Bathtub Installation

Bathtubs are a major consideration when it comes to designing a bathroom. It is important to take into account the bathing habits of those who will be sharing the bathroom before deciding on the type of tub to install. For example, if showers are the main bathing method in the house, it wouldn’t make much sense to invest in a top-of-the-line whirlpool. However, it would be a good idea to purchase a standard bathtub, equipped with shower accessories like a built-in seat, multiple shower heads and pulsating body sprays.

Before installing your new bathtub, several issues must be addressed. Most importantly, you will need to plan out the best way to get the bathtub into your bathroom. This is usually the biggest concern when the bathroom is located above the ground floor. If you are installing a standard tub (five feet long by 30 inches wide and holding about 50 gallons of water) you shouldn’t have much difficulty getting it up a flight of stairs to a second floor bath. However, if you are installing a luxury whirlpool or soaking tub, other accommodations may be necessary. For example, you may need to remove a window in order to hoist your tub up through the opening.

Below are some tips that should be kept in mind with respect to a bathtub installation:

• If you are making this a do-it-yourself project, get somebody to help you because tubs are heavy and need to be moved around with care.
• If the tub and enclosure is to be installed on the second or third floor, it is recommended that you choose a lightweight tub and an enclosure that can be assembled from individual pieces.
• If you are installing a luxury soaking tub or whirlpool tub, check to see that your bathroom floor can handle the weight of the filled tub. Floor joists may require reinforcement in older homes if the tub is oversized.
• It is recommended that you use a 3/4" water pipe for large tubs. Furthermore, use a 50-75 gallon hot water heater to ensure that your large tub gets a sufficient amount of hot water. Or, consider purchasing a bathtub that has an in-line heater.
• If you are replacing an old tub, you will need to first remove the existing bathtub before trying to install the new one. Make sure you disconnect its piping (hot and cold water, waste and overflow). Also, if the tub is clipped to a tiled wall then the clippings may need to be exposed and the tub detached.

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