Setting Bathtub Floor out of level.

[slowgsxr97]

Setting a fiberglass tub in the morning for my dad. I completely gutted his bathroom down to the original subfloor, 3/4" 1x8's. I installed 1/2" concrete board over the entire floor. In my alcove for the tub, it is level side to side. But I am a 1/2" out of level longways in 5 feet. This particular tub has several round supports on the bottom. It will be way to soft if I shim it like the directions say. It says mortar is optional but doesn't elaborate if thats to make the floor solid, or if I can use it to level the tub also.

Setting in the morning if I can. Can I use the mortar to level it, and how should I put it down? What mortar can I grab from menards? Any help would be appreciated.

On a side note, I installed this exact tub in my house 2 years ago. My floor was dead level both ways, and the tub still feels a little soft to me.

https://hw.menardc.com/main/items/m...5430-6030-6032-6632BathtubwithCodes6-2-17.pdf

 

[Jadnashua]

IMHO, on anything other than say a cast iron tub, mortar underneath is almost mandatory. Yes, there are a few designs that are robust enough to sit and feel substantial, but they are not the norm. Put a layer of plastic on the floor, mix up some deck mud (you can often buy it preproportioned, just add the appropriate amount of water), lay it in piles, then set the tub down. Use a level and smush it in place until level, then let it sit, preferably overnight. If you want, you can also use a layer of plastic over the piles to make remodeling easier the next time. If you try to make the floor perfectly level as a slab, you'll probably have issues, so it's piles. That gives some space between when you push it down to spread out. Deck mud is more like wet beach sand than concrete.

 

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[slowgsxr97]

Thanks!!!

Menards has something called floor mud for $14 for a 50lb bag. Is that what "deck mud" is? They do not carry the quickcrete "deck mud"

Will one bag be enough in your opinion?

 

[Terry]

I do mortar in piles that can squish outward. There is no way to do a complete bed of mortar that makes any sense. I figure out where the main part of the tub will be near the floor, set a few piles down and let the tub make the connection between the itself and the floor, conforming to both sides of the equation.
I find the high spot where the apron will be touching, and using a level mark the walls. I put my ledger board on the long wall and then shim the apron where needed.

 

[Jadnashua]

Deck mud is a lean mix of cement and sand...mostly sand. YOu want something in the range of 4:1 sand:cement give or take a little. And, follow the instructions when mixing it. It will be weaker and potentially shrink if you get it mixed too wet. It's closer to wet beach sand. If you grab a handful and squeeze (sort of like making a snowball) if it holds together and doesn't drip, it's good.

 

[slowgsxr97]

Got it set today. Got a bag of sand mix from menards. Im a little worried I mixed it to dry. I will find out tomorrow how the tub feels when I stand in it. I was able to get to the front of the tub through the access panel in the closet and really form the sand mix nicely on the front of the tub. Its perfectly level each way. Hoping for the best.

Thank you all that commented, I appreciate it!!!

 

[slowgsxr97]

Tested it in my socks today lol. I will never set another tub without sand mix again. This thing it SOLID!!! Wish I had done mine this way. Thanks again everyone!!!

 

[Jadnashua]

IMHO, that many manufacturers say it is optional are just pushing for early replacements when it is omitted. Stress cracks from the flexing without it just means things will fail sooner. A CI tub will still last longer, but not everyone wants to deal with trying to carry one and install it.

 

[petey999]

IMHO, on anything other than say a cast iron tub, mortar underneath is almost mandatory. Yes, there are a few designs that are robust enough to sit and feel substantial, but they are not the norm. Put a layer of plastic on the floor, mix up some deck mud (you can often buy it preproportioned, just add the appropriate amount of water), lay it in piles, then set the tub down. Use a level and smush it in place until level, then let it sit, preferably overnight. If you want, you can also use a layer of plastic over the piles to make remodeling easier the next time. If you try to make the floor perfectly level as a slab, you'll probably have issues, so it's piles. That gives some space between when you push it down to spread out. Deck mud is more like wet beach sand than concrete.

Hi Jadnashua...what are your thoughts on using non shrink grout for this?

 

[Brian94]

Hi Jadnashua...what are your thoughts on using non shrink grout for this?

Im curious on that too. I just installed mine on saturday

 

[petey999]

Im curious on that too. I just installed mine on saturday

Hey Brian94..how did it work for you?

 

[Brian94]

Tub is really solid. I feel as if my mounds were too close or too dry. It took some effort to set it into the mud bed.

 

[petey999]

Tub is really solid. I feel as if my mounds were too close or too dry. It took some effort to set it into the mud bed.

sounds like it worked out for you .....i just did my plumbing...my dad was a plumber...i should have paid more attention when i was working with him!
I will be setting the tub this weekend hopefully.

 

[Brian94]

sounds like it worked out for you .....i just did my plumbing...my dad was a plumber...i should have paid more attention when i was working with him!
I will be setting the tub this weekend hopefully.

All did except when I set the toilet. I roughed it in 15in from tub as code min speced. Well it was way too tight. I had to move toilet over and was only able to get 4.5 in before i hit floor joists, although it made a world of difference. Just wish I would have made a visual before I set it the first time.