How to install the bathtub correctly?

Do-it-yourself bath installation is a rather complicated process that requires certain skills and abilities. A bathtub is a large-sized item that needs careful handling: it is as easy as shelling pears to spoil the enamel, but it is almost impossible to restore it. The intricacies of this process will be discussed in the article.

If you intend to completely replace the bathtub, you must immediately decide on the choice. Only a competent approach will help you buy a plumbing device that will fully meet the needs of all residents of the apartment. Among the options on the market, the most popular products can be distinguished:

• Steel - differ in affordable cost and ease of use. The peculiarity of this option is that, with certain skills, one person can install such a bath. The only drawback is that the enamel of such a product deteriorates extremely quickly, so durability is out of the question. A steel bathtub is an ideal solution for small rooms where it is necessary to install the plumbing fixture as close to the wall as possible. This allows you to significantly protect yourself from deformations and the need for replacement in the future.
• Cast iron - are distinguished by a long service life and do not require special treatment. However, such baths are extremely expensive and difficult to install due to their significant weight. It is impossible to install a bathtub on a ready-made siphon, so you have to fix it to it in advance, which is quite difficult in the cramped conditions of a small space.
• Plastic - have become very popular recently and can boast of their environmental safety, durability and attractive appearance. Acrylic bathtubs are more expensive than steel ones, but they are cheaper than cast iron ones.

Having decided on the material suitable for manufacturing, you can start choosing the size of the product. In the selection process, you should pay attention to the height of the side, the depth of the bowl, its length and width. The most suitable height for plumbing can be determined by the average height of family members. In addition, be sure to take into account the presence of children in the apartment. For adults, the optimal height is 60-70 cm. If there are children, then it is better to choose smaller products.

Each type of bath has its own distinctive features in terms of size:

• Cast iron products are presented in two versions: miniature (120x70 cm) and European standard (140x70 cm).
• The length of the steel bath bowl is 150-180 cm, and the width is 85 cm. Sometimes on the market you can find products made of steel of the "economy" type. The length of such a model is 120 cm, which makes it an excellent option for a small room.
• Acrylic bathtubs are very different, so there are a lot of options when choosing. On the market, you can find models with long and short bowls. It all depends on the overall configuration of the product.

The bathtub can be wall-mounted or corner. A distinctive feature of wall products is that they are mounted as close as possible to one of the walls, while corner ones are installed at the corners.

Wall-mounted baths come in many different shapes. The most popular is the oval one, which looks more stylish and elegant. As for corner baths, they are usually found with the correct geometry, less often in asymmetric shapes.

Finally, you need to decide on the manufacturer of plumbing equipment:

• Cast iron baths on the domestic plumbing market are represented by three major manufacturers: Universal, Roca and Jacob Delafon.
• Among the steel options, the products of domestic companies are in great demand, and among foreign ones, the Spanish brand Roca and Portuguese products can be distinguished. BLB.
• Acrylic bathtubs are presented in the greatest variety. On the market you can find products from European countries, Turkey and China. Among the most famous manufacturers, one can single out a Czech company Ravak, polish Cersanit and Kolo, Spanish Pool Spa.

• At the moment, quartz baths are produced by only one company - a German brand. Villeroy & Boch... The fact is that this company is both the developer of the technology itself and the creator of the material, therefore, the right to produce products belongs only to it. For this reason, you do not need to believe if they are trying to sell you a quartz product from another manufacturer.

Before installing this plumbing product, it is necessary to prepare the entire room, which will allow for proper installation and guarantee the durability of the bath. First you need to pay attention to the walls. If the installation of a new bathtub is carried out simultaneously with the renovation in the room, then the cladding should be carried out after installation. If repair work is not carried out, then the new plumbing device should be at least a few centimeters higher than the old one. Only in this case can you achieve an attractive appearance, and also make sure that there are no gaps.

Even an empty cast-iron bathtub weighs a lot, so the base for it must be prepared correctly. Not every tile is capable of withstanding such a load. It is considered ideal if the tiles were laid on solid cement, this provides maximum strength and reliability. If there is even a minimal void under the tile, then from such pressure it will immediately crack.

