A freestanding bathtub is a tub that has its four sides exposed as it stands alone. All four sides are finished, unlike the alcove tub that’s only finished on one side, surrounded by one, two, or three walls.
A freestanding tub will typically sit directly on the floor with no feet supporting it. The tubs are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and are made using various materials. These materials include acrylic, cast iron, copper, and solid surface stone. Some of the freestanding tubs that you’ll find in the market include:
- Gage resin freestanding tub.
- Madrid resin freestanding tub.
- Hartland resin freestanding tub.
- Exton acrylic freestanding tub with insulation.
A freestanding tub is one of the products that will improve your bathroom’s overall beauty and make it more comfortable. Installing a freestanding tub is not a difficult process. So do you plan to remodel your bathroom or build a new one?
So if you plan to install one, you should choose a tub that will last long. A rectangular freestanding tub will help to increase the elegance in your bathroom.
But how do you install it after purchase? You can get professional help, although you can easily follow our guide with a little idea and experience.
Steps to Install a Freestanding Bathtub
One of the critical decisions for homeowners before budgeting for a bathroom renovation is going for a built-in bathtub or a freestanding tub. If it’s the latter, the next thing you must think about is how to install a freestanding bathtub.
Installing a freestanding bathtub is a relatively easy process if you have experience in renovating rooms. If you want to DIY your freestanding bathtub installation, we will help you understand how to install this tub on your bathroom floor. But keep in mind that if you aren’t sure of what to do at any point during the process, you’ll have to seek professional help.
You must also note that the drain should be installed according to the local plumbing codes.
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- Choose the Place
Freestanding bathtub installation starts with the identification of the right place for the tub. You can place it in a corner, at the center of your bathroom, or beside the window.
You can install it anywhere for as long as it’s secure. Also, allow at least 200mm between your freestanding oval tub and the wall behind. This will make cleaning around the tub easier.
Another important aspect to consider is the tub’s proximity to the existing plumbing installation. If you are to get the services of a professional plumber, it will need some remodeling of the pipes.
- Prepare the Bathroom
You must ensure that the bathroom floor is in perfect condition to receive a modern freestanding tub.
If there’s no existing drain, you should create one. If the subfloor is wood, you must ensure that you measure the size of your bathtub. For concrete floors, apply coating where you will be setting the tub to make it even. Then trace the outline of your rectangular freestanding tub to know what you’re working with.
Measure and cut the hole while ensuring that it’s sized such that the plumbing trap and drop-in drain fit in appropriately. Create a plumbing trap and drain channel, then crack the floor and make a hole that fits the drain. After installing them in the channel, you’ll need to fill them with concrete.
Finish the floor and cut the circular hole after which you should also cut the exposed protective covering. You must clean the floor to get rid of dirt and debris. It’s best to clean the whole room to ensure a clean working area.
- Clean the Drain Hole and Prepare the Drain Tailpiece
After cleaning the floor, you also need to clean the drain hole before placing your deck mounted freestanding tub. You can clean it using a damp cloth and give it time to dry. Pour some dry silicone into the hole as well as around the drain hole
The next thing to do is to place the plastic bushing on a drain tailpiece. Take the drain tailpiece and attach it to your freestanding oval tub’s bottom side. You can then slide in the nuts and screw them up to the tub’s drain. Feel free to add lubricant to the sober seal of the drain.
- Place the Freestanding Tub
The various types of modern freestanding bathtubs feature a drain kit. Thus, you must check to confirm that the drain nut is there. You must also confirm that the waste location aligns with the drain hole on the floor. It would be best if you measure the drain under the tub to know its level of alignment with the floor.
The next step should be to take the bathtub and align it with the spout tub plumbing to see if it fits. Slowly level the bathtub to the floor and confirm that all the corners are evenly placed. You can make use of the short wood piece with the rubber mallet to tap in the tub to ensure that it’s in the right place.
It should fall into the leveled floor and sink correctly with a sealing compound. You must be patient and place your bathtub slowly. That’s because the weight of the tub can easily damage the plumbing drain. Place the tub by the side on the blanket and you can also support it with cardboard.
- Screwing and Inserting the Threaded Drain
Screw the tub firmly to its place and use a cordless drill and drywall screws to screw the flange of the tub with wall studs. Move around the tub flange and install screws every six inches. Then confirm that the screws are well placed and tightened with a wall stud.
The next thing you should do is to securely insert a threading pipe through the male thread to the bottom of a drain hole. Check to ensure that the male thread is sticking up next to the bathtub.
- Install the Overflow Components
At this point in the process, install the overflow components by inserting the plunger, the overflow rod, and the linkage through the overflow hole of the tub. Then be sure to level it with the overflow drain holes and tighten the overflow drain components tightly with screws.
Insert the tub spout through the spout hole to access the elbow of the wall. Then with the use of pliers, fasten a threading spout.
- Test the Tub
Your job is almost complete by now. Just fill up the tub and ensure that the stopper and overflow drain are working as they should. Confirm that the screws are accurately tightened. The installation of your freestanding tub with deck mount is complete and the tub is ready for use.
Conclusion
Freestanding bathtub installation helps to improve the aesthetic look of your dream bathroom. Purchasing the right tools and materials before you start the installation takes away the stress that comes with the project.
A bathtub’s installation process is straightforward. This is to say that you can easily install it even without prior experience.
With this article, we believe that you can comfortably install that extra-large freestanding tub you’ve been saving towards. After the installation, be sure to study the maintenance tips. That’s because the right maintenance will serve to prolong the service life of the tub.
