February 8, 20179 yr Preparing to replace an old tub/shower with a new tub. The instructions call for support under the whole assembly, with a mortar mix being recommended. This will be upstairs on a plywood floor, I am not to keen on the idea of mixing up and pouring a bag of ready mix up there. Before reading the instructions I was planning to use a can or two of non-expanding foam insulation. I will have access to the underside from the attic behind the wall. What do you pros use for this application? Cal Edited November 19, 20178 yr by Ron Dudelston Added tags
February 8, 20179 yr Author John, the new tub is acrylic; maybe that is fiberglass with an acrylic finish on it. It is a tub only, I will be putting up walls and a shower after the tub goes in. Cal
February 8, 20179 yr We just had our tub set in place, tub only, it was a Bootzcast tub, heavier than an acrylic tub but not quite as heavy as a cast iron, it's kind of a sudo cast iron. We had a professional plumber install ours, and he set it right on the plywood sub floor, upstairs bathroom like your setup. He may have put a moisture barrier down, I do not know, I was at work while he did his thing, but it went on the subfloor, no mortar bed or secondary support at all. He did however screw it off to the studs at the tub upper flange. If you view the Bootzcast tub installation video at the their home page I linked you too, they install it right over a sub floor. I am sure this would apply for non cast iron tubs of all types. Our tub had feet built in, like a two support pads that rests directly on the sub floor.
February 8, 20179 yr 6 hours ago, clhyer said: I was planning to use a can or two of non-expanding foam insulation. it's short term... over time it crushes/compresses which afterwards doesn't support anything which allows the tub to flex and crack ... VOE... 6 hours ago, clhyer said: The instructions call for support under the whole assembly, with a mortar mix being recommended. up the game... paint the ply w/ any exterior GLOSS paint... use floor leveler mixed at a 1 or 2 slump... dam where you see fit to avoid/control any ''squeeze out'' and/or loss of material as in falling through any plumbing openings... I like Ardex for a 1st choice and Mapai 2nd... let it set for extra time before loading...
February 8, 20179 yr Seems to me that when we had an acrylic tub installed (replacing a cast iron monster) the installer did use motar mix...but it was dry. He said sand is sometimes used, but ready mix does the same thing and then hardens over time.
February 8, 20179 yr Hey folks, what is the purpose of mortar mix for acrylic tubs? I am trying to figure this out, as we've had two tubs replaced, and the tubs we replaced were acrylic, and when we removed those tubs, there was only sub floor beneath the tubs. Scratching my head here. thanks.
February 8, 20179 yr 4 minutes ago, John Morris said: Hey folks, what is the purpose of mortar mix for acrylic tubs? I am trying to figure this out, as we've had two tubs replaced, and the tubs we replaced were acrylic, and when we removed those tubs, there was only sub floor beneath the tubs. Scratching my head here. thanks. when in use the bottom of the tub flexes and cracking occurs.... little people... not such a problem... really big people... issues are gonna happen... find a tub that already has the support grid built in...
February 8, 20179 yr Author John, the tub combo being replaced is a fiberglass/acrylic unit which "had" no support under it either. About 10 years ago (the unit would have been in the house about 20 years maybe) it cracked on the bottom. I attempted to repair the crack unsuccessfully twice before calling in a pro. At that point a couple cans of insulation were pumped underneath it. Not sure exactly what I will find under there when the existing tub comes out... Cal
February 8, 20179 yr Author Stick & Fred, thanks for the info. Will see what I can find at the store today. Stick, I can also say that it does not have to be "large" people using the tub to crack it. At the time it cracked I doubt that anyone over 175# had ever used it. Our kids at the time were teenagers and neither of them top 150# today... Cal
February 8, 20179 yr Thanks guys for the feedback. The tub we purchased had the support members in place, no mortar required per manufacturer instructions.
February 8, 20179 yr Unless you are 110% positive that it's reinforced on the bottom....what Stick said +5
February 9, 20179 yr " The instructions call for support under the whole assembly, with a mortar mix being recommended. " Suggest following the manufactures instructions for warranty purposes . Mix a bag or two on the dry side. Seems like we placed plastic under the mortar. Roly
February 9, 20179 yr Author Appreciate everyone's input. Some type of mortar mix it will be. Just got a bid on some other work upstairs, so the bathroom project has been shelved for a couple months. I was going to do the bathroom first and then move on to the bedrooms. The contractor has given me a bid that I cannot pass on for a couple other changes and he can start as soon as I am ready for him. As a result, I will be doing the bedrooms first and the bathroom when those are completed... Thanks again, Cal
February 9, 20179 yr Hey Cal, have you thought of getting a tub that does not require a mortar bed? If a tub needs support like that, to me that would indicate a cheaply made tub. A tub that cannot support your weight, without additional support, may not be worth your hard earned money. Mortar shrinks too, I wonder if over time that will fail too. Back to the tub we purchased, it does not require any support, it has it's own leveling pads and they are built very well. The Bootzcast tubs attracted my wife and I because originally we wanted to go with traditional cast iron, but to haul that sucker up the stairs, and have a plumber wrestle it into the tight alcove, just didn't seem good to me. Also our experience with Acrylic, is it looks wonderful for the first few years, it then dulls and eventually just goes flat in sheen. The porcelain lasts forever and maintains it's shine. The Bootzcast has a porcelain enamel finish that is rock hard and looks just like a cast iron tub, it even feels like a cast iron tub when bathing and showering in it, it just has that ol timey heavy duty quality feel to it. Not trying to be a salesman here, but it seemed like in your original post, you really did not want mortar upstairs, then I'd say get a tub that does not require mortar? Just my two cents and MHO.
February 9, 20179 yr Author Thanks for those thoughts John. I reckon I have a couple months to think about this. I did look over the Bootzcast tubs from your original link. They certainly look like a quality product, but did not see a dealer near me. Cal
February 9, 20179 yr 8 minutes ago, clhyer said: Thanks for those thoughts John. I reckon I have a couple months to think about this. I did look over the Bootzcast tubs from your original link. They certainly look like a quality product, but did not see a dealer near me. Cal You got a Home Depot?
February 10, 20179 yr Author John, after looking at the Bootz link again, there were no "places to buy" on the site. I went directly to the HD site and see that they do carry them, even have them in stock locally. I plan to look at them next time I go to HD. Thanks, Cal
February 10, 20179 yr 22 minutes ago, clhyer said: John, after looking at the Bootz link again, there were no "places to buy" on the site. I went directly to the HD site and see that they do carry them, even have them in stock locally. I plan to look at them next time I go to HD. Thanks, Cal You bet Cal! Glad I could help, maybe?
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.