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Picking the right type of bathtub for your bathroom has never been easy. One of the popular bathtubs on the market is a fiberglass bathtub. Other notable bathtubs are acrylic, cast iron, stone resin, and ceramic bathtubs.
Fiberglass bathtubs are very popular because of their affordable prices, ease of installation, and ease of repair. However, this bathtub is also very porous and tends to fade faster. Regardless, it’s still one of the best bathtubs on the market.
But like any other bathtub, a fiberglass bathtub requires reinforcing for stability and ease of use. If you want to install a fiberglass bathtub, use the following tools to support it for long-lastingness.
Best Ways To Support A Fiberglass Bathtub:
1. Create A Stable Frame And Support Board
The best way to support a fiberglass bathtub is by building a frame for the tub. Since fiberglass bathtubs are lightweight, it’s better to support them on all sides instead of the backside alone.
You can build a frame that supports the tub on the back and sides. The front side should be left alone as it comes with its support.
Creating a bathtub frame isn’t difficult, but it needs accurate measuring and cutting. If you’re not an avid DIYer, you should hire a professional plumber to build a bathtub frame for you. This will help to support the lightweight fiberglass tub. Bathtubs made of stone or metal are heavy and don’t need such support for stability. Back support is usually enough.
Nonetheless, don’t forget to create a support board where the edge of the bathtub will rest. This is usually nailed at the back of the bathtub frame, and it should be level with the tub. Avoid pinning the tub into the support board.
See also: How To Frame A Wall For A Bathtub And Shower
2. Thin-Set Mortar Mix
Apart from building a stable frame for the fiberglass bathtub, you also need to support it at the bottom. One of the items that you can use to reinforce your fiberglass at the bottom is the Thin-Set Mortar Mix.
The mortar is vital as it conforms to the contours of the tub. When this substance sets in, it helps to prevent the tub from moving side to side. Additionally, it supports the weight of the tub.
Always follow the instructions of the mortar maker to ensure that you mix it to the right ratio. Besides, it’s simple to adjust the level of the tub when the This Set Mortar is fresh or wet.
You can either apply regular Thin-Set Mortar or floor leveling compound. Both of them work exceptionally well.
Apply the mortar in piles instead of a full bed. This is because a full bed of mortar is quite challenging to control and level. After leveling the mortar, apply a floor primer and allow it to dry before installing your bathtub.
3. Plaster Of Paris
Another alternative product that you can use instead of a mortar bed is Plaster of Paris. Unlike Thin-Set Mortar that shrinks when you put the bathtub on top, Plaster of Paris will expand. It’s also very practical and will ensure that your tub is supported at the bottom and able to hold the weight properly.
Always ensure that there is some weight in the bathtub before applying mortar or Plaster of Paris. You can place two buckets of water in the bathtub while applying any of these substances.
Ensure to put some boards below the tub before applying Plaster of Paris in the remaining space.
4. Spray Foam
If you find that the mortar bed and Plaster of Paris are not suitable for your type of bathroom, you can also apply spray foam. This is easy to use, but it’s not as effective as Plaster of Paris or mortar.
However, it’s also ideal for applying on the horizontal frame of the bathtub if the tub is not stable. You can apply it where the frame and bathtub wall attaches to the back.
Aside from supporting your fiberglass bathtub, spray foam is a good insulator. This means that less heat will be lost if you apply spray foam at the bottom of the tub. As stated earlier, spray foam will stabilize horizontal and vertical parts of the tub. You cannot use mortar to stabilize the tub vertically.
Before applying spray foam under the bathtub, ensure to put some good weight in the tub. You can use two buckets of water.
5. Plywood
If you don’t have any of the above products, you can also use plywood to support the base of your bathtub.
Nevertheless, you will have to cut wood to the right measurement to avoid leaving a lot of space in between. The idea is to offer as much support to the angled bathtub as possible.
Why Does A Bathtub Need Support Under It?
Many homeowners are usually surprised when they hear that tubs need support below them. This is because most of their bathtubs don’t have such support. Besides, this is what causes most tubs to crack before they reach their intended lifespan.
What many homeowners don’t know is that bathtubs usually don’t rest squarely on the floor. That’s why they need some support to avoid straining and breaking down faster.
The main reason why bathtubs are created with some incline is to facilitate water movement toward the drain.
Unfortunately, this inclining feature is also the design flaw of bathtubs. And if this gap is not filled with some substance to support it, the tub will crack much faster than its intended lifespan. But with some sort of support, the tub can last longer.
Conclusion
Even though a fiberglass bathtub is lightweight, easy to maneuver, and install, you need to support it so that it does not move or crack quickly. You will have to reinforce it on the sides and back by building a frame.
Additionally, you will have to apply a reliable substance at the bottom so that it stays stable and support the weight. Some of the popular substances to use include Thin-Set Mortar, Plaster of Paris, or Spray foam.
Apart from the frame, you will also have to create a support board on the back of the tub.
With the above items, supporting your fiberglass bathtub shouldn’t be a problem at all. Make sure to create a stable wooden frame and select the right substance to support your tub at the bottom.
