Replies

1. 
   brownbagg | Apr 08, 2003 01:13am | #1

   a plumber friend taught me this way. Set the tub, hook everything up, drain, etc. and then mix up some very wet cement, no rock, just grout, very wet. pour under tub . It will fill every crack. Just let it be very wet, wetter than soup. Let it flow.

2. 
   jonblakemore | Apr 08, 2003 05:35pm | #2

   Or you can use gypcrete.  Cheap and easy to work with.  Just make a big puddle in the middle (make sure to plug what you need to) and set tub.  Use your weight to distribute gypcrete all around, and let it set up.

    

   Jon Blakemore

1. 
   MojoMan | Apr 08, 2003 06:35pm | #3

   My plumber uses "Structolite" which is probaly similar to gypcrete. It's a light-weight plaster material. Just whip it up in a 5-gallon bucket with a mixer in your drill.

   Al Mollitor, Sharon MA

3. 
   MrMagoo | Apr 08, 2003 11:08pm | #4

   Might be a dumb question but... Why do you need a mortar bed under a tub??

1. 
   patrickofm | Apr 09, 2003 04:07am | #5

   'cause they're cheap, and the bottom isn't strong enough for standing and having a shower.  They're  also lighter then a steel tub.  No such a thing as a dumb question.

1. 
   jhazel3 | Apr 09, 2003 07:59am | #6

   the bottom of my tubs and showers i just put in have blocks cast in the bottom of them does that mean i dont need to grout them in?

   Thanks Jim III

1. 
   patrickofm | Apr 14, 2003 02:19am | #11

   A modification of the plastic over the mortar is to use a garbage bag for the mortar bed, less mess. 

    Til this point no one has answered my basic question.  What was the traditional mortar mix for under tubs?  I know I could use gypcrete or others but why not a 1:4 cement/sand mix? (cheaper) Or just masons mix? (easier and quite cheap).

2. 
   MrMagoo | Apr 09, 2003 05:41pm | #8

   Thanks for the insight. I guess I'm just used to heavy cast iron tubs, and not the lightweight fiberglass stuff you mentioned.

2. 
   Davo304 | Apr 09, 2003 08:27am | #7

   As PATRICKOFM earlier stated. some tubs are flimsy and need the extra support; especially fiberglass models. The main reason is to prevent the fiberglass unit from cracking....which it will do very easily if not properly supported.

   I too use gypcrete (structolite).

   Davo

4. 
   VtMike | Apr 09, 2003 11:55pm | #9

   As mentioned, I also use a wet mortar mix. I put a sheet of plastic over it. Seems to help the mortar spread out easier and if I have to remove the tub it will come right out. Bottoms are "rock solid".
1. 
   CAGIV | Apr 10, 2003 09:00pm | #10

   Plastic over the mortar....

   Damn good idea.

   View ImageGo Jayhawks..............Next Year

   Edited 4/10/2003 2:07:46 PM ET by CAG