How To Repair Hole In Tub

As a general rule, replacing a bathtub is NOT considered a do-it-yourself project — especially if y'all are changing the blazon and size of the tub. Changing anything means refiguring the bleed lines, vents, and waterlines and that tin get a bit tricky and frustrating. But if your erstwhile tub is cracked or damaged and you simply wish to replace it with the same kind, and then the project becomes more manageable.

Should Yous Repair or Replace Your Mobile Domicile Bath Tub?

Nearly bathtubs in mobile homes are plastic. When plastic cracks or breaks, it cannot be permanently repaired like fiberglass can. If the crack isn't likewise bad, the all-time you can do is temporarily repair information technology by using ane of two methods.

The first method is to purchase an epoxy repair kit. The biggest advantage of the epoxy kit is that the repair isn't as noticeable considering the color somewhat matches the tub. The disadvantage is that it works best only on small-scale cracks because any movement on large cracks tin cause the crevice to reappear.

The second method to repair a cracked plastic bathtub is to apply a slice of quick fix tub repair record to seal the crack. The advantage of the tape is that it will motility with the tub so the scissure volition not reappear (unless the crevice runs). The disadvantage is that it looks somewhat gaudy just by gosh information technology does piece of work!

Bathtub Facts

If you've decided to replace your bathtub, besides the size and color you will also want to empathize how and why the lesser of your tub is supported. Most plastic tubs are supported in two ways — plastic legs or styrofoam.

Pictured is a tub supported by plastic legs. If you have a sewer piping running directly under the tub, then you lot volition need this blazon of tub to make room for the pipes. The disadvantage of using a tub with legs is that the tub tin can creak if the subfloor under the tub isn't flat causing the legs to sit uneven. The legs accept to installed into the bottom of the tub. When doing so, button them in directly or you'll risk breaking a tab that holds the legs in.

The next photograph shows a tub that uses styrofoam for back up rather than plastic legs. The styrofoam sits directly onto the flooring. Overall, the styrofoam offers better support with mode less creaks. Plainly, the disadvantage is that you can't run pipes direct nether the tub.

Removal of Onetime Tub and Environment

Offset shut off water to the bathtub. From underneath the tub, unscrew pipes from drain. This can be achieved by either taking autonomously the p-trap (to a higher place) or unscrewing the pipe directly from the tub drain itself. If your tub has an overflow, there will exist some other pipe going upwards the back of the tub to the overflow. In this case simply take apart the p-trap and the rest volition come out with the tub.

Again, be sure the water is shut off to the tub. Adjacent unscrew the waterline connections from the dorsum of the faucet. Remove the basics from the hot and cold nipples and slide the faucet out. Older faucets tin can be much more than complicated to remove every bit the faucets themselves may have to be disassembled along with the spout and shower head.

Once the faucet is removed, next step is to get rid of the old tub environment. If the old tub surround is held in place with plastic rivets, cutting off the head with a knife or drill them out. And so with a utility knife, cut around the edge of the tub surround to loosen the caulk. Finally, grab a corner of the surround and carefully pull it off the wall.

With the tub environs removed, the lip of the tub will be exposed. Remove all the screws from this lip.

The onetime bathtub should now be loose and able to be lifted out and removed from the bathroom.

Installed access door showing a meridian at the main close-off behind information technology.

Prep for the New Bathtub

Prepare the opening for the tub. Get-go be sure that the rim support boards are fix at the proper acme for the new tub. Use boards longer than what'south shown in the illustration in a higher place. Ready level and secure into the studs of the wall.

Most probable your old tub had a skirt rails attached to the floor. This helps stiffen upward the skirt on the tub. If the onetime skirt track is in good shape, get out it. Otherwise, replace information technology with the 1 that probably came with the new tub.

Zip is more frustrating than having a h2o leak after the new tub is installed. The all-time way to head-off a leak is to install a new bleed, faucet and waterline ends. Get rid of the onetime parts — in one case removed they may never seal right once more then starting time with new. More info on obtaining and installing the correct bleed assembly can exist constitute here.