So I am in the process of finishing the lower level of my first home. I am learning as I go, and with one room left, the bathroom, I have finally ran into something that is making me scratch my head without getting a feel good answer. I got a great deal on a two person corner drop in Jacuzzi tub to finish off the basement bath; it was purchased and returned because it wouldn’t fit in the original purchaser’s bathroom. They bought it on sale and didn’t get to installing it until a few months later and found out they made a measuring boo boo, by that time they lost any installation information that comes with them. I have 2 questions: 1) do I want to butt up my tile to the edge of the tub lip, or set the tub on the tile and seal it off that way. 2) Do I level the tub off the floor and shim my tile (or drop in deck) to sit flush with the top lip of the tub? Or do I get a base on the floor established and use the deck to do any shimming to get the tub level? Thanks!
drop in Jacuzzi tub instal question
- Thread starter zach477
- Start date
You need to tile the deck first, do not tile up to the tub. Usually not a good idea to rest the tub on the tile either. Shim it up just a bit, 1/16" or so. The weight should be supported by the bottom of the tub. I have seen it done with either a pad of mason's mortar or some have done it with minimal expanding foam.
I bet you can find install instructions online if you search.
I bet you can find install instructions online if you search.
Set the tub in place and get your measurements. (the top of the deck plus the thickness of the tile should be just under the flange.) Place the tile under the edge of the tub.The tub edge should be alittle less than an 1/8 inch above the tile. The space between the tub and the tile will be sealed with silicone caulk. This allow a flex joint so the tub won't crack. Mix some loose concrete to pour on the floor to fill the voids under the tub when you set it in place. This keeps the bottom of the tub from flexing.
This is the way I would do it except instead of using concrete or mortars mix under the tub I would use Low Expansion foam. Low expansion foam won't lift the tub. A lot of the manufactures have the foam in the installation instructions. DON'T BUY GREAT STUFF (FOAM) FOR THIS!!!!!!
I also installed mine. I sat mine in a bed of grout and jiggled it down until it was 1/8" above the deck which I tiled first.The shims were pieces of 1/8' flat bar. The grout wasn't my idea but as per instructions(Jetta tub). I then put a nice bead of chalking around it and it turned out really nice. I don't use it much but my wife does almost nightly. Don't forget to bond the tub with #9 copper wire and put it on a separate circuit . My inspector said that it was IBC rules to do it that way. Who knows. I night have been fibbing but it worked out well. Good luck. You'll love it.
Another important tidbit.... remember to allow access to the "plumbing lines, pumps, etc... some type of removeable panels work well... you can even adhere tile to them... you may never need to access the lower end... but you never know... ask me how I know... 
Thanks for the advice guys! I did get a tub with an in-line heater already installed so I should be good to go there. I did a lot of Google searching and found instructions to do it about any way you can imagine. I asked the guy at the hardware store but that guy had a hard time reading a tape measure so I was a little leery of his answer. So using this low expanding foam……do you want to make a frame under the tub to keep the foam in one area and fill it from there? I guess I’m not familiar with it. Thanks again.
Do NOT use the foam method. Foam will compress and distort over time. (I know that it will seem solid at first glance but add your wife, and your weight for those romantic interludes and also 100 gallons of water and we are now taling some real weight) also consider the up and down flexing that will also be transfered to your drain and supply lines.)Build the structure for the tub so that the bottom of the tub will sit off of the floor by about 1 1/2 inches and set it in a bed of mortar as previously suggested. To do this any other way is asking for trouble.
Also, you may want to check the slope of the bottom of the tub but, most manufacturers have considered this ahead of time so a drop in tub should have the proper slope if your tiling surface is level as it should be.
The only thing that I would add is a heated floor in the bathroom. I have mine installed with a programmable control that is capable of coming on three times a day and seven days a week. (the wife will love you for thinking about her cold feet)
Also, you may want to check the slope of the bottom of the tub but, most manufacturers have considered this ahead of time so a drop in tub should have the proper slope if your tiling surface is level as it should be.
The only thing that I would add is a heated floor in the bathroom. I have mine installed with a programmable control that is capable of coming on three times a day and seven days a week. (the wife will love you for thinking about her cold feet)
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