Should I get another Americast tub?

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ober.family

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We are looking for a new tub. We just wanted to retile the shower surround but when we took off the old tile we found rust all around the lip of the tub. We have an Americast tub. The tub was installed without any support. I always felt like there was movement when using the tub and the caulking was constantly cracking and had to be replaced all the time. Would it be worth my while to get another Americast tub if it is properly supported? I do like the idea of a lighter weight. FYI... This old tub has lasted 17 years with only one chip in the surface.
 
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Terry

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Unless you bed the tub with mortar, the new one will flex.
American Standard says that if you embed, you need to lay bisqueen between the tub and the mortar.

Or for about $100 more you can pick up a Kohler cast iron tub.
 

SacCity

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Cast Iron is the gold standard, stamped steel is the cheap crap we put in apartments,
Americast is an effort to bridge the two, cheap stamped steel tub, with a resin coating to reduce flexibility and help with noise, heat retention and user feel.

If its your home go with cast iron.
Michael
 

ober.family

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Thanks for the input. I see from the replies that weight is an issue with a cast iron tub. We have a plywood subfloor. Is that sufficient for a cast iron tub?
 

SacCity

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The weight issue is only on the poor fool that has to carry the tub up the steps. The loading per square foot even filled with water is not an issue. Unless you have significant structural damage.

I did a remodel last year where it looked like the only thing holding the tub up was inertia, everything rotted underneath.

Sadly this was new one year old install the previous tech had shoved a few shims in to support the cast iron tub. Lots of other issues, owner was not happy when I removed the entire south side of his home, due to damage caused by the last workman
Michael
 
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ober.family

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That is great news! Not so great for my husband though. We do have some damage to the subfloor from leaks around the tile flange. It doesn't look significant but with the added weight of a cast iron tub, I am going to make him replace everything with new stuff!
 

Terry

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Normally two guys can bring in a cast iron tub, unless you are hj. Now showing on the six o'clock news, hj carrying a tub upstairs by himself.
 
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