Bathtubs are a great addition to your bathroom. They help you relax and unwind and provide a place where you can be alone. No matter how much you love your bathtub, the time will come when you need to replace or repair it. In this guide, we’ll show you how easy it is to remove an old bathtub and install a new one.
Process of Removing and Installing Freestanding Bathtub
Freestanding bathtubs are a great way to upgrade your bathroom. There are several types of freestanding bathtubs that you can choose from. Each class has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for.
The freestanding bathtub installation is typically done on top of the floor or with a separate base attached to the floor below. If you want to install your freestanding tub directly onto the ground, ensure that you have a strong foundation. It will help prevent any movement during heavy use from occurring over time.
1. Drain the Tub
First, drain the tub. If you can’t do this yourself, use a shop vacuum to suck out any standing water in the bottom of your tub.
Once you’ve drained both sides of the bathtub (and possibly removed some small debris), it’s time to change your overflow assembly. This part of your plumbing system is where excess water flows back into your overflow drain.
These are situations in which there’s not enough room for it through normally-sized fittings on either side of an overflow drain opening. It happens if you’ve installed them too wide in these areas or have built up excessive pressure inside them.
2. Cover the Tub with a Tarp
Cover the tub with a tarp and secure it with painter’s tape to protect the bathtub’s exterior while you work. If you have an existing shower, remove it and place a new one on top of your newly installed tub.
This will allow easy access to clean out the old caulking around your drain and faucet holes in case they need cleaning or repainting.
3. Remove the Faucet
The first step to removing a freestanding bathtub is to remove the faucet. You require a wrench and pliers to complete this. First, loosen the nuts that hold your faucet in place. It would help if you turned them counterclockwise with your twist until they were loose enough to lift them out of their holes.
Then slip on pliers and grab onto one of these nuts. So, it doesn’t fall into your tub, either (you can use either hand). Next, pull outwards on this nut until it comes free from its hole to remove it from its mounting location within your wall or floor joist above where you’re working.
When this occurs, there won’t be any friction when you push. Once both nuts are removed from their respective locations, place both pieces into an open container.
4. Take Out Screws that Attach Tub to Floor
To remove the old tub, you’ll need to unscrew any screws that hold the tub to the floor. If you’re having trouble finding them, look under caulk or decorative trim pieces on both sides of your new bathtub.
You may also have to remove some drain flanges. The metal plates that hold water in your bathtub. If this is the case, take a picture of where these screws are located. It will help if you install your new freestanding bathtub later.
5. Pull up on Tub to Remove it From Wall-Mounted Mountings and Caulk Joints
You’ve just removed your old tub, and now it’s time to take down the new one. Before you do that, ensure no wires or pipes are connected to any mounting brackets on either side of the wall-mounted mountings. If there are any such connections, disconnect them by pulling up on them firmly until they release. Don’t pull too hard, or you might break something.
Once these connections have been disconnected, pull up on your tub so that it can be removed from its mounts for you to install its new attachments. Do not allow yourself to be overconfident here. If anything goes wrong during this process, this could result in serious injury.
6. Apply Silicone Caulk to the Bottom of the Tub Lip
To install a new freestanding bathtub, you’ll need to apply silicone caulk around the lip of your tub. First, remove any old caulk around the tub’s edges and inside its drain hole. Then use a tube of silicone caulk (usually called “silicone sealant”) to apply fresh sealant where needed.
Ensure you get good coverage on all parts of your new tub—especially around its drain hole. It is an essential step in preventing leaks.
7. Tighten Clamps or Brackets
Place clamping devices above and below each leg, so they are level with the tub’s floor (or at least as close to level as possible). It will prevent the legs from moving out of position during installation, which could cause damage if not adequately secured.
Ensure that your new freestanding bathtub does not slip down or rotate while it is installed. It can be fixed using fasteners such as screws and bolts around its perimeter before securing it with brackets or clamps.
8. Affix Drain Flange to the Floor
Now that you’ve removed the old tub, it’s time to install your new one. First, put the drain flange in place and ensure it is straight by measuring from one side of the floor to another. Then install your overflow assembly and attach it with screws through its hole in the wall (if there was one).
Finally, attach your drain assembly, so it sits flush against the bottom of your new tub. Check for leaks throughout this process by running hot water over various points on both sides of each piece until you find any leaking areas.
If there are any problems with staining or corrosion around these areas, repair them as soon as possible. It is vital before moving on to other tasks like installing handles or rings onto spouts above sinks when ready.
Conclusion
The process of removing and installing a freestanding bathtub is straightforward. You can remove it from the wall by tapping gently on the tub’s edges with a rubber mallet or similar tool, then supporting the tub’s weight as you carefully lower it.
It’s also vital to not use too much force when moving this type of bath in or out of your bathroom. Otherwise, you could damage its finish or even crack it!