Swimming Pools, Tubs & Spas

Installing a tub isn’t very difficult, but it does require solid plumbing, carpentry, and some tiling skills. Before installing a tub, review everything that affects the project. Make sure you’ve qualified yourself for the job and are comfortable attempting it. Measure the width of doors and passages. Make sure you not only can get the old tub out, but also that the new one fits into the bathroom. Rather than have a contractor take over a halfway-completed project, it’s better to consider hiring one before you being. This is also one job where it’s great to have a helper to hold and haul.

Install an access panel behind the faucets and supply pipes so you won’t have to remove the wall to work on them. Include shutoff valves or integral stops on the supply-plumbing run. They isolate the plumbing from the rest of the house. Check local codes regulating installation of scald guards. They prevent someone from being scalded in the shower when coldwater pressure changes, such as when a toilet is flushed. Bathtubs are heavy. Have someone help with the installation.