New Eljer air bath tub - quick question about setting correctly

[Andrewjoseph]

Hello,
I have looked at this forum for years, and have always found what I need and more. I was planning on setting a new acrylic air tub from Eljer tonight into mortar, which I learned about on the forum.

When I unboxed the tub, the bottom was much different than I expected. There are two strips of 1/2' plywood attached to the bottom of the tub with fiberglass. They are imbedded into the tub. There are also four styrofoam legs on the corners which are also glued into the plywood.

I have attached a photo. Do I still set the tub into mortar with the plywood base and feet, or does this arrangement require a mortar bed?

Instructions say mortar bed, but they are very generic and for over a dozen models. Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks!

 

[Terry]

If this tub drops into a deck, then odds are it will be impossible to determine the exact height for the foam pads.
Dropping a few piles of mortar that can conform by squishing out and away and then hardens is the perfect method for that.

If it's a tub with an apron, that changes things a bit. Either the styrofoam pads are enough, or the the mortar under the plywood may be good.

Mortar bed? Smoothing it out has never worked for me. There is no good way to be perfect that way. It has to have a way to fit to what is there. Some space around to allow that does work. That's why the piles.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Andrewjoseph]

If this tub drops into a deck, then odds are it will be impossible to determine the exact height for the foam pads.
Dropping a few piles of mortar that can conform by squishing out and away and then hardens is the perfect method for that.

If it's a tub with an apron, that changes things a bit. Either the styrofoam pads are enough, or the the mortar under the plywood may be good.

Mortar bed? Smoothing it out has never worked for me. There is no good way to be perfect that way. It has to have a way to fit to what is there. Some space around to allow that does work. That's why the piles.

Thank you very much for the response - I appreciate it!!

I should have just said mortar, not mortar bed. I will go ahead and drop into the mortar piles. thank you!