Moving a bathtub? While that sounds like some sort of magician's trick, it is not. A tub is usually built into the wall space designated for it, and all of its plumbing is directly below it. It is not made to move like furniture, but yes, you can move it. You do not call a master prestidigitator; you call a master plumber. Here is how this neat bathroom remodel is done.
Turning the Water Off
First and foremost, your plumber will examine the tub and the plumbing for the tub to see if you need any bathtub repair prior to moving the tub to another spot in the bathroom. If everything looks good, the water to the whole house is turned off. You may need to go without water for about a week, possibly less.
Disconnecting the Tub from the Plumbing
Next, the plumber will disconnect the tub from all of its plumbing below it. Then he/she will disconnect the faucet, the handles and the drain components in the tub. Now the tub is almost ready to be pulled from the floor and walls.
Scraping away Caulk/Grout
The next step is to scrape away all of the caulk that sealed the tub to the floor and walls. This frees the tub from its stuck position. If there is any grout and tile around the top edge of the tub, this needs to be scraped and pulled away as well. The bathtub installation plumber will need an assistant to help pry the tub away and pick it up by the edges to pull it out.
Disposing of the Tub and Relocating the Plumbing
Now the tub and tub walls or tiles can be removed and disposed of. These things are often the bulk of the work when it comes to relocating a tub. Once the old tub and walls/tiles are pulled free and junked, the plumber focuses his/her energy on relocating the plumbing to the new spot in your bathroom where you want your tub to go. This involves taking apart a lot of the plumbing underneath and installing new pipes that connect to some of the old pipes. The new pipes are then routed to the new location right below the area where the new tub will go.
Pulling up the Floor and Installing the New Tub
Finally, the floor where the new tub will be installed is pulled up to expose the new plumbing. The new tub is installed, and the plumber connects the new pipes to the new tub. You may or may not install walls around the tub; that is up to you. Finally, the new tub hardware is installed and the water is turned back on.
Share18 June 2017
When you get a clogged drain or a toilet that just won't flush, do you reach for the phone and call for a plumber? When you have these seemingly simple plumbing problems around your house, you have to make a decision quickly. Do you pay for someone to come out and make the repairs, or do you attempt the repair on your own? This blog is all about DIY plumbing repairs. You will learn the basics and find tips for when to cut your losses and call in for professional assistance so you don't make a small fix one that needs serious repairs.
