Even when you’ve chosen a “lightweight” fiberglass or acrylic bathtub, installing it is going to be a heavy job. Believe me, you don’t want to attempt this task lightly. Your neighbor offering you a six-pack and a twenty might be enticing, but it’s in no way payment enough for the work involved in installing a new bathtub. Now, on the other hand, if you can get him to help you for a six-pack and a twenty…
There are two basic types of bathtubs you can install: a traditional framed bathtub or a freestanding bathtub such as a claw foot tub. When deciding which type you’d like to install, one main consideration is the amount of space you have available in your bathroom. If you are replacing a framed tub, you’ll most likely need to put another framed tub in its place, because a claw foot tub won’t fit into the same space a framed tub did. Measure your space carefully, and then make your decision and buy your tub. The following will walk you step-by-step through the process of installing your new tub.
Installing a Freestanding Tub
The first step in the installation of a new freestanding or claw foot tub involves jacking the tub up like it was your car, because you’re going to have to work underneath it. Since no one makes jacks specifically for bathtubs, you’ll have to improvise by using the packaging material or maybe some bricks covered with towels. This will give you enough room work in while putting the pieces together.
Start with the feet of the tub. Each foot is designed to fit in only one spot on the tub, so make sure you put them in their correct places. You may want to get a friend to help you with this. Install both feet on the plumbing end of the tub first, and then the feet on the opposite end.
When attaching the plumbing fixtures, once again make sure you’ve hooked the hot to the hot and the cold to the cold. It’s easy to mix them up, and you won’t want to have to spend time later unhooking them and then re-hooking them correctly.
Now that your tub has legs, you can remove the jacking material and allow the tub to stand by itself. If it doesn’t sit level, you’ll need to install space washers on the legs until it does. You may only need a few washers, or possibly none, unless your house is badly out of level.
Framed, Traditional Bathtub
The process of installing a new framed-in tub can be fairly easy as long as you’re replacing an old tub with a similar model. To start from scratch in a new bathroom, however, you’ll need to start by framing the area. This includes adding 2×4s which are nailed into the wall studs on the back and sides of the tub called ledgers. After framing you can add the plumbing. Once again, when replacing an existing tub, the plumbing will already be there for you to use.
Make sure you have plenty of help when moving your new bathtub into place. Not only are tubs heavy, they are also awkward and out-of-balance to carry. After placing the tub in its frame, check for evenness with a level. If the sides of the tub are out of plumb, add shim until you’ve achieved the correct angle. Keep in mind that the bottom floor of the tub will not be level.
Assemble all of your overflow pipes and drain pipes and make sure they all fit together correctly. You’ll need to attach the drainage system which includes the p-trap and the drain pipes. Once you’ve gotten the pipes all in place, it’s time to install the last of the ledgers.
If everything has been put together right, the tub can now be slid into its position on the ledgers. The drainpipe will be in the correct position to slide right into the p-trap. Using the hardware that came with the bathtub, nail it down and attach all plumbing and cover plates. After everything is connected, give the plumbing a trial run so that you can check for leaks.
No matter what kind of tub you install, you’ll want to inspect your work numerous times to make sure everything has been done correctly. After you’re convinced everything is right, you’ll need to run a bead of caulking around all tub edges that meet the wall and allow the caulking to cure for at least 24 hours before using the tub. Installed incorrectly, the tub can actually slide back off the ledgers while you or a loved one is bathing. You can never be too careful. If you aren’t totally comfortable with the work you’ve done, find a professional plumber to help you out.