If you are remodeling your bathroom or the bathroom is under construction, installing a freestanding air tub is a luxurious and relatively easy process. Freestanding air tubs are the most distinctive choices you can make, and you will love the different options available. These tubs can be streamlined, chic, modern, or more traditional looking.
If you want a starting point, this guide will help you understand how to install a freestanding air tub on a concrete slab. But remember, if you are unsure what to do at a certain point in the process, do not hesitate to call a plumber. Also, remember that the drain has to be installed according to the local plumbing codes.
How to install a freestanding tub on a concrete slab:
Before you start installing the bathtub, it is essential to have the necessary materials for the job on hand. Start by gathering all the materials and ensuring the floor is also leveled for effective tub placement.
Materials required
- Bathtub
- Level
- Damp cloth
- Plumber’s putty
- Protective blanket
- Items for cleaning
- Adhesive
- Pipe pieces
- Drain body
Step one: Choose the place
Start by identifying the right place. You can decide to keep it in the corner, beside the window or at the center. The only thing here is the proximity to an existing plumbing installation. The best luxury air bathtubs can be installed virtually anywhere in the room. It is up to the user to decide, but it is important to have your plumbing system already in place.
Step two: Prepare the floor.
The second step is to prepare the floor where you will place the tub. Apply the coating on a floor space where you will set the tub to make it even. Trace the outline of the tub so that you will know what you are working with. Measure and cut the hole in it. The hole should be sized so that a plumbing trap and drop-in drain fit appropriately.
Since the floor is concrete, you will need to create a plumbing trap and drain channel. Crack the floor and make a hole that perfectly fits the drain. After installing them in the channel, you will then fill it with concrete. Finish the floor and then cut the circular hole and cut the exposed protective covering.
It is essential to clean the floor so that dirt and debris do not remain behind. You will also want the clean working area and workplace will be fairly large because of the size of the bathtub. It is recommended to clean the entire room.
Step three: Clean the drain hole and prepare the drain tailpiece
After cleaning the floor, it is also important to clean the drain hole before placing the freestanding tub. Clean out any dirt and debris on the drain hole. You can clean with a damp cloth. Give it some time to dry. Pour some dry silicone into the drain hole and around the drain hole.
Place the plastic bushing on a drain tailpiece. Take the drain tailpiece and attach it to the freestanding tub at the bottom side. Slide in the nuts and then screw them up to the tub’s drain. You can add some lubrication to the rubber seal of the drain.
Step four: Place the freestanding tub
Every freestanding tub features a drain kit. Confirm if the drain nuts are available. Also, check if the waste location in the tub aligns with a drain hole on the floor. It would be better if you place the tub in the existing drain plumbing area. Take the tub and carefully align it with the spout tub plumbing to see if it will fit.
Now slowly level the tub to the concrete floor and ensure that all the corners are evenly placed. Use the short wood piece with the rubber mallet to tap in the tub into its proper place. Ensure that it slowly falls to the already leveled concrete floor and sink with it correctly with a sealing compound.
Measure the drain to know its level of alignment with a concrete slab. At this stage, be patient and place your tub slowly; otherwise, its weight may end up damaging the plumbing drain. Place the bathtub by the side on the blanket.
Step five: Screwing
The next thing to do is to screw the tub firmly to its place. Use a cordless drill and drywall screws to screw the flange of the tub with the wall studs. Go around a tub flange and install screws every six inches. Ensure that the screws are correctly placed and tightened with a wall stud.
Step six: Insert the threaded drain.
It is time to securely insert a threading pipe through the male thread to the bottom of a drain hole. Make sure that the male thread at this point is sticking up next to the tub. It is essential to note that we are only working with the existing plumbing set of the bathroom to install the new tub.
Step seven: Install the overflow components.
Install the overflow components. Insert the plunger, overflow rod, and the linkage through the overflow hole of the tub and level it with the overflow drain hole. Tighten the overflow drain components tightly with screws.
Take the tub spout and insert it through the spout hole to access the elbow of the wall. Use the pliers to fasten a threading spout.
Step eight: Test the tub
By now, your job is almost complete. Fill up the tub and ensure the stopper and overflow drain are working properly. Check for the screws to make sure that they are accurately tightened. Your job will be complete, and your tub is now ready for use.
Final verdict
Finally, a well-installed freestanding tub can enhance the look and functionality of the bathroom. Installing this tub is a do-it-yourself process if you have the required tools. It is a straightforward procedure.
The instructions and steps for installing freestanding tubs are easy. If you do not have any experience in plumbing, you can follow the steps above and install the freestanding tub in your bathroom. But if you are not sure about what you will do, it is advisable to ask for the plumber’s services.
