We have been in Morocco for the last two days, to see to the completion and official opening of the hospital whose construction our dear friend sponsored. However, we have not been standing around watching the experts make the final touches. We have been busy doing things, the best of what we know so that we can complete everything as soon as possible. I am very skilled in bathtub installation. Since I had bought several acrylic tubs for the hospital and the neighboring school, I have been helping with the installation.
If you too would like to know how to install a bathtub but you do not know how to do it, it is not too hard. These tips should help you get it just right:
Start by installing the frame
An acrylic bathtub is secured to the floor and the walls by the use of a frame. In fact, it has a rim at the top for just that. The frame of the tub is secured to the wall by the use of studs.
You can buy wall studs in the local hardware. This frame is also mounted onto the floor. The main thing is to secure it as firmly as possible. Install supportive stands installed at every 16 inches for extra support. By the time you are done, the frame should be sturdy, without budging. A good bathtub will take your weight without budging.
The base
This is the second most installation bit that you must take good care of. The base of the tub can be made with different things. One of them is concrete, especially for the larger tubs. If you do not have skills for laying concrete for a project as sensitive as this one, hire someone to do it for you. If it is not installed right, the acrylic tub could crack before long and you would undergo losses.
Other materials used for the base include foam, expanding foam or shims. When you have installed the base with concrete mortar, fill the tub to capacity with water and let it stay for three days or more until the base is dry.
The access panel
This panel will help you access the piping of the bathtub later on when the need for repairs arises. However, it does not have to be so obvious that there is an access panel. You can use Velcro strips or hinges to hide the panel a bit. You may also caulk the joints so that you keep water from entering.
Installing the plumbing
This comes later after the frame, the base and the tub itself has been installed. It is not hard, so you do not even have to be a plumber to install your bathtub plumbing. On the contrary, it is quite easy and requires just basic plumbing tools.
First, you must install a T-fitting for the drain pipe and the overflow pipe. The good thing is that all the piping for both the overflow and the wastewater requires PVC pipes. They are plastic, easy to cut with a hacksaw blade. You may need an elbow joint and you will definitely need pipe glue for the installation.
Remember, you can always refer to YouTube videos to help you install your bathtub. The acrylic bathtub must be installed right.