Lay a thick ring of clear silicone caulk under the rim, and screw it together following the tub manufacturer’s instructions. Wrap a rag around the jaws if you’re planning to save or reuse the spout. Then we'll show you how to install and replumb the new unit. The dense, gray material is very heavy, so use the smaller size for replacing tub walls. Take these measurements twice! If so, pull out the old drywall and surround with a hammer, pry bar and your hands, starting at the top and working down (Photos 3a, b, c and d). How to Remove a Bathtub Drain in 3 Easy Steps, How to Easily Dry the Inside of Latex Cleaning Gloves, Do Not Sell My Personal Information â CA Residents. But beware of one piece bathtub shower surrounds and one-piece tub/shower stalls. I asked my drywall supplier and plumbing wholesaler and … Install the trip lever from inside the tub. Click to see full answer. Then order your tub. extra at each wall and your measurement should be close to one of the standard tub sizes. Caulk around the top of the shower wall panels, the seams between panels, the sides and the bottom where the walls meet the tub. Step 2: Getting Started Next, remove the screws from the trim plate and pry the plate from the tile. What is the best way to do this? Cut 2×4 nailers the length of the opening, slip them behind the drywall edges. Set the panels and interlock them with the tub and adjust them until the tops are even. This also works for tile over drywall or backer board. Installation can vary from product to product, so read the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Install each piece of drywall with drywall screws. Drive them through slightly oversized predrilled holes (Photo 11). Anchor the panels to the wall with the fasteners specified by the manufacturer. If you are installing a tub surround and you need to cut holes for the faucet and spout or trim it to fit the space around your tub, make sure you cut it carefully to avoid chipping or damaging the tub surround. The nailing flanges on plastic tubs are not meant to bear weight, so the tub legs must have solid, level bearing on the floor. Then predrill and fasten the flanges at each stud. Clean and prime painted walls before tiling. tile backer. Drive 1-1/4-in. (OK, a full weekend.). Predrill oversized holes and drive special tile backer screws to avoid breaking the thin backer board. Then make your cuts about 1 in. The Alaska White Acrylic Tub or Shower Surround is the perfect solution for economical renovations. Chisel back any warped or out-of-plumb studs to keep the panels sitting flat on the tub rim. Tile the back wall first, centering the layout. Place the left wall flush with the back wall and apply silicone along the seam where they meet. If the old waste and overflow connections are stuck, cut them with a reciprocating saw or hacksaw and unscrew the stubs later when the tub is out. Open the access panel in the adjacent room and loosen the slip nuts connecting the old overflow and drain to the trap. Space nails 6 inches apart with one in the top and one in the bottom along the edge of the tongue as described. Replace old metal traps with new plastic ones. Set the surround panels, locking the corners. Break it up with a sledge. Ideally, drywall should be in the next room, or at least around the corner. Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. However my bath tub is located on a wet wall (outside wall). Tub surrounds and shower surrounds are easy to install and maintain. How to Change a Set Screw Bathtub Spout 1:04. I have purchased this AquaGlass Divani tub surround, which provides for direct over stud mounting. If you do it yourself, you’ll save the $1,000 cost of professional installation. If you think you simply can't do that, stop the drywall at the top of the tub surround or shower enclosure and switch to backer board from there down. Make sure that escutcheons cover the holes, then caulk around the fixtures. Mark those points on the end panel and cut the holes. spade bit or a jigsaw (from the back side). Now finish the plumbing. Surround paneling costs less than wall tile and is easier to install. If you are installing a new surround instead of replacing an old one, you can attach the panels directly to the walls without having to remove anything. These surrounds are made of acrylic, and the panels are attached to the walls with special adhesives. If water continues to drip out, turn off the main water supply and replace the shutoffs. Some kits have two side wall panels. If you use a drywall or keyhole saw, cut carefully and keep the cut shallow. Fasten the tub to the studs. And finally, we’ll show you a tiling technique that simplifies the finish work and makes the entire installation look great. Shim spaces less than 1/2 in. Thread the strainer into the drainpipe and tighten with pliers. Set the new tub into place and check it for level. The panels should align within about 1/8 in. If you plan to replace the shower valve, remove it now. Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you startâyou’ll save time and frustration. How to Unclog a Shower Drain Currently loaded videos are 1 through 15 of 52 total videos. To reduce hassles later, check the dimensions of the new tub surround (including the nailing flanges) before you cut out the old surround or tile wall. Then set the tile, working from the outside corners on the end walls and from the center on the back wall for a symmetrical layout (Photo 13). Finding old steel pipe in the wall doesn’t mean you have to replumb the entire house. Place a rubber gasket over the strainer on the backside of the tub. On larger tubs, the manufacturer may ask you to set the tub in a wet mortar bed, which will mold to the tub bottom and provide extra support. Look for an Allen screw in a recess under the tub spout. TIP: When choosing drywall pieces to hang around the tub/surround, never place a recessed edge up next to this void. Install shower rod and curtain (or the shower door). Make sure to protect the finish of your new tub with paper or cardboard while you’re working. Most models consist of a tub plus three shower wall panels, which all interlock and seal. Tile backer board (not green drywall - cement-based products in 3x5 sheets) is much better for the job. Then we’ll show you how to install and replumb the new shower. from the edge of the surround (Figure C). Remove the cut out drywall after pulling away the last pane. Center and install the new shower valve and copper lines. Cut through the drywall around the tub and down to the base trim. And the unit is much easier to install. If the tops of the panels are within 1/8 in. How to Install a Bathroom Fan 1:38. For copper, use a special dielectric couplingâa fitting that prevents corrosion. The manufacturers allow a little play here, but not much. You should have some experience working with plumbing (P-traps and/or faucets) and basic carpentry tools. The area underneath the tape should be entirely covered by joint compound to ensure proper adhesion. However, if you are going to go to the trouble of ripping down your old drywall to install a moisture barrier, it is probably worth it to simply install a better material in its place — like blueboard, greenboard, or concrete backing. This means you will have to remove the drywall around the tub surround so the lip of the surround panels can be screwed right into the studs. This price tag could easily double with a higher priced tub and surround and fancier valves.