How do I fit my new fibreglass bath?

muffking · 7 Aug 2008

While the plaster is drying in my bathroom I need to get my head round how to mount the bath.
It has a thin wood frame presumably to mount the side panel, but it also has 2 metal U shaped pipes to act as some kind of support? My real question is what's the proper way to mount the bath in the correct position???

breezer · 7 Aug 2008

plug hole goes towards the bottom

ours looks like you say. it also has adjustable height feet on the u tubes

why not "fit it" some where else to see how it goes, and what does what?

muffking · 7 Aug 2008

breezer said:
plug hole goes towards the bottom

ours looks like you say. it also has adjustable height feet on the u tubes

why not "fit it" some where else to see how it goes, and what does what?

I wondered why the kitchen was wet from the water running through the ceiling with my last bath

Here's a picture of underneath the bath. I can see where the U tubes screw to the chipboard base, but they wouldn't stop th bath from swaying side to side when full and I'm not sure that I would trust them to hold the weight either.

cider · 7 Aug 2008

muffking said:
breezer said:

plug hole goes towards the bottom

ours looks like you say. it also has adjustable height feet on the u tubes

why not "fit it" some where else to see how it goes, and what does what?

Click to expand...

I wondered why the kitchen was wet from the water running through the ceiling with my last bath

Here's a picture of underneath the bath. I can see where the U tubes screw to the chipboard base, but they wouldn't stop th bath from swaying side to side when full and I'm not sure that I would trust them to hold the weight either.

what you planning on filling it with ? concrete !

doormouse1 · 7 Aug 2008

I also have a bath to fit, so I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.

Having similar concerns to yours, I was thinking about filling under the bath with that terrible spray foam stuff to add a bit of suppport. Does anyone know if this would work.

muffking · 7 Aug 2008

cider said:
what you planning on filling it with ? concrete !

Well it is only chipboard!

doormouse1 said:
I also have a bath to fit, so I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.

Having similar concerns to yours, I was thinking about filling under the bath with that terrible spray foam stuff to add a bit of suppport. Does anyone know if this would work.

Nope, I'm thinking 2 feet long blocks of wood the same thickness as the gap betwen the floor and the baths base to fill in the gaps all way along it's length.

cider · 7 Aug 2008

muffking said:
cider said:

what you planning on filling it with ? concrete !

Click to expand...

Well it is only chipboard!

doormouse1 said:

I also have a bath to fit, so I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.

Having similar concerns to yours, I was thinking about filling under the bath with that terrible spray foam stuff to add a bit of suppport. Does anyone know if this would work.

Click to expand...

Nope, I'm thinking 2 feet long blocks of wood the same thickness as the gap betwen the floor and the baths base to fill in the gaps all way along it's length.

ahh lead then

lagunaglen · 7 Aug 2008

Try reading the manufacturers instructions you will have got with the bath, it will tell you all you need to know.
For extra support you will need to use the 2 brackets to screw it against the wall, and silicone to seal it.
And i usually support all 4 corners with timber to stop it flexing.

snes · 7 Aug 2008

I appreciate the whole thing looks rickety, but when assembled and in position, your bath will certainly not bulge or bend underneath. Even with you, water and even the missus (ooh er!) inside.

Trust me on this.

However, bear in mind those four spindly adjustable legs will be taking all the weight. If you have a thin chipboard floor or if the legs sit between joists (does that make sense to you?) then you may find it useful to mount the legs on a plank of wood to help spread the load.

Have fun!

spacethegas · 7 Aug 2008

take "u tubes" off.
read instructions.

muffking · 8 Aug 2008

lagunaglen said:
Try reading the manufacturers instructions you will have got with the bath, it will tell you all you need to know.
For extra support you will need to use the 2 brackets to screw it against the wall, and silicone to seal it.
And i usually support all 4 corners with timber to stop it flexing.

I'm afraid it didn't come with instructions despite being part of a whole suite from MFI.
I like the sound of using corner supports though as it does have a wooden frame under the rim that I can prop up. The U tubes seem to be to support the base from the floor though.

snes said:
I appreciate the whole thing looks rickety, but when assembled and in position, your bath will certainly not bulge or bend underneath. Even with you, water and even the missus (ooh er!) inside.

Trust me on this.

However, bear in mind those four spindly adjustable legs will be taking all the weight. If you have a thin chipboard floor or if the legs sit between joists (does that make sense to you?) then you may find it useful to mount the legs on a plank of wood to help spread the load.

Have fun!

I'll know better whn it's in situ' as I'll be able to tell properly how stable it is.
There are no adjustable legs though, just the U tubes.

spacethegas said:
take "u tubes" off.
read instructions.

Again, no instructions, just U tubes.

AlanE · 8 Aug 2008

Looks like the adjustable feet are missing, just like the instructions!

DCPlumbing · 8 Aug 2008

The bath should come with a fittings pack which includes Instructions, Four plastic cylindrical fittings that screw to the frame to accept the "U tubes" Adjustable feet, wall brackets and quite importantly ( to stop you slashing your bum when you take a bath)the correct size screws to fit the frame to the chipboard.

The instructions will give you the the dimensions as to where the fittings should be fitted.

As mentioned above a bit of plywood or wooden planks under the feet to spread the load is a good idea, Screw everything down solid and the bath will be fine.

muggles · 9 Aug 2008

Ah it sounds like the idea of MFI changing really was a myth then - they still send you things with vital bits missing. You should have a fittings pack as has already been mentioned.

As for fitting it, I always put lengths of 2x1 batten on the walls that it's going to be fitted to. Makes sure they are absolutely level, and well-secured, and this will make your life much easier when you come to fit it. Run a good thick bead of silicone all around the top of the batten where it joins the wall, then push the bath into place (the adjustable legs should be up at this point, not dragging on the ground) Wind the legs down starting with the ones furthest from the batten (IE those nearest you) until the bath is level. There's normally screw holes in the feet so you can screw it down as well, bet be sure there's no pipes in the way before you do this.

Hope this helps.

muffking · 9 Aug 2008

Things are starting to happen now. I'll post more photos when I can.

I've got some adjustable height feet with 2 nuts that go up the treaded shaft on the feet. Should I wind the nuts to the bottom of the feet & then push the feet in the holes at the base of the U tube, or should there be a nut either side of the U tube to be tightened after the height has been adjusted?

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How do I fit my new fibreglass bath?

breezer

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