What to Look Out for BEFORE Installing a New Bathtub

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Your new bathtub has arrived and you can finally get right to installing it. Before you get that far, let’s take a step back and make sure you don’t end up with some regrets before it is too late and tile is going up…or even worse–it is complete.

If at any point you would rather see these checks in action, check out the following video. The video chapters match the points below:

The obvious, but VERY important

Make sure the box is undamaged–refusing the shipment right now is in your best interest.

Next, open the box. Verify it is, indeed, the correct bathtub. Did you order a left hand drain? Is it a right hand drain?

Is it supposed to have an apron front or is it a drop in?

…all those kinds of questions to verify the tub is correct and matches the requirements of the bathroom.

#1 Thin spots

Next, look for thin spots. You can start by waiting for the sun to set, grabbing a flashlight, and shine the light through the sides to see if you can find any weak points where there is not enough product in the bathtub floor and walls.

Check every side and every surface.

#2 Drain defects

Look at the drain area. Is there enough slope so that water will drain and not pool?

This looks good, but if it did not, the drain assembly will create enough surface tension to keep water from draining properly at the lip and you’ll be left with a little pool.

#3 Surface imperfections

Third, check for imperfections in the surface of the tub.

While this may be superficial it is not something you want to see on day one. This isn’t just looking for scratches all over the surface. If there is extra texture on the bottom of the bathtub, one spin on unsightly bumps is “extra slip resistance”, but really, if the texture is truly a defect and it has a lot of bubbles or pits, this is a manufacturing defect. This is something you should check before putting down a protective layer before tile is installed.

If your bathtub comes with a protective film, take it off to do this check and then put it back on as best you can. Again, the worst thing to do is find out later…

Bonus installation tip!

Make sure you have something to protect the tub when everything else is going on during the rest of the tub surround install. There will be a lot of traffic and high risk of drops with the tub surround going up after the bathtub is installed.

#4 Drain & overflow

Next, verify that the drain and the overflow hole are aligned.

Some bathtubs may come with the imperfection of having one significantly off from the other. A few millimeters may not be a big deal–a laser light is not necessary, but if it is noticeable, that is a defect of the manufacturing process.

#5 Tile specific issue

If you plan to install tile, this is also a last chance to verify that the bathtub you selected arrived with a tileable flange around the wall facing sides of the bathtub.

If you do not like what you see in a big box store or another showroom, you are going to have to look online. Unfortunately, you generally can’t see a bathtub before you buy it. These are definitely tips you should check as soon as the bathtub arrives on your driveway so your project does not take any longer than it has to.

Not Your Average Bathroom Remodel Tips

Please add any other missed tips in the comments below and check out this playlist next for similar bathroom remodel tips that will definitely keep you from having additional regrets.