Steel tub installation

It is not wise to use an economy product as the base for your job but that is your decision if you have taken limited project life into account. Is it possible that your existing drain shoe is not level? You could check that with a 6" level. Lonny pointed out that it is often necessary to redo the waste and overflow anyway to make everything line up with the new tub. Hole locations are NOT standard.

It is also possible that the tub itself is slightly mis-shaped or warped. Set it out on the floor, leel it across the top, and see if the outlet hole is level. I think I would have to hire a plumber if I did that and right now that is not in the budget I think that is the problem but I guess I just don't understand how replacing the drain shoe is going to correct the lean without replacing the entire thing I was just trying to get a tub in there so we could use it for the 30 day leave my son has coming home from Iraq I am fast running out of time for all the cure time on tile for both floor and wall I hesitate to spend a lot on a tub we rarely use I have seen on some forum letters that tile just falls off after 10 to 15 years and that is simply all the life you get from it I was trying to use the best backer board and supplies with the exception of the tub I am not sure what to do there I think its mostly been used as a shower pan I don't know if resurfacing was used back then but perhaps we should have looked into that years ago Last edited: Sep 20, Bob's HandyGuy Senior Member.

Messages Reaction score 0 Points 0. There is no way to shim the bottom of the tub to make the drain line up? Is your problem because the old tub was tipped slightly away from the wall so any overflow was onto the floor and away from the tile?

OK, the out-of-level shoe is the problem. Probably in the original install, they just tightened it up real tight and got lucky that the gasket grabbed all around and did not leak.

I really can't recommend putting the new one in with this method. Cultured marble is made from crushed limestone mixed with resin to create a stone-like appearance and finished with a gel surface coating to increase durability. Marble tubs are available in a wide variety of patterns, colors, and veining. Copper tubs have excellent heat retention, are corrosion-proof, and come in various shapes and sizes. Copper is sensitive to harsh chemicals and abrasive materials and requires special care when cleaning.

Standard bathtub sizes are 60 to 72 inches long, 30 to 36 inches wide, with 14 to 24 inches of water depth. Many whirlpool tubs are designed to fit into a common alcove space. Freestanding tubs come in a variety of shapes and sizes but are wider and deeper than alcove tubs. Removing an old tub and disposing of the debris may be suitable for a DIY project. New bathtub installations involve complex plumbing and carpentry tasks that require a professional contractor.

Professional plumbers and bathroom remodeling contractors install bathtubs, make plumbing modifications, and install new fixtures. A handyman can handle simple bathtub installations. Some whirlpool tubs also require an electrician to wire the tub's motor into the electrical system. Yes, plumbers do install and replace bathtubs. Installing a different type or moving the bathtub requires a plumber to relocate the pipes and drains, increasing costs.

Home Depot offers a free, in-home consultation and estimate from a licensed and insured professional. Replacing a bathtub with one of the same sizes takes 1 to 2 days. A tub replacement and tile surround installation takes 3 to 5 days. Installing a different size and style bathtub takes 2 to 30 days , depending on the renovations and plumbing modifications needed.

The average lifespan of a bathtub is 10 to 50 years. Acrylic tubs last 10 to 15 years. Cast iron tubs last 50 to years. Fiberglass tubs last 10 to 20 years but may need refinishing after 5 years. Whirlpool tubs last 20 to 50 years with proper maintenance. Refinishing is an affordable option for tubs with minor chips, scratches, or discoloration. Tub resurfacing lasts for 10 to 15 years and adds a glossy coating that gives a brand new look.

An acrylic tub insert or overlay is fitted over the existing bathtub without demolition or plumbing work, which lowers the installation cost. Installing or replacing a bathtub requires plumbing and construction expertise.

Before hiring bathroom remodelers near you , be sure to:. Who loves cleaning tubs? A new acrylic tub and a new steel tub are on par for ease of cleaning. Neither should be washed with harsh chemicals and sponges, but acrylic tubs are more susceptible to damage in this way. When the tubs get older, however, the differences in cleaning and maintenance arise.

You will have to repair chips in steel tubs as they form, but you can buy repair kits from most places, and it is not too difficult to fill the chip, and the patch should last a long time. When an acrylic tub gets scratched, there are a number of ways you can repair the scratches, but the repair jobs do not last well. Furthermore, because they are so prone to scratches, you have to keep on top of the cleaning to prevent stains from forming.

Once an acrylic tub is scratched, your cleaning job becomes a catch You need to scrub to get the dirt out of the grooves, but scrubbing causes more scratches. Overall, steel bathtubs are easier to clean and maintain than acrylic bathtubs. According to the table, acrylic bathtubs are equal to steel bathtubs when looking at the criteria discussed in this article.

But which tub material is better for you all depends on which criteria you prioritize. Then in YOUR score for both steel and acrylic tubs, you would double the points in those 3 categories. Your chart would then look like this:. In this case, a steel tub would be an ever-so-slightly better choice for you. If you have calculated your score and you are disappointed with the result, factor this into the equation as well because it shows which one you really want. If you want to learn how other bathtub materials compare on the points discussed above, check out this article on the best bathtub material.

Steel bathtubs are more expensive, difficult to install, and noisy to fill, but they are also durable and easy to clean and maintain. Acrylic bathtubs are more cost-effective, easy to install, and noiseless, but they are less long-lasting and more challenging to clean and maintain.

In the end, deciding which bathtub material is best for you is all about figuring out what you are willing to live with and what you cannot live without. Shana Burg is a bath enthusiast, content strategist, and award-winning writer. She is the founder of bathtubber. The total value of your home depends on a lot of things—location, square footage, amenities, the number of bedrooms, and the number of bathrooms. But how much value does a bathroom add on Between hot showers, flushing toilets, and running sinks, your bathroom is hands-down the most humid room in your home.

Understandably, then, you might be hesitant to install smart Quick Note About Steel Bathtubs Even though we are all probably on the same page, I just want to mention that in this article, when I talk about steel bathtubs, I am referring to porcelain-enameled steel bathtubs. Making Your Choice Easier As you read through the below information, use a simple points system to rank the two different types of bathtub materials.

Affordability B. Ease of Installation C. Heat Retention D. Quiet While Filling E. Durability F. Ease of Keeping Clean Pick your top three criteria from the above list. Steel Vs. Acrylic Tub: Affordability Except for the very lucky few, we all have budgets when it comes to replacing a bathtub, remodeling, or building a new bathroom. Affordability Points On average, a steel tub is less expensive, so the steel tub wins for affordability.

Steel tub points: 2 Acrylic tub points: 1 B. Steel vs. Acrylic Bath: Ease of Installation Installing a bathtub yourself is always going to be more difficult than hiring a team of professionals to do the job for you. Bathtub Customizability Affects Ease Of Installation If you have an odd-shaped bathroom or a limited amount of space, being able to customize your bathtub is a lot easier than having to remodel your bathroom around your tub.

The Need For Bathtub Supports Affects Ease Of Installation Steel tubs hold their shape and cannot flex, so installing them does not require any special support systems. Ease of Installation Points Acrylic tubs are more lightweight and customizable than their steel counterparts, even if they need to be more supported.

Steel tub points: 1 Acrylic tub points: 3 C. Acrylic: Heat Retention Is this one in your top three? Which Tub Retains Heat Better?