I think I’ve found the right tub for the tiny space I have in our Master Bath: The Hydro Systems Solo (54″ x 30″), gonna get it decked out with all the back and neck massage options I can. Lotsa tub for a small space.
The only problem is it has a nice long reclining area, a slanted back wall to relax against. See this illustration:
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The lines on the tub show the exact path you would have to step on to not hit the angle and wipe out. The wife and I are both clutzes, so I was thinking about doing something different.
Instead of mounting it as the old tub was, I was thinking about placing it backwards to the drain, like so:
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The thick lines are the new wider entry path. The lines inside the tub are the path of a proposed horizontal drain line, about 40″ long. I could still have cleanout access if I installed a vertical tube into the wall (instead of the tub edge) or I could access it from the wall behind via a panel in the guest bedroom behind. The long drain tube would be angled of course at least 1/4″ per foot.
Any problems – like gigantic code violations – with this? Since I’m down to the studs at the moment I can locate the taps, faucets, and shower head with ease. I am on a slab, so moving the existing drain works would be a major pain.
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
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Make sure you're still close enough to the vent or the water won't drain properly. I think if memory serves its 8' max. Any plumbers out there???
I'm well within that - the tub is only 4.5' long! A 4" stack vent is just behind the toilet that is illustrated.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
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Paul -
Whichever way you decide to go, you might think about putting some grab rails up. One vertical near the outside edge to hold onto when you get in and maybe anoither across the back if necessary. They now come in different finishes so they don't all look institutional, and they can make your life easier and safer.
Actually, IMO, if you have a grab rail at the base of the tub, just put it in the way it is and you are done.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
I'm not a plumber or a pro, but I have recently installed my own tub, including the plumbing... A couple of things to think about. Usually you should stuff some mud underneath the tub for support, particularly if it's an acrylic tub. It will need the solidity. Will the plumbing you have in mind interfere with that? The p trap must be right underneath the drain... that will put your trap arm, the horizontal piece that leads to your main line lower than you might think. If you're still going forward with this, keep an eye on the total fall of the trap arm, since it will be a relatively long run. The total fall shouldn't exceed the diameter of the pipe or you might get a siphoning action that will empty your p trap. Good luck!!
Since it is a drop in, I have some flexibility as to the clearence I give it underneith. It looks like it is only going to be a 40" long pipe back to the drain hole where the P trap is, so I don't think I have to drop it lower than 1.5"Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
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Grab rails are a good thing, thanks for reminding me!Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
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If you install it backwards your head will be closer to the toilet (when soaking) than if you installed it the conventional way. Are you okay with that?
Good call - nothing sets a mood better than looking to the right and seeing a piece of yesterday's lettuce.
Edited 6/29/2006 11:36 am ET by Varoom
This is the Master Bath... which everyone knows actually means "Wifes Bathroom". No one will be likely to use that besides her (we have 2 other bathrooms in the house). Actually, in such a small place - with the lid down - it would provide a nice perch for me to sit and listen while she decompresses from her day. I listen to it then or I listen to it for 30 minutes before she can go to sleep :)
But you do bring up a different point I was thinking about - shower head placement.
Does the shower head or even faucet spout need to be placed over the drain, or is that mearly a convieniece to group the plumbing?Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
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Is the existing p-trap in the concrete floor?
I think you will want your trap right under your drain.
If the existing trap is in the concrete, it may need to be eliminated for the new drain to work properly.
Nothing really "wrong" with the scheme, other than it will violate the sense of "neatness" plumbing types like to have.
In some jurisdictions, the reversed drain will need its own vent, so you may have to open the other wall up to get a vent up through the roof.
Don't forget, many, many, jurisdictions now require an access panel at the "head" end of tubs and/or showers for access to the mixing valves (and some, for tope end of the drain/overflow assembly). You could have a case where you might need 2 access covers. Or not, might not be like that in Cypress.
Actually, probably the worst part about "single walling" that bath, is that you have to lean over the w/c to get to all of the tub controls.
Any chance the w/c could trade places? Leaning over the lav (whether free-standing or in a cabinet) will be better in some ways. (Pedastal lav would also allow "sneaking" some discrete shelves in on the wall for bath salts & "stuff", too.)
Well, the whole point of this is to NOT have to dig up slab, which i would certainly have to do if I moved the toilet.
BTW: Another way of putting it is this, as if it was still a conventional tub setup: I've got a tub with a reeealy long lip. The drain needs to be 40" long, with a second higher drain attached 8" beyond the first drain point. The Waste assembly over the P trap is now going to be 36" high instead of 14" high.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!