Claw-Foot Tub Installation with Concrete Slab
I’m helping one of my kids with a bathroom renovation in his raised ranch and am having problems figuring out the best way to plumb it into the slab. Hopefully, this is due to my ignorance of plumbing fittings, rather than trying to do something a little crazy.
The tub came with a faucet and 2″ drain that are both set up to easily connect to if you can work underneath. Since underneath is concrete, I won’t be able to do that. I’ve cut the concrete and trenched in the ProPex supply lines to the faucet and the PVC drain to the point of connection, but am struggling with the best way to make the final connections.
For the drain, I can see stubbing out a nipple and using a union to connect to the drain, but ideally, I’d like to find some sort of chromed fitting that I could easily attach to my drain stub out.
For the faucet, the connections on the faucet look to be 1/2″ straight pipe and I’m stuck figuring out a good way to transition from ProPex to something that can be worked from above to make a watertight connection in less than the 1″ space which is available between the finish floor level and the faucet base.
Any suggestions are welcome as my google fu isn’t working well and I don’t really like the solutions I’ve identified so far.
This is the tub in question. https://www.lowes.com/pd/AKDY-Freestanding-Combo-Bathtub-69-in-Gloss-Finish-Silver-Foil-Acrylic-Bathtub-Modern-Clawfoot-Stand-Alone-Tub-with-Faucet/5001048269
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Replies
What is the finished floor?
It will be tile over concrete.
The tub is going to need a p-trap that connects the tub drain and overflow to the DWV system. The tub and the other fixtures will also need to be properly vented to the exterior. Check with the manufacturer of the tub for a tub/overflow drain kit (chrome appearance). I think you will need to raise the floor or dig an accessible pit for your connections.
Andy,
Putting that on a concrete floor is probably the most complex tub installation I can think of. As Jonathan said, I'd be tempted to frame a tiled plinth - either to sit the whole tub on, or just under the drain and water supply.
One thing they don't tell you with those acrylic free standing tubs is that they are light. That means if you leave it as is, any time somebody bumps into it when empty it will move putting strain the plumbing which will leak. Make sure to figure out how to keep it in place. Look at creating a pocket for the adjuster feet and embedding it into adhesive or grout after the tub is leveled.
For the drain, mock up the tub and drain kit and measure exactly where the drain must go. This is unforgiving, the stub from the ground must come up at the right location otherwise it will look crooked or might not be able to connect it up.