I’m right in the middle of redoing our upstairs bathroom and I am at a crossroads. My wife is determined that I install a double pedestal claw foot tub. The original tub was a marble/synthetic tub….heavy…but probably not as heavy as a iron claw foot.
How do I go about getting a 400lb tub up a flight of stairs? I’m assuming getting a load of strong floks. Also is there any general structural “rule of thumbs” regarding what weight joists will withstand? The house was built in 1928 and has 6 inch joists at roughly 12 inch spacings….any comments would be appreciated (do’s, don’ts, watch-outs!)
Replies
Try renting a refrigerator dolly to get the tub up the stairs. Be sure to pad it well so the metal dolly doesn't scratch it. I have a cast iron tub over 2x6 pine floor joists spaced 16-18" apart; it's been there since at least 1942 with no problems. Remember, the water in the tub will weigh substantially more than the tub itself - figure on 8 lbs per gallon. I think more important than total weight is weight distribution. Unlike your old tub, the clawfoot will concentrate the load on four small feet. Be sure your floor treatment can handle it; a substantial subfloor will help distribute the load more evenly.
Conrad
My wife wanted one in each bathroom so I got the American Standard one which is beautiful and its acrylic so it only weights like 100 lbs and change. Not 100% historic but I moved it up the 19 stairs with no problem.
But another option for you is renting a forklift or "Lull" and going in a window. Sure, its about $250. to do so but you don't risk getting hurt...
Mike
We just lugged a 550# tub up about 12 stairs. 2 guys at each end of the tub. Take it slow and communicate. It wasn't really all that bad.
~TBone
you forgot the part about breathing heavy
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Along with a few appropriately placed sh!tes and what the...And a cigarette afterward.
I've helped move a few heavy tubs up stairs, some as far as 3rd floor (6 short stairways + landings) and found that a dolly was more of a nussiance than anything. Problem is, when making turns the dolly with it's wheels actually gets in the way.
One thing we do that is very effective is the guys at the top have ropes which loop around the bottom end of the tub, the ends of the rope wrapped (NOT tied!) around their wrists for a better grip.
Most people lift it up one step at a time, but I prefer when it's in the air to just keep going. Problem with putting it down is then you have to pick it up again. --------------------------------------------------------
For a good time, visit MyToolbox.net See some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
I wonder if you can get a piano mover to lug it up there for you? Lugging heavy, delicate stuff is their speciality!
We have an old post and beam house with original cast iron tubs on the second floor. The one near the outside wall was ok, but the one in the center of a 12' span ,24"oc , of oak 4x5 +- had quite an effect on the dipping aspect of the floor. About 1.5-2" sag in the span. The floor beams are full dimension with single layer wide pine plank floor. I would be a little careful where the tub is located on the framing layout.
Thanks for the help all. The planned location is approximately 5 ft from the main beam that supports the joists and directly against the adjacent outside wall. After remeasuring I confirmed the joists are actually 8"x 3". I was thinking maybe having a structural engineer look at it? Just so I could sleep good at night after it goes in....
I prefer to rip out ceilings & install picking eyes.
Here is a 500 pounder I installed in an alcove a couple of moths ago.
View Image
View Image
But in most cases an appliance dolly works well.