How do I replace my bathtub?

Question

We are looking to update our bathroom. Our house is from the 20's and the bathroom needs some love. We have little experience with remodeling and updating. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
I don't believe the walls are dry wall.

Answer 1

I would guess that your existing bathtub is porcelain-coated steel, the plumbing is galvanized iron water pipe and cast iron drain pipe, and that the tub surround is tile on a plaster backing. Your floor may also be tile.

Replacing your bathtub will be a major project, which you may not want to attempt unless you have plenty of time and another bathroom you can use in the interim. You'll have to rip out the tub surround, disconnect the plumbing, and remove the tub. Since it is probably steel, it will be quite heavy. While the tub is removed, check the subfloor and floor joists for water damage. Also while the tub is removed, you should install a new valve and replace the galvanized iron pipe with copper pipe. You should also replace the cast iron drain pipe with ABS or PVC plastic pipe, whichever is used in your community. For both the water pipe and the drain pipe, you'll have to splice into your existing plumbing using threaded fittings for the copper and a rubber adapter with clamps for the drain. If possible, locate these splices where you can access them in the future.

Your new bathtub should be the same length as the old bathtub, and be either right hand or left hand according to the position of the drain. Most tubs today are 60" long, although other sizes are available. I've given you links below to the web sites of three major bathtub manufacturers. Personally, I would use a porcelain-coated steel tub, but many installations today are using acrylic or fiberglass tubs. You could also get a colored tub instead of the traditional white.

Slide the tub into the opening and level it, using shims or a ledger attached to the wall to hold it in position. If there is extra space in the opening, it should be on the end opposite the drain. Use furring strips if necessary to fill in the space. Now put greenboard drywall on the walls where the plaster used to be, down to about ¼" above the tub. Tape the drywall and prime it using PVA primer.

Now mark the height for the tile surround and attach a continuous vapor barrier around the three sides of the tub all the way down to the tub. You can use heavy plastic sheeting (preferably black) or 15 pound roofing felt, overlapped by several inches. Mount ½" cement backer board on top of the vapor barrier, and then ceramic tile.

The step by step instructions for all this are too much to write in this small space. Home Depot has a nice "how to" book that illustrates how most of this is done. And usually they offer free clinics that teach you how to lay tile among other things. Don't think that it is too difficult or complicated for you. Just take your time and learn while you go. That's where I was when I decided to add on to our house. Twenty-five years later, after completing the addition (master bedroom and bathroom), then building a mountain cabin, I am now a volunteer builder for Habitat for Humanity. I can't seem to get it out of my blood.

Go for it!

Answer 2

This could be a massive undertaking. It took me a year to redo a small bathroom. Greenboard is essential in a bathroom to prevent mold and moisture. We had to rip out plaster. Never knew so little a space could hold so much plaster. It is much easier to pay to get your old tub refinished rather than replacing it. Old plumbing can be a real pain in the ..... If your tub is a total eyesore, evaluate your plumbing before replacing. We had to replace all the plumbing. Wish we had just refinished the old tub. Bathrooms have many corners. Cutting dry wall, wallpapering all become a source of dirty words when working in such a constricted space. My bathroom was lovely when done but I will surely think twice before I take another bathroom on, especially replacing a tub.

Answer 3

You live in a home and you want to update your bathtub . Well , No problem . It's a good idea . You take a man who knows very well how to update your bathtub . You will obey her suggestion I hope your problem will be solve .

Answer 4

try reading here http://www.aquaticabath.ca/blog