Bathtub install – Use of foam instead of a mortar bed?
Footsox
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I’m going to be installing a Kohler alcover bathtub. The tub is very high end and hard acrylic. I was going to support it with a mortar bed, like most installation recommend. A friend, who works for a remodeling company tells me they use high density foam under the bathtubs they install. I am just looking for advice. I have also emailed the Kohler company and hope to hear back soon. Has anyone used high density foam under a bathtub install? Thanks in advance.
Replies
Just so you get an answer. I’m done now but, I have never used any foam under any of the beats me how many, tubs or shower bases. With this caveat. Two times I accessed below previously installed tubs to spray foam them in an attempt to firm up the bottoms. Thankfully these installs were not my jobs.
Please return to inform us what Kohler says.
I have never tried spray foam under a tub or shower base, but have always used mortar to firm up bases and make them "rock solid" AND also "noise free". Due to my objective of having a "noise free" installation, I would stick with mortar. I can imagine that a foamed base could become squeaky with time, and some folks have had problems with ants, and other pests, with spray foam, so the safe bet is mortar, and it's not that difficult to use...
I finally got a response back from the Kohler people. They will not warranty the tub if it is installed with spray foam under it and they highly recommend a mortar bed for stability. I will continue on with my plan to lay a bed of mortar under the tub.
Thanks for returning and the answer.
I would agree with the Kohler folks, and have installed a few of their shower bases/tubs. The mortar gives a very solid feel to acrylic products, and it's not that difficult to do...
My rule: Don't do science projects on things that are hard to redo. In the time it takes to read this post and type a response, I can mix up a bag of mortar and be done with it.