General information on Tub installation and Care

Freestanding and Claw foot Tubs

EACH TUB … DEPENDING ON SLANT OF TUB BACK & SIDE WILL CREATE VARIATIONS THAT YOU WILL NEED TO ADAPT TO
WE SUGGEST THE USE OF A QUALIFIED PLUMBING CONTRACTOR

Sealant, Tools & People

• Pipe Wrench …. Smooth & Cushioned to avoid finish damage… Attempts to return product damaged by improper tools … is not acceptable!
• Channel locks or Similar for use on nuts/bolts for attaching feet.
• Trim tools for drain… Tubing cutter or hacksaw
• Our drains are 1 ½ diameter… if not using our quality … you will need an adapter
• Teflon paste or other sealant that is SAFE FOR ALL FINISHES (BEWARE OF PLUMBERS PUTTY)
• 15” or Larger level
• Two People
• Tub or cut sheet that has been reviewed and any questions asked …WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND HAVING THE ACTUAL TUB DRAIN, SUPPLIES AND FAUCET… ON SITE.

DRAIN ….Usually … your rough in will consist of ½ to 5/8 “of threads projecting above floor level ( INCLUDING TILE/WOOD OR OTHER MATERIAL) of 1 ½” pipe.
The waste and overflow assembly should be assembled according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The drain and overflow tubing should be cut to fit. As mentioned above…. Hand tightens … or…use a smooth-jawed wrench to prevent damage to the finish. Threaded connections should be secured with a thread sealant. We only sell a higher quality ( Code acceptable )1 ½” tub drain… use of lower quality 1 3/8 inch drain will require an adapter from the manufacturer … or oversized O ring.
Placement…. Tub drain placement is determined by Tub … slant of back & Center or end drain. We highly suggest having tub at jobsite BEFORE… Roughing for drains & supplies.
SUPPLY LINES …
Placement… Depending on slant of back of tub and type of faucet and supplies used… a wide assortment of Supply configurations will be used.

1. Mickey Mouse type tub configuration where tub overflow and faucet hole resemble Americas favorite rodent. We highly suggest the use of our double offset supply lines. Depending on slant of tub back …. General rule is floor rough should be centered 8” apart with centerline running at back of drain. (See illustration). >Your rough can be either ½ “IPS projecting no more than 5/8” above finished floor... ( you should have an escutcheon deep enough to cover this including a ½ IPS to ½ OD connector)> OR> ½ “Copper rough which will be trimmed as needed… ( when rough is done …leave at least 6” above finished floor line) When trimming copper…. Allow for depth of escutcheon….with room for connector… if not using a shutoff.
Our supply lines come with a ½” OD bell escutcheon that will work if proper planning is made. It is NOT designed for ½ IPS or ½ “Copper to pass through.
WE HIGHLY SUGGEST THE USE OF SHUTOFF/STOP VALVES… If stop valve are used… it looks better, is easier to install (Shutoffs become your connector) You will need additional escutcheons for ½ “IPS or ½” copper (11/16 OD ) depending on floor connection & Shutoff used. Very important>>>>>Please see illustrations… > Tub drain & Supply configurations.

2. Deck Mount….type tub configuration is where faucet mounting holes…..are on the Deck of tub and straight supplies are used. <<<We highly suggest the use of our 491 series supply covers… this allows the use of an adjustable cover to hide your plumbing from Tub rim to floor. Simplifies installation and looks GREAT>>>
>>>>If using our straight supplies (481 Series).Depending on slant of tub back …. General rule is floor rough should be centered 8” apart with centerline running at back of drain. (See illustration). Your rough can be either ½ “IPS projecting no more than 5/8” above finished floor... (You should have an escutcheon deep enough to cover this including a ½ IPS to ½ OD connector) or ½ “Copper rough which will be trimmed as needed… ( when rough is done …leave at least 6” above finished floor line) When trimming copper…. Allow for depth of escutcheon if not using a shutoff. Our supply lines come with a ½” OD bell escutcheon that will work if proper planning is made. It is NOT designed for ½ IPS or ½ “Copper to pass through.
WE HIGHLY SUGGEST THE USE OF SHUTOFF/STOP VALVES!!! … If stop valve are used… it looks better, is easier to install ( Shutoffs become your connector) You will need additional escutcheons for ½ “ IPS or ½” copper ( 11/16 OD )…See our XXXX series escutcheons

3. Setting the tub …… Check floor to make sure it is level. Be prepared to shim if floor is not level! Set your tub in place, and then double check to make sure it is level. Depending on your floor type…. You should consider the use of coasters to spread the weight of tub over a larger area… these come in many types… and can usually be acquired at your local furniture or piano showroom.

4. Connecting Drain and supplies ….. Once the tub has been positioned, Leveled and shimmed … It is time to connect your drain and supplies.
Your supply lines connect directly to the tub faucet by a compression fitting. There are usually 2 pair of cone washers and 2 sets of nuts … Both have large & small. If your faucet has ½ NPT threaded fitting…. You will use the smaller set of nuts & cone washers….AND …. If your faucet has ¾ NPT fittings… you will use the larger set of cone washers & nuts. Cut the lines on the BOTTOM to adjust length… The top has a stop … to compress on cone washers & Create a seal. To fit.
If this is cut off…. Supplies become useless! PLEASE… Review drawings. ! …to dedetermine trim needs determine needed trim .key sure your plumber turns on the water and tests the tub and hardware for proper operation and drainage before leaving your site.

TUB CARE

Acrylic tubs:
1. Use no abrasives
2. Acrylic is very difficult to penetrate …. As a result mild soap is all that is needed to clean and maintain unless a damaging chemical comes in contact with your tub.
3. AVOID!!!! Any chemical like “finger nail polish remover “or other solvents or stains.
4. If damage to your tub does occur…. We highly suggest contacting a local tub refinisher to make any necessary repairs.

Cast iron tubs:
1. Use no abrasives
2. Cast Iron which has porcelain finish on the interior….is very difficult to penetrate …. As a result mild soap is all that is needed to clean and maintain.
3. Tub exterior is normally a painted finish…. Either with a conversion coat or enamel; Care of conversion coat …. If not painted to match color décor … we suggest you use mild soap to clean first…..but… if there are scuffs or other construction effects…. We suggest the use of pure white tooth paste … or Bar Keepers Friend available at most local markets. Since conversion coat is on this tub…. You can always have painter trim it out to match décor and then easy to touch up.
4. Care of Enameled exterior… If not painted to match color décor … we suggest you use of mild soap to clean first…..but… if there are scuffs or other construction effects…. We suggest the use of pure white tooth paste … or Bar Keepers Friend available at most local markets. Be Gentle on enameled finish…. Damage to it is expensive to repair and aggressive scrubbing can dull finish.
5. If damage to your tub does occur…. We highly suggest contacting a local tub refinisher to make any necessary repairs.