for wiring details. What if you’ve dreamed of a double wide as your family’s next home, but you’d like a little more space than it... Have you found a soft spot in your mobile home floor recently? Getting in and out of a shower isnt always easy, even when youre fit and able. above the highest point of the subfloor. Now test-fit the tub to make sure you can get it in (Photo 11). Turn them an extra quarter turn with slip joint pliers. Keep in mind that you may have to remove more drywall if you take it out whole. If the P-trap is plastic and in good condition, leave it in place. Because they’re not very practical, I’ve seen garden tubs being repurposed for all sorts of secondary uses. Check out some of the showers that are found in the latest models coming out below. CleanCut Tub Installation Reduce the risk of falls and improve accessibility to your existing bathtub. Carefully check all the pipes and joints for leaks. Whirlpools that size are available, but we decided to replace it with a slightly roomier, 32 x 60-in.model. They have the same design as Roman tub faucets, and you can only install one on a tub that has a … If the floor under your tub is more than 1/2 in. Wear safety gear. Lock the tub in place with wafer-head screws or roofing nails driven above the top of the flange. You can either carry it out or cut it into smaller pieces with a reciprocating saw. Includes planning, equipment and material acquisition, area preparation and protection, setup and cleanup. Garden tubs are also typically much larger than standard bathtubs. Cost to Replace a Tub With a Shower Remodeling a bathroom and want to know how much it costs to replace a bathtub with a shower? Some inspectors require a separate wall access for servicing the motor and pump, depending on the model you buy. Although it’s a messy, jarring job, breaking a cast iron tub is often the easiest alternative. We chose a model that has an integral tiling flange and fits into a standard 5-ft. space. Check the other side of the tub walls and remove any breakables or pictures—the walls shake during demolition. However, if the water pressure is low and the inside of the pipe is obstructed with mineral deposits, replace the water lines with new copper, CPVC or PEX lines. Tub setting and leveling systems vary by brand. "A garden tub is much larger and is often free-standing with no walls around it," says Cummings. Get Quotes & Book Instantly. Tile installer servicing Columbia Missouri https://www.ejflooring.comThis video is a complete jetted tub surround tile installation from beginning to end. 6 year warranty. This template helps you align drain position and get the installation right on the first try! Keep your cutting lines within the perimeter of the new tile layout so that the new tile will just lap onto the old drywall and hide the joint. There are usually one or two steps leading up to the tub. Check for Fit. Finally, grab a corner of the surround and carefully pull it off the wall. These bulky, 50 gallon juggernauts have been around for as long as I can remember. Break the tub into at least four manageable sections. If you’re really ambitious, we’ve purchased several used mobile homes where the seller actually tore out the tub and replaced it with a new stand up shower. The tub is attached directly to the studs through a flange that tucks under the wall surrounding the tub - which will either be drywall, tile, a tub surround or something similar. It was easier to position the tub edge on top of the tile than to remove the tile and set the edge on the subfloor. Temporarily attach the faucet handle, open the shutoffs in the access panel, turn the water on and check for leaks in the copper lines. Our tub is designed to be set in a bed of mortar and leveled by edge supports screwed to the wall (Photo 10). If you can think of it, I’ve seen it done. Installing on a salad is no longer a problem with a product from Fleurco called the rapid connect free standing tub connector. If you want to replace your floor tile, you should finish installing it before you put the tub in. We discovered that we hadn’t cut out enough drywall and had to pull off more at both ends. Putting the tub aside for a minute, if the room was mine, I'd remove the chair rail and paint everything a warm white to give it a clean, more airy look - whether you replace tub or install a shower. Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. A garden tub is routinely installed as a 1-piece fiberglass or acrylic unit. If it’s metal, it’s probably old, so replace it with a plastic trap. If the subfloor and tile are still sound, you can add another layer of tile on top of the old one. Attach the drain and overflow pipe to the tub prior to installing the tub. tub. If you solder directly to the valve, be sure to remove the cartridge first. If youre installing a grab bar for someone with an injury or disability, have that person help you find the best location. It’ll complicate the project a bit; you’ll have to shift the drain about 1 in. Compare costs for standard, garden, jetted, cast iron, clawfoot & more tub styles. Then cut the copper spout to the length in the faucet instructions and run water into the tub. Now fill the tub up to the overflow drain and check it for leaks. in diameter, and stick it on the underside of the drain before you push the drain through the bottom of the tub. Install a 2×4 backer for the faucet and set it at the depth shown in the manufacturer’s instructions (Photo 8). You may have to smash through the tile with a hammer to get holes started near the top. And you’ll often have to remove the toilet to get the tub in. If nothing happens, look underneath the switch and make sure a small, flexible rubber tube is connected to it. For safe entry and exit, install a vertical grab bar inside your shower 18 to 24 inches from the shower head end. Level and screw 1×3 edge supports to the studs at the height listed in the instructions. if you have the space. You’ll need at least one dedicated 15-amp GFCI circuit—two if you decide to install an optional heater. It can be more challenging to install than a traditional tub, too. as long as you have plumbing to the area the rapid Connect will allow an easy installation of the tub. If you have a fiberglass tub surround, remove that first. Be sure to check the specific instructions included with the tub you buy. Walk-In Tub Installation Let our qualified installation team provide more style and safety to your bathroom with top brand walk-in bathtubs and tub modification options. Whirlpool tubs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and are made by a number of national and regional manufacturers. Here’s a list. It is great for bubble baths and for soaking your aching and tired body after a long day at work. This article covers a basic overview of what the project involves, but product details may vary among manufa… Hire the Best Whirlpool Tub Installers in Florissant, MO on HomeAdvisor. It’s essential to follow the instructions included with your tub. Tub support details vary by brand. We recommend that you add this extra 2 in. Clean and flux the joints, then solder new valves to the supply lines and 3-in. To install a bathtub, start by installing a 2- by 4-inch ledger board to the length of the wall that the long edge of the tub will be against. Work your way down the studs with a pry bar and pull off larger sections by hand (Photo 4). We recommend our users to update the browser. Wear eye protection to protect yourself from flying chunks of tile, and a dust mask to filter out dust. Then with a utility knife, cut around the edge of the tub surround to loosen the caulk. If they leak, turn off the water at the main shutoff, drain the water lines and replace the old shutoffs with ball valve shutoffs (Photos 1 and 2). Unlike conventional tub faucets that are designed to be installed on the bathroom wall, garden tub faucets are designed to be mounted on the tub itself. Open handles fully during soldering. When the wall thoroughly dries out, brush any moldy areas with a wood preservative. by bryceadminJan 25, 2017Bathroom, Blog, DIY, Remodeling. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Get Quotes & Book Instantly. I wanted to avoid ripping out any of that tile that I so painstakingly installed just a month ago. This of course can easily shoot up to around $5,000+ based on the material used, making this bathtub quite out of reach for those on a budget. If you do get any leaks, make sure the slip nuts have been fully hand-tightened, or turn them an extra quarter turn with adjustable pliers. and can’t be moved by one person. wide tub overlapped the floor tile by 2 in. The next step is demolition. Whirlpools are available that fit into a standard tub space and install almost as easily as a regular tub. If you find one, call the manufacturer right away for repair instructions. To convert your existing bathtub into a whirlpool you will also need an access area to the inside of the tub for installing the whirlpool pump, jets and hoses. Although the showers shown above come as standard upgrades in the new models you could easily have your old tub removed and replace it with one of these modern showers. After forming your plan, call your local building department to see which permits you need (you’ll almost certainly need an electrical permit) and learn about any special local rules regarding whirlpools. Also see Instructions and Spec