Getting Familiar with Plumbing: Your Starting Point for When Installing a Bathtub
Getting Familiar with Plumbing: Your Starting Point for When Installing a Bathtub
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Everyone seems to have their private opinion with regards to A Step-by-Step Guide to Installing a Bathtub.
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Installing a bathtub isn't exactly brain surgery, yet it does need strong plumbing, carpentry, as well as often, tiling skills. Changing an old bath tub with a new one is also a reasonably difficult task. If the old tub is readily available, the job can move quickly; if you have to open up a wall surface to eliminate the old tub as well as place the new bathtub, the job is a lot harder. In either case, the task is within a home handyman's abilities, although you will require an assistant to vacate the old bathtub as well as embeded in the brand-new one. Ensure you have qualified yourself for the task as well as are comfortable trying it. Instead of working with a service provider to take control of a halfway-completed project, it is far better to take into consideration utilizing one before you start. Opportunities are you might require a specialist plumber to make tube connections.
This article will assist you install a new tub in your shower room if you have actually currently purchased a brand-new bathtub and don't need to transform the arrangement of your previous water pipelines.
Your devices as well as material checklist should consist of the following:
Getting ready for the Installation
Firstly, the supporting structure provided with the bathroom should be fitted (if required) according to the manufacturer's directions. Next off, fit the taps or mixer to the tub. When suitable the tap block, it is important to make sure that if the faucet includes a plastic washing machine, it is fitted between the bathroom as well as the taps. On a plastic bathroom, it is additionally practical to fit a supporting plate under the taps system to prevent strain on the tub.
Fit the versatile faucet connectors to the bottom of the two faucets making use of 2 nuts and also olives (in some cases provided with the bathtub). Fit the plug-hole electrical outlet by smearing mastic filler round the sink electrical outlet hole, and after that pass the outlet via the hole in the bathroom. Utilize the nut supplied by the manufacturer to fit the plug-hole. Take a look at the plug-hole electrical outlet for an inlet on the side for the overflow pipeline.
Next, fit the end of the flexible overflow pipeline to the overflow outlet. Afterwards, screw the pipeline to the overflow face which should be fitted inside the bathroom. See to it you utilize every one of the provided washers.
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, and also screw on the trap to the outlet. Link all-time low of the overflow tube in a comparable manner.The bathroom must currently be ready to be fitted in its last position.
Removing Old Touches
If you require to change old taps with brand-new ones as a part of your setup, after that the first thing you ought to do is separate the water. After doing so, turn on the taps to drain any kind of water remaining in the system. The process of eliminating the existing faucets can be fairly problematic due to the restricted access that is frequently the instance.
Use a container wrench (crowsfoot spanner) or a faucet tool to reverse the nut that attaches the supply pipes to the taps. Have a towel ready for the remaining water that will originate from the pipes. As soon as the supply pipelines have actually been removed, use the very same tool to loosen up the nut that holds the taps onto the bath/basin. You will need to stop the single taps from transforming throughout this procedure. Once the faucets have actually been removed, the holes in the bath/basin will need to be cleaned up of any kind of old sealing compound.
Before going on to fit the new faucets, compare the pipeline links on the old faucets to the brand-new taps. If the old taps are longer than the new faucets, then a shank adapter is needed for the new faucets to fit.
Installing the Bathtub
Utilizing both wood boards under its feet, put the bath tub in the required position. The wood boards are helpful in equally spreading the weight of the bath tub over the location of the boards as opposed to focusing all the weight onto four little factors.
The next objective is to guarantee that the bathtub is leveled all round. This can be attained by inspecting the level and also readjusting the feet on the bath tub until the spirit level checks out degree.
To install taps, fit the bottom of the outermost versatile faucet connector to the ideal supply pipeline by making a compression join; then do the very same for the various other faucet.
Switch on the water and also examine all joints as well as new pipework for leakages and tighten them if necessary. Load the bath tub and likewise check the overflow outlet as well as the typical outlet for leaks.
Lastly, fix the bath paneling as explained in the manufacturer's user's manual. Tiling as well as securing around the bath tub ought to wait till the bath tub has been made use of a minimum of once as this will certainly resolve it into its last position.
Suitable New Touches
If the tails of the new taps are plastic, after that you will need a plastic port to stop damage to the string. One end of the adapter fits on the plastic tail of the tap and also the other end provides a link to the existent supply pipelines.
If you require to fit a monobloc, after that you will certainly call for reducing couplers, which connects the 10mm pipeline of the monobloc to the conventional 15mm supply pipe.
Next, position the tap in the mounting hole in the bath/basin ensuring that the washers are in location between the faucet as well as the sink. Secure the tap in position with the manufacturer supplied backnut. When the tap is firmly in position, the supply pipelines can be attached to the tails of the faucets. The taps can either be connected by using corrugated copper piping or with regular faucet connectors. The previous type ought to be linked to the faucet ends initially, tightening up only by hand. The supply pipes can later on be connected to the various other end. Tighten up both ends with a spanner after both ends have been connected.
Tiling Around the Bathtub
In the location where the bathroom satisfies the ceramic tile, it is essential to secure the accompanies a silicone rubber caulking. This is necessary as the fitting can move enough to break a stiff seal, triggering the water to pass through the wall surface between the bath as well as the tiling, leading to issues with moisture as well as possible leaks to the ceiling listed below.
You can select from a selection of coloured sealants to blend in your components and also installations. They are offered in tubes and cartridges, and can securing voids up to a width of 3mm (1/8 inch). If you have a larger void to fill up, you can load it with spins of drenched paper or soft rope. Keep in mind to always load the bath tub with water prior to sealing, to allow for the movement experienced when the tub is in use. The sealer can crack fairly early if you do not consider this motion prior to sealing.
Alternatively, ceramic coving or quadrant tiles can be utilized to border the bath or shower tray. Plastic strips of coving, which are easy to use as well as cut to dimension, are likewise easily offered on the market. It is a good idea to fit the tiles utilizing waterproof or water-proof glue and also cement.
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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