However, the wood must be pre-treated with fungicides, since the bathroom is a fairly humid room, so all materials must be protected from decay. With the help of a plank cushion, you can not only get rid of problems with the load on the flooring, but also solve problems related to the height of the bath.

In the modern market, a large number of bathtubs are distinguished, which differ from each other in their characteristics, cost, appearance, operational properties and installation features. In order for the mounted plumbing device to serve as long as possible and fully perform the functions assigned to it, it is necessary to take into account its variety during installation.

Before installing such a product, it is necessary to attach to it all the guides for the legs, which will be installed across - on special self-tapping screws. Each acrylic bathtub comes with a special instruction, which explains how to mark the fixtures. The lodges should be applied perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bath, marking all the necessary places with a pencil. In this case, the drilling depth cannot exceed 25% of the screw length.

It is necessary to install the drain fittings by turning the bath on its side. In order for everything to go as well as possible, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:

• each gasket must be lubricated with silicone before installation;
• installation of the gasket occurs from the outside;
• it is better to choose a conical gasket, which is installed with a tip to the hose, so that during tightening it does not damage the spacer;
• the threaded connections must be tightened firmly, but not too tight, otherwise they may burst.

When all this is done, you can turn the plumbing device over and install the legs. It should be noted that it will not be possible to cope with the installation of such a product on your own, so you will definitely need a partner. A more experienced person should be on the side of the drain in order to constantly monitor its location and installation.

The acrylic bathtub should fit as tightly as possible against the wall, which will ensure more convenient use and prevent damage to the product. When the model is in place, alignment and sealing against leaks should be carried out. First, we use a sealant, the rest of the work is carried out only after it dries.

The installation of a steel bath is carried out in the same way as an acrylic bath. The only exception is the mounting of the legs, which must be inserted into the fasteners and secured with bolts and nuts. They must be fixed as tightly as possible by tapping them with a rubber mallet. The legs must not wobble, otherwise the steel bath may damage them.

The most difficult thing is to install a cast-iron bathtub, which is extremely heavy, so moving it is very difficult and dangerous for repairing the room itself. If the size of the room allows, it is necessary to transfer the product to the bathroom and install it already there. First - drain and feet, then alignment is carried out.

If the cast iron model is equipped with decorative legs, this makes installation much more difficult. The fact is that the installation of such a product is a rather laborious and responsible process that only an experienced and professional master can handle. It will not be possible to install pads under the legs, since this completely destroys the attractive appearance of the product, and filing is extremely difficult, because accurate measurements are needed here.

Moreover, each time it will be necessary to turn the bath over, move it or move it on its side, which is extremely difficult, given its significant weight. For this reason, in order to install a cast-iron bathtub, which is equipped with decorative legs, it is necessary to pre-level the floor surface (using materials with increased strength).

Whirlpool baths are quite interesting and useful products for improving the health of people. The combination of water with air bubbles provides relaxing and therapeutic effects. For the first time a jacuzzi appeared in the United States of America, it happened in the middle of the last century. For a long time, only very wealthy people could afford a jacuzzi.

Now manufacturers of plumbing products offer a wide variety of models that are affordable. In the era of high technology, there are many hot tubs on the market today, which are small in size, a wide range of functions and an attractive appearance.

The installation technology of such models has its own nuances and distinctive features, so it is better to entrust the installation to an experienced specialist.

Before starting the installation, you should prepare all the diagrams and manufacturer's recommendations, as well as accurately designate the places where the adhesion to the sewage system, the installation of electrical wiring, and the water supply will take place. Due to the need to connect electricity, the installation of such a model must take place with strict adherence to fire safety requirements, otherwise everything can lead to sad consequences. In this case, special attention must be paid to the power of the device and the voltage in the electrical system of an apartment or house.

Any whirlpool tub comes with special legs that allow you to fix the model in the desired position and at a certain height so that there are no distortions. If you do not install the jacuzzi on legs, then during operation it will vibrate, which will not allow you to get the desired effect from its operation.

The installation of the legs should be carried out as carefully as possible, using a building level that will allow for accuracy. After alignment, the Jacuzzi can be connected to other communications through the strobe.

