Plumbing 101: A Guide to Bathtub Installation
Plumbing 101: A Guide to Bathtub Installation
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Installing a bathtub isn't precisely brain surgery, but it does need strong plumbing, carpentry, and in some cases, tiling skills. Replacing an old bath tub with a brand-new one is additionally a moderately challenging job. If the old tub is readily available, the task can move speedily; if you have to open up a wall to remove the old bathtub as well as place the brand-new tub, the job is a lot harder. In either case, the job is within a home handyman's abilities, although you will require a helper to vacate the old tub as well as embeded in the new one. Make sure you have certified on your own for the work and are comfortable trying it. Rather than employing a contractor to take over a halfway-completed project, it is much better to take into consideration employing one before you begin. Chances are you might need a professional plumber to make tube connections.
This write-up will certainly help you mount a new bathtub in your washroom if you have actually already acquired a brand-new tub as well as don't need to transform the arrangement of your previous water system pipelines.
Your devices and material list must consist of the following:
Preparing for the Setup
To start with, the sustaining structure supplied with the bath needs to be fitted (if called for) according to the maker's directions. Next off, fit the faucets or mixer to the bathtub. When fitting the faucet block, it is very important to make certain that if the faucet includes a plastic washer, it is fitted in between the bath as well as the taps. On a plastic bath, it is likewise sensible to fit a supporting plate under the faucets device to avoid stress on the tub.
Fit the versatile tap connectors to the bottom of the two taps using 2 nuts and also olives (occasionally supplied with the tub). Fit the plug-hole electrical outlet by smearing mastic filler round the sink outlet opening, and after that pass the outlet through the hole in the bathroom. Make use of the nut supplied by the supplier to fit the plug-hole. Check out the plug-hole electrical outlet for an inlet on the side for the overflow pipe.
Next, fit completion of the flexible overflow pipe to the overflow electrical outlet. Afterwards, screw the pipe to the overflow face which must be fitted inside the bath. Make sure you utilize every one of the provided washing machines.
Link 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. Attach all-time low of the overflow tube in a comparable manner.The bathroom should now prepare to be suited its final setting.
Removing Old Taps
If you require to change old faucets with brand-new ones as a part of your installation, then the first thing you must do is separate the supply of water. After doing so, switch on the faucets to drain pipes any water staying in the system. The process of eliminating the existing taps can be quite problematic due to the restricted access that is usually the instance.
Make use of a container wrench (crowsfoot spanner) or a tap tool to reverse the nut that links the supply pipes to the taps. Have a towel ready for the remaining water that will certainly originate from the pipelines. Once the supply pipes have been removed, make use of the very same device to loosen up the nut that holds the faucets onto the bath/basin. You will require to quit the single faucets from turning throughout this process. When the taps have actually been removed, the holes in the bath/basin will need to be cleaned of any type of old sealing substance.
Before going on to fit the new faucets, compare the pipeline links on the old taps to the new taps. If the old faucets are longer than the brand-new faucets, then a shank adapter is needed for the brand-new taps to fit.
Setting up the Bath tub
Using the two wooden boards under its feet, put the tub in the needed placement. The wooden boards are helpful in evenly spreading the weight of the bathtub over the area of the boards instead of focusing all the weight onto four small points.
The next goal is to ensure that the tub is leveled all round. This can be accomplished by examining the spirit level as well as adjusting the feet on the tub until the spirit level reads degree.
To install taps, fit the bottom of the furthest flexible faucet port to the suitable supply pipe by making a compression join; after that do the exact same for the various other tap.
Turn on the water system as well as inspect all joints as well as brand-new pipework for leakages as well as tighten them if necessary. Load the tub and additionally examine the overflow outlet and also the normal outlet for leaks.
Finally, deal with the bath paneling as described in the producer's user's manual. Tiling as well as securing around the tub should wait until the bath tub has been utilized at least once as this will settle it right into its last placement.
Suitable New Touches
If the tails of the brand-new taps are plastic, after that you will require a plastic adapter to avoid damage to the thread. One end of the connector fits on the plastic tail of the faucet and also the various other end supplies a connection to the current supply pipelines.
If you require to fit a monobloc, after that you will certainly call for lowering couplers, which links the 10mm pipe of the monobloc to the common 15mm supply pipe.
Next off, place the tap in the installing hole in the bath/basin guaranteeing that the washing machines remain in place in between the tap and also the sink. Protect the faucet in place with the supplier supplied backnut. Once the tap is firmly in place, the supply pipelines can be connected to the tails of the faucets. The taps can either be attached by using corrugated copper piping or with typical faucet adapters. The former kind must be attached to the faucet ends first, tightening up just by hand. The supply pipelines can later be connected to the other end. Tighten up both ends with a spanner after both ends have actually been connected.
Tiling Around the Bathtub
In the area where the bathroom meets the floor tile, it is required to secure the accompanies a silicone rubber caulking. This is very important as the installation can move enough to fracture a rigid seal, triggering the water to permeate the wall surface between the bath as well as the tiling, causing issues with moisture and possible leakages to the ceiling listed below.
You can select from a variety of coloured sealers to blend in your fixtures and also fittings. They are marketed in tubes and also cartridges, as well as are capable of securing spaces up to a size of 3mm (1/8 inch). If you have a larger space to load, you can fill it with spins of soaked newspaper or soft rope. Remember to always load the bathtub with water prior to securing, to allow for the movement experienced when the bathtub is in use. The sealer can fracture fairly very early if you do not take into account this motion prior to sealing.
Conversely, ceramic coving or quadrant tiles can be used to edge the bath or shower tray. Plastic strips of coving, which are easy to use as well as reduce to dimension, are additionally conveniently offered on the market. It is advisable to fit the tiles using waterproof or water-proof glue and also 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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