Do you have to remove the mortar if your GC has ruined your acrylic tub and it has to be replaced?

[Violetta]

Sorry to come up with a slightly different but unanswered acrylic tub question. I took forever to choose the Kohler Underscore tub because reviews made it sound so finicky when installing. I asked the GC several times if he was experienced with this. Of course, he said, certainly, and very experienced with the mortar bed, so tub won't crack.

I got home recently and see he has cracked the flange in 3 of the 8 screws going into the tub. He said not a problem because the tile will cover it. I finally bit the bullet and called Kohler and a great gal in CS tried to save this tub from a landfill but after a discussion with several techs, they said: 1. It appears he did not shim the tub with the beam (required), backer board is damaged and missing behind corner and will leak, did not countersink the screws (required), used sheet rock screws instead of galvanized (required), so I have no warranty and those screws won't hold and/or will stain tub. They said to get a new tub.

Questions for the pros:
* If I take out the tub and get a new one same model, do I also have to remove the mortar bed and put in a new one?
* Will removing the mortar bed ruin my new walls (cracks, etc.)?
* Will I EVER find another GC who would finish this job for me under the circumstances?
Bless you!
.

 

[Sylvan]

Normally a decent contractor will NOT try to fix another contractors mistakes as there is too much liability.

A decent licensed and insured contractor will rip most of it out and install the tub as required by specifications.

Trying to save some mortar and tiles is not worth the risk of having another failure.

You can of course take lots of pictures and document what Kohler said and show what actually transpired and any decent expert witness can usually get not only all your money refunded there is time lost and the usual headache and anguish you and your family suffered.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Weekend Handyman]

I am just a DIYer, but have done several tubs. Maax tech support told me their tubs are all hand made and no two exactly the same. I expect Kohler is the same. Therefore, the mortar bed will need to be different.