Getting Familiar with Plumbing: Before Installing a Bathtub
Getting Familiar with Plumbing: Before Installing a Bathtub
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Mounting a bath tub isn't specifically brain surgery, yet it does require strong plumbing, carpentry, and in some cases, tiling abilities. Changing an old tub with a brand-new one is likewise a moderately hard job. If the old tub is readily available, the project can move immediately; if you have to open up a wall surface to eliminate the old tub as well as place the brand-new tub, the task is a lot harder. In either case, the project is within a house handyman's skills, although you will need a helper to leave the old tub as well as embeded in the brand-new one. See to it you have qualified yourself for the task and fit trying it. Instead of hiring a contractor to take control of a halfway-completed task, it is much better to take into consideration employing one prior to you start. Chances are you might need an expert plumber to make tube links.
This article will assist you mount a brand-new tub in your washroom if you have already purchased a new tub as well as don't need to transform the arrangement of your previous supply of water pipes.
Your tools and material checklist ought to comprise the following:
Planning for the Installation
To start with, the sustaining frame provided with the bath needs to be fitted (if required) according to the manufacturer's directions. Next, fit the faucets or mixer to the tub. When fitting the faucet block, it is essential to see to it that if the faucet features a plastic washing machine, it is fitted between the bath and also the faucets. On a plastic bathroom, it is additionally reasonable to fit a supporting plate under the taps unit to prevent strain on the bathtub.
Fit the adaptable faucet adapters to the bottom of both faucets making use of 2 nuts as well as olives (occasionally provided with the bathtub). Fit the plug-hole electrical outlet by smearing mastic filler round the sink electrical outlet opening, and after that pass the outlet through the hole in the bathroom. Make use of the nut supplied by the producer to fit the plug-hole. Take a look at the plug-hole outlet for an inlet on the side for the overflow pipeline.
Next off, fit the end of the adaptable overflow pipe to the overflow electrical outlet. After that, screw the pipe to the overflow face which ought to be fitted inside the bath. Ensure you make use of all of the supplied washers.
Link the catch to the bottom of the waste electrical outlet on the bath tub by winding the thread of the waste electrical outlet with silicone mastic or PTFE tape, as well as screw on the catch to the outlet. Link all-time low of the overflow tube in a comparable manner.The bath must currently prepare to be suited its final position.
Removing Old Taps
If you require to change old faucets with brand-new ones as a part of your setup, after that the first thing you need to do is disconnect the water system. After doing so, switch on the faucets to drain pipes any water remaining in the system. The process of eliminating the existing taps can be quite problematic due to the restricted access that is usually the case.
Use a container wrench (crowsfoot spanner) or a faucet tool to undo the nut that attaches the supply pipelines to the faucets. Have a fabric ready for the remaining water that will certainly come from the pipelines. When the supply pipes have actually been gotten rid of, utilize the exact same tool to loosen the nut that holds the taps onto the bath/basin. You will require to stop the single taps from turning throughout this process. When the taps have actually been removed, the holes in the bath/basin will certainly need to be cleaned up of any old sealing substance.
Before carrying on to fit the new taps, compare the pipe links on the old faucets to the brand-new taps. If the old taps are longer than the brand-new faucets, then a shank adapter is needed for the brand-new faucets to fit.
Installing the Bathtub
Utilizing both wood boards under its feet, position the tub in the needed setting. The wood 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 following goal is to make sure that the tub is leveled all round. This can be accomplished by inspecting the level as well as changing the feet on the bathtub until the level checks out level.
To mount faucets, fit all-time low of the furthest flexible tap connector to the ideal supply pipeline by making a compression join; then do the same for the various other tap.
Switch on the water supply and also inspect all joints and brand-new pipework for leaks as well as tighten them if necessary. Fill up the bathtub as well as likewise examine the overflow outlet as well as the regular outlet for leaks.
Ultimately, take care of the bathroom paneling as described in the maker's user's manual. Tiling and sealing around the tub must wait till the tub has actually been made use of at the very least once as this will settle it into its final setting.
Suitable New Touches
If the tails of the brand-new taps are plastic, then you will need a plastic connector to prevent damages to the thread. One end of the connector fits on the plastic tail of the tap and the various other end gives a link to the existing supply pipes.
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 common 15mm supply pipeline.
Next off, position the faucet in the placing hole in the bath/basin ensuring that the washers are in location between the faucet and the sink. Safeguard the tap in position with the producer supplied backnut. Once the tap is firmly in place, the supply pipelines can be connected to the tails of the taps. The faucets can either be linked by utilizing corrugated copper piping or with normal faucet adapters. The former type needs to be connected to the tap ends first, tightening only by hand. The supply pipelines can later on be attached to the other end. Tighten up both ends with a spanner after both ends have been linked.
Tiling Around the Bathtub
In the area where the bath fulfills the floor tile, it is necessary to seal the joins with a silicone rubber caulking. This is important as the fitting can move sufficient to split an inflexible seal, creating the water to pass through the wall surface in between the bathroom and also the tiling, bring about complications with dampness and feasible leaks to the ceiling below.
You can choose from a variety of coloured sealants to assimilate your fixtures and also fittings. They are marketed in tubes and cartridges, and can sealing gaps up to a size of 3mm (1/8 inch). If you have a bigger gap to load, you can load it with twists of drenched newspaper or soft rope. Remember to constantly fill the bath tub with water before securing, to enable the activity experienced when the tub remains in usage. The sealant can fracture relatively very early if you do not take into consideration this movement prior to securing.
Additionally, ceramic coving or quadrant floor tiles can be utilized to edge the bathroom or shower tray. Plastic strips of coving, which are easy to use and reduce to dimension, are also conveniently available on the marketplace. It is advisable to fit the floor tiles using water-resistant or water-proof adhesive as well as 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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