Installing a built-in bathtub into the floor will not work without a pit. Moreover, it will not work here with an ordinary dug hole. It will also be necessary to concretize the walls and floor, thereby guaranteeing the space necessary for the installation and maintenance of the plumbing fixture. In the process of installing a built-in bath, certain nuances should be taken into account:

• The contours of the sump must match the contours of the bath and overlap with its sides. In other words, the bathtub must be held by the sides.
• The depth should be such that the sanitary ware is raised above the base by 50 mm or less.
• Access to the pit should be provided so that the connection and installation of the bath can be carried out without problems. All water and sewerage communications are brought out here. The ideal solution would be to hide all pipes in an invisible hatch.

To understand the general principles of installing a bath, you should consider the sequence of work, which will be the same for any model, including acrylic and cast iron options. Of course, each type has its own distinctive features, there are also certain subtleties of installation, but first you need to find out the general principles and rules of installation.

So, bath installation includes the following steps:

• Assembly and installation of the drain siphon. Most of the models on the market are assembled using union nuts and rubber seals. Beginners often make the mistake of sealing joints, which in the future becomes the cause of product breakdown. The assembly diagram should be used.
• Installation of the bath on the supports. You should also be extremely careful here. There are quite a few designs of supporting elements for the bath. You can find both complex and simple options. Some craftsmen prefer to use foam blocks or bricks, rather than factory legs. Steel options look much better when installed this way.
• Warming and soundproofing. This stage applies to all types of baths, except for cast iron, which already heat up perfectly and retain heat for a long time. In addition, they do not make too much noise when filling. Heat and sound insulation should be carried out using polyurethane foam, which is applied not only to the bottom, but also to the sides of the sanitary ware. The amount of foam depends directly on the size of the bath.

• Installation. For ease of use, any bathtub should be exposed to the horizon. During the installation process, there is no need to lay slopes, since this moment is taken into account by the manufacturer when developing the bathtub. The support feet are equipped with adjustment screws.
• Fastening. This stage also applies only to steel and acrylic bathtubs, since the own weight of the cast-iron product is quite enough in order not to bend under the pressure of water and a person. It is necessary to carry out the fastening using metal hooks, which are usually used for installing boilers. In addition, you can use the special brackets supplied by the manufacturer with the bath. This fastening allows you to prevent depressurization during the operation of the sanitary ware.
• Sealing joints. This stage is the last one. This work can be done in several ways. In most cases, it will be advisable to use a white corner, but you can do with a self-adhesive border tape. If the gap between the bathroom and the wall is minimal, you can limit yourself to one cylinder of sanitary silicone.

In the process of installing the bath, you should be extremely careful so that the product can fully perform the functions assigned to it and serve as long as possible. Pay attention to these points:

• the legs are mounted in such a way that the outlet element of the siphon (piping) can be easily installed into the sewer pipe;
• the bathtub must be installed with a slope;
• be sure to take into account the parallelism of the sides relative to the floor.

It is imperative to monitor the tightness of the joints of the bath and sewage system. If you are going to start using the plumbing device, you should pour 10 liters of cold and hot water into the bath.

When installing the bath, you should also take into account the main problems associated with the material from which the product is made. Acrylic options have the following disadvantages.

• When hot water is collected, the walls of the sanitary ware begin to play. This is due to the fact that heated acrylic walls lose their original stiffness.
• Legs are another weak point of acrylic sanitary ware. The standard feet do not offer impressive stability. Even if you set everything to the ideal level, you still won't be able to save the situation.
• The bottom of such a bath feels great under light loads, but it can sag strongly due to its significant weight.
• When water is drawn in, a drum effect occurs due to the thinness of the walls of the acrylic bath.Such a disadvantage is noticed in any bathtubs, but in acrylic it is most pronounced.

Foaming is carried out as follows:

• the bath is turned upside down, and cardboard or other protective material is placed under it (this insert is needed so that the acrylic surface is not scratched);
• the surface is cleaned of dust and dirt;
• foam is applied and residues are removed from the surface.

It is much more economical and more comfortable to use a foam gun, but in the absence of one, you can limit yourself to a simple cylinder.