sheet. Find prices to tile a bathtub … Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Molded arm rests. Check with a tile store for details. You also need to run a solid No. And there seems to be no end for the use of garden tubs, with the exception of bathing of course. If it still leaks, take the joint apart and check the washer—they occasionally break. Turn them off, then turn on the tub faucet and see if any water drips out—old shutoffs often leak. If the old tub surround is held in place with plastic rivets, cut off the head with a knife or drill them out. They’re rare but not unheard of, so check carefully. Level the top of the edge supports at 21-1/4 in. Some tubs of other brands sit on a leveled subfloor. Most of the tubs are designed for the traditional three-wall alcove. (The old tub was 30 in. With a helper, carefully lift and tilt the tub into place, pushing the sides of the tub down until the edges rest on the stringers. (For 1/4-inch-thick … Next, disconnect the waste and overflow coming out of the old tub. If your tile has been set in a 1-in. Follow the dimensions in your whirlpool’s instruction booklet. Screw a 2×4 backer to the studs for the new anti-scald valve, shimming it as needed to place the faucet at the manufacturer’s recommended depth. Cut the old valve out with a close-quarters tube cutter. Measure the Height of the Rim. Some tubs designed to fit a standard 5-ft. space have add-on flanges. The putty should squeeze out all the way around the rim. Slip resistant floor. Check the drain for leaks, then fill the tub, plug the motor in, and turn the whirlpool on. Avoid these if you can—the add-on flanges won’t be as watertight as the integral ones. Make sure you have plenty of space around the luxury amenity to safely get in and out of the deeper garden tub. out of level, take a few minutes to check the floor joists and the structure underneath. Sure, it will take a little work, but with a relatively small investment you could make your bathroom much more practical, avoiding wasted space and adding to the resale value of your mobile home. bag of mortar and spread it on the floor under the tub. Work carefully—edges and shards are as sharp as broken glass! Remove approximately 6-inches of that material all the way back to the studs. Get a strong helper—cast iron tubs weigh 200 to 300 lbs. Unscrew the slip nuts and disconnect the tub waste and overflow from the trap. Cut several spacers 1/8 inch thicker than the tiles you will install. It is a garden tub, so the spout and hot and cold handles come out of the top of the tub on the corner. Excessive sagging can also occur because a load bearing wall was mistakenly removed in a previous remodeling. Learn how to tear out the old tub, tub walls and faucet; rough in new plumbing; and set the new whirlpool in place. The deck-mounted faucet is off to one side, with the handles on the other side of the tub. A very handy homeowner can make the switch for $1,320. Make level and plumb lines around the old tile as guidelines, then cut through the drywall by making multiple passes with a utility knife. Home House & Components Fixtures Faucets, By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine. A garden tub is a bathtub that is designed with the sides bowed out so that the tub is more of a large oval than a rectangle, as most standard tubs are. The existing tub is a standard 30 x 60 in. Hire the Best Walk In Tub Installers in O Fallon, MO on HomeAdvisor. wide.) They’ve been used as closets, storage bins, kitty litter boxes and food pantries. In fact, most people claimed they ran out of hot water before they finished filling it. Do not install a damaged tub. Compare Homeowner Reviews from 5 Top O Fallon Walk In Bathtub Install or Replace services. Standard minimum heights for the tub spout and faucet are 4 and 12 in. If your tub doesn’t have shutoff valves, add them now. Spread mortar underneath the tub, roughly mirroring the outline of the tub base (Photo 13). thick mortar bed, you may have to pry it out piece by piece, cutting reinforcing wire as you go. Big, beautiful showers have become the highlight of mobile home bathrooms, hopefully replacing garden tubs, FOREVER! GARDEN TUB w/Access Panel (60"W x 37"D x 27"H) (Clarion) Fiberglass. This technique works best if your existing tile floor is level. After the joints have cooled, close the shutoffs and put tape or caps on the copper stubs to keep out debris. Fill any gaps with shims so the flange doesn’t crack when screwed tight. Hold the drain steady on the inside of the tub with a special tub drain wrench. Turn off the water to the house at the main valve and replace old, leaky shutoffs. 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