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How To Install A Bath

Wondering how to install a bath tub without breaking your budget - and still get it done right? Here are a few tips for you.

Tips For Installing A New Bathtub

Christopher Smith

Do you see rust, scratches, or chips every time you clean your old bathtub? Is your bathtub’s finish dull, lifeless, and impossible to get really clean? Maybe it’s time to consider installing a new bathtub. The first thing you’re probably going to want to know is, “How much is it going to cost?” That will depend on the style and size of the new bathtub, the kind of faucet and other hardware you choose to buy, and how much outside help you’ll need to complete the job. Do some advance calculations leaving a little room for extras if they should occur, and you’ll have a good estimate of what it’s going to cost to replace your bathtub.

Most of the bathtubs you’ll see when you start looking will be white, and there’s a reason for that. A colored tub will become dated-looking in a few years, whereas white will always be in style. Some of the tubs you’ll find are made of flexible plastics that will require costly additional support when they are installed. More traditional tubs made of enamel over metal do not require any extra support. A third option is having a bathtub liner installed that will cover your existing tub and walls.

You will find dozens of choices of faucets when you go out to look at them, and you may not know where to start to select one. Begin by deciding whether you want a faucet that mounts on the wall or one that mounts on a flat tub surface, like the edge of the tub. Then look at the different finishes, and choose one that will match the hardware on your bathroom sink, unless you want to change both of them at the same time. The third feature you need to look at is how the water is controlled. Would you rather have a faucet with two control knobs for hot and cold water or one that has a single handle that will control both?

Take a few measurements prior to going out to shop for a new bathtub. Not only will you need to make sure that the tub will fit in the space where you’ll be installing it, but you also need to check to see if the tub will fit through the doors in your home. If it won’t, you’ll be faced with a longer, more complicated job. In addition, estimate the amount of water that it takes to fill your existing tub. If you buy one that has a much larger capacity, your water bills may increase, and your water heater may not be large enough to fill the tub.

There could be other expenses you need to consider when installing a new bathtub. For example, if you decide to go with a jetted model, you may need to hire a licensed electrician to put in wiring to accommodate it. If you select a tub that has a drain or faucets in a different place, it will necessitate your getting a plumber to come and alter your pipes. And if the tub is either larger or smaller than the one you have now, you may need the services of a carpenter or a tile layer in order to adjust your floor to fit it.

Installing a new bathtub is a project that many do-it-yourselfers will be able to handle on their own. If you’d prefer not to do your own work, there are a lot of companies who will be happy to give you an estimate for the labor and materials that will be involved. No matter which approach you take, you’ll love being able to choose the new tub and fixtures, and you’ll get a great deal of satisfaction when you finally look at your “new” bathroom.