Most of the products on the market are made of polyvinyl chloride or propylene, which are reliable, attractive in appearance and durable. The latter material is much more expensive, but the walls are smoother, which greatly reduces the likelihood of blockages.

The idea of ​​purchasing cheap models of drain fittings should be immediately abandoned. The fact is that budget models are non-collapsible, so they are unsuitable for repair. Already after a couple of months of operation, the rust grabs the bolt so strongly that it cannot be unscrewed.

If the bath has expired, the siphons have corroded or become unusable, it is better to replace the old bowl with a new one.

Initially, it seems that this is quite simple and does not require professional skills, but it is extremely difficult to remove the bath correctly so as not to damage the enamel or other parts of the product. You need to act as follows:

• Make sure the legs of the bathtub are securely fastened, since during dismantling the sanitary ware may fall and injure a person's fingers. This may well happen if one of the legs is rotten or deformed. For fixing the supports, special wedges should be used, which must be properly secured.
• Now you can start disconnecting the siphon and drains. The drain structure is usually easy to disassemble, but there are times when it is made of the same material as the bath. As a result of long-term operation, the parts can rust to each other, therefore, it will be possible to dismantle it only with the help of a grinder.
• The bath is fixed along the perimeter thanks to the cement-sand mortar. To get rid of the bonding layer, you can use a hammer or puncher. The frozen solution must be beaten off as carefully as possible so as not to damage the tile.
• When the bathtub is detached from the wall, it will be possible to proceed to the next stage of dismantling. The bathtub is moved away from the wall using a pry bar, which is used as a lever.

It is much more difficult to dismantle a cast iron bath if it is necessary to maintain its integrity and attractive appearance. This type of plumbing is large and heavy, so it will not be possible to dismantle it yourself.Over the years of use, the bathtub is so firmly fixed to the wall and floor covering that it is extremely difficult to remove it.

Cast iron baths can last a very long time, which makes them in great demand. When starting dismantling work, determine whether the protective coating can be restored or not. There are many ways to significantly extend the life of the bath, one of the most effective and demanded in recent years is the use of an acrylic liner. The complexity of the restoration work depends on a number of factors, including the weight and size of the model.

The above instructions are designed to dismantle the product with minimal deterioration in the appearance of the room itself. Only the replacement of plumbing equipment is implied.

Dismantling without saving the bowl will be faster, since the procedure is very simple. The only thing that you need to pay attention to is safety precautions, because if you use the wrong approach, you can injure your legs or arms.

To remove the bath, you need to carry out the following work:

• First, you should disconnect the siphon from the plumbing device itself. This can be done using a conventional grinder.
• Using a puncher, you need to detach the bath from the wall.
• Since the bathtub will not be used in the future, you can cut it into several pieces. This will not only simplify the dismantling process, but also allow you to take it out of the room without any problems.
• You can hit the bottom with a sledgehammer. Usually one good blow is enough for the product to split into several parts. It will also be possible to effectively disassemble the bath into several fragments thanks to gas cutting.
• If dismantling is carried out by one person, the bath should be divided into many parts. Cast iron models are very heavy, so each piece will be quite heavy.

So, it can be noted that installing a bath is a complex and responsible process that requires a competent approach and care. It is important not only to choose the right plumbing device, but also to professionally prepare the room for its installation. In the selection process, you should pay attention to the material, size and shape of the product, as well as its manufacturer.

Steel and plastic plumbing products should be moved very carefully, because such a coating can be damaged and deformed. The easiest way to work is with a cast iron bathtub, which is so heavy and durable that it is almost impossible to break it. However, improper transportation can damage the wall or door in the bathroom, as well as increased pressure on the floors. All this is also complicated by the fact that the installation of the bathtub takes place in a small room, where it is extremely difficult for two people to fit.

One of the most important conditions for self-assembly of a bathroom is the availability of a skilled assistant who can maintain the sanitary ware, provide the necessary tools and provide other necessary assistance. When installing this type of plumbing, you must be careful and accurate, because an accidentally dropped bath can lead to a crack or breakage. If the cast-iron models can be somehow revived, then the damaged acrylic product cannot be repaired, so it will have to be replaced.

For information on how to properly install the bath so that it does not leak, see the